Adjusting cell sizes to match sizes in other pages in the Books module

[kimaldis]

Returning to the books module after a few years, the ability to adjust cells by entering values numerically seems to have disappeared. I have single photos on all my pages, I've adjusted the first cell size & position and now I need to match size and positions to this on all the remaining pages. Not possible to accurately adjust to match so how do I go about this?

Thanks.

[kimaldis]

Got it: Save as custom page then in each other page, select from under Custom Pages.

Bit clunky, though.

[kimaldis]

Actually, it's all a bit clunky. As far as I can see:

* can't accurately centre a photo

* can't change grid size

* can't nudge photos vertically or horizontally

* can't resize an image about its centre

* can't easily match aspect ratio of photo and cell

* everything seems to be by eyebal only. Often you need better accuracy.

</grrr>

[Rob_Cullen]

Everything is pretty much what you say- "...by eyebal only.."

"centre a photo"-  On the page?- Starting with a single cell page template gets close. (Remember that trimming by guillotine may not leave you with the accuracy you want.)

"..nudge photos vertically or horizontally" -  Only by mouse dragging the centre 'handle' of a Cell. Preferably with [Grid Snap] set to [off].

"..can't resize an image about its centre.." - Sometimes when you touch only the Zoom Slider you can resize to the centre, but if you have dragged a zoomed image in a cell, the 'centre' is reset to something different.

"can't easily match aspect ratio of photo and cell" - Only by matching the Cell to the aspect ratio of the photo.

Personally, I rarely need the accuracy you are seeking, and "eye-balling" works for me. Using page templates (default or Custom) keeps some consistency in page layouts.

[kimaldis]

Yeah, page templates are kind of working but it's less than ideal. I figured out an accurate way of centring; drag the  cell handles all the way to left and right then centre the photo. But then I wanted a black border and that goes around the cell, not the photo.

And there isn't much of a choice of book or magazine sizes now either.

It's all a bit of a mess. Seems half finished.

[hopeful_Odyssey0787]

This should be a standard feature. I don't understand why Adobe does not make it possible to set custom size of a photo cell in the Book module. You also cannot set a fixed aspect ratio (e.g. 2x3 for standard DSLR photos). You also cannot simply duplicate (e.g, copy paste) a photo cell... you need to create a new cell and manually adjust it to the size of a pre-existing cell if you want them to be the same size. It's ridiculous. Adobe, please introduce these super simple features. The Book module is all about creating layouts of your pages, and it lacks the basic tools to adjust layouts precisely.

[Rob_Cullen]

In agreement that the Book module is a simple 'add-on' to the primary objectives of Lightroom-Classic.

But there are some workarounds that might answer your statements-

"set custom size of a photo cell in the Book module."

No, you cannot say a cell is 2x3 inches. Photo cells are visual.

"You also cannot set a fixed aspect ratio (e.g. 2x3 for standard DSLR photos)"

You can draw a photo cell on a page and resize the cell to match a 2x3 photo that you insert, And you can use your page with sized cells to create a Page Layout Template-  always available for new pages, or when creating a book by Auto-Layout.

"You also cannot simply duplicate (e.g, copy paste) a photo cell.."

You cannot duplicate a cell, but you can copy & paste a page layout that has cells on the page.

For Example- I can create a whole book, or insert pages one-by-one with a Custom Template I have saved.

BOOK NEW CELL PLACEMENT OPTIONS AUG 2018- Start at about 5.40