How to Use Frames and Mats in Microsoft Digital Image Software

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By Monica Curran
eHow Contributing Writer

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(9 Ratings)

Sometimes any style of border will not do for your particular photo. This is when adding a frame or mat comes into the picture, literally. Here are some ways of adding either a frame or border to your photos using Microsoft Digital Image software.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Computer
Microsoft Digital Image software
Photos

Step 1

Open your Digital Software Program and photo. Before adding a frame or mat to any photo, you will need to click on the "Microsoft Digital Image Software" program on your desktop or any folder this program is kept. Then, you search for whichever photo you want, at this particular time, for whichever frame or mat you desire to use. These frames or mats, do tend to look a lot a like. Although, Microsoft shows the frames and mats as two different products for your photos.
Step 2

Click on the "Effects/Mats" button. In order to add a frame to any photo, simply click on "Effects," then scroll down to "Frames" and choose the "Frame" icon on the next page. One the left pane, you will see between 20 to 22 styles of frames that can be added to your photos. These photos range from Build your Own, Baby, Birthday, Christmas, General to Hobbies/Leisure, Household/Food to Illustrated Collage and so many more. This particular frame was found under "Baby."
Step 3

Click on the "Effects/Mats" button, again. In order to add a mat to any of your photos, again, you need to click on the "Effects" button. Once under the Effects button, scroll over to the "Mat" icon, click on it and choose the style of mat you want to use. The style of mat you can use will be on the left side of the software program.
Step 4

Choose any frame style you want. The photo below is using the illustrated floral style. There are so many styles of frames that can be added to any photo to desire. All you have to do is click on the "Digital Image Software" program. Once it is open, click on any of the five areas your photo might be stored in. Then, that photo will appear on the right pane of the software program. With photo open, click on "Effects" and "Frames/Mats."
Step 5

Click "Photo Simple Frame." To your left will be all the many, many styles of frames/mats you can apply to your photo. To apply any frame to your photo, remember, click on "Effects/Mats." Then click on "Illustrated Floral." Finally, scroll down page and search for frame that has a teal green on the inside and two flowers on opposite ends of the frame. With this frame clicked on, it will appear on Digital Image Software page, under your photo.
Step 6

Click on "Photo Simple Mat." Another way you can add a mat to any photo is this way. First, click on "Effects/Mat" once any photo you want to mat is open in the software program. Now, click on "Photo Simple Mat." At the bottom of the software program, on the left, you will see "Preview" and "Open." Click on the "Open" button. Once at the next page, click on the "Next" button at bottom of page. Now, you will be at the "Browse" button. Under the browse button will be more than 20 styles to choose from for adding a mat to your photo. Each of the styles has a subcategory that you can choose from. There are just so many frames and mats to choose from, it will amaze you. Have fun searching.