How to Create Custom Frames for Canva using Affinity Designer | Canva Tutorials

[@Steffi.EchoGraphix]

The best frames tutorial I have found on here!! 👏👏

[@n3tworth]

Woots! Thank you Steffi!

[@janeg1428]

Great tutorial, just what I was looking for. Can you save the frame you make in Affinity in Canva for future use?

[@n3tworth]

Thanks so much for watching and glad we could help! For saving in Canva, all PDF files you upload to Canva are automatically saved as design projects. You can use that throughout any other project by opening up the project you want to add the frame to, then click PROJECTS from the sidebar navigation menu. Find the frame you just uploaded from your list of projects, and then click it. The frame will replace everything on the current page so be sure to add it to a blank page inside your project. Alternatively, you can open up the project with the frame inside it and copy/paste it into a new project. Be sure to make a folder for all your frames so they are easier to find and use later. I hope that answered your question :)

[@marypetersoncook615]

You made this look super easy!

[@n3tworth]

🥳 I was so happy when I figured it out because I thought it was going to be a pain but it's not :)

[@Dawns_Creative_Carousel]

Whoever edits your videos is 🧑‍🍳 😘

[@n3tworth]

Awww thanks Dawns! We did it ;)

[@digging4diamonds792]

Thank you so much! You are great! You pace yourself very well!!! Looking forward to much more from you!

[@n3tworth]

So glad you liked it! Definitely more to come!

[@kelabs]

This was very helpful, thank you!

[@n3tworth]

Glad it's useful :) Thanks for watching!

[@PinkPiggies]

Hey that example with “splitting” the unicorn into 3 different layers is very interesting! But what if, for example, I only want the horn to be converted into a frame. So now I have two layers, horn (frame) & body (not frame). When I transfer this back to canva, canva sees this as 2 layers. I don’t want that. I want the horn frame to be one layer with the body. I don’t want to have to group & ungroup them in canva. Is there a way to combine the layers first in AD maybe before we transfer the image to canva?

[@n3tworth]

Great question and thanks for watching! I would love that ability as well but so far it's not possible with Affinity Designer. You can, of course, group the layers, Add (merge) the layers, or use the Compound feature in AD, but that would result in one shape that you couldn't edit in separate parts once brought back into Canva. If I ever figure out a way, I'll make another tut :)

[@KCentricPrints]

Love this!! Thank you.

[@n3tworth]

You are most welcome :) Thanks for watching!

[@terrekrotzer]

Thanks! This was clear and concise and very helpful!

[@n3tworth]

Awesome! I'm so glad I could help 😁

[@amygatto8106]

This is a great tuto! In the first part, is there a way to keep the border part of the frame so that it can't be deleted or moved. I want to create a frame I can use over and over again but be able to change the color of the border in Canva.

[@n3tworth]

So glad you found it helpful! And definitely, just be sure to export the base vector graphic and it's outline together on one pdf. You can do that by ensuring that the option "whole document" is selected as the area of export, as seen @5:03. As long as both the outline and the image are frame-ready (clipping mask with a texture), then you'll be able to use both the graphic and it's outline together or separately once pulled into Canva. I hope that helps!

[@wandabalket7985]

Thank you!

[@n3tworth]

You are more than welcome!

[@gravieregifts]

Hi. Will the custom multiple pieces only work with an svg file?

[@n3tworth]

Hi there :) Thanks for this question! Using an SVG is the only way because an SVG is a vector file whereas a PNG is a raster file. Using vector files not only help maintain clarity when scaling, but also make it possible for clipping (placing an image inside of shape so the image can take on the shape). If you pulled a png/jpg image into Affinity, and try and clip another image into it, you'll find that the actual shape is a square/rectangle, instead of the shape you see in the image. An SVG vector file can be manipulated as it preserves shape and layers. A raster file is merged down (flattened) and therefore cannot be manipulated. If you don't have an SVG file to start, you can take the pen tool and draw out the points of the desired shape. That can be a tedious process, depending on the shape and desired details, but the end result will give you greater flexibility and control. I hope that helps :)

[@dierrachanelcreationsz]

How to do this but instead of making it a drag and drop frame make it to where you can send image to back type of template

[@n3tworth]

Interesting concept 🤔 Do you mean a frame that has an overlay? Like, for instance, a mockup of a mobile device with a faux shiny surface that the frame image adheres to? Or let's say a Tshirt that has a specular design pattern that the frame image can then embody? If so, I believe there is a way...I'd have to tinker with it 🤔

[@commandyourwealth]

I don't know if Canva changed something, but I can't get this to work for me unfortunately.

[@commandyourwealth]

never mind, user error. thank you for this video!!!!

[@n3tworth]

Sorry for the late reply. You are most welcome!