AKVIS Frame Suite

Reviewed by Geetesh Bajaj, May 4th 2007

Introduction

Photoshop and other image editors include a tange of tools that do allow you to create different types of frames. However, most of these tools are not automatic nor do they contain a library of preset frames that can be tweaked.

AKVIS Frame Suite, a Photoshop compatible plug-in contains an impressive collection frames and edge effects that can be used to add a creative flair to your images. And if you are not happy with the default frames provided, you can tweak them and create your own preset.

Frame Suite is from AKVIS, a company based in Russia that specializes in graphics programs. Apart from Frame Suite, AKVIS also creates other Photoshop compatible plug-ins like Retoucher, Chameleon, Stamp, Sketch, Enhancer, Decorator and Coloriage.

You can download a free 10 day trial version of Frame Suite from the AKVIS site...

My contact at AKVIS for this review was Kat Kharina, thank you Kat.

Back

How To Use

Here’s how you can use Frame Suite to apply a frame or edge to a image:

1. Open any image in an image editor such as Adobe Photoshop.
   
   
2. Choose Filter | AKVIS | Frame Suite, as shown in Figure 1.
   
   
   Figure 1: AKVIS Frame Suite
   
   
3. This will open the Frame Suite interface that you can see in the Figure 2 below.
   
   
   Figure 2 : AKVIS Frame Suite Interface
   
   The interface is explained below:
   
   
   1. Preview has two tabs -- Before and After, which show the original and changed images.
      
      
   2. On the top right, you'll find the Navigator.
      
      
   3. Frames (see Figure 3) provides a list of different types of frames and edges.
      
      
      Figure 3: Frames
      
      
   4. Properties (see Figure 4) allows you to tweak individual frame properties with sliders.
      
      
      Figure 4: Properties
      
      There are other usage controls too that are not too obvious. For example, if you choose a Pattern style frame, you'll need to double click the active pattern to open the pattern library (as shown in Figure 5).
      
      
      Figure 5: Pattern Library
      

4. After selecting the frame or edge, click the Run icon (see icon below).
   
   
   
   
5. This applies and creates a preview of the image. If you want to make more changes, you can select another frame or edge as required. You can preview the changed image in the After tab, as shown in Figure 6.
   
   
   Figure 6: The Before and After tabs
   
   
6. Once you’re done with the applying frame or a edge, apply the result to the image by pressing the Apply icon (see icon below) to return to Photoshop, or another image editor.
   
   

Note: Although the instructions above showed how you can use AKVIS Frame Suite as a Photoshop plug-in, the product also works in the same way in standalone mode -- just launch the application through its icon in the AKVIS Frame Suite group in your Windows Start Menu.

Back

Specifications

Photoshop Versions:	5+
Platforms:	Windows, Mac
Site:	AKVIS
Price:	US$49 and above
Trial Version:	10 days

Back