I started with PageGallery and then picked up Fundy Album Builder so that I could design the odd page myself the templates in PageGallery did not do the job. The software works as describes, but I found a few things lead me to look elsewhere. It is awkward to browse through files for putting into a page, at the moment you can\'t use MiniBridge so if you want a to put an image it you have to go through the file browser of the operating system or have Bridge open and flick between it and Photoshop. It is also the same for the album pages, there is no organizer in-buillt so you have to sort that out yourself.
When it comes to aligning images together there are no automatic tools in Photoshop to this, for example have equal spaces between a group of images or aligned vertically, you have to set up your own guide-lines which is a pain.
The last thing is I find it was a bit slow, compared to other software as you have the actual images open in the page as opposed to other software which has referenced thumbnails.
I tried GraphiStudio\'s software, but you have limited function with album pages, you can only take very low resolution images into other software for slideshows etc. It is also a bit buggy, after finishing one album design I could not access it any more and had to start from scratch again with a different piece of software.
I then started using Photojunction, which is free and quiet a complete piece of software.
I was able to open my album pages designed with PageGallery and then save those pages as templates, so in theory you could with a bit of time get all the templates from PageGallery into Photojunction. Is also has good organizers for both images and pages and looks of useful things for aligning images. It also links up with albumexposure.com so you can put the album pages on-line for your clients to approve.
Photojunction is produced by Queensberry, but you can use it with other album producers, it can do digital storybook design, matt type albums and duo designs.
I still use Jorgensen\'s JAD software for their Matted albums, but I could have just saved the money I spent on that software and their samples and gone with Queensberry.
If I was to do it again I would still start with PageGallery as I think the templates are great for starting with, I would then go with Photojunction and maybe do both the digital and matt albums with them as it is great to just have to know one piece of software for the album design.
I\'m also looking at Indesign, it is expensive but being Adobe you know it will be kept up to date and you are not at the mercy of an album supplier\'s software. Also I use Lightroom so the ratings/Lables can be seen in MiniBridge.
Where Indesign could really come into its own it when it comes video and stills you could design some interesting stuff for iPads etc to go with the more traditional units.
John
Oct 17, 2010 at 12:17 PM
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