1 INSTALLATION

• 1.1 How do I install the Bob Designer 1.0 software?
• 1.2 I can't download the Bob Designer 1.0 software?
• 1.3 How often do I need to update Bob Designer 1.0?

1.1 How do I install the Bob Designer 1.0 software?

First, download our software from the Bob Books website or follow the link http://bobbooks.co.uk/download and select your desktop as your download destination. It will take a few moments to download the installation program. It is recommended that you have a broadband internet connection or equivalent. If you are using wireless Internet, please try to connect directly to your router or download the software nearby the router to gain the best signal strength for the download.

To start installation, double-click the Bob Designer software icon on your desktop. The installation wizard will lead you through the process. Once successfully installed, you can instantly start using the Bob Designer software. You will need an internet connection to complete the installation as some components of the Bob Books software and the current price lists need to be downloaded.

The installation may take up to 10 minutes, however this is heavily dependant on your internet connection and system setup.

1.2 I can't download the Bob Designer 1.0 software?

Installation problems are usually caused by your firewall or security settings. Firewalls restrict information accessing and leaving your computer. As such, this may interfere with successful download of the software.

If you are attempting to download the software on a work place computer, the security settings in place there may also interfere with a successful download. It is recommended that you request authority to download the software from the respective department before continuing.

You can safely temporarily disable your home firewall by following the below instructions. However, it is highly important that you reactive your firewall once the download is complete.

To safely disable the Windows firewall, follow these instructions:

• Click on the Start menu and select the control panel.
• From the Control Panel select Security Centre icon
• Once inside the Security Centre select Windows Firewall
• Turn the firewall to Off and press OK
• Your Firewall is currently disabled.

Once the download of the Bob Books program is complete, please ensure that you reactivate your firewall by following the above instructions, however ensuring you select ON then OK.

1.3 How often do I need to update Bob Designer 1.0?

You can check for any updates manually at any time; however the software will automatically check the availability of new program versions and price lists whenever you place an online order. At the first startup you will be asked if you'd like to check for update, you can select to not have this checked each time.

go to top

2 REQUIREMENTS

• 2.1 What are the system requirements?
• 2.2 Do I have to have an internet connection?
• 2.3 a) Can I use my digital photographs?
• 2.3 b) Can I use non-digital images?
• 2.4 Are my images of a high enough quality?
• 2.5 What colour format should I use?
• 2.6 Which image format should I use?
• 2.7 Can I use any font?

2.1 What are the system requirements?

The Bob Designer 1.0 software is compatible with all Windows® operating systems (from 2000, XP, Vista and Windows 7) and with mac OS X 10.5 and 10.6 (Leopard & Snow Leopard).

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 2000, XP, Vista and Windows 7
  Mac OS X 10.5 or 10.6 (Leopard or Snow Leopard)
  Linux with kernel 2.6 or newer
Memory: 200 MB minimum for installation plus additional free space for your
  Bob Book
Processor: AMD Athlon, or Pentium III, 1 GHz or faster recommended
Disk space to install application: 100MB

Should Bob Designer take a long time to start please check that your computer meets our system requirements. Older computers may struggle to perform at the required processing speed.

2.2 Must I have to have an Internet connection?

Internet access is required for downloading, updating the Bob Designer calendar software and to order your completed Bob Book. You must also have an Internet connection for the initial start-up of the Bob Designer calendar software. It is recommended that you have a broadband Internet connection or equivalent. If you are using wireless Internet, please try to connect directly to your router or download the software nearby the router to gain the best signal strength for the upload of your Bob Book design.

However should you wish to order your Bob Books design via cd, please send to the below address for processing along with a cover note with you details, please note that orders placed via CD will take a little longer to process.

Bob Books
241a Portobello Road
London
W11 1LT

2.3 a) Can I use my digital photographs?

You are certainly able to use non-digital photographs. When using the Bob Designer calendar software to create your Bob Book you may use photographs from a digital camera or photos that have been scanned. For the images to be useable they should be scanned in at a minimum resolution of 300 dpi and saved in the RGB format, ideally as JPEGs. Scans of 150 dpi and 72 dpi will be too low in quality to be used, however will still be printed. Due to the nature of the original image, you may find the Bob Designer calendar software will warn you if you use a low resolution image. If so, you should either replace it with a higher resolution photograph or resize the image box.

Your Bob Book order will be printed at 300 dpi, any image that does not meet this requirement will be "graded" by the smiley face in the toolbar, this is called the Image Quality Indicator.  This smiley face quality indicator will inform you of the quality of each image. Once an image has been placed into the designer window, the indicator will show whether the resolution is adequate for the desired size.  If an image is deemed too low in resolution for your design, you will receive a triangle with an exclamation mark in the centre of this image. 

Colour key:


You can still use images that are of a less resolution, and will be able to proceed with ordering by ignoring these warnings and proceeding.  Where necessary, please correct these images until the warning frame disappears.  However, should you still decide to use the images at the selected resolution, Bob Books does not accept any liability.

2.4 Are my images of a high enough quality?

Bob Books are all printed at 300 DPI. Therefore the resolution of your images must be 300dpi. Using images with a larger dpi will not improve your book as our printer is set to print at 300 dpi.

2.5 What colour format/space should I use?

Colour reproduction changes from screen to screen therefore the colours in the printed book may differ slightly to your digital photographs. You may also notice differences between different manufactures and medium of print.

Please use the RGB or sRGB colour format to ensure that the colours will remain as close to your digital photograph as possible. If your photographs are in the CMYK mode, please convert them to RGB.

Bob Books recommends all of your images to be in RGB or sRGB format/space. If your images are in CMYK, please convert them to RGB. We are unable to offer colour or ICC profiles.

2.6 Which image format should I use?

You can use images saved in all established formats (BMP, JPEG, TIFF, PNG), however TIFF files with LZW-compression cannot be used. We recommend saving your files as JPEGS to avoid complications.

Currently we are unable to accept PDF files that have been design externally to the Bob Designer software. You will need to complete your Bob Book exclusively within Bob Designer. However, if you wish to follow our design guidelines, you are most welcome to download the design brief from our website, or please contact us at askbob@bobbooks.co.uk for more information.

2.7 Can I use any font?

The Bob Designer calendar software lets you add captions to your photos, even text or poems. You can create your text in any size or colour. To enable correct reproduction, the fonts that you can use are limited to the fonts supplied as standard with the software. Currently over 130 fonts type are supported within the software. For Mac users with a large font library please be aware that there are some true type fonts that are not supported. You may find that Bob Designer will pool your library into the software, please be aware that some of these fonts my not be supported and may not be able to be printed. Should you have any concerns, please contact us at askbob@bobbooks.co.uk.

go to top

3 USING BOB DESIGNER

• 3.1 How do I get started?
• 3.2 How do I arrange my images?
• 3.3 Which Calendars can I make?
• 3.4 Can I scan images?
• 3.5 How do I update the software?

3.1 How do I get started?

For a more detailed explanation please refer to our Help section in Bob Designer.

Imagine that the workspace in the middle of your screen is your desk. In front of you lies a double page spread; this is the main design area for your calendar. On the left hand side you will find your photos, on the right hand side are the design templates. The calendar page overview is located underneath the work area. Here you can quickly move between the pages of your calendar. There are many layout formats to pick to best compliment your photographs. We suggest that you keep all the photos you wish to use in one folder and keep it in an easily accessible place such as your desktop. This way you can view all of your available images at a glance.

Once you have started your book, make sure you save your work. Please ensure that you save your work intermittently throughout your design.

3.2 How do I arrange my images?

Bob Designer 1.0 provides layout templates so that you can easily arrange your pictures and text. You can use different templates for every page and adjust them how you wish. All the templates and backgrounds are available on the right hand side of the main design area. Simply drag the desired template onto the page using the mouse to start working with it.

You can also design your own layout and use this throughout your design.

Currently we are unable to accept PDF files that have been design externally to the Bob Designer software. You will need to complete your Bob Book exclusively within Bob Designer. However, if you wish to follow our design guidelines, you are most welcome to download the design brief from our website, or please contact us at askbob@bobbooks.co.uk for more information.

3.3 Which Calendars can I make?

Bob Books calendars are extremely versatile and can cater for every idea you have. Choose your own personal cover and images to suit your months.

We currently have available 5 variations of calendars. Below you will find their dimensions along with the minimum and maximum amount of pages per book.

Calendars

A3 Wall Calendar
A4 Wall Calendar
Wall Appointment Calendar
Kitchen Calendar

3.4 Can I scan images?

You can scan paper prints, slides (if your scanner has the ability) or even sketches and drawings. Scan the picture in at 300 dpi and roughly to the scale you would like it to appear in your Bob Book.

If you have many pictures you need scanned, or do not have a scanner, we would suggest contacting Click2Scan, we also have with them a discount offer for our customers. You will need to enter CLICK2BOB when ordering, though this is only valid on orders over £50.00. Click2Scan are a very trustworthy company who are very conscious of how precious your images are and will perfectly scan your old photos, sending them back to you via courier with a few days.

3.5 How do I update the software?

The current version of Bob Designer is 3.5.7. Bob Designer will always ask if you wish to check for updates. If an update is available, Bob Designer will always ask for your permission before downloading.

go to top

4 ORDERING MY BOB BOOKS CALENDAR

• 4.1 How do I order my Bob Book calendar?
• 4.2 Will I be notified of my calendar order?
• 4.3 When will I receive my calendar order?
• 4.4 What if I am not happy with my Bob Book calendar?
• 4.5 What if my Bob Book calendar is not what I expected?
• 4.6 Are there any discounts available?

4.1 How do I order my Bob Book Calendar?

After you have finished designing your calendar, you can either choose the order icon in the menu bar (the shopping trolley) or select order form the menu.

Bob Designer 1.0 allows you to order multiple books or calendars at the same time.  The shopping basket will contain a detailed description of your order, the number of items you are ordering and the total value of your order.

Inside the shopping basket you will be able to change the order quantities for each item.

By clicking on "Delete" you will be able to remove an item from your shopping basket. You can also save a product on your hard drive by clicking on "Save". By clicking on "Edit" you will be able to go back and modify your book or calendar.

To add additional completed designs to your order, click on "Order more products" in the lower left-hand section of your Shopping Basket screen. You will be then be redirected to the main product menu.

When you are ready to process your shopping basket, you will need to click on the "Continue order process" button in the shopping basket.  This will open a window asking for you to register or log on using your existing login information.  Enter your details and then click "Continue". Please note that an active internet connection must be established before starting this process. All of your data will be encoded by Bob Designer 1.0 to ensure that it is safely transferred. The next window will ask you to choose your delivery method and to enter your payment information. 

Once you have made your choice, the General Terms and Conditions will appear in the following window. Please read these carefully and accept them by clicking on the "Continue" button.

The order will then be transmitted to our book factory and be with you in 7-10 working days.

Please note that once your order is transferred to our servers we are unable to cancel or change any part of your order.  It is therefore critical that you complete a final check before submitting your order.

You will receive a confirmation email once  your order is received by us.  This email will contain your order number, shipping details, order details including relevant costs and a link through to our tracking feature.

4.2 Will I be notified of my calendar order?

As soon as your Bob Book order is received, you will be informed via e-mail of you order. When your calendar order is nearing completion, you will receive a secondary email informing you of this.

4.3 When will I receive my calendar order?

The average processing time for your calendar is 7-10 working days. Unfortunately, a guaranteed time of delivery on a requested date is not possible so please place your calendar order in plenty of time. For delivery to Europe please allow an additional four to five days and for delivery outside Europe please allow and additional five to eight days for delivery time.

Your calendar order will be sent out First Class Royal Mail. However, if your order is over 2kgs, it will be sent via couriered service. Deliveries outside Europe will be sent via Royal Mail.

4.4 What if I am not happy with my Bob Book calendar?

We want you to be completely satisfied with your Bob Book calendar. We therefore welcome all your suggestions. If you have questions on designing your calendar or using Bob Designer please contact us at askbob@bobbooks.co.uk

If your calendar has been damaged or you are not completely satisfied, please contact us at askbob@bobbooks.co.uk explaining the issue, within 7 days of receipt of your order. We will investigate your complaint and may ask for additional information from you to help with the investigation. If your objection is warranted we will immediately arrange a free replacement to be printed, this will be sent out standard post. Pending the outcome, your original book must be return to us with the return postage sticker provided to be charged back to us. Please note we will not be able to refund postage for books returned to us by any other means.

4.5 What if my Bob Book calendar is not what I expected?

If you have delivered your images at the required resolution but the print quality of your final book is not satisfactory, please contact us at askbob@bobbooks.co.uk explaining the issue, within 7 days of receipt of your order. The staff at Bob Books will investigate your complaint and, provided that no warnings by the Bob Books order wizard were overlooked, we will immediately arrange a free replacement to be printed. You will need to return the faulty calendar to us with the return postage sticker provided as the postage will be recharged to us.

4.6 Are there any discounts available?

The nature of the manufacturing process means that there are no savings to be made by printing multiple copies. However, we do offer a 3% discount for orders of five or more copies of the same calendar. Postage on two or books decreases to £1.00 for the second book. Postage of 10 or more or the same will attract free postage within the UK.

The Bob Designer shopping basket allows you to order multiple books or calendars at the same time.  The shopping basket will contain a detailed description of your order, the number of items you are ordering and the total value of your order.

go to top

5 IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• 5.1 How do I contact Bob Books?
• 5.2 What happens if I use low quality images?
• 5.3 Is my data protected?
• 5.4 How is my Bob Book calendar made?
• 5.5 What type of paper will be in my calendar?

5.1 How do I contact Bob Books calendar?

You can contact Bob Books calendar by phone, Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm on 0844 880 6800 or via e-mail: askbob@bobbooks.co.uk

You are most welcome to come and visit us, though this is by appointment only. Please contact us on the above details.

Please note that we do not offer a design service and will not be able to offer design support.

5.2 What happens if I use low quality images?

Your Bob Book order will be printed at 300 dpi, any image that does not meet this requirement will be "graded" by the smiley face in the toolbar, this is called the Image Quality Indicator.  This smiley face quality indicator will inform you of the quality of each image. Once an image has been placed into the designer window, the indicator will show whether the resolution is adequate for the desired size.  If an image is deemed too low in resolution for your design, you will receive a triangle with an exclamation mark in the centre of this image.


Colour key:


You can still use images that are of a less resolution, and will be able to proceed with ordering by ignoring these warnings and proceeding.  Where necessary, please correct these images until the warning frame disappears.  However, should you still decide to use the images at the selected resolution, Bob Books does not accept any liability.

5.3 Is my data protected?

There is always a risk exchanging data via the internet, as data may be lost due to viruses. Protect your system with an updated virus protection program and a firewall and regularly save data on an independent data medium such as an external hard disk or DVD-RW.

5.4 How is my Bob Book calendar made?

Your calendar will be manufactured using the latest digital printing technology and will be wire-bound assure long lasting durability. The cover will be protected by a tough clear laminate.

5.5 What type of paper will be in my calendar?

All of our calendars are printed on 200gsm semi-gloss using the four colour CMYK process.

go to top