Creating custom book page layout templates using Page2Lr

A step by step tutorial on how to install the necessary software and use the tool is now available:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkqw_BwkgFk

I'm amazed nobody has commented on this - having spent an hour tearing my hair out trying to figure out how to set up a page with a large landscape image at the bottom and 3 portrait images evenly spaced above it, I eventually came across this. While the extra software needed makes the process a little cumbersome, it appears to definitely fit my need.

SunnyUK said:

I'm amazed nobody has commented on this - having spent an hour tearing my hair out trying to figure out how to set up a page with a large landscape image at the bottom and 3 portrait images evenly spaced above it, I eventually came across this. While the extra software needed makes the process a little cumbersome, it appears to definitely fit my need.

Click to expand...

The number of people that use the Book module is quite small. Blurb wanted to sell more publishing services and this was primarily the reason they talked Adobe into including this Module years ago.

SunnyUK said:

I'm amazed nobody has commented on this - having spent an hour tearing my hair out trying to figure out how to set up a page with a large landscape image at the bottom and 3 portrait images evenly spaced above it, I eventually came across this. While the extra software needed makes the process a little cumbersome, it appears to definitely fit my need.

Click to expand...

That first post was in 2017- The Book module has been significantly improved since then!
BOOK NEW CELL PLACEMENT OPTIONS AUG 2018
It Is EASY to create your own Custom pages in the Book. You do not need an online tool.
Simply add Photo cells to your desire. Resize and move them. Use Grid snap to align easily. SAVE your Custom page!
A [Right-Click] on the page is often the menu you need.



[Right-Click] on the 'Yellow' page margin to save a Custom Page.

Create new Custom pages to your 'hearts content'.
Be aware that Custom Pages are 'specific' to the book SIZE you are designing. 8x10inch Custom Pages will only appear in a 8x10inch Book layout.

Rob_Cullen said:

That first post was in 2017- The Book module has been significantly improved since then!
BOOK NEW CELL PLACEMENT OPTIONS AUG 2018
It Is EASY to create your own Custom pages in the Book. You do not need an online tool.
Simply add Photo cells to your desire. Resize and move them. Use Grid snap to align easily. SAVE your Custom page!
A [Right-Click] on the page is often the menu you need.
View attachment 17829

View attachment 17830
[Right-Click] on the 'Yellow' page margin to save a Custom Page.
View attachment 17831
Create new Custom pages to your 'hearts content'.
Be aware that Custom Pages are 'specific' to the book SIZE you are designing. 8x10inch Custom Pages will only appear in a 8x10inch Book layout.

Click to expand...

Hi Rob,
Thank you for taking the time to reply. Yes, I did find the custom layouts when searching the book module, but couldn’t find a way to
1) set a photo sell size to a fixed aspect ratio of 2x3
2) distribute a set of sells evenly, e.g. five identical portrait format 2x3 cells spread evenly across the page.

Do you know if there is an easy way to achieve that please?

Hi Sunny, I admit the Book Module is for basic Photo book. Don't expect too much from it.
Perhaps your questions are now at a level where you need something like Adobe InDesign, but there are work-arounds that I use for your 2 questions:

1) set a photo sell size to a fixed aspect ratio of 2x3
Place a new Photo Cell > Insert a photo that is 4:3 > Move the Cell borders to fit the image.
I rarely need an exact ratio cell in a book as many of my images are cropped differently.
Anyway- if you have a 4:3 photo on the page, and you have not 'Zoomed' it larger, it will always be 4:3. The photo will 'FIT' within the cell no matter what the cell ratio is. Changing the cell borders is more about the position of the cell on the page.

2) distribute a set of sells evenly, e.g. five identical portrait format 2x3 cells spread evenly across the page.
Start with a 'Multiple Photos' page template and delete unwanted cells. Use [Padding] to add space between the cells. Or turn on Grid Guidelines and manually move cells to snap to the grid.
Again- If your photos for the book have all been cropped to 2x3 ratio (and not zoomed) then they will all appear as 2x3 to FIT in the cells.
We need to forget methods we use in the PRINT module- the BOOK module is a different "kettle of fish"
And do not forget to SAVE your custom pages!
OR- You could design a PRINT template in the Print module/Custom Package- and 'Print to JPG' > use the JPG as a single full-page image in the Book. (SAVE the Print Template for future use). I did say there were work-arounds!

A Multi cell template
Cells deleted to leave 5
Select all to resize the same
Use 'Padding' to add space between cells.

Thank you so much Rob for taking the time to add your detailed explanation. That was very kind of you. And apologies for me taking so long before I acknowledged it.