Frame Tool creates frame layer on random existing layer

[Timothy Bryan5FA3]

Hello everyone,

I have an issue with the frame tool that is just infuriating.

I am used to the frame tool working like this: You add the frame, it creates it's own separate layer for it which allows you to transform the frame itself. After adding the image in, a frame layer is added to this new frame so the frame works as intended.

But for a few days now, the frame tool "snaps" to a seemingly random (mostly the top one), already existing layer and creates a frame layer for it. That is absolutely not how it is supposed to work for me - I want it to be a new, separate frame that I can insert a picture in.

Is this a bug or a new feature? If so, can anyone help me get a grasp of what is going on?

I'd be really thankful for any help since this has just single-handedly destructed my workflow.

[davidjellings]

Hi Timothy,

I'm having the same issue, the only other reference I've been able to find is a post by Christopher Butler at Adobe:

"1. Frames have auto-nesting behavior, like artboards. When you place an empty Frame, it looks to "wrap itself around" existing content that is on the canvas. There are several rules in play for auto-nesting, including a heuristic that prevents auto-nesting if the content is determined to be too big."

Rather than, say, the less obvious heuristic of putting the frame on the layer the user has selected. I've found a workaround:

• Turn off the visibility of all layers  
• Use the frame tool - this should create a blank layer with a frame.
• Then insert the picture (or if it's already in a layer, turn on that layer visibility and drag the layer you want onto the content thumbnail for the frame layer in the layers panel.) 
• Once you have the content positioned, turn the layer into a smart object to prevent it gobbling up anything else that you might drop in.
• Turn on the visibility of the other layers again.

This seems to work for me on a Mac, I don't know how universal this is but give it a try. All the best.