Photoshop Frames vs. Smart Objects
Photoshop pros may know the same thing can be accomplished with layer masks and Smart Objects. Frames accomplish essentially the same goal but with a slightly more flexible system. For example, images in Frames can be moved around and transformed within the frame by default. Frames also make changing images and setting placeholders easier. Layer masks still work, of course, but the Frame tool gets the job done a little faster.
How to Make a Frame Using the Frame Tool
How to Create Photoshop Frames From Shapes
Frames can also be created in the shape of any selection you can make with the shape tools. You can also drag and drop an image from your computer to the frame.
Other Ways to Insert Images Into Frames
You can add images to a Frame in a few additional ways. The image is inserted as a Smart Object, and it can be scaled non-destructively with the Free Transform tool.
Drag/Drop asset: Drag an asset from Adobe Stock or the Libraries pane to the frame within the Canvas. By default, Photoshop places a dragged image as an embedded Smart Object. To place the image as a linked Smart Object, hold down the Option/Alt key while dragging.Drag/Drop from Computer: Drag an image from your computer’s local storage onto the workspace with the frame selected. This places the dragged image in the frame as an embedded Smart Object. To insert the dragged image as a linked Smart Object, hold down Option/Alt while dragging.Using File > Place: With a frame chosen, select File > Place Linked or File > Place Embedded and then select an image using the file picker. The selected image is placed within the frame and automatically scaled to fit the confines of the box.Drag Pixel Layer: Drag a pixel layer into an empty frame. The layer is converted to a Smart Object and placed in the frame.
Frames can also be left empty as placeholders. Create a frame over an empty layer, and the frame remains empty. Content can be added to the frame using any of the methods above when the asset is chosen and approved.
