Getting Started

Running the program

If you have not yet installed JAD, please go to the download page.  On starting JAD for the second time, you will be prompted to create a shortcut on your environment. If you do not have a shortcut, then open the Java Webstart Application Manager, and you can run JAD from here (View->Downloaded Application). If you cannot find Java Webstart, try this link http://java.sun.com/products/javawebstart/apps/player.jnlp. If you are having problems running the program, please refer to the troubleshooting guide. 

Program Layout

The layout of the JAD application is shown in the diagram below. Each of these frames can be hidden using the View menu.

Mat Selector This contains the mats which can be used. There may be multiple categories of mats which can be accessed by changing the dropdown list at the top. Mats are dragged from the Mat Selector onto the Album View, Page View or Leaf View.
Album View This shows a layout representation of the album, with the ability to open and close flip pages. To select a page side to view or edit, simply click on it with the mouse. Pages/Sides may be swapped by dragging one page over another.
Leaf View This shows a layout representation of the album, a single opening at a time with the ability to open and close flip pages. To select a page side to view or edit, simply click on it with the mouse.
Page View This displays the selected mat or side. Click on a specific aperture to access the photo placement. Next and Previous buttons at the bottom of the Page View can be used to perform a slideshow of the album.  Edit button allows editing of the current mat in the Custom Mat Editor.
Photo Placement Once an aperture containing a photo has been selected, the placement can easily be changed using the mouse or the controls on the right of the frame. Mouse Left click and drag to move the image.  Right click and drag to zoom.
Photo Preview This stores photo images in categories. Photos are placed in the album by dragging the thumbnail onto either the Album View or Page View.

Steps in Designing an Album

The following steps are required to design an album from scratch through to being able to send an order to have the album manufactured:

1. Create a new Album, selecting the type, size and initial number of pages and preferred image size for Export.
2. Add photos to the album, in multiple categories if required.
3. Add mats to the pages, by dragging the mats from the Mat Selection frame to the Album View frame. Mats can be taken from either the supplied standard & computer cut mats or custom mats via the custom mat editor. A Favorites list can also be compiled from the 3 previous selections.  Custom mats may also be imported from previously designed albums.
4. Place the photos onto the mats, by dragging the thumbnails from the Photo Selector frame at the bottom to either the Album View or Page View frames.
5. Position the Photos within the aperture by selecting the aperture from the Page View and moving/scaling it with the mouse on the Photo Placement frame.
6. Set the album cover properties through Album->Album Properties, and a cover inlay though Album->Edit Cover Inlay if required.
7. Set the remainder of the album properties through Album->Album Properties.
8. Ensure the album is saved and proceed to send the order using Order->Send Order.
9. Export the Prints using Image->Export Prints...

Registration

The trial version of JAD allows the use of much of the functionality. In order to have full use of the JAD you must register. This is done by selecting File->Registration and clicking on the Registration button. This will take you to a web page to guide you through the process.

Note: JAD needs to be registered for each computer it is used on.