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AsukaBook USA has announced the free AsukaBook Maker 2 and the AsukaBook InDesign Tool. AsukaBook Maker 2 has a simple and easy to use interface, with many image enhancement tools and the ability to use existing free templates or to save your own design layouts for future use. The AsukaBook InDesign Tool has been created to offer an additional alternative AsukaBook design option and a more efficient workflow for AsukaBook customers who prefer to work in Adobe InDesign. Both applications are free andavailable now as digital downloads from the AsukaBook USA website.
Website: AsukaBook USA
Asukabook Press Release
ASUKABOOK USA LAUNCHES TWO NEW ALBUM DESIGN OPTIONS AT IMAgING USA 2011 EXPO
AsukaBook Maker 2 and the AsukaBook InDesign Tool give professional photographers new ways to quickly create beautiful photo books
San Antonio, Texas – Imaging USA Booth #1427 – January 18, 2011 – AsukaBook USA, a producer of quality photo books solely for professional photographers and designers, today announced AsukaBook Maker 2 and the AsukaBook InDesign Tool at the Imaging USA Expo (San Antonio, Texas January 16 - 18, 2011) in the company’s booth # 1427. Both layout applications give photography professionals intuitive access to powerful tools, resulting in top-quality AsukaBook albums that will impress clients and prospects. Both free programs are available now as digital downloads from the AsukaBook USA website.
AsukaBook Maker 2 has a simple and easy to use interface, with many image enhancement tools and the ability to use existing free templates or to save your own design layouts for future use. The interface has been designed specifically to help busy professional photographers to quickly and easily achieve the look they want. Similar functions are conveniently grouped together and in categories such as layout templates, Sloppy Borders, masks, drop shadows, and keylines, and are accessible with the click of a single button. Inserting images and layouts, as well as applying masks and Sloppy Borders, can be done quickly by dragging and dropping into the design area. AsukaBook Maker 2 also provides rulers and guides to ensure a balanced design.
The AsukaBook InDesign Tool has been created to offer an additional alternative AsukaBook design option and a more efficient workflow for AsukaBook customers who prefer to work in Adobe® InDesign®. The free script tool works with InDesign CS4 or CS5 and provides seamless integration between InDesign and the AsukaBook File Checker, which manages the proofing and PDF creation for final book orders. As with AsukaBook Maker 2, photographers can use one of the preset templates or create and save their own custom layouts. More information about downloading and using the AsukaBook InDesign Tool can be found on the “get started” page.
“For most photographers, creating stunning albums is the critical final step in many projects. To meet constant client demands and increasing volumes these busy business owners require layout applications that provide intuitive access to the tools they need, satisfy their preferred workflow environment and give their images the delivery they deserve,” said Sarah Calahan, Business Development Director of AsukaBook USA. “These two new free tools make it even easier to create layouts that show off a photographer’s work and live up to the standard of AsukaBook’s unrivaled print and album quality.”
AsukaBook has developed its services, pricing models, etc. to help its customers meet the demanding needs of their client bases while delivering high-quality products that can drive resale and studio profit margins. To register as a professional user and join the AsukaBook family, please visit the AsukaBook website at: http://asukabook.com/
About AsukaBook USA
AsukaBook USA, an international company located in Bend, Oregon, was one of the first companies to offer professional quality coffee table style printed books specifically for professional photographers. By providing its services direct to professional creatives, AsukaBook USA is widely endorsed by the creative professional because of the exceptional quality of its products that are very popular with their clients. All AsukaBook USA pricing models are designed to help the creatives leverage this value offering to deliver profit through resale. AsukaBook USA is the US based, international representative of Asukanet Co., Ltd. which started manufacturing coffee table books in Japan in 1995, and continues to print and bind books for clients worldwide.
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We finished up our Brand New to start off the new year. There are a lot of things that can be brand new. Like new gear. Our winner this week was devel’s photo of a new Nifty Fifty (as shot through the lens). This one had gorgeous, bright colours, the composition was very strong, and the box in the background was a great way to demonstrate that it is brand new. Our first runner up was CountryKim’s New Snowfall. Wow. I mean, what can we say? Fresh, brand new snow lasts for such a short time, and the ability to capture that single flake so clearly is definitely impressive. And last, but not least was yogijenn’s new knitting project. It’s pretty clear to see that this is a piece that has just been started. And this has the benefit of being both a brand new project, and eventually a brand new finished product too once it’s finished. Well done everyone!
We also started a new assignment this week, Spot of Colour. This one is tricky, so make sure you pay attention to what we are and aren’t looking for. What we are looking for in this assignment is a photo where there is an area of colour that your eye is naturally drawn to. A colour that is brighter than the rest of the photo. What this assignment is not, is selective colour. We are not looking for photos that are black and white with one section left in colour due to post-processing or a camera setting. It should be essentially natural to the photo that your eye is drawn to the spot of colour. As always, a quick reminder of the rules. First, your photo must have been taken between 12-26 January 2011. Second, your post must include the words “Assignment: Spot of Color” and the date that the photo was taken. Finally, your EXIF should be intact, and it’s useful if you can include some of the main points such as camera, lens, aperture, ISO, etc. Next week’s assignment will be Still Life: Food. Check out the assignment thread for some suggestions and helpful tips.
Plenty of people thought the advent of digital cameras would remove the need for filters. Wrong!