bobtem
Level 1 (4 points)
Apple Music

Q: Can't select a Book Cover type...

I can't choose, or change, the cover type for a book I'm working on. I thought it might be because I modified one of the themes with my own custom layouts, but n fact, if I start a whole new blank book project, same problem exists right out of the gate – see attachment. You can see that the "Hard Cover" and "Soft Cover" buttons are both greyed out, but different shades of grey, which is weird. But neither is functional. Please advise.Screen Shot 2015-02-06 at 9.04.42 AM.pngI

Aperture 3, OS X Yosemite (10.10.2)

Posted on Feb 6, 2015 7:09 AM

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bobtem

Q: Can't select a Book Cover type...

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  • by bobtem,

    bobtem bobtem Feb 6, 2015 7:33 AM in response to bobtem
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple Music
    Feb 6, 2015 7:33 AM in response to bobtem

    I think I might have answered my own question. It seems that I have selected "Extra large" book size, which only comes as hard cover. No where, and I mean no where, either on the interface or in Apple's own help files does it say anything about this limitation of choosing the extra large size. Why not have the buttons just say "Hardcover Only" or something to that effect instead of two dead buttons that leave you scratching your head? Look for an explanation in the online manual.... nothing. Very poor interface and usability design, Apple. Course, they don't care cause this product is getting canned anyway. I hope Photos for OS X is smarter than that.

  • by léonie,

    léonie léonie Feb 6, 2015 7:41 AM in response to bobtem
    Level 10 (106,929 points)
    iLife
    Feb 6, 2015 7:41 AM in response to bobtem

    Have you seen this support document?  Apple Photo Services: Product line details for books, cards, and calendars - Apple Support

     

    http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201882

     

    Scroll down to Aperture 3:  It lists, which books are available in which sizes.  Your question is answered by omission - a softcover XL book is not listed fro Aperture.

  • by bobtem,

    bobtem bobtem Feb 6, 2015 7:49 AM in response to léonie
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple Music
    Feb 6, 2015 7:49 AM in response to léonie

    That's pretty obscure. When I'm working in the app and I have no visual indication why certain buttons are greyed out, especially for such an important option like which cover type I want to have, that's just plain bad interface functionality. Sure I can go searching for something obscure as "Product line details..." but what if I don't know where to look for that stuff. Just tell me right where I'm working, in the present, that "The cover size you have selected is only available as Hard Cover." Think simple, Apple.