Building Custom Album Templates

Step 1.   Using a graphics editor, generate a photo album template and save it to disk as a Bitmap (.BMP) file.   The body of the photo album (where the thumbnails will be displayed) must be white if you want to have the ability to color flood-fill the album within Web Album Creator.   If you don't care about changing the color of the photo album then your design has no restrictions. Step 2.   The finished template (Bitmap file) needs be copied to the ALBUMS subdirectory. (ex. C:\Program Files\Web Album Creator\Albums)   As a general rule, 640 x 480 is a good size for a photo album template. Step 3.   Now run Web Album Creator, the new Album Template will appear in drop down box in "Step 2" of Web Album Creator.   The name of the Bitmap file should be descriptive since this is what you will see as the name of the album template in the drop down box.   Now select this template. Step 4.   Now go the "Configure" Screen.   Then select the "Index Web Page" Tab.   The four key settings that need to be changed with each new template are Border Top Offset, Border Left Offset, Border Bottom Offset and Border Right Offset.   These settings are critical in determining the layout of the thumbnails on the album template.   Once these are set up correctly "save" the album template. You may also need to tweak other thumbnail settings.   Be sure to "save" the template after changes have been made. Step 5.   You are finished.   Now you can select this album template like any other.