Bracket Frame in Photoshop

This tutorial will show you how to make a bracket frame in Photoshop.

1.  Open up a new canvas.  Mine is 1200 x 1200 pixels.

2.  Select the Text Tool.  Choose your font and color.  I chose Trebuchet.  Choose a large point size for the font.  I chose 250 pt.

3.  Type the Curly bracket ( { ) character.  You may click the check mark to confirm.

4.  Select the Move Tool.  Make sure Show Transform Controls is checked.

5.  Move the bracket to your desired location.  If it wasn't big enough, select one of the squares and drag the curly bracket to increase the size.  If you re-size, don't forget to click the check mark to accept the transformation.

6.  Duplicate the layer by right-clicking on the layer in the layer palette and then selecting 'Duplicate Layer'.

7.  Flip the new layer horizontal (Edit > Transform > Flip Horizontal).

8.  With the Move Tool, move the bracket to the other side of the canvas.

9. Duplicate the layer by right-clicking on the layer in the layer palette and then selecting Duplicate Layer.

10. Rotate the layer 90 degrees clockwise ((Edit > Transform > Rotate 90^o CW).

11. With the Move Tool, move the bracket to the bottom of the canvas.

12.  Duplicate the layer.

13.  Flip the new layer vertical (Edit > Transform > Flip Vertical).

14.  With the Move Tool, move the bracket to the top of the canvas.

15.  Optional.  If the joins where the brackets meet at the corners is not smooth, it is possible to fix this with the Direct Selection Tool. First, right-click on the layer with the bracket that must be adjusted and select 'Convert to Shape'.

16.  Optional.  Next, select the Direct Selection Tool and double-click on the edge of the bracket shape.  Small open squares should be spaced along the edge of the shape.

17.  Optional.  Select an open square (this is a node) that needs to be moved by clicking on it.  This will turn the square solid.

18.  Optional.  Now drag the node to a more favorable location.

19.  Optional.  Repeat steps 15-18 for all brackets and nodes that need to be moved.

20.  Ctrl + Shift + E to Merge Visible.

21.  The bracket frame shape is now complete.  If you are happy with the color, then you are done.  Otherwise, create a new layer and fill with a color, gradient or pattern of your choice.  Or drag in a paper to form a new layer.

22.  Right-click on the new layer and select 'Create Clipping Mask'.

23.  The new color, gradient or pattern is now clipped to the bracket frame shape and the frame is complete.