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I need advice !!!

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toni666 Posted: 06-20-2008 7:38

 I am not profesional user of CorelDraw but i know basics.these days i need to take photos of 2000 articles and make a catalog for one company. So i need good advice how to do that on easyes way. is there any template for catalog? what is easiest way to crop the image from background? and how to organize my self whit all these pictures? 

toni
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FosterCoburn replied on 06-20-2008 10:36
Toni,

A catalog with 2000 products is not something I would attempt to do in
CorelDRAW. The catalog items should be stored in a database and I'd use
Corel Ventura with its Database Publisher app to automatically take the data
from the database and publish it.

To directly answer your question, I don't know of any template for a catalog
page.

The best way to organize the data is with a database.
Foster D. Coburn III CorelDRAW Unleashed http://www.coreldrawunleashed.com Books, Boot Camps, Conferences and Magazines CorelDRAW X4 Unleashed Author
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Jeff Harrison replied on 06-20-2008 11:43
db.gif

Hi Toni,

There is a new product coming out within 2 weeks, but only works in X4 for the moment. It's called MonsterMerge, and does exactly what you ask. It combines text and corresponding images onto Draw's page, and is highly flexible/powerful.

I tried 5000 products in a catalog for a crazy test, but the programmer tried 20,000!!!

No matter which product you end up using, you'll first need to organize the products in a database as Foster suggested.

He's right that under normal circumstances, a project of this magnitude is too painful in CorelDRAW. That's why this super-macro was created!

For 2000 products, best way is to name the image file name the same as a product code. For example: If the product code is 234959, name the image to be 234959.jpg. or tiff, png, whatever.

The company may have a database already for basic product info, but you'll need to enter the file names into a new field. There are fast ways to do this so you don't need to type every name. You WILL have to name each file once after color correcting, cropping etc.

 

toni666:

 I am not profesional user of CorelDraw but i know basics. these days i need to take photos of 2000 articles and make a catalog for one company. So i need good advice how to do that on easiest way. is there any template for catalog? what is easiest way to crop the image from background? and how to organize my self whit all these pictures? 


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toni666 replied on 06-23-2008 1:43

before 2 months ago i have done a catalog for one man,there was about 500 articles,so that saw another man and i have opportunity to do this catalog with 2000 articles,i need photograf all articles,make catalog and print it.last time I was so tired because i have crop each picture with Lasso tool in photoshop and then i have assort them in corel,but that is crazy work because i can not reorganize easy after i finish my work. i think i will have enough time till MonsterMerge came up. Foster do you have a sample file of corel ventura how you to that,can you send it ti me?

 

toni
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FosterCoburn replied on 06-23-2008 8:10
Toni,

There are sample database publishing projects that are supplied with Corel
Ventura. Unfortunately Corel does not make a trial version available.
Foster D. Coburn III CorelDRAW Unleashed http://www.coreldrawunleashed.com Books, Boot Camps, Conferences and Magazines CorelDRAW X4 Unleashed Author
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toni666 replied on 06-25-2008 0:05

 that is no problem i have ventura 10,is there any "how to" basic steps how to make and organize a catalog???

toni
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Edward Thurston replied on 06-28-2008 10:30
Been there, done that and no easy way around a lot of "background" work.
 
Before you even start to click the shutter, you have to have your index made first. I don't know what it is you are photographing but let's say...a car.
 
First you've got your "beauty" shots of the car, exterior and interior...make the consumer drool ! If you're doing something like a Chilton's Manual, you will have to create directories / divisions like Electrical, Mechanical, Body Parts, Suspension, etc along with the sub-directories like Electrical,>Ignition,>Lights>Interior>>Exterior,>Engine>Sensors>>Circuitry>>>Relays ......etc.
Once you have the breakdown for the catalogue contents, assign a number to each separate catagory and a sub-number to each sub-division of that catagory ie 6 -04 (# 6 for Electrical and # 04 for Circutry). Put these numbers on small cards.
 
When taking the photos of the parts include, in the image area, the card with the catagory #. Use a plain background that does not contain the same colour as the object you are photographing. This way you can use the colour mask to remove the background, leaving only the photographed object and the card reference number. The card will be erased from the image after you have completed the image / page pasting / setup. Store the images on your computer using the card catagory # as a folder name, with the sub-division card # photos stored within.
 
Before that first picture is taken, you better have a method of cataloging the images ready. Once you've got the "catalogue" set up for the photos taking, run it by your client FIRST. He / She may have an idea for another directory / division necessary for the final catalogue.
 
Taking the photos is the "easy" part. Keeping track of what you've got is the hard bit !
 
Just how the images will be arranged...and the image size.... will depend on the order of importance to your client. There is no template for imagination and trying to perceive just what the client envisions is a task within itself. I'd suggest making copies (small) of all the shots and sit down with the client and move them around on a sheet of paper to help create an idea of the layout he / she wants.
 
Ted

<toni666> wrote in message news:25954@coreldraw.com...

 I am not profesional user of CorelDraw but i know basics.these days i need to take photos of 2000 articles and make a catalog for one company. So i need good advice how to do that on easyes way. is there any template for catalog? what is easiest way to crop the image from background? and how to organize my self whit all these pictures? 

toni
http://coreldraw.com/forums/p/6978/25954.aspx#25954

Edward Thurston web: http://groups.msn.com/HSMPHOTOSportsPhotography
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JRotten replied on 08-03-2008 20:03

Hey Jeff,

I am interested in using a database for some publishing I do.  I publish a newsletter that has spots for 32 advertisers.  Each week, the advertisers have to change spots, which means, I'm basically cutting and pasting A LOT.  If I were to use a database, could the ads be placed randomly in the template each week?

Would I need Ventura, or MonsterMerge?

Thanks.

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Jeff Harrison replied on 08-03-2008 21:15

hi JRotten,

I'm not familiar with Ventura...

But MonsterMerge can do this. It can place EPS files as well as any resolution of bitmaps. If you buy it, I'll also include the Excel code for you to randomize the order of ads. The ads are assumed to be the same size. True?

One deciding factor may be the price: Ventura: from Corel.com today: $989.00 CDN....  MonsterMerge: $69.95. A slight difference. :-) Note: Prices are always subject to change.

JRotten:

Hey Jeff,

I am interested in using a database for some publishing I do.  I publish a newsletter that has spots for 32 advertisers.  Each week, the advertisers have to change spots, which means, I'm basically cutting and pasting A LOT.  If I were to use a database, could the ads be placed randomly in the template each week? Would I need Ventura, or MonsterMerge?

 

Jeff Harrison, Featured Instructor

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JRotten replied on 08-04-2008 7:48

Jeff,

Thank-you sooooo much!!!

This would save me about $5000/yr if I hired someone to do the ad placement.

I use CorelDraw and AI, and by far I prefer CD.  I'm on my way out the door for a holiday, but, I will purchase it when I get back.

Thanks again!

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Jeff Harrison replied on 08-04-2008 11:57

Hi JR

Once you get back, contact me to send a sample newsletter so I see exactly what you are doing, just to confirm. :-)

JRotten:

Jeff,

Thank-you sooooo much!!!

This would save me about $5000/yr if I hired someone to do the ad placement.

I use CorelDraw and AI, and by far I prefer CD.  I'm on my way out the door for a holiday, but, I will purchase it when I get back.

Thanks again!

 

 

Jeff Harrison, Featured Instructor

CorelDRAW Unleashed Boot Camp Cruise

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JRotten replied on 08-18-2008 22:05

Thanks Jeff,


I'm back from vacation.  I'll contact you.

 

John.

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JRotten replied on 08-24-2008 12:54

Hey Jeff,

I purchased MonsterMerge (Walter Heuvingh) and CorelDraw X4.  I'm looking forward to the code you worked up.  :)

I shall send you some more files to work with.

John

 

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Jeff Harrison replied on 08-24-2008 19:17

hi John,

Thanks for your support. This product has been a team effort...

Jeff

JRotten:

Hey Jeff,

I purchased MonsterMerge (Walter Heuvingh) and CorelDraw X4.  I'm looking forward to the code you worked up.  :)

I shall send you some more files to work with.

John

 

 

 

Jeff Harrison, Featured Instructor

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JRotten replied on 08-28-2008 17:41

Hey Jeff,

I installed MonsterMerge, and it gave be a big serial number to send off.  I have sent it, but, have not heard back.  I understand that it uses information from my computer.  My partner purchased/downloaded the program, but, I installed it on my machine.  He didn't even run it on his (as far as I know) machine.  Does it have to be on his machine because he downloaded it?  Do I need to buy another one?  If so, can I just install the one I have on his machine?

We just purchased a couple more franchises, and the program would come in very handy now.  :)

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