Ferdinand Veldmans • Photography @ Heart

Page2Lr - Lightroom custom book/print layout generator

Overview

Welcome to Page2Lr! With this tool you can create your own layout templates for use in the Lightroom book module. This allows you to create pages with any number of properly aligned picture or text frames, with any aspect ratio.

In the August 2018 update of Lightroom Classic, Adobe finally allows us to add frames to a page, but its layout capabilities are extremely simplistic (good to see they are working on the book module again though).

Update 2021-02-14: Another major update implemented with the help from Page2Lr user Terry Hewitt: in addition to PagePlus you can now also use your own templates created in the open source DTP program Scribus! This will be a welcome addition especially for Mac owners. Currently in beta.

The tabs above will lead you through the steps you need to take:

  1. Setup - Install third party software you need to use (Scribus or PagePlus). You only need to do this once.
  2. Create - Create your own page layout in Scribus or PagePlus or download one of the example files.
  3. Convert - Convert the .ppp file into a Lightroom layout template.
  4. Use - Import the layout template into Lightroom and use it in your books.

To get a visual introduction on how to do this, have a look at this video tutorial (based on a previous layout of this site):

I hope this tool allows you to create even more beautiful photobooks using Lightroom. Feedback is very much welcome!

Kind regards,

Ferdinand

Change history

2021-02-14: Major update. Added support for Scribus documents, implemented by Terry Hewitt. Also added Scribus templates.
2020-12-20: Added support for creating templates for the Lightroom print module, implemented by Terry Hewitt.
2020-10-24: Added FAQ. Removed link to full version of PagePlus (no longer available) and updated registration info for Starter Edition.
2018-08-28: Removed the old (single page) interface, since hardly anyone was using it anymore.
2018-07-23: Redesigned page layout; all content broken up in tabs.
Expanded instructions for Mac users.
2018-06-29: Added new instructions for Mac users.
2018-06-22: Replaced upload form with multi-file drag and drop area.
Added new Lightroom page with some useful links.
2018-03-04: Updated all templates to match the page margins of Lightroom.
Fixed problem in which frames were offset and too large in some cases.
2017-08-06: Added option to use uploaded filename as base for layout folder.
This allows multiple custom layout folders.
2017-06-05: Added video tutorial and improved instructions.
2017-04-30: Added support for all book sizes. Zip file now gets name of original file.
Created template files.
2017-02-25: Added support for multiple layouts in a single PagePlus file. Output now as zip package containing all files, including automatically generated thumbnails.
2017-01-01: Initial version.

Read about the background of this tool and alternative ways to create custom book layouts.

Limitations and disclaimer

There are a few limitations:
  • Only rectangular picture and text frames are converted. Lightroom doesn't support other objects.
  • Spreads are not supported yet.
  • Grouped objects end up in the wrong location. Make sure you have separate frames only.

Although the generated files do not overwrite any existing Lightroom content, for your own convenience backup existing Lightroom files before making any modifications. Use at your own risk.

Privacy policy

Uploaded files

The files you upload and the Lightroom templates it generates are yours. After conversion the files are deleted from the server.

Statistics

This page collects statistics about your visit and usage of the tool. To do so, it collects IP addresses, timestamps, the name of the file you upload and any errors reported. This allows me to analyse usage patterns and continuously improve this tool. The data is not used for any other purpose, nor will it ever be provided to third parties. Should you have any problem with this, please contact me and I will remove all data linked to your IP address.

Setup on Windows

Scribus

Install Scribus (x64 edition).

PagePlus

  1. Install Serif PagePlus Starter Edition (free).
  2. Register using universal registration key 881887.

Setup on macOS

Scribus

Install Scribus (dmg edition).

PagePlus

  1. Install Serif PagePlus Starter Edition (free). Since there is no PagePlus version that can run on macOS, you'll either need to use a Windows PC or run it on a Windows emulator.
  2. Register using universal registration key 881887.
  3. Download Open LR layout folder.zip containing a shell script.
  4. Extract the zip file and store Open LR layout folder.command at a convenient location.
  5. Run Open LR layout folder.command, this will probably give you the following error:
  6. Go to Settings > Security & Privacy and use Open Anyway to allow the script to run:
  7. Run Open LR layout folder.command again. This should now open the location where Lightroom stores its templates:

    From now on, use this when installing your custom templates in 4. Use.

Create

  1. Download one of the templates below, corresponding to the book size and software you are using.
  2. Create a layout by adding rectangular picture frames and/or standard text frames.
  3. For multiple layouts, add new pages.
  4. Be aware that you cannot group frames or create spreads yet.
Book name Size Scribus template PagePlus template Scribus example(s) PagePlus example(s)
Small square 7x7" 7x7 template 7x7 template Grid of 2x2 square pictures
Standard portrait 8x10" 8x10 template 8x10 template
Standard landscape 10x8" 10x8 template 10x8 template
Large landscape 13x11" 13x11 template 13x11 template Grid of 2x2 3:2 aspect ratio pictures Grid of 3x3 square pictures
Two different layouts, one mixing text and picture frames
Large square 12x12" 12x12 template 12x12 template

Convert

Convert the Scribus (.sla) or PagePlus (.ppp) file to a zip file using the drop zone below:

My Custom Layouts From filename
Book Print (beta)

Using your book layout in Lightroom (Windows)

  1. Extract the zip file from 3. Convert to a temporary location.
  2. Copy the extracted contents of the zip into the correct <dimensions>-blurb folders in
    C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Lightroom Classic\Templates\Layout Templates or
    C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Lightroom\Templates\Layout Templates for older versions of Lightroom.
  3. You will probably get the warning "You'll need to provide administrator permission to copy to this folder". Tick Do this for all current items and click Continue.
  4. Restart Lightroom so the new or updated files are being read.
  5. Select the layout in Lightroom (you will find it under My Custom Layouts or the name you used for your PagePlus file, depending on the chosen option).
  6. If you update one of your custom layouts you will need to reapply it, as Lightroom will not apply the changes automatically.

Using your print layout in Lightroom

  1. Extract the zip file from 3. Convert to a temporary location.
  2. Copy the extracted contents of the zip into %appdata%\Adobe\Lightroom\Print Templates\User Templates. Instead of User Templates you may also use any other folder.
  3. Restart Lightroom so the new or updated files are being read.
  4. Select the layout in Lightroom (you will find it under the name you used for your PagePlus file).
  5. If you update one of your custom layouts you will need to reapply it, as Lightroom will not apply the changes automatically.

Using your layout in Lightroom (macOS)

  1. Extract the zip file from 3. Convert to a temporary location.
  2. Run Open LR layout folder.command (installed in 1. Setup) to open the Lightroom Layout Templates folder
  3. Copy the extracted contents of the zip into the correct <dimensions>-blurb folder (corresponding to the book size you are working on).
  4. Restart Lightroom so the new or updated files are being read.
  5. Select the layout in Lightroom (you will find it under My Custom Layouts or the name you used for your PagePlus file, depending on the chosen option).
  6. If you update one of your custom layouts you will need to reapply it, as Lightroom will not apply the changes automatically.

Using your print layout in Lightroom

  1. Extract the zip file from 3. Convert to a temporary location.
  2. Copy the extracted contents of the zip into .../Print Templates/User Templates. Instead of User Templates you may also use any other folder.
    Note: who can provide me with the full path to this folder? I don't have a Mac myself.
  3. Restart Lightroom so the new or updated files are being read.
  4. Select the layout in Lightroom (you will find it under the name you used for your PagePlus file).
  5. If you update one of your custom layouts you will need to reapply it, as Lightroom will not apply the changes automatically.

Frequently asked questions

Do you have remarks about or suggestions for the information mentioned below? Please let me know.

File handling

Can you convert an Affinity Publisher file to a Lightroom template?
Unfortunately I cannot read the Publisher format, as it is a binary file, unlike the files from PagePlus (which are zipped XML files).
Can you convert an Open Office file to a Lightroom template?
Not yet, but this is in development!
When I download the template files there are no .ppp files. Instead I get folders titled masterspreads, spreads, typedspreads and individual files document, preview,root, story, stylesheet and summary. What am I doing wrong?
You might be using a browser that doesn't properly download zip files with a different extension (like .ppp). For example, older versions of Microsoft Edge used to do this. Please try another browser like Chrome or Firefox.
I'm using Lightroom 6 and the script for location the layout template folder on my Mac doesn't work. Any advice?
The folder for Lightroom is located elsewhere, if you're using Lightroom 6 instead of Lightroom Classic. The location in the script is the following:

/Applications/Adobe Lightroom Classic CC/Adobe Lightroom Classic CC.app/Contents/PlugIns/layout_toolkit.agmodule/Contents/Resources

So try to follow this as far as possible, then search for the rest.

Page formats

I'd like to generate some custom templates based on European A4 format. Unfortunately your tool refuses to convert ppp files that are not based on your templates (I assume Blurb formats). Is there any chance to convert A4 format templates as well?
Not yet, but a kind user of this site, Ralph Schmock, has provided a workaround:
  1. Create an "A4 template" using the 13x11 template.
  2. Put an empty A4 size box in the lower left corner of the master page.
  3. Create additional pages based on the master page.
  4. Use the converter.
  5. Change the book width and height to 842/595 in file templatePages.lua.
  6. Copy files to C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Lightroom\Layout Templates\13x11-blurb.
  7. Use template in Lightroom.
Are (two page) spreads supported?
No, not yet. For now you can only work with single page templates.

Page contents

Can I add elipses or other shapes to a page?
No, Page2Lr depends on attributes offered by Adobe in their page templates. Only rectangular picture and text frames are supported.
Is there some "simple" way to maintain frames/lines on the outside of picture frames as created in Page Plus?
The tool can only convert text and picture frames. For these kind of special cases, it might be useful to create the layout completely in PagePlus and then import the complete page as a JPEG/TIFF in Lightroom. Similar to the approach with the Lightroom print module (see custom book layout alternatives).
Some frames are placed at wrong positions. What is going wrong?
It could be the frames are grouped in PagePlus. Ungroup them, save and convert again. That should solve it.

Templates in Lightroom

When I add more layout files to Lightroom I notice that the window at the bottom of the layout selection screen gets smaller and smaller.
Is there a way to make that window larger by expanding the selection window that starts with Favorites, 1 photo, 2 photos, etc.?
Unfortunately there is no way to customize the Lightroom menu itself. A workaround is to remove template files that you currently don't need. Even if you delete your custom template files, Lightroom will still be able to use the layout in your books.
I updated a template file but don't see the change reflected on my pages in Lightroom. What to do?
You need to reapply a template if you change it, since Lightroom doesn't do that automatically after re-import.
How can I combine layouts from multiple sources into a single folder?
There is no official way to re-organize your layouts. As a workaround, depending on the amount of layouts you would want to combine, you could add the most used ones to your favorites and then remove the original template folders from Lightroom. This would be a way to manually combine layouts from multiple sources into a single folder. Everytime you use a template or add it to your favorites, Lightroom makes a copy of the data.
So it should be safe to remove it afterwards.