Herself’s Webtools

After:

Before:

This is a very simple Gimp trick to give you a 3d frame that frames your picture and then makes it look as though your picture is sitting behind a pane of glass as well.

Always work on a copy! Make a copy of your original image.

Open up the copy in Gimp.

First part of the border:
Go to Script-Fu -> Decor -> Add border
Choose a border size between 5-30 pixels
Set the Delta value on color to between 25 and 50, higher gives a stronger 3D effect
Choose a border color that is darker than the color you want the final frame
Click OK

Now we have a border, lets give it a little more depth:
Go to Script-Fu -> Decor -> Add Bevel
Choose a thickness the same size as your border
Click OK

That looks a bit better now lets add the effect the makes the picture look like it is behind some glass and behind the frame

Go to Script-Fu -> Shadow -> Zack-Effect
The default settings are just fine
Click OK

This puts a shadow and highlight on the inside of the frame which makes the picture look set back from the frame.

See also Gimp Basics: Beginning