Adding Colored picture frame

[pdxrjt]

I am not sure how to do this, or if it can be done. I make collages in which I create a 16x20 inch colored background, then select various pictures, resize them and add them as layers. This time I would like to add a picture frame such as the first edge brush (which comes with PSPx8) and have the frame be the color of the background collage. When I select the frame it tells me I cannot color the frame because it does not have an alpha channel and you cannot check the "keep transparent" checkbox (it is greyed out.) If I just apply the frame it is white and if I try color fill it colors the entire layer..... So, what I would like to do would be to have the white area of the picture frame be the same color as the underlying blank collage color. I hope this question is clear, if not I will be happy to elucidate. TIA

[JoeB]

EDIT: I posted the below before putting some thought into it. I believe the answer to my query is that you want to use the frame to create an edge effect to the edges of the image on the background that matches the frame's effect, and by having the frame color merge with the background you get that effect. I should have spent more time thinking about it!

I'm not sure why you want to do this, but perhaps you just haven't explained your goal in a way I understand. If you make the frames of the pictures in the collage the same color as the background of the collage then you won't be able to see the frame. It will look like it's the background. So what am I missing?

[Forriner]

If I understand your question correctly:
When you apply the picture frame it's added as a layer to the image. You can activate the layer and use the magic wand selection tool to select the white part of the frame. Then use the flood fill tool to fill the selection with the foreground colour (left click) or background colour (right click) of the Materials palette. Make sure the flood colour is the background colour of your collage.

[pdxrjt]

Ah, good idea, selecting with the magic wand and using flood fill. Thanks much. As to why I want to do it, the "frames" I wish to use would be consider "borders" by some programs. Open your photo, go to as I said, go to PSP select image/picture frames/the first "brush frame" (can't remember the full name) and you will see a white rectangle with a slightly uneven edge on the inside of the frame (bordering your actual picture.) I have made many collages with various edges, borders and special effects on the individual pictures. This time I would like a different effect, that of a somewhat uneven edge with the color of the main collage occupying the area in white on the frame/border. I hope I have justified my question and how I wish to use picture frames to your satisfaction.

[JoeB]

Ah, good idea, selecting with the magic wand and using flood fill. Thanks much. As to why I want to do it, the "frames" I wish to use would be consider "borders" by some programs.

Yes, I think I figured that out which is why I edited my post.

Another suggestion after you have followed Forriner's advice that might be useful. If you are placing many smaller pictures on that background and want all of them in that collage to have the same effect then after you have the frame colored you could save it as a frame with that colored border for use on the rest of your smaller collage images, saving you from having to color each one separately. To do so simply drag the frame layer on to a blank part of the workspace, then go to File>Export>Picture Frame and save it using the same name as the original but adding an identifying word like the new color. In this example it could be "edge brush grey" (without the quotes) if you had used grey as your color. Then use that frame for all the other smaller images in that particular collage. Just a thought.

[pdxrjt]

To do so simply drag the frame layer on to a blank part of the workspace, then go to File>Export>Picture Frame and save it using the same name as the original but adding an identifying word like the new color. In this example it could be "edge brush grey" (without the quotes) if you had used grey as your color. Thanks, that appears to work.