Definition
Designer View offers a focused, detailed workspace where you can work with one spread at a time. It's the perfect place to refine your designs and unleash your creative freedom.
Switching to Designer View
To switch from Planner View to Designer View, select a spread and click the View icon in the top-right corner, or simply double-click on a spread. For quicker navigation, use the 'V' keyboard shortcut to toggle between Planner and Designer Views.
Designer View Tools
Smart Guides
When designing a custom spread, Drop Zones automatically snap to other Drop Zones and page guides. However, it can sometimes be difficult to see how they align with other elements on the page. That's why Designer View includes smart guides that appear when elements align. As you move a Drop Zone, a blue line will appear, indicating alignment with other elements on the page.
Grid Lines
For even more precise alignment, you can use Grid Lines as a reference, offering greater flexibility for custom image layouts. Toggle the Grid Lines on or off under View > Toggle Grid Lines, as shown in the image above, or use the keyboard shortcut 'G'.
To adjust the spacing of the Grid Lines, go to View > Setup Grid Lines, as shown above.
The default gridline spacing is set to 0.25 inches, but you can adjust it to suit your preferences at any time.
Designer View Options
1. Add Spread: Adds a new spread to the album, positioned after the current spread.
2. View: Clicking the View icon takes you back to Planner View from Designer View.
3. Forward/Back Navigation: Use the navigation arrows on the left and right sides of the view to move forward or backward through spreads.
Designer View Tools
1. High Resolution Loupe: The high-resolution loupe lets you preview images at print resolution, which is crucial if you're ordering your album through Fundy Direct.
2. Flip Horizontally: Clicking this will flip the spread’s Drop Zones horizontally.
3. Text Tool: Use the Text Tool to add and manipulate custom text on your spread. Learn more about using the Text Tool here.
4. Color Block: Clicking this creates a color block that you can adjust and position on the spread.
5. Background Color: Clicking this allows you to change the background color of the spread.
6. Pin Design: Clicking this will save your design concepts for later use in current or future projects.
7. Toggle Guides: This icon toggles the Cut/Safe Zone guides on and off. You can also turn guides off using the 'G' key or by going to View > Toggle Guides. If guides are turned off, be sure to review your album spreads before ordering.
8. Layouts: Clicking this gives you access to My Designs (pinned design concepts), Signing Books (pre-designed spreads optimized for guest signing books), and Album Layouts featuring the Quick Design Picker, which offers auto designs based on the images in your spread.
Video Tutorial
Want to see it in action? Take a look at this video!
Images ©Danny Dong Photography