PhotoFrame Pro 3 Review

Want to create interesting edge effect to your digital photos? onOne software's PhotoFrame Pro does that and adds a load of frames too.

There are many Photoshop plug-ins to help you add new and exciting features to the program. One such item is PhotoFrame Pro, now in version 3.

The minimum hardware requirements are as follows:

Mac: OS X 10.3.9 or higher
Windows: XP with SP 2

• Photoshop CS or CS2
• Photoshop Elements 3 or 4
• 2.4 GB of hard disk space
• 512 MB of RAM
• DVD-R Drive

The software comes in a DVD-size case and, when installed, finds your Photoshop folder and adds itself as an plug-in extension. The program only works with Photoshop CS or CS2 and appears near the bottom of the filter menu.

Open a photo and call up the plug-in - Filter>onOne>Photo FramePro 3. You photo appears in a new window with a three surounding palettes, each with a set of effects tabs. These do take up a lot of space on a 17in monitor but can be opened, closed or toggled through tabs using the F1 to F11 keys. An option to close all would also be useful rather than having to hit three keys.

Here acid burn is being applied. You can see the frame handles (squares) in our out to adjust the amount of frame showing and where on the photo. You can also click outside to call up the rotate tool and spin it in either direction.

The Frames appear in the larger palette and a total of 4294 can be applied. These can be viewed as a list of all where you scroll down to the desired frame, or filtered using the sub menu of edges arranged in five volumes. When you find a style you want click on it for a live preview over the image. And drag the frame handles so the frame covers the area well. What I'd really like is the ability to drag outwards as well, without losing the edge. In the example above, this would have allowed me to use the ragged effect without cutting into the model's head. I can do it, but I have to increase the canvas size before open the filter menu. If I could drag outside the natural canvas area and the program adds extra canvas when it processes that would be much better. An option for version 4 maybe?

Some effects are great for backgrounds to grunge style effects. This one from the iron oxide selection puts a wonderful rough frame that spreads into the image.

If you like the effect you can then use various other controls to edit the edge such as add a glow, bevel or drop shadow. You can also select colours for the effects, adding a different colour to the background and one to the glow. Most of this will create hidous effects with those who tend to "experiment".

But the effects won't be as hidous as some of the 4294 edges. Some of the frames are horendous, but suit those who enjoy clip art and really cheesy presentations.

Three edge effects - left to right: the good (toothbrush) the bad (alphabet) and the ugly (an ornamental frame).

The more creative will find the Alphabet and number frames interesting and those who like to recreate film effects will find a collection of really cool edges. While artistic ones will enjoy the grunge style effects. Basically there's something for everyone and many variations of each. And if you don't find one you really like just spend a bit of time with the editing tools and you'll make it work.

Frames you like can be saved into favourites to be recalled with ease. Edges can be applied to the actual photo or as a layer above and several edge effects can be applied to one photo.

Here toner scratch was applied and then a green background colour was selected.

Verdict
PhotoFrame Pro 3 is a wonderful plug-in that competes with AutoFX PhotoGraphic Edges. With about a quarter the number of effects it's less impressive, but the interface is easy to use and it applies the preview speedily.
Well worth a look at around £25 less. We've just scratched the surface with the program. Check out the onOne web site for a more in-depth video preview.

In summary, the positive points of the PhotoFrame Pro 3 are:
Superb Film and classic edges
Excellent customisation through editing palettes

The negative points are:
Tacky photo frames

Check out the latest price of the PhotoFrame 3 here