Objects are editable elements from which you can compose a photo product, i.e. images, layouts and backgrounds. Before selecting such an object in the editor, it first has to be selected in the object browser and inserted. In the object browser you specify what is included in the product editor.
For many photo products specific product properties are shown and can be modified at the top of the object browser window.
At the top of the object browser there is a selection box provided to restrict the display of the possible objects, for example to the layouts for a certain number of photos per page or to backgrounds with a "nature" theme.
Below this there are thumbnails of the objects which can be dragged into the product editor with the mouse.
The size of the thumbnails can be changed with the slider at the bottom of the display.
The object browser is subdivided into tabs for the various object types that you can insert into the product editor. The tab layout changes to reflect the product you are editing.
The tabs:
The object browser for images is subdivided into two tabs: "Local" and "Web albums".
In this tab you will find the images that you have stored locally, that is, on your computer. In a similar style to your operating system’s explorer, you can navigate to the image directories on your storage media in the top section of the "Object browser".
|
Please note: |
All the images in the directory you have selected are shown below this.
Images that you have already used in your photo book are checked.
You can change the thumbnail view size using the zoom slider at the bottom.
In addition to the zoom slider there are other important buttons to use a selected "Photo as background on double spread" (on both pages), a "Photo as background on left" or a "Photo as background on right".
The context menu (right click the image view) offers you various view, sort and paste options:
Not available for print orders!
After selecting an image, this function finds images in the same directory that you either photographed at the same time (by date and time) and/or that look similar. You can use the slider to set the degree of similarity.
Creates a collage from multiple selected images. The size and position of the images is random and automatic. You can execute this command several times in succession until you are satisfied with the results.
Sorts images either alphabetically by file name or chronologically by the date and time they were taken.
If you add image files to the current directory while you are working with the photo software, the new photos may not be display immediately. This command forces the software to reload the directory and therefore the thumbnails.
Displays or hides the file name below the thumbnails.
Displays the images by colour grouped in a separate window.
Horizontally or vertically adjacent images will match well on the same page in your photo book. Double clicking the image inserts it into the photo product. Tip: Make sure you select a background with a matching or complementary colour.
Launches the Photo Book Assistant.
(Refer to the "The Photo Book Assistant" section.)
Launches the Photo Show. (Refer to the "Photo Show" section.)
The Photo Show (with image editing functions) can also be launched by double clicking the preview image.
This tab gives you the option of registering with the "locr" and "flickr" photo communities and adding the photos you upload to these addresses to your photo product.
If you are not a member of these communities, you can use the "Info" link to register.
For "locr" you also have the option of automatically uploading the images you use for your order to "locr".
To insert an image into your photo product, hold down the left mouse button and drag it from the object browser to the product editor workspace or to the required layout frame. The image will snap into the layout frame.
The layout frame will react in two possible ways:
The image scales to match the layout frame. The layout frame remains unchanged and the height or width of the image is modified, depending on which aspect of the image and the frame offers the best match.
Any parts of the image that extend beyond the frame are no longer visible, but you can scale the height and width of the layout frame and use the "Scale down image" / "Scale up image" tools to define the image selection shown in the frame.
The layout frame scales to match the image. You can see the whole image, and the layout frame changes to match the longer side of the image. Again you can scale the layout frame. If you use the handles at the corners to scale the layout frame, the aspect will be kept and the image will automatically scale. If you scale only the width and height of the layout frame, the parts of the image that are outside the layout frame are no longer visible.
When scaling the layout frame up or down, the image is scaled with the frame; if you use the side handles for scaling this is not the case, and you will need to scale down the image manually inside the frame using the "Scale down image" function.
You can set the layout frame behaviour using the options in the main menu for all images you insert. For more details, refer to the "Program Options" section.
|
Note: |
The "Design" object browser is typically divided into three tabs: "Background", "Content", and "Clipart".
A selection box lists backgrounds sorted by theme or application. The default setting is "Multicolor".
"Multicolor" backgrounds are textured backgrounds with patterns that you can select in 42 different colours.
Previews of the backgrounds are shown in the preview area below the selection box.
To insert a background, double click its preview image; this applies the background to the double page spread. To apply the background to a single page, hold down the left mouse button and drag the image to the required page, or use the buttons at the bottom of the object browser.
Alternatively, you can use the context menu (right click the preview image with the mouse) to apply the background to all pages, all left pages, or all right pages.
You can download and install additional backgrounds from the internet by pressing the "Download more ..." button.
You can also use your own images as backgrounds for pages.
Only for photo products which optionally support templates, e.g. calendars, and some photo gifts.
Templates are pre-defined layouts, for example for theme photo books, comprising a page layout, a background and possibly texts with photos.
You can add more templates by pressing the "Download more... " button in the object browser (as described in the chapter "Tips and Tricks").
Clipart refers to graphics used to brighten up your pages.
Select a clipart that you like, and drag it into the product editor.
You can position the clipart freely and scale it without loss.
Only for canvases and collage posters with a floating frame.
You can select the colour and structure of the picture frame which will hold your canvas or collage poster.
This section also features two tabs, "Page layout" and "Image masks".
While page layouts apply to the pages in your photo product, the image masks only apply to individual images.
A page layout is a group of images and text boxes in the product editor workspace.
Some pre-defined layouts are provided and you can alo save and reassign your own layouts.
The default setting is a display of the layouts which match the number of photos on the current page, and you can also change the layout preview to the number of images you wish to use in the layout.
Double clicking the preview applies the layout to both of the pages that are shown; to apply the layout to one page only, hold down the left mouse button and drag the layout to the required page.
Alternatively you can use the buttons at the bottom to "Apply layout to left page", "Apply layout to right page", "Apply layout to both visible pages", and "Apply layout to all pages in book".
An image mask crops the image to a specific, selectable shape just like a template. The edges of the image can be in sharp focus or gradually blend into the background depending on the image mask that you choose.
Examples:
You can drag an image mask onto the required image or the required layout frame in the product editor. The effect is immediately visible.