Are you tired of the same old straight, perpendicular lines between photos? It might be time to think outside the box (literally).
In the latest “Mat Doctors” feature, Brian Wolf, CPF, GCF, challenges us to ditch the 90-degree angles and embrace the drawing program on our CMCs. While standard design software doesn’t have a “cool divider” button, mastering a few drawing tools can revolutionize your casual presentations.
Here are three ways to shake up your multi-opening mats:
1. The “Sisters” Slant 
Why stay straight? Rotating a divider just 10 degrees creates immediate drama.
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The Look: Arrange images so they aren’t the same height or perfectly centered.
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The Trick: Create an extra opening where the gap belongs, then rotate it to create your cut lines.
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Why it works: It feels casual yet intentional, guiding the eye from top-left to bottom-right.
2. The Tapered Gap
If parallel lines feel too “safe,” try tapering the divider so it’s wider at one end than the other.
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The Look: A divider that might be 0.8” at the top and 0.5” at the bottom.
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The Trick: Use the Explode function to separate your lines, then move the top points to create the taper.
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Pro Tip: Make sure the taper is obvious enough that it looks like a design choice, not a mistake!
3. Curvaceous Cuts
Curves are visually appealing and break up the rigidity of square frames.
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Parallel Curves: Use the Offset function to create perfectly concentric curved lines between images.
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Tapered Curves: Move control points to make curves that expand or contract. This creates a dynamic look that goes way beyond what people expect.
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Zig-Zags: You can even interrupt curves with geometric shapes or zig-zags for a mechanical or modern feel.
Master Your Tools
The secret sauce isn’t magic; it’s understanding your CMC’s drawing functions: Explode, Delete, Join, and Offset. Once you learn to manipulate lines and control points, you aren’t just cutting mats---you’re designing art.
