I will be including proof books in each of my wedding packages, and am about to order from 3 or 4 different companies to comare quality. However, I am unable to figure out how to easily lay out the proof book pages. I essentially want them to be contact sheets (6-9 images per page) with the files names below each image. I know how to create contact sheets thru photoshop, and while it will allow me to specify the space between each image, it will not allow me to specify the page margins (at least not that I can find). Rather, there are no margins at all! I would like a .25-inch margin all the way around to ensure that images are not cut off...

To those of you who do this....HOW do you do this? There has to be a way to automate this without having to individually place each image on the page.

Many thanks for your help!

I use FotoSlate to do this, it is awesome!
It is only available for the PC though...

I've created a custom set of actions and scripts in PS to make my proofbooks fit 10x10. They layout 9 images per page with the filename minus the annoying ".jpg" to the inside of each photo. This saves space so I can make the proofs bigger on the page. Once the action is done I simply copy and paste onto the 10x10 softcover templates from Asuka, make a cover, and upload.





H

Very Nice Henry

i use aperture. i choose the proof book through apple, then i use the auto-fill option - presto, done in a few minutes.

I used to use the Contact Sheet in PS/Bridge, but it wasn't working out for me for several reasons. I FINALLY found a great cheap little software to do it exactly as I wish and I love it! I can make proof books customized the way I want them in the matter of minutes.
Image Buddy Worth every penny of the $19!

How did you get the name of the file to appear? Would you mind sharing this action? Or at least tell how you did it.

Thanks!

Try Contact Sheet X. It's like the contact sheet creator that comes with Photoshop... on steriods. It's amazing. And best of all, it's free. You can even use templates. Very useful.

please?

I use photoshop and added created a little extra action to run on all the pages based on Matt Antonio's tutorial to add a logo to a picture.

I use the canvas size command to add borders, and then use the resize image to shrink it back down to the proper size after the regular photoshop action runs.

E

I'm on a Mac....but thanks!!!



Henry, this looks fantastic!!! I know how to create simple actions for resizing images and whatnot, but I really have no idea how to do it for something like this. For instance, how do I make sure that images are placed in the correct spot on a page each time, no matter whether they are vertical or horizontal? These things confuse me. I know I need to become more adept with PS.



Sounds good...and easy! But I don't have aperture. Thus far, I've never been really tempted to get it, but that could be because I've never really taken the time to learn about it.....



Great!! I am most certainly going to look into this! Thank you!



Another one I will look at! Can't beat the price of free if it does the job I need it to do. Thank you, Rich.



Thanks, Eric. Matt's tutorials are SO helpful!!

I'll pack the actions and scripts and get that to you. That Contact Sheet X looks like it does the same thing. I don't remember if I've tried it before.

H

can you show an example johnny

Henry!! That is SO so so so so kind of you! BIG smiles over here.

Sure - Here's a proof book from Lulu
It's 'old' and uses my old logo.
I wanted a way to have 4-up on a page with my logo as a backround image plus I wanted the image numbers below each image.

I was unhappy with contact sheet and did not know about the other options mentioned in this thread. Someone on OSP recommended FotoSlate to me... I think it may have been Melody? I can't recall.

But it appears to only be for Windows? Therefore, it can't be that amazing. j/k

Actually it looks like it runs as a script through PS and on both systems. Here is an excerpt from their site:

*****************
"When file a bug report, please include your CSX log file.
You can find the log file here on WinXP (or somewhere similar):
C:\Documents and Settings\[user id]\Application Data\xtools\ContactSheetX.log

and someplace like this on OSX:
/Users/[user id]/Library/Application Support/xtools/ContactSheetX.log"
*****************

Looks like it might be pretty cool!

Ok I finally found the old post. Give it a try. http://www.henrymccoy.com/proofmag.zip The canvas size in the final step is setup for Asuka Book's 10x10 softcover. Feel free to customize the action. Let me know if you need any help.

H

Henry, THANK YOU, thank you!! I am so excited to try this out. Your examples are so beautiful!

I really appreciate you sharing this; it is very generous! I know you have put a lot of work into it. The directions you included are fantastic, and it looks like I should have no trouble at all.

Best,
melanie

This looks like exactly what I have been looking for. Would you mind sharing any info that you have in regards to setting something like this up...

I just PMed you...

Thanks,
Tony

I think this is how I'd do it in PS-

in the contact sheet make the size smaller than your actual page. Then create an action to add to the canvas. If you have to do it over & over again it's worth the time it takes for creating the action

Just tried this thing...it looks great, but is anyone using a Mac trying this? I'm getting an error when I get to the third step for finalizing the page.

Also, do you HAVE to use PSDs to avoid all the dialog approval boxes???

If you're using my setup then you might have to tweak it for a Mac. I made it while on a PC and have since switched to Mac. I also made another little tweak that needed to be fixed that Melanie brought to my attention.

You don't have to use PSDs but I find them to be easier to deal with.

H

H,I'd love to know how you further customized these actions to perform optimally on your Mac. I take you've further automated the action? Dare to share again? Us novice PS users appreciate it--thanks!Melanie,Have you used this template system of H's yet to build a book? We'd love to see another implementation of this action if you get a chance. Thanks!

Henry, Melissa,
I've tested on both a Mac and a PC running CS3 and experience the following:
-"javascript code is missing"
-"The command "set" is not currently available"

Do you have any suggestions how to correct this to run the actions/script properly?

Appreciate any help.

Thanks!

Keith,

So sorry. I never saw this topic surface again.

Henry did help me correct the action for the white keyline as it was giving me the same problems you seem to be experiencing. However, I have to admit my ignorance for the process. I can't even begin to tell you what he did. I know part of the problem was the starting image size. Apparently I was trying to use much bigger images than he was.

I would be happy to give you the revised action, which now works beautifully (though I only have it for the white keyline and not the black). But I don't have any idea how to "package" that for you. If you can tell me what I need to do to get it to you, I will gladly do it.

melanie

ditto. Contact Sheet X is awesome!

For mac users: try to launch the script from Photoshop File->Script->Browse...

Sorry guys and gals. I missed this post after my last reply.

Keith, I'll package the newest version and send you a link to download it.

Melanie, you should have emailed me. I'm so sorry I forgot to send you the revision for the other keyline. I'll send you a link as well.

H

No worries, Henry! I actually prefer the white keyline, so I wasn't in a rush for the black. Of course, I'll take it though. I just figured you were probably pretty busy. Plus, I know how to get in touch if I need to!

Thanks again for all your help and generosity!

melanie

Melissa, Henry,
Thanks for touching base...busy times, I know...

From what I could do with it, it looks very rewarding in shaving time building proof magazines as you've outlined. I'm eager to try this out full bore.

Melissa,
I take that from your comment it's best to keep the file size small, right?

Henry,
Thanks for offering the update...can't wait to try it out.

You guys/gals rock.

Can I have a link too please???

Hey Melanie,
Hijacking my own thread...
Was checking out your canvas prints on your blog...sweet! Was that P2C handiwork??? I've done one with them, but it was an architecture shot that was wonderful. I haven't tried it with a person shot yet. Are they as good in person as they look on your blog?

You shoot much in North SA?

Kari,

Here's the original link to Henry's actions. However, if you're on a Mac, then you may have the same troubles Keith and I had. Lucky for us, Henry has since gotten a Mac himself, so I think he's working on adjustments.

Hi Keith. In answer to your question about starting image size.... that was one of the problems that kept the action from running properly; however, since Henry fixed the white keyline action for me, it is no longer an issue. I can run the action on very large images with no problem now. Again, I wish I could actually walk you through how the problems were fixed, but I lack the knowledge. Henry seemed to indicate that he might fix the actions and repost them. But, I will see if I can send you my revised white keyline action so you can see if it works. Hopefully I can figure out how to do that.....

As for the canvases, YES, it was P2C who made them. They are absolutely fabulous! And they are more stunning in person! I HIGHLY recommend using them for any of your canvas needs.

To be quite honest, I haven't done a whole lot of shooting in San Antonio, but I LOVE the area. There are lot of great spots to shoot in, and I'm eager to try some of them out. As of right now, pretty much all of my clients are still in Dallas (where I came from). Do you shoot in SA much???

Mel,
Cool. I just got your email with the fix...I'll give it a go tonight, see how it works and let you know what I find. Henry indicated he'll re-post, so we can look for the black keyline, too.

I used to live in San Marcos and have some family in North San Antonio, near Bulverde, etc. It's a target rich environment. Hopefully you can start pulling in clients down there, because the landscape is great. I took some shots at my brother-in-law's wedding (not officially) on a ranch North near the Garden Ridge area and it was just golden. With the rivers, old school campuses, downtown SA, you've got more than enough scenery.

The canvases are awesome...have to order!

I would also love to have the updated actions for the Mac.

Thanks for sharing!

Henry - any chance of getting hold of a copy of this too please as I am desperate to put together 2 x proof books over the next day or so and this would help me BIG time!!!

Thanks

Mike

I was wondering if I could get the fixed copy also... I wanted to ask I am on a mac also and am getting an error but will the fix work on cs3?

Thanks this is my first time posting.... and I'm asking for something... sorry...

Lori

Rather than start a new thread, we'll just keep this one going.

Here's the beta version. Sorry to keep everyone waiting. I just switched to Mac not long ago and I'm still learning how things work on here.

With that said, this is the Mac version made using CS3. It is also only the black background with white keyline. I never used the white background with black keyline so I didn't remake it. If anyone will use it, then I'll make it. I've testing it using the instructions provided on other Macs without any problems. One thing that did delay the release is the first part of Step 3. If you get that part to work, please let me know.

I use Asuka soft cover books for my magazines. I simply use the Place feature in PS to place the pages on the templates from Asuka and I'm done.

PC users....not sure if this works for you yet.

http://www.henrymccoy.com/ProofMagazine2.zip

Post your questions here as others might have the same question.

Henry - Thank you soooooo much for the Mac version - it's kind of you to share
your talent with us and I can't wait to try it out!

Henry,

Thanks sharing your work to everyone here. I appreciate it. The action doesn't work for Windows because it looks for the Fit Image action which is located in a totally different location on the PC side. I'm trying modify it for Windows, I see two errors in the action. The first one is the Fit Image, what image size do you do the Fit Image? The second error is the third step in the action, it shows "Javascript File: File or folder not found", I guess it's looking for the AddFileNamePlus.js. Am I correct?

thanks,
Kelvin

I just figure it out. I record the action, change the Fit Image to 800x800 and execute the AddFileName script. Here is the result:

[img]
http://www.lkcphotography.com/ContactSheet-001.jpg
[/img]

Henry, thanks again!

Kelvin

I cannot for the life of me figure out how to string all the images together?!?!?!