Create a New Album

Import Images

After creating and saving a new album, you will be directed to the Spread Creation screen. This is where you import your images and begin designing your layouts.

Importing Your Images

To import your images, click the Import Images button located in the upper-right corner of the screen. Once the upload is complete, a confirmation message will appear, informing you that all images have been successfully imported.

Image Filters

After your images have been imported, the Image Filters appear at the bottom of the image panel. These filters allow you to quickly display specific types of images by clicking the corresponding buttons:

• Horizontal images
• Vertical images
• Images already used in a spread
• Images not yet used

You can clear all filters at any time to display the complete image list.

Rotate and Delete Images

To rotate an image, hover your mouse over it and click the rotate left or rotate right button. To remove an image from the album, click the Delete button that appears when hovering over the image.

To delete multiple images at once:

• Hold down the Shift key
• Select the desired images
• Press the Delete key on your keyboard

Viewer Mode

To preview an image in full size, simply double-click on it. This activates Viewer Mode, allowing you to examine the image in greater detail.

Create your Layouts Automatically

Now let’s see how easy it is to create your album layouts using the automatic layout functionality of the app.

When I drag an image onto the page, it is automatically placed in a layout position. At the same time, several alternative layouts are generated, so I can easily choose a different one if the first option does not suit me. If I drag a second image onto the page, the layout automatically changes again. New alternative templates are loaded based on the images currently on the page. In this example, we have one horizontal and one vertical image.

The same thing happens every time I add a new image. Also, every image that I place on a page becomes slightly faded in the image library. This helps me easily see which images have already been used in my layouts.

When I double-click on an image, I enter Zoom Mode. You can clearly see that the image is selected because the blue selection indicator starts rotating around it. While in Zoom Mode, you can use your mouse wheel to zoom in or out. You can also drag the image with your mouse to position it exactly where you want. When you are satisfied with the result, simply click outside the image to exit Zoom Mode.

Now let’s move to the second spread.

I will drag these images onto the page and select this layout template. Next, I will select these two images and use the Swap option to exchange their positions. As you can see, there are many tools available in the top toolbar of the application. For example, if I click Fill Color, I can change the background color of the spread. Let’s set it to black.
Then I will select these images, open the Effects panel, and add a small white stroke around them.

You can learn what each of these tools does by exploring the Help section of the application. And that is how the semi-automatic layout system of EDA Online works.

Auto Fill Spreads

Now let’s see the Auto Fill Spreads feature, which can populate all the spreads of your album with images in just a second. First, we will clear the current spread using the Clear Spreads button.

Next, we open the Auto Fill Spreads panel. As you can see, there are many available options. For this example, we will choose to place a specific number of images on each spread.

Let’s select 4 images per spread, and then click the Create Album button. As you can see, all 20 spreads of the album are automatically created in just a second. And of course, you can still add or remove images from any spread at any time.

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Create Your Layouts Manually

In addition to the automatic layout options, our app also offers a fully manual approach. This allows you to fine-tune your designs or create something truly unique whenever you wish.

Let’s see how this works. For this example, we will start with a blank spread.

Click the Add Spread button, to add a new Spread, below the first. Then we click the Move Spread up button, to bring the new spread at the top. Now, click on the Auto Button to switch to Manual mode. When you do this, all the spreads in the album switch to manual mode.

Next, add a slot from the top menu. Slots act as placeholders for your images. In addition to slots, you can also add shapes, which are used for decorative purposes and do not accept images. Resize the slot and center it on the spread. As you will notice, the smart guides make this process very easy.

At the bottom of the app there is a status bar with several useful tools.
From left to right, you can see the position and dimensions of each slot. Next to them are the Divide and Merge buttons.
First, divide this slot into seven vertical sections. Then use the Merge option to combine some of them and create the layout you have in mind.

This approach allows your images to have equal spacing between them and to be perfectly aligned in the center of the spread. Next, resize the center slot and add a text layer on top. Type the names of the couple and select the font you prefer. Then align the text with the top of the slots.

Click Background Options to select a background.
You can either add an image from your computer or choose one from the backgrounds included in the app. For this example, select one of the backgrounds provided by the app and reduce its opacity so the images stand out more clearly.

Finally, place your images into the layout.

Change Gap Between Images

In the latest version of EDA Online, a new option has been added to adjust the spacing between images.

Let’s see how it works.
Navigate to the layout you want, and click the “Change Gap” button, located on the right side of the bottom toolbar.

A popup will appear. Use the slider to adjust the gap — from 0, for no spacing at all, up to 20, which is the maximum.

You can apply this to any layout without selecting individual images. Just make sure the layout is selected — you’ll see the blue outline indicating this.

Please note that this option is available only for album layouts, and not for Montage Frames, Canvas, or other products.

Export Proof

After completing your layouts, the next step is to send them to your client for approval.
EDA Online offers two options for this process.

Option 1: Export as PDF

You can export your album as a PDF file at 1200px width resolution and send it directly to your client.
This is a simple and straightforward solution that works well for photographers who prefer a traditional review process.

Option 2: Export Proof Online

For a more interactive experience, you can create an Online Proof.

To do this:

• Open the Export menu
• Select Export Proof Online

Within a few seconds, the Online Proof will be generated. Once it is ready, click the Open Preview button.
When the web page opens, click the blue Copy Page URL button and send the link to your client via email.

How the Online Proof Works

At the bottom of each spread, your client will see two options:

• Approve
• Add Comments

They can review each layout and select the appropriate option.
If they choose Add Comments, they can write their requested changes in the notes field below the spread.

Approving Multiple Spreads

If the album contains many spreads, your client does not need to approve each one individually.
At the bottom of the page, there is an Approve All button.
By selecting this option, all spreads are approved at once.
They can then use the Add Comments option only on the spreads that require changes.

Completing the Review

Once the review is complete, the client clicks the blue Submit the Review button.
You will then receive an email notification confirming that the review has been submitted.

Viewing Client Feedback

The next time you open the album in EDA Online, each spread will display a status icon in the top-right corner:

• A green check icon indicates approval
• A red alert icon indicates that changes are required

To read the client’s comments, simply hover your mouse over the red alert icon.

Export for Print and Slideshow

Once your clients have approved the album and you are ready to send it for printing and binding, select Export for Print from the Export menu. Your album will be exported as high-resolution files, including all details, and sent directly to our binding workshop.

Important: The export for print can only be performed once per album, so make sure this is the final version with all client corrections before sending it for print.

Export Slideshow MP4

After sending the album for print, the Export Slideshow MP4 option becomes available.
This feature allows you to create a slideshow with music that can be saved on your computer and shared with your clients. The slideshow can be viewed on any device, including TV, computer, tablet, or mobile phone.

To use this option:

1. Select Export Slideshow MP4 from the Export menu
2. A dialog window will appear
3. Enter the names of the couple (optional). If entered, the names appear in white text on a black background on the first slide
4. Select the music file for the slideshow (required)

Once you have made your selections, the slideshow will be created automatically.

Notes

• The music file determines the duration of the slideshow
• The slideshow will automatically fit the timing of the music to the number of spreads
• After creation, a notification will appear, allowing you to download the MP4 file for sharing