Also frustrated...

[kspigarelli]

This is my first photo memory book and I spent quite a bit of time researching different companies and decided MP was the one I wanted to go with, but now I am feeling somewhat frustrated with the process. I don't feel that it offers me much control in creating the book. Here's what I want--- 1) I want to be able to place text wherever I want, under the picture, beside the picture, etc. , 2) I want to be able to superimpose text if I choose, 3) I wish here were more options for text, 4) I want more control over size of text.... I'm sure there will be more as I go along; I've only done 3 pages and I'm already frustrated to the point that I'm looking for another option. I'm sure the finished product will look great, but I just want some more control over the process. Can you help???

[mikesheets]

Since MP is a much cheaper alternative, you aren't going to get full control through the standard template options. The only way to gain ultimate control of your spreads is to build them in Photoshop and then drop them in as full-size bleeds. That's how I get the most out of this resource. I don't like being limited in my creative design either, so I only use MP for upload and printing, not spread creation.

I hope this doesn't discourage you.

[dblackb]

I understand the idea of using Photoshop and creating a full page image with text, photos, etc., but the problem I'm having i sgetting the text to come up nice and crisp. It always seems to get muddied in the saving process and comes out looking like the letters are bleeding. Not the best description, I know, but the only way I can think of to describe the effect. Clearly people are using this techniques successfully, so it must be in my use of the tools. Any suggestions?
Thanks

[mikesheets]

Can you tell me how you create your spreads - what size canvas do you start with, how do you save/resolution - all those annoying technical bits.

I did a book with text on the first page, and it came out clean and crisp just as it was supposed to.

[graphixgrl]

I am also having this issue with text and I cannot seem to find a straight answer in the forum. I created a page in Photoshop at 300 dpi at 14.627x11.327 for the deluxe album. It looks beautiful in Photoshop, but when I Save As a .jpg at Maximum compression and import in to the Book Maker program it gets all grainy and has a halo effect on the text.

I know that if I were to send the jpg itself to the printer it would look fine, so why is it that when it is loaded into the BookMaker program it goes all funny? Is the resolution in BookMaker not accurate?

[dickshapiro]

I understand the frustration. Wait until you attempt to Share the book and you started the process in a prior version of the software. If you think you are frustrated now. Wait, it only gets better!

[Ike]

I made a book and it was easy and came out beautiful. If you want to embed text work on your pictures in photoshop to get them the way you like them then inport the picture into your book.

http://www.mypublisher.com/bookstore/book_viewer.py?order_id=M502682&sp=x