User Guide Ahead Software AG Information on copyright and trade marks The Nero Cover Designer user manual and all its contents are protected by copyright and are the property of Ahead Software. All rights reserved. This user manual contains material that is protected by internationally valid copyright. This manual may not - in whole or in part - be copied, transmitted or otherwise reproduced without the express written permission of Ahead Software AG. All trade names and trademarks are the property of the respective owners. Ahead Software rejects any claims that transcend the legal guarantee rights. Ahead Software AG does not undertake any liability for the correctness of the content of the Nero Cover Designer user manual. The contents of the software supplied, as well as of the Nero Cover Designer user manual, may be changed without prior warning. The trademarks mentioned here are only listed for information purposes. Copyright © 2003 - 2004 Ahead Software AG REV 1.1 Table of Contents 1 Getting Started ..................................................................................6 1.1 Introduction ........................................................................................ 6 1.2 How This Manual is Organized ......................................................... 6 1.2.1 Notes for the User............................................................................. 7 2 Informationen on Cover Designer ...................................................8 2.1 Introduction ........................................................................................ 8 2.2 Program Structure ............................................................................. 8 2.2.1 Cover Elements ................................................................................ 9 2.2.2 Toolbar.............................................................................................. 9 2.2.2.1 Line Tool ....................................................................................... 10 2.2.2.2 Rectangle tool ............................................................................... 12 2.2.2.3 Oval tool........................................................................................ 14 2.2.2.4 Text box tool ................................................................................. 15 2.2.2.5 Text tool ........................................................................................ 16 2.2.2.6 Tracklist tool.................................................................................. 18 2.2.2.7 Index Tool ..................................................................................... 20 2.2.2.8 Image tool ..................................................................................... 22 2.2.2.9 Field tool ....................................................................................... 24 3 Auxiliary Aids ..................................................................................28 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Ruler.................................................................................................. 28 Guidelines......................................................................................... 28 Grid.................................................................................................... 29 Zoom ................................................................................................. 30 Clip objects....................................................................................... 30 4 Settings............................................................................................32 4.1 Default Settings................................................................................ 32 4.2 Program Settings ............................................................................. 33 4.2.1 Tab 'General'................................................................................... 33 4.2.2 Tab 'Folders' ................................................................................... 34 4.2.3 Tab 'Paper stocks'........................................................................... 34 4.2.4 Tab 'Print' ........................................................................................ 35 4.2.5 Tab 'Undo'....................................................................................... 35 4.3 Printing ............................................................................................. 36 4.3.1 Tab 'General'................................................................................... 36 4.3.2 Tab 'Elements' ................................................................................ 37 Nero Cover Designer Table of Contents · 3 4.4 Printing preview ............................................................................... 38 4.5 Printer setup..................................................................................... 39 4.6 Paper Stocks Selection ................................................................... 39 4.6.1 Printer Calibration ........................................................................... 40 5 Create Cover....................................................................................42 5.1 Introduction ...................................................................................... 42 5.2 Selecting the type of cover, CD, DVD or business card............... 42 5.3 Booklet Design................................................................................. 44 5.3.1 Booklet (Front) ................................................................................ 44 5.3.2 Booklet (Rear)................................................................................. 47 5.4 Add Document Data......................................................................... 50 5.5 Create Inlay....................................................................................... 52 5.6 Label Design..................................................................................... 58 6 Document Templates......................................................................63 6.1 6.2 Create template ................................................................................ 63 Load or Modify Document Template.............................................. 67 7 Image Editing ..................................................................................68 7.1 Introduction ...................................................................................... 68 7.2 Using Effects .................................................................................... 68 7.2.1 Effects 'Adjust'................................................................................. 70 7.2.2 Effects 'Filters'................................................................................. 70 7.2.3 Effects 'Flip'..................................................................................... 72 7.2.4 Effect 'Negate'................................................................................. 72 7.2.5 Effect 'Pinch' ................................................................................... 73 7.2.6 Effect 'Swirl'..................................................................................... 74 7.2.7 Effect 'Rotate'.................................................................................. 75 7.3 Fitting to the Frame Size ................................................................. 76 8 Text Block Editing...........................................................................78 8.1 Introduction ...................................................................................... 78 8.2 'Properties' Window......................................................................... 79 8.2.1 'Textbox' Tab................................................................................... 79 8.2.2 'Pen' Tab ......................................................................................... 80 8.2.3 'Brush' Tab ...................................................................................... 82 8.2.4 'Image' Tab ..................................................................................... 84 9 Editing Artistic Text ........................................................................86 9.1 Introduction ...................................................................................... 86 9.2 'Properties' Window......................................................................... 87 9.2.1 'Pen' Tab ......................................................................................... 87 9.2.2 'Brush' Tab ...................................................................................... 89 9.2.3 'Text' Tab ........................................................................................ 91 Nero Cover Designer Table of Contents · 4 9.2.4 'Font' Tab ........................................................................................ 92 10 Document Datas..............................................................................93 10.1 Introduction ...................................................................................... 93 10.2 Adding Files and Tracks ................................................................. 94 10.3 Files, Folders and Tracks................................................................ 97 10.3.1 Naming Files and Folders ............................................................. 97 10.3.2 Deleting Files and Folders ............................................................ 98 10.3.3 Naming Tracks.............................................................................. 98 10.3.4 Deleting Tracks ............................................................................. 99 11 Adding Fields ................................................................................100 11.1 Introduction .................................................................................... 100 11.2 Adding a Field ................................................................................ 101 11.3 Editing fields .................................................................................. 102 11.3.1 Tab 'Field'.................................................................................... 103 11.3.2 Tab 'Pen' ..................................................................................... 104 11.3.3 Tab `Brush'.................................................................................. 106 11.3.4 Tab `Text' .................................................................................... 108 11.3.5 'Tab 'Font'.................................................................................... 109 12 Index...............................................................................................110 Nero Cover Designer Table of Contents · 5 1 Getting Started 1.1 Introduction These instructions will show you how to quickly create and design your own CD, DVD or Business card cover. The program is very comprehensive and powerful, so we will only present the most important features. We will omit some parts of the program or will only touch on them briefly. You will find detailed information about Cover Designer in the online help which you can access at any time by pressing the F1 key. You can also look up current information about Cover Designer on the Internet at www.nero.com. 1.2 How This Manual is Organized This manual contains practical examples for creating various cover elements as well as program reference material. The individual chapters present the following information: Chapter 1 gives you an overview of the manual's structure and familiarizes you with the symbols that are used. Chapter 2 introduces Cover Designer and its cover elements and provides a brief description of the program's structure. The toolbar and its use will be explained to you. Chapter 3 presents various aids that help you create and align objects, for example guidelines. Chapter 4 shows you where you can define the appearance of the various cover elements by modifying the default and program settings. It also describes how you select paper stocks and calibrate the printer kalibrieren and specify printing options. Chapter 5 guides you step by step through the process of creating a CD cover. By following the instructions, you can modify the design of each cover element and compare your results with the illustrations. You will be surprised how easy it is to achieve the results you want. Chapter 6 shows you how to give a uniform appearance to your CD covers by creating and loading document templates and modifying them again as needed. Nero Cover Designer Getting Started · 6 Chapter 7 introduces you to the world of graphics design. You can choose among a seemingly endless range of effects. To round off the topic, we give you examples and information for adapting the image size to the document. Chapter 8 presents editing features for text blocks and gives a detailed description of the corresponding 'Textbox', 'Pen', 'Brush' and 'Image' tabs. Chapter 9 presents artistic text design features and provides a detailed description of the corresponding 'Pen', 'Brush', 'Text' and 'Font' tabs. The 'Bent' function is emphasized, which allows you to fit artistic text to the curvature of the CD. Chapter 10 shows you how to add, name or delete files, folders and tracks for you document data. Chapter 11 presents editing features for fields and gives a detailed description of the corresponding tabs 'Field', 'Pen', 'Brush', 'Text' and 'Font'. Chapter 12 lets you quickly find the information you want using the index created here. 1.2.1 Notes for the User The following symbols are used in this manual: This symbol means 'warning' or 'caution'. It identifies very important information. Failure to comply with the information leads to undesirable program behavior. This symbol stands for 'useful tip' or 'nice to know'. It indicates important or informative items. Nero Cover Designer Getting Started · 7 2 Informationen on Cover Designer 2.1 Introduction The Cover Designer was specially created to allow the design and production of CD, DVD and Business card covers via a userfriendly interface. It is included in some of Ahead software's products and can be initiated by clicking on the respective icon. One of the advantages of integrating the Cover Designer into some of Ahead's products is the ability to automatically create playlists and/or filename lists, thus saving you the annoyance of having to manually type them in. In addition, playlists from external sources (such as FreeDB) can queried/used. When a document is created, the CD type and the number of disks included is defined. All corresponding cover elements appear at the lower frame of the screen. You can activate them by clicking on the appropriate tab. If all cover elements have been processed, the cover is finished and can be printed. A variety of functions is available to the user: Create new graphics Import graphics using a scanner Add existing graphics Define graphics as background images Edit graphics Deform graphics using special effects Add text Format text Add fields 2.2 Program Structure The structure of Cover Designer conforms to standard Windows conventions: a menu bar, various icon bars and a status bar. The workspace of Cover Designer displays the cover element selected, which you can format using text and/or image elements. The most important aid to use when designing cover elements is the toolbar at the lower frame of the screen. Nero Cover Designer Informationen on Cover Designer · 8 2.2.1 Cover Elements The type and number of cover elements depends on the type of media selected. A cover includes the following elements e.g.: Booklet (front): front side of the title insert Booklet (Rear): back side of the title insert Inlay: back side of the CD/DVD as inlay in the CD/DVD case Disk: designation of a sticker (label) in the shape of a CD/DVD 2.2.2 Toolbar The table below provides you with a quick overview of the most important icons in Cover Designer. The icons on the toolbar have the following functions: Selection tool to mark objects Line tool to draw lines Rectangle tool to draw rectangles and squares Oval tool to draw ellipses and circles Text box tool to insert a text box. Double click to open a window for text entry (block of text) Artistic text tool to insert artistic text Track list tool to insert a track list for audio CDs etc. Directory tool to insert a directory for data CDs etc. Image tool to insert saved images Field tool to insert fields, such as title, artist, number of tracks, playing time. Basic points for editing the inserted tool elements: Change the size of the marked element by dragging the drag points with the mouse. Turn the marked elements by dragging the small curved arrow with the mouse. Alter the position by drag & drop, i.e. the marked element is held by the mouse and dragged to the desired position. Exact editing of marked elements, either with a double click or by right clicking. Nero Cover Designer Informationen on Cover Designer · 9 2.2.2.1 Line Tool The line tool is activated by clicking on the Draw a line by dragging the mouse pointer. Edit the marked line exactly by right clicking. A context menu will then open. button and allows you to: 'Arrange' 'Align' Arrange the elements in the foreground, in the background, one level forward or one level back. Align elements exactly by activating or deactivating various options. Nero Cover Designer Informationen on Cover Designer · 10 'Geometry' Determine the exact position of elements, either by input or by using the arrow keys. 'Properties' Select the color and thickness of the pen line. Change the width of the pen line in the 'Width' field, either by input or by using the arrow keys. Select a color by clicking on a hue in the color circle. The color in the 'Color' field will then change according to your choice. The brightness can be regulated if necessary by moving the marker on the color bar on the right. Colors can be defined by input, by selecting color values in the 'Hue', 'Saturation' and 'Brightness' fields or by selecting color proportions in the 'Red', 'Green' and 'Blue' fields. Nero Cover Designer Informationen on Cover Designer · 11 Remove the pen line by clicking on the no longer visible. button i.e. the line is 2.2.2.2 Rectangle tool The rectangle tool is activated by clicking on the Draw a rectangle by dragging the mouse pointer. Change the shape to a square by moving the drag points with the mouse. Edit the marked rectangle exactly by right clicking. button and allows you to: 'Group' Becomes active when several elements are marked with the 'Ctrl' key held down. The 'Group' command allows all these elements to be edited simultaneously. Becomes active when several elements are grouped. The command 'Ungroup' allows each of the elements to be edited individually. Arranges the elements in the foreground, in the background, one level forward or one level back. Aligns elements exactly by activating or deactivating various options. 'Ungroup' 'Arrange' 'Align' Nero Cover Designer Informationen on Cover Designer · 12 'Geometry' Determines the exact position of elements, either by input or by using the arrow keys. Nero Cover Designer Informationen on Cover Designer · 13 'Properties' Selects the color for the foreground or background. Select a color by clicking on a hue in the color circle. The color in the 'Color' field will then change according to your choice. The brightness can be regulated if necessary by moving the marker on the color bar on the right. Select a pattern for the foreground or background in the 'Style' field by using the drop down button. Each of the colors in the color circle can be selected by clicking on the 'Foreground' or 'Background' buttons. The colors in these fields will then be altered according to your choice. A color can also be defined by input, by selecting color values in the 'Hue', 'Saturation' and 'Brightness' fields or by selecting colors in the 'Red', 'Green' or 'Blue' fields. Remove the foreground color by clicking the foreground becomes white. button - i.e the Change the color or thickness of the pen line by clicking on the 'Pen' tab. (See also the chapter 'Line Tool') 2.2.2.3 Oval tool The oval tool is activated by clicking on the button and allows you to: Draw an ellipse by dragging the mouse pointer. Change the form to a circle by moving the drag points with the mouse. Edit the marked ellipse exactly by right clicking. A context menu will then open. Nero Cover Designer Informationen on Cover Designer · 14 The complete functions of the context menu are identical with those described above (see also the chapter 'Rectangle tool'). 2.2.2.4 Text box tool The text box tool for the input of text blocks is activated by clicking the and allows you to : Insert a text box by dragging the mouse pointer. Edit the marked text box exactly by right clicking. A context menu will then open. button The 'Group', 'Ungroup', 'Arrange', 'Align' and 'Geometry' functions of the context menu are identical to those described above (see also chapter 'Rectangle tool'). Nero Cover Designer Informationen on Cover Designer · 15 'Properties' Enter block text in the text field and mark it for further editing. Select the font using the drop down button. Change the font size using the drop down button. Format the text with 'Bold', 'Italic', 'Underline', 'Set left', 'Centered', 'Set right' and 'Block text' using the buttons. Change the text color using the button 'A'. Adapt the text in the printable area of the cover element by activating the box 'Adapt to shape'. Prevent any further alterations to the text by activating the box 'Read only'. This is very useful when creating templates. The tabs 'Pen', 'Brush', 'Image' and the expression 'Text block' are described in detail in the chapter 'Text Block Editing'. 2.2.2.5 Text tool The text tool for the input of graphic text is activated by clicking on the and allows you to: button Insert a graphic text by clicking with the mouse into the workspace and inserting the text. For any further editing it can be marked with the button. Edit a marked text exactly by right clicking. A context menu will then open. Nero Cover Designer Informationen on Cover Designer · 16 The functions 'Group', 'Ungroup', 'Arrange' 'Align' and 'Geometry' in the context menu are identical with those described above (see chapter 'Rectangle tool'). 'Bend' 'Convert to curve' 'Properties' Bend the graphic text, e.g. to create a label. Text blocks in a text box cannot be bent. Convert a graphic text to a graphic element. After the conversion it can no longer be edited, bent or formatted. Edit graphic text on the tab 'Font'. Select the font in the 'Font' region by clicking on the desired font. Select the font style in the 'Font style' region by clicking on, e.g. 'Normal' or 'Italic'. If the 'Crossed out' box is activated the graphic text will appear crossed out. If the 'Underlined' box is activated the graphic text will appear underlined. Change the font size in the region 'Size' by clicking on the Nero Cover Designer Informationen on Cover Designer · 17 required size. Show all changes in the region 'Example' before accepting the input by clicking on the 'OK' button. The tabs 'Pen', 'Brush', 'Text' and the expression 'Graphic text' are described in detail in the chapter 'Editing Artistic Text'. 2.2.2.6 Tracklist tool The tracklist tool is activated by clicking on the Insert a tracklist by dragging the mouse pointer. Edit the marked tracklist exactly by right clicking. A context menu will then open. button and allows you to: The functions 'Group', 'Ungroup', 'Arrange', 'Align' and 'Geometry' are identical with those described above (see chapter 'Rectangle tool'). Nero Cover Designer Informationen on Cover Designer · 18 'Data' Edit the appropriate data in the self-opening window. A detailed description of how to edit document data can be found in the chapter 'Document Datas'. 'Properties' Edit the track properties with the tab 'Tracks'. Select the disk index appropriate to the tracklist in the field 'Disk'. Stipulate the index of the first and last visible audio tracks in the fields 'First track' and 'Last track'. Select a predefined style for the illustration of the tracklist in the field 'Style'. Stipulate the line spacing in the field 'Line spacing'. Stipulate the page on which the tracklist contents should be Nero Cover Designer Informationen on Cover Designer · 19 aligned in the field 'Align'. Adapt the size of the contents to the printable area by activating the box 'Adapt text to shape'. Show a preview of the latest tracklist by activating the box 'Show example window'. 'Fields' region: Select a field that is available in the chosen style. Using the control box you can select whether the field is visible or invisible. Select a predefined format specific to the marked field and the alignment of the field text using the drop down buttons. Select the color and font for the marked field by clicking on the color field or by clicking on the font button. Select the font size for the marked field compared with other fields either by input or by using the arrow keys. Enter an individual text that should always appear either before or after the marked field in the fields 'Text before' or 'Text after'. The tabs 'Pen', 'Brush' and 'Image' are described in detail in the chapter 'Text Block Editing'. The functions 'Data' and 'Properties' can be called up via the moveable toolbar that appears after inserting a tracklist. 2.2.2.7 Index Tool The index tool is activated by clicking on the button Insert an index by dragging the mouse pointer. Edit the marked index exactly by right clicking. A context menu will then open. and allows you to: Nero Cover Designer Informationen on Cover Designer · 20