TM
Premier Design Software to Create Professional Quality Photo Books
PHOTOBOOKS FOR PROFESSIONALS
ASUKABOOK® Design Software created exclusively for AsukaBook ™ CONTENTS
03 • Introduction 17 • Auto Layout 05 • Software Features 19 • Layout Samples 07 • Registration/Software Overview 21 • Special Features 08 • Design Options 25 • Book Formats 09 • Custom Design 28 • AB AlbumOnline 15 • Organizer 29 • Contact Information/Credits
ASUKABOOK® ASUKABOOK® ™ abm.asukabook.com/en
You can create a professional quality photo book quickly and easily.
AsukaBook is a high quality photobook manufacturer for exquisite books. Many professional photographers and designers choose AsukaBook for its world-renowned quality and exceptional customer service. There are many styles, sizes, page numbers, page finishes, cover types and case options available. Using your images and design, AsukaBook can create one or many, 5 Features professional quality coffee table books for you. ASUKABOOK ™ AsukaBook Maker (ABM) is a new, comprehensive for professionals design software available exclusively to AsukaBook customers. Many design programs are general- 1. Simple purpose applications with an overwhelming number AsukaBook Maker (ABM) is the only of functions. ABM is easy-to-use software for the sole software you will need to edit your purpose of creative and efficient book layout design. images and to create your photo book Experience the simple, convenient and high quality design. image editing features. Take advantage of the variety of design options available to cater to all design needs 2. Selection and abilities, as well as layout templates, Sloppy Borders, You may choose the most suitable masks, actions and many other image enhancement image editing and managing tools. We promise to make your photography and techniques, as well as design method, design businesses more efficient and manageable based on your needs and ability. than ever! 3. Speedy Effective layout functions and tools make image editing and design quick and easy.
4. Still Use Photoshop® ABM allows you to open your images in Photoshop for additional image enhancement.
5. Savings Save money by editing images and designing yourself, no need for outsourcing.
03 ASUKAASUKABOOKBOOK®® ASUKABOOK® 04 SOFTWARE FEATURES SOFTWARE FEATURES
AsukaBook Maker (ABM) has a simple and easy-to-use interface. Various functions are conveniently grouped together and are accessible with the click of a button. In addition, inserting images and layouts, as well as applying masks and Sloppy Borders, can be done quickly by dragging and dropping in the editing screen.
Layout templates are available to easily try alternative layout options.
Just drag & drop an image onto the layout. Drag and drop your folder of images to load them into your image palette.
One click image rotation.
Quickly insert text.
Many background color choices.
Review your design in an enlarged view. Smooth retouching with Photoshop®.
05 ASUKAASUKABOOKBOOK®® ASUKABOOK® 06 REGISTRATION & DOWNLOAD DESIGN OPTIONS
Design your next AsukaBook with AsukaBook Maker (ABM)! 3 Types of Design Options are available based on your needs ABM is free to download. Try ABM to experience amazing photo book creation. “Custom Design” - For those who want to free design. We are sure you will be satisfied with its high quality and efficiency. You must be a “Organizer” - Allows you to do image management on each page. registered AsukaBook user to place an order for your designed photo book. “Auto Layout” - Make a simple photo book quickly and easily. To download ABM for free, please access the following website: Please select an option based on your needs. abm.asukabook.com/en
7 Steps What is the Best Design Option for You? From Download to Printed Book from Download to Printed Book START 1. Register 5. Generate a PDF If you decide to use ABM please register After your design is complete, click the I need to make a at eu.asukabook.com. If you are cur- “Generate PDF” button in ABM. proof book. Yes rently registered with AsukaBook, please proceed to step 4. 6. Upload No Log in to your online AsukaBook 2. Download Free Software account and click “Place Order” to Download and try ABM for free from upload your PDF. I need to make abm.asukabook.com/en. a book as fast as Yes 7. Coffee Table Book Delivered possible. 3. Receive Activation Code* You will receive your AsukaBook in No After registering, you will receive a approximately 4 weeks. A rush order “Registration Confirmation” email that will will be delivered in approximately 3 contain your activation code (User ID). weeks. I want total design I need structure and * When ABM is opened for the first time, it will ask for an Ac- freedom. No layout suggestions. 4. Design a book tivation Code. This code is your User ID which begins 9c. You Create your original coffee table book got this code with your registration confirmation e-mail. design using ABM. Yes Yes
Custom Design Organizer Auto Layout
System Requirements for AsukaBook Maker Freely design and edit your Control the arrangement and Quickly and easily design a images using many different overall balance of your de- photo book by simply select- Supported Operating Sytem Supported Photoshop photographic effects and sign by editing images and ing a predefined set of layout Windows XP Home Edition Photoshop CS2 or higher other innovative functions selecting the pages your im- templates and the images Windows XP Professional available to create a per- ages will appear on. Layout you would like to include in Windows Vista Home Premium Suported Image Data Formats sonalized and unique Asuka- templates will then be as- the order you would like them Windows Vista Business jpg and png Book. signed accordingly to create to appear. Auto Layout will Windows Vista Ultimate a complete and aesthetically create a classic and struc- * 32 bit version only System requirements are subject to change without appealing AsukaBook. tured AsukaBook. notice. Please visit abm.asukabook.com/en for current Mac OS X (10.4.11 or higher) requirements. Page 9 Page 15 Page 17
07 ASUKABOOK® ASUKABOOK® 08 CUSTOM DESIGN CUSTOM DESIGN
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Custom Design gives you freedom to layout your images and text as you wish. There are comprehensive menu functions that allow you to enhance your images and design creatively.
What is Custom Design? It is the basic design option of AsukaBook Maker (ABM) that allows you to layout your images and text freely. There are a variety of layout 11 12 13 14 15 templates, sloppy borders, masks, and Photoshop actions available. There are other image editing functions available such as color toned monochrome and ‘fade image into’. You also have the ability to save your layout templates so that you may reuse the same layout when designing another book. Design Area
Ruler/Guide/Grid • Ruler - You may choose the unit of measurement (mm, inch, pixel, or %) as well as change the initial origin point. • Guide - You can draw a guideline on the edit screen by dragging from the 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 ruler. Images and text are attached along the guideline. Design Pallet Function Buttons • Grid - A grid can be displayed on 1. Images - A list of images from a selected file 6. Home the edit screen. Images and text are 2. Pages - Displays all pages. Page order may be altered. 7. Open Book File also attached to the grid. 3. Layout Templates - Basic and custom layout templates to choose from 8. Save Book File 4. Sloppy Border - Various artistic borders to enhance images 9. Open Preferences 5. Mask - Various image overlays to add character to an image 10. Open Help Layout Templates Tool Bar There are a variety of layout templates
11. Keyline 20. Rotate - Rotate or flip objects available to choose from. You may also 12. Drop Shadow 21. Crop - Trim the sides of an image or automatically search layout templates based on the trim the image to a square number of images you would like to 13. Brightness 22. Text - Insert, edit or change the color of text include. 14. Color Toned Monochrome 23. Shape - Create a shape (circle or rectangle) 15. Fade Image Into 24. Background Color - Select a background color for 16. Undo - Cancel or reverse the effects. a page/cover 17. Redo - Reverse the Undo action 25. Delete - Remove selected object 18. Select - Select an object 26. Preview - Preview current book design 19. Zoom In/Out - Zoom in or out 27. Open in Photoshop® - Launch Photoshop
09 ASUKABOOK® ASUKABOOK® 10 CUSTOM DESIGN CUSTOM DESIGN
Create/Save a Layout Template Keyline Your original layout can be saved as a A fine line border can be added Layout Template so that you can reuse it. around images. The line thickness is 6 pixels, 12 pixels or a value you define. Note: Only the Layout Template is You can also select the color of the saved. Added enhancements such keyline. as keylines and drop shadows are not retained.
Sloppy Border Drop Shadow There are many artistic borders to A drop shadow may be added to im- choose from to frame an image. These ages. Settings are available for diffusion borders add a unique touch to the im- size, distance, opacity and direction. age and more character to a design. Sloppy Borders are provided by Kubota Image Tools, courtesy of Kevin Kubota.
Mask Brightness Various kinds of shapes from simple to You can adjust the brightness of your sophisticated (ie. with brushing effect) image placed on the edit screen be- are availabe, which can be applied by tween the range of -100 to +100. drag and drop. The adjustment is reflected on the im- age in the design. The original image file is not changed.
11 ASUKABOOK® ASUKABOOK® 12 CUSTOM DESIGN CUSTOM DESIGN
Color Toned Monochrome Low Resolution PDF You can change the color tone of your A low resolution PDF can be created images according to your preferences which is useful to send to your clients for from black and white to warm, soft review and confirmation before placing tones. There are a total of 11 types of an AsukaBook order. filtering effects available. These effects were created by Kubota Image Tools image enhancing tools, and are cour- tesy of Kevin Kubota.
Fade Image Into Resize Function Use this function to add color to an im- A design can be easily converted into age by overlaying color filters onto the a smaller size in the same format (i.e. a image and adjusting the level of the square to a square, vertical to a verti- effect. You can adjust the level of the cal, and a horizontal to a horizontal). effect by percentage and select the This a very convenient function to pro- color of the filter. You can also select duce multiple smaller copies for family multiple images to apply the affect too. and friends.
Note: After resizing, please review all page layouts to ensure no unwanted shifting has occurred. Check the space between the images/text and the boarder.
Open in Photoshop® PNG Support Images can be edited/enhanced in In addition to JPEG images, AsukaBook Photoshop®. Select the image, click the Maker (ABM) also supports PNG images, button to launch Photoshop, and apply which can be made transparent over ® all desired adjustments. The changes backgrounds. Use Adobe Illustrator to are only reflected in AsukaBook Maker create your own logos and illustrations. (ABM) once they have been saved in Convert them to PNG format and then Photoshop. The original image is not drag and drop them into the layout. changed. Your logos and illustrations will appear as watermarks on the background.
13 ASUKABOOK® ASUKABOOK® 14 ORGANIZER ORGANIZER
Organizer* is a very convenient design option which allows you to edit and manage images simultaneously. You can work efficiently since appropriate layouts are 4 5 6 1 2 3 7 displayed based on the number of images allocated.
What is Organizer? - It is an efficient designing method that allows you to edit and manage images at the same time. After confirming the images you would like to use, you then allocate the images to the cover and inside pages. All the Image File List Image Allocation Area images per page and the layout choices matching the number of images to be displayed are shown on the edit screen. You can pick a layout from the choices and edit the images as desired with the use of the same image enhancement, editing and layout tools Custom Design has available.
Image Allocation Select the images that will be allocated per page. Images that have already been used will be indicated by a red arrow. 8 9 10 11 12
Function Buttons Tool Bar
1. Show/Hide Used Images 5. Sort Direction 8. Zoom Out 2. Add Image 6. Show/Hide Used Images 9. Zoom In 3. Clear 7. Select Pages 10. Rotate Selected Image 11. Crop 4. Sort 12. Delete Selected Files
File List/View Image Editing Screen Images can be viewed in a display list. An appropriate Layout Template is Double clicking an image in the list will displayed based on the selected open the image in an enlarged view. amount of images chosen for the page. Additional template options are also available.
* If you save your file when designing in any design method, the file will be saved in “Custom Design” format. Only Custom Design choices can then be made. 15 ASUKABOOK® ASUKABOOK® 16 AUTO LAYOUT AUTO LAYOUT
Auto Layout* is the simplest method to design a basic coffee table book. You can 1 also create a photo book quickly to preview, check images and get a sense of what a finished book would look like.
What is Auto Layout? It is the quickest and easiest design option available to create a create a classic and structured AsukaBook. After you select images and choose one of the available layout template options, the selected images are automatically placed in a layout. When determining the book style, layout and images, you can also choose file names and add keylines and drop shadows. Once your book is laid out, you may then use the same functions that are available in Custom Design to add further enhancements to your images and design. (Auto Layout is an excellent option to create quick and simple proof books, too).
Select a Layout 2 3 4 Select one of the available layout tem- Function Buttons Tool Bar plate options (1-9 images per page). 1. Size of Thumbnails 2. Zoom Out 4. Background Color * If you save your file when designing in 3. Zoom In any design method, the file will be saved in “Custom Design” format. Only Custom Design choices can then be made. 5 6 7 8
Image File List Selected Images Select Images In the photo selection screen, you may choose the images from the list to be included in the layout. You may also de- cide the order of the images and add keylines and drop shadows. The images you select will be automatically laid out 9 10 11 12 on the inside pages of the book. You Function Buttons Tool Bar will need to custom design the cover spread. 5. Show/Hide Used 7. Clear 9. Zoom Out 11. Rotate Selected Image 6. Add Image 8. Sort Direction 10. Zoom In 12. Crop
17 ASUKABOOK® ASUKABOOK® 18 LAYOUT SAMPLES LAYOUT SAMPLES
Here are more layout samples for each ASUKABOOK Maker (ABM) design option. Please use them as references when selecting your preferred method for designing.
Custom Design & Organizer Auto Layout
19 ASUKABOOK® ASUKABOOK® 20 SPECIAL FEATURES SPECIAL FEATURES
Background Image Monitor Adjustment Generally when using design software, We recommend that your calibrate your you have to retouch and enhance im- monitor to ensure the colors in the printed ages in a separate program to create book match your computer screen. a background image. However, you Please dowload the digital color file from do not have to do so with ASUKABOOK eu.asukabook.com and compare it to the Maker (ABM). With ABM, you can cre- printed flyer. These flyers are included in ate a background image simply by AsukaBook Marketing Guides. You may re- combining brightness adjustments and quest them to be mailed to you by contact- overlay functions. ing AsukaBook Customer Care at [email protected].
Adding and Applying Actions Actions currently used in Photoshop® Color Selection (Safe Color) can be added and applied to im- We recommend using the safe colors, con- ages in ABM. Select an image and the sisting of 160 colors found on the color pal- action you would like to apply, and ette in AsukaBook Maker (ABM) to insure the Photoshop will automatically open and colors used to design will match the colors run the action on the image. printed. The Safe Color palette is displayed when the checkbox located on the color selection screen is checked. Note: A color may be chosen from the full color spectrum, but the colors in the printed book may differ from what is seen on the monitor.
When the changes are saved in Photoshop, the image will be updated in ABM.
2008
Unique Color Management Technology Recognized Around the World. AsukaBook’s quality and services are recognized by Professional Photographers of America, the larg- est organization of professional photographers in the United States. AsukaBook has received a Hot One Award in 2005, 2007 and 2008.
21 ASUKABOOK® ASUKABOOK® 22 SPECIAL FEATURES SPECIAL FEATURES
Reusable Book Design Templates You can design a new photo book simply by replacing the current images in a design with new images! This is perfect if you have limited time, enjoy consistency, or love what you have previously created! Reopen a book. EASY Reusable Templates - is a convenient way for converting a photo book created with ABM into a book design template. Image enhancements using various Replace images. FAST functions such as color adjustment and frame attributes are retained. You only need to replace the images in the design in order to make a new photo book. CONVENIENT You may use design templates that you create yourself or the free AsukaBook Reuse layout. introductory sample templates. AsukaBook will eventually have professional layouts that may be purchased online.
1. Open a previously designed book.
3. Drag and drop the new clients images onto existing images to replace them.
Simply replace with new images
5. Generate a PDF for an 2. Load the new client’s images 4. Review the design to ensure that it is ASUKABOOK Order. into ABM. completely updated with new images.
Easy and convenient replacement using your own templates Professional design templates from AsukaBook Because some people feel that it takes too much time to create and edit designs AsukaBook plans on having book design templates created by professional designers and layouts for each individual customer, the reusable templates easily resolve this for those who simply do not have the time or the ability, as well as provide more great problem. Now you can create several designs when you have the time, and then options, ideas, convenience and efficiency. These templates will be available for convert them into templates. Then, all you need to do is replace the images in the purchase and download on the internet and new designs will be released frequently. templates. Since you create the templates yourself, you can imagine the completed In addition to elegant designs, sample images are placed in advance according to photo book as you are taking photographs, resulting in an extremely efficient pro- the arrangement and layout the book. cess. * The availability of professionally designed book templates for purchase has not yet been determined. Until then, please down- load and try out our introductory sample, free for a limited time. Please download at abm.asukabook.com/en.
23 ASUKABOOK® ASUKABOOK® 24 BOOK FORMATS BOOK FORMATS
BOOK BOUND LX/FLX BOOK BOUND EX The LX AsukaBook has an upscale premium genuine leather cover, offering a timeless The EX AsukaBook offers superior quality in the coffee table book line. The Book Bound look and beautiful simplicity. The FLX AsukaBook has the feel of fine leather in an “Ani- EX features a printed hard cover and a matching printed book jacket with designable mal Friendly” product. These books are available in a variety of colors with optional inside flaps. The book comes in an exclusive black or red case with optional personal- personalized hot stamp text and are showcased in a stylish custom designed presenta- ized hot stamp text. tion box. The most popular coffee table book designable with AsukaBook Maker is the Book Bound EX. The book with extras!
Personalized Hot Stamp Text
Personalized Hot Stamp Text Red or Black Book Case
Printed Removable Book Jacket with Designable Inside Flaps
Designable Presentation Box
BOOK BOUND LX/FLX BOOK BOUND EX
Size 10 x 10 11 x 8 8 x 11 10 x 7 7 x 10 8 x 8 7 x 7 5.5 x 8 Size 11 x 12.5 10 x 10 11 x 8 8 x 11 10 x 7 7 x 10 8 x 8 7 x 7 5.5 x 8 5 x 5 254x254 279x209 203x279 254x178 178x254 203x203 178x178 140x203 280x318 254x254 279x209 203x279 254x178 178x254 203x203 178x178 140x203 127x127 mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm Pages/Sides 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100 Seiten 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100
Cover: Black, Brown Bordeaux, Camel (FLX Only), Saddle (LX Only), Pink, White, Baby Blue Book Case: Black, Red
25 ASUKABOOK® ASUKABOOK® 26 BOOK FORMATS (cont.) AB AlbumOnline
BOOK BOUND-HARD COVER/SOFT COVER You may now share your book with AB AlbumOnline, a free service offered The Hard Cover AsukaBook has a high-end feel that is reminiscent of fine art cof- exclusively to AsukaBook customers. If you choose AB AlbumOnline when placing fee table books, while the Soft Cover offers a more casual feel. The covers can your AsukaBook order, you will receive a URL for an online digital slide show of the be printed full bleed and have a protective coating. A frosted plastic case is also design. You may send this to your clients so they may flip through a digital version of included allowing extra protection and easy portability. their book. They can also share it with their friends and family before the printed and bound book arrives. This new service provides convenience for your customers, and at the same time, it is a great feature to spread the value of your studio to their friends and family. AB AlbumOnline can be used as a promotional tool for prospective clients as well. For more information about AB AlbumOnline and to view a sample, please visit:
albumonline.asukabook.com 5 Steps to Share your Printed Book Soft Cover 1. Choose to Share 4. Friends & Family Can Enjoy Too! Select AB AlbumOnline when ordering Clients can email the URL to their friends an AsukaBook through eu.asukabook. and family to share in their excitement. com by checking the box next to Others may decide they want their own ‘Share your AsukaBook with AB printed book as well. AlbumOnline’. 5. Promote Your Studio 2. Obtain a URL Address via E-Mail After receiving permission from your Once your AsukaBook order has been clients, you may display the photo book processed (usually within 48 hours), you on your website as a studio sample and will receive a URL address for an online to present to potential clients. digital slide show of the book via email.
3. Provide the URL to Your Clients Forward the URL to your clients so they can flip through the digital photo book before they receive their printed AsukaBook.
Hard Cover
BOOK BOUND-HARD COVER/SOFT COVER The book can be viewed as a slide show or you may flip through it page by page. The Size 10 x 10 11 x 8 8 x 11 10 x 7 7 x 10 8 x 8 7 x 7 5.5 x 8 5 x 5 slide show will be available for one year. All 254x254 279x209 203x279 254x178 178x254 203x203 178x178 140x203 127x127 data will be deleted after one year. mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm Pages/Sides 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100
27 ASUKABOOK® ASUKABOOK® 28 We want you to love ASUKABOOK Maker. Please feel free to contact us if there is anything we can do to help.
Support & Contact Info Europe Else Züblinstrasse 115 CH-8404 Winterthur Switzerland
Phone +41(0)52 214 01 96 Fax +41(0)52 214 01 95 Web eu.asukabook.com Email [email protected]
Business Hours M-F 9.00-12.00 and 13.30-17.00
Trademark Acknowledgments • Windows is either a registered trademark or a trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. • Macintosh is a trademark of Apple Computer Inc., registered in the United States or other countries. • Adobe and Photoshop are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries. • Other names and products not mentioned above may be registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective companies.
* Information and features mentioned in this guide are subject to change without prior notice.
Images © Kevin Kubota, © Glen Durrell, © Marcus Bell, and © Oshima Studio.
29 ASUKABOOK® ASUKABOOK® TM
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