Framing. Treating, the initial phase in the shaping cycle, creates a homogeneous, plastic mud mass. Typically, this is accomplished by adding water to the earth in a pug plant , a blending chamber in with at least one rotating shafts with edge expansions. In the wake of pugging, the plastic earth mass is prepared for framing. There are three chief cycles for framing block: solid mud, delicate mud and dry-press.