Why won't my frame bond to my picture?

[LemonPeeler]

PROBLEM:  When we drag a frame to a photo (the layer is active), the frame will not frame in the picture.  It simply adds the frame and requests we drag a picture to the frame.  Why wouldn't the frame be attaching itself to the picture?  Most articles indicate that this is a simple operation of dragging the frame to the photo on that layer.

OBSERVATION:  The only thing we can think of, is that the picture may have had a bevel added at some point, though we don't seem to see one.  Could this be an issue.  If so, how can we clear the layer of any other effects that might interfere with a frame?

Thank you for any help.

[Greg_S.]

Yes, I believe the fact that you have added a bevel effect to your photo will result in what you are seeing.  You should really start with a blank new file with your desired dimensions, add the frame, then drag your photo up from the Photo Bin.  You can then resize the image to fit the frame. 

You can see what the problem is if you open the layers panel and see all the layers after the frame has been added.  It is possible to rearrange the layers to have your photo fit inside the frame but some of the frames have complex layers which makes this difficult.

Another problem is the orientation of the frame.  They come in different shapes and sizes.  So, e.g., if you add a landscape frame to a portrait photo, the frame will crop the photo to fit the frame and you will lose the top and bottom of the photo. You can resize the photo within the frame using the zoom and move tools.  You can also resize most frames to fit the image.  But depending on the graphics used in the frame, this may cause some distortion of the frame.

[Greg_S.]

Here is a little video tutorial by @99jon that demonstrates some of what I am talking about.  You may find it useful.

[LemonPeeler]

Thank you, Greg, for your assistance.  As you said, the frame components that are added can be confusing, but we did learn quite a bit about how the frame feature accomplishes its magic.  We will do a little experimenting.

[hatstead]

deleted