Add a simple border?

[TT1]

I wish to add a simple outside border to images for framing purposes. I would set the border width to be a fraction of the print size, e.g., for a 14x11 print a 1% border would be about 0.14" .. just about right for the frames I use. Ideally, a 'blurred' extension of the image edges would reduce the likelihood of being seen in the frame.

Is there a simple way to do this? An Action would be great if it would allow me to set the border percentage for the particular picture/frame size, and would be easy to 'apply' to a given image.

I tried using the Border tool, but it seems to insist on adding a drop shadow no matter what I do.

Many thanks. I'm new to the editing scene, so I hope this isn't as confusing as I made it sound...

[Hoogo]

What's the border tool?

I would try this:
-Duplicate the layer 2 times.
-Center the upper layer(s). There's an alignment toolbar for that purpose.

-Go to the background layer. "Layer > scale layer", choose formula and type w*1,01 and h*1,01. Beware: This keeps your aspect ratio, the borders can have different thickness.
-Blur this layer. "Filter > blur > radial blur" and/or normal soften look fine.

-Go to the middle layer. "Layout > Image > bring to document size" adds real transparency around it.
-Blur this layer, too, but less much.

These 2 layers together look like a nice guess for the extended border to me.

-If you feel that the edge between original and new background is still too sharp, then soften it:
-Go to the upper layer.
-"Layer > Layer mask > Create". Or use the button at the bottom of the layer list.
-Go to this new layer mask. "Layer > Layer stile > glowing inside" or again one of the buttons at the end of the layer list. Choose black, normal mode, and adjust.

[akeller]

*

[TT1]

Thanks much. Exactly what I needed.

[GM1968]

[quote="Hoogo"
-Go to the background layer. "Layer > scale layer", choose formula and type w*1,01 and h*1,01. Beware: This keeps your aspect ratio, the borders can have different thickness.
[/quote]

w+50 and h+50 (for 50 px) and you have the same thickness...

[bkh]

-Go to the background layer. "Layer > scale layer", choose formula and type w*1,01 and h*1,01. Beware: This keeps your aspect ratio, the borders can have different thickness.

w+50 and h+50 (for 50 px) and you have the same thickness...

… or you use w*1.01 and h + w*0.01 to have 1 % of width on either side. Or even better, w + 0.01*min(w;h) and h + 0.01*min(w;h) for a macro which is supposed to work with either portrait or landscape.

Cheers

Burkhard.

[GM1968]

-Go to the background layer. "Layer > scale layer", choose formula and type w*1,01 and h*1,01. Beware: This keeps your aspect ratio, the borders can have different thickness.

w+50 and h+50 (for 50 px) and you have the same thickness...

… or you use w*1.01 and h + w*0.01 to have 1 % of width on either side. Or even better, w + 0.01*min(w;h) and h + 0.01*min(w;h) for a macro which is supposed to work with either portrait or landscape.

Cheers

Burkhard.

wow... nice formula ! Merci Burkhard !