Aperture photo book issue with custom theme

[Bill Jurasz]

I'm using Aperture 2 to make a photo book and I'm wanting to use a custom theme. I'll be using a different publisher for the book, with a different page size than the standard Aperture books, so I setup my own theme, defined my own page sizes and margins, and will use Aperture solely to design the pages. The problem is that the page numbering is off. The right hand pages are being labelled as the even numbered pages for some reason. Not sure what I did wrong. About ready to make a Genius Bar appointment for this one.

Fortunately I'm just playing around at the moment and have no paid deliverable that I need to worry about.

[Todd Corzett]

I used Aperture 2 with custom page sizes, etc. to make a book that I printed via Blurb. I did not use Aperture to number the pages... rather exported each page as a single image and created the book via the Blurb software, which did the page numbering.

-Todd...

[Bill Jurasz]

Thanks Todd!

[Bill Jurasz]

I used Aperture 2 with custom page sizes, etc. to make a book that I printed via Blurb.
Related to this, are you glad you used Aperture 2 to do the design of the book pages? I'm going this route because I think it will make the book design simpler to keep as many chores as possible within Aperture. And I think I'll be glad I did that in the end. Was that your experience too? Thanks again.

[Todd Corzett]

Related to this, are you glad you used Aperture 2 to do the design of the book pages? I'm going this route because I think it will make the book design simpler to keep as many chores as possible within Aperture. And I think I'll be glad I did that in the end. Was that your experience too? Thanks again.

Yes. I made several different templates for the pages and mixed-matched the photos in those layouts. Aperture is great at allowing you to move around the images with minimal work. There were many times when I would swap images around on a page or between pages to get the best flow (not a single page with a bunch of right facing cars... or all Corvettes.... etc.). It also allowed me to setup more complicated page layouts than the Blurb software could do on it's own (like a single image spanning two pages with smaller images bordering it) without having to resort to doing each page as a separate PS or Illustrator file.


http://www.unitonestudios.com/_Other/Book_Final_Page_08n09.jpg

http://www.unitonestudios.com/_Other/Book_Final_Page_28n29.jpg

I actually designed the book twice... once for Apple printing, then redesigned it for the Blurb printing. Now that the hard work of templates, etc. are all worked out... I can add additional pages (for the Blurb book) very easily. I wish I would have looked closer at the Blurb price structure (I based the length of mine on the Apple max pages) as I could have had more pages before being charged anything additional.

-Todd...

PS - the thin lines down the center is for illustrative purposes only. What looks great on the computer doesn't necessarily translate 1:1 on a printed book...From a layout perspective, I wish I would have done the side borders full bleed as well (rather than a black border) due to the way the Blurb books are printed/cut. There were a few pages where it looks lopsided or the line became too thin (compared to the inner borders). The lines separating the frames on the insides of the page I would keep the same.

[Bill Jurasz]

Sounds like I was barking up the right tree when I decided to use Aperture for the page design. I was considering using Pounds Photo Labs, using their press books. I've heard so-so things about Blurb. (actually what I've heard is they are hit and miss). I'm now wondering if I should reconsider using Blurb instead.

[John Waugh]

If you are looking for high quality and exceptional features, try:
http://www.editiononebooks.com

They are competitive price wise even on a small volume run
John

[Todd Corzett]

I've heard so-so things about Blurb. (actually what I've heard is they are hit and miss). I'm now wondering if I should reconsider using Blurb instead.
The first book that I ordered came with a crooked binding. When closed the front cover was not square with the back cover. I called them and they reprinted and shipped it to me at no cost. The print quality was good, but not as good as some of the other companies I've seen. The cover was a 'wrap' so didn't look the greatest, but having the option of having a non-blank cover was nice.

AzukaBooks makes some really quality products, but compared to the Blurb prices they are quite expensive.

-Todd...

[Bill Jurasz]

I've used Asuka myself quite a few times, very nice indeed. I've recently started using Pounds Photo Labs (www.poundslabs.com). From what I can tell, same quality in press book, but lower price, more sizes and orientation options, and more flexibility in page counts. Todd, if you want to look into Pounds give me an email at mercphoto@gmail.com and I'll shoot you their 2010 catalog.

[Bill Jurasz]

Trying to find an answer to a question not actually spelled out in the Aperture users manual that I can find. When you create a new book theme there is a setting for image spacing. What exactly is that? I'm assuming its if you have two photo boxes side-by-side it will put at least this much space inbetween. If that is correct I'm likely to set that to zero.

Secondly, you said "I wish I would have done the side borders full bleed as well (rather than a black border) due to the way the Blurb books are printed/cut. There were a few pages where it looks lopsided or the line became too thin (compared to the inner borders). The lines separating the frames on the insides of the page I would keep the same." I see how to get a border around an entire photo box. But is there a way to draw only interior lines and not have border lines along the page edge?

FYI - Todd, can't seem to email you.

[Todd Corzett]

Trying to find an answer to a question not actually spelled out in the Aperture users manual that I can find. When you create a new book theme there is a setting for image spacing. What exactly is that? I'm assuming its if you have two photo boxes side-by-side it will put at least this much space inbetween. If that is correct I'm likely to set that to zero.
I did not do mine this way...

Secondly, you said "I wish I would have done the side borders full bleed as well (rather than a black border) due to the way the Blurb books are printed/cut. There were a few pages where it looks lopsided or the line became too thin (compared to the inner borders). The lines separating the frames on the insides of the page I would keep the same." I see how to get a border around an entire photo box. But is there a way to draw only interior lines and not have border lines along the page edge?
I drew the boxes and then moved the boxes around on the page. I did not automatically put in borders on each box... rather used the box spacing to create the borders (with a black background). To do a full-bleed I would have just moved the photo boxes to the edge of the page.

Todd, can't seem to email you.
tcorzett@unitonestudios.com

-Todd...

[Bill Jurasz]

I drew the boxes and then moved the boxes around on the page. I did not automatically put in borders on each box... rather used the box spacing to create the borders (with a black background). To do a full-bleed I would have just moved the photo boxes to the edge of the page.

Slick! Thanks.

[Bill Jurasz]

Another interseting problem using custom book themes. Notice here how the wrong page is labeled as page 1. Not a huge deal as long as I don't use automatic page numbering, but would be a problem if I wanted to.

http://mercphoto.exposuremanager.com/scripts/expman.pl?rm=view_photo&photo_id=aperture2bookproblem_13_2&dir=galleries/13/2&file=aperture2bookproblem_medium.jpg