NERO COVER DESIGNER User Manual

User Guide

Ahead Software AG

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REV 1.1

Table of Contents

1 Getting Started..................................................................................6

1.1 Introduction........................................................................................6

1.2 How This Manual is Organized.........................................................6

1.2.1 Notes for the User............................................................................. 7

2 Informationen on Cover Designer ...................................................8

2.1 Introduction........................................................................................8

2.2 Program Structure ............................................................................. 8

2.2.1 Cover Elements ................................................................................ 9

2.2.2 Toolbar..............................................................................................9

2.2.2.1 Line Tool....................................................................................... 10

2.2.2.2 Rectangle tool............................................................................... 12

2.2.2.3 Oval tool........................................................................................ 14

2.2.2.4 Text box tool ................................................................................. 15

2.2.2.5 Text tool........................................................................................ 16

2.2.2.6 Tracklist tool.................................................................................. 18

2.2.2.7 Index Tool..................................................................................... 20

2.2.2.8 Image tool..................................................................................... 22

2.2.2.9 Field tool ....................................................................................... 24

3 Auxiliary Aids..................................................................................28

3.1 Ruler.................................................................................................. 28

3.2 Guidelines......................................................................................... 28

3.3 Grid.................................................................................................... 29

3.4 Zoom................................................................................................. 30

3.5 Clip objects....................................................................................... 30

4 Settings............................................................................................32

4.1 Default Settings................................................................................ 32

4.2 Program Settings.............................................................................33

4.2.1 Tab 'General'................................................................................... 33

4.2.2 Tab 'Folders' ................................................................................... 34

4.2.3 Tab 'Paper stocks'........................................................................... 34

4.2.4 Tab 'Print'........................................................................................ 35

4.2.5 Tab 'Undo'....................................................................................... 35

4.3 Printing ............................................................................................. 36

4.3.1 Tab 'General'................................................................................... 36

4.3.2 Tab 'Elements' ................................................................................ 37

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4.4 Printing preview............................................................................... 38

4.5 Printer setup..................................................................................... 39

4.6 Paper Stocks Selection ................................................................... 39

4.6.1 Printer Calibration........................................................................... 40

5 Create Cover....................................................................................42

5.1 Introduction......................................................................................42

5.2 Selecting the type of cover, CD, DVD or business card............... 42

5.3 Booklet Design................................................................................. 44

5.3.1 Booklet (Front)................................................................................ 44

5.3.2 Booklet (Rear)................................................................................. 47

5.4 Add Document Data......................................................................... 50

5.5 Create Inlay....................................................................................... 52

5.6 Label Design..................................................................................... 58

6 Document Templates......................................................................63

6.1 Create template................................................................................63

6.2 Load or Modify Document Template.............................................. 67

7 Image Editing ..................................................................................68

7.1 Introduction......................................................................................68

7.2 Using Effects....................................................................................68

7.2.1 Effects 'Adjust'................................................................................. 70

7.2.2 Effects 'Filters'................................................................................. 70

7.2.3 Effects 'Flip'..................................................................................... 72

7.2.4 Effect 'Negate'................................................................................. 72

7.2.5 Effect 'Pinch' ................................................................................... 73

7.2.6 Effect 'Swirl'..................................................................................... 74

7.2.7 Effect 'Rotate'.................................................................................. 75

7.3 Fitting to the Frame Size ................................................................. 76

8 Text Block Editing...........................................................................78

8.1 Introduction......................................................................................78

8.2 'Properties' Window......................................................................... 79

8.2.1 'Textbox' Tab................................................................................... 79

8.2.2 'Pen' Tab.........................................................................................80

8.2.3 'Brush' Tab......................................................................................82

8.2.4 'Image' Tab ..................................................................................... 84

9 Editing Artistic Text........................................................................86

9.1 Introduction......................................................................................86

9.2 'Properties' Window......................................................................... 87

9.2.1 'Pen' Tab.........................................................................................87

9.2.2 'Brush' Tab......................................................................................89

9.2.3 'Text' Tab ........................................................................................ 91

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9.2.4 'Font' Tab........................................................................................ 92

10 Document Datas..............................................................................93

10.1 Introduction...................................................................................... 93

10.2 Adding Files and Tracks .................................................................94

10.3 Files, Folders and Tracks................................................................ 97

10.3.1 Naming Files and Folders............................................................. 97

10.3.2 Deleting Files and Folders............................................................ 98

10.3.3 Naming Tracks.............................................................................. 98

10.3.4 Deleting Tracks............................................................................. 99

11 Adding Fields ................................................................................100

11.1 Introduction.................................................................................... 100

11.2 Adding a Field ................................................................................ 101

11.3 Editing fields .................................................................................. 102

11.3.1 Tab 'Field'.................................................................................... 103

11.3.2 Tab 'Pen'..................................................................................... 104

11.3.3 Tab ‘Brush’..................................................................................106

11.3.4 Tab ‘Text’.................................................................................... 108

11.3.5 'Tab 'Font'.................................................................................... 109

12 Index...............................................................................................110

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1 Getting Started

1.1 Introduction

These instructions will show you how to quickly create and design your own CD, DVD or Business card cover. The program is very comprehensive and powerful, so we will only present the most important features. We will omit some parts of the program or will only touch on them briefly.

You will find detailed information about Cover Designer in the online help which you can access at any time by pressing the F1 key.

You can also look up current information about Cover Designer on the Internet at www.nero.com

1.2 How This Manual is Organized

This manual contains practical examples for creating various cover elements as well as program reference material.

The individual chapters present the following information: Chapter 1 gives you an overview of the manual's structure and familiarizes you with

the symbols that are used. Chapter 2 introduces Cover Designer and its cover elements and provides a brief

description of the program's structure. The toolbar and its use will be explained to you.

Chapter 3 presents various aids that help you create and align objects, for example guidelines.

Chapter 4 shows you where you can define the appearance of the various cover elements by modifying the default and program settings. It also describes how you select paper stocks and calibrate the printer kalibrieren and specify printing options.

Chapter 5 guides you step by step through the process of creating a CD cover. By following the instructions, you can modify the design of each cover element and compare your results with the illustrations. You will be surprised how easy it is to achieve the results you want.

Chapter 6 shows you how to give a uniform appearance to your CD covers by creating and loading document templates and modifying them again as needed.

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Chapter 7 introduces you to the world of graphics design. You can choose among a seemingly endless range of effects. To round off the topic, we give you examples and information for adapting the image size to the document.

Chapter 8 presents editing features for text blocks and gives a detailed description of the corresponding 'Textbox', 'Pen', 'Brush' and 'Image' tabs.

Chapter 9 presents artistic text design features and provides a detailed description of the corresponding 'Pen', 'Brush', 'Text' and 'Font' tabs. The 'Bent' function is emphasized, which allows you to fit artistic text to the curvature of the CD.

Chapter 10 shows you how to add, name or delete files, folders and tracks for you document data.

Chapter 11 presents editing features for fields and gives a detailed description of the corresponding tabs 'Field', 'Pen', 'Brush', 'Text' and 'Font'.

Chapter 12 lets you quickly find the information you want using the index created here.

1.2.1 Notes for the User

The following symbols are used in this manual:

This symbol means 'warning' or 'caution'. It identifies very important information. Failure to comply with the information leads to undesirable program behavior.

This symbol stands for 'useful tip' or 'nice to know'. It indicates important or informative items.

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2 Informationen on Cover Designer

2.1 Introduction

The Cover Designer was specially created to allow the design and production of CD, DVD and Business card covers via a userfriendly interface. It is included in some of Ahead software’s products and can be initiated by clicking on the respective icon.

One of the advantages of integrating the Cover Designer into some of Ahead’s products is the ability to automatically create playlists and/or filename lists, thus saving you the annoyance of having to manually type them in. In addition, playlists from external sources (such as FreeDB) can queried/used.

When a document is created, the CD type and the number of disks included is defined. All corresponding cover elements appear at the lower frame of the screen. You can activate them by clicking on the appropriate tab. If all cover elements have been processed, the cover is finished and can be printed.

A variety of functions is available to the user:

 Create new graphics  Import graphics using a scanner  Add existing graphics  Define graphics as background images  Edit graphics  Deform graphics using special effects  Add text  Format text  Add fields

2.2 Program Structure

The structure of Cover Designer conforms to standard Windows conventions: a menu bar, various icon bars and a status bar. The workspace of Cover Designer displays the cover element selected, which you can format using text and/or image elements. The most important aid to use when designing cover elements is the toolbar at the lower frame of the screen.

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2.2.1 Cover Elements

The type and number of cover elements depends on the type of media selected. A cover includes the following elements e.g.:

Booklet (front): front side of the title insert Booklet (Rear): back side of the title insert Inlay: back side of the CD/DVD as inlay in the CD/DVD case Disk: designation of a sticker (label) in the shape of a CD/DVD

2.2.2 Toolbar

The table below provides you with a quick overview of the most important icons in Cover Designer.

The icons on the toolbar have the following functions:

Selection tool to mark objects

Line tool to draw lines

Rectangle tool to draw rectangles and squares

Oval tool to draw ellipses and circles

Text box tool to insert a text box. Double click to open a window for text entry (block of text)

Artistic text tool to insert artistic text

Track list tool to insert a track list for audio CDs etc.

Directory tool to insert a directory for data CDs etc.

Image tool to insert saved images

Field tool to insert fields, such as title, artist, number of tracks, playing time.

Basic points for editing the inserted tool elements: Change the size of the marked element by dragging the drag points with the mouse. Turn the marked elements by dragging the small curved arrow with the mouse.

lter the position by drag & drop, i.e. the marked element is held by the mouse and

dragged to the desired position. Exact editing of marked elements, either with a double click or by right

clicking.

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2.2.2.1 Line Tool

The line tool is activated by clicking on the button and allows you to:

 Draw a line by dragging the mouse pointer.  Edit the marked line exactly by right

clicking. A context menu will then open.

'Arrange' Arrange the elements in the foreground, in the background, one

level forward or one level back.

'Align'

lign elements exactly by activating or deactivating various

options.

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'Geometry'

etermine the exact position of elements, either by input or by

sing the arrow keys.

'Properties' Select the color and thickness of the pen line.

Change the width of the pen line in the 'Width' field, either by input or by using the arrow keys.

Select a color by clicking on a hue in the color circle. The color in the 'Color' field will then change according to your choice. The brightness can be regulated if necessary by moving the marker on the color bar on the right.

Colors can be defined by input, by selecting color values in the 'Hue', 'Saturation' and 'Brightness' fields or by selecting color proportions in the 'Red', 'Green' and 'Blue' fields.

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2.2.2.2 Rectangle tool

The rectangle tool is activated by clicking on the button and allows you to:

 Draw a rectangle by dragging the mouse pointer.  Change the shape to a square by moving the drag points with the mouse.

Remove the pen line by clicking on the button i.e. the line is no longer visible.

 Edit the marked rectangle exactly by right

clicking.

'Group' Becomes active when several elements are marked with the

'Ctrl' key held down. The 'Group' command allows all these elements to be edited simultaneously.

'Ungroup' Becomes active when several elements are grouped. The

command 'Ungroup' allows each of the elements to be edited individually.

'Arrange'

rranges the elements in the foreground, in the background,

one level forward or one level back.

'Align' Aligns elements exactly by activating or deactivating various

options.

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'Geometry' Determines the exact position of elements, either by input or by

using the arrow keys.

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'Properties' Selects the color for the foreground or background.

Select a color by clicking on a hue in the color circle. The colo in the 'Color' field will then change according to your choice. The brightness can be regulated if necessary by moving the marke on the color bar on the right.

2.2.2.3 Oval tool

The oval tool is activated by clicking on the button and allows you to:

 Draw an ellipse by dragging the mouse pointer.  Change the form to a circle by moving the drag points with the mouse.  Edit the marked ellipse exactly by right

Select a pattern for the foreground or background in the 'Style' field by using the drop down button. Each of the colors in the color circle can be selected by clicking on the 'Foreground' o 'Background' buttons. The colors in these fields will then be altered according to your choice.

color can also be defined by input, by selecting color values in the 'Hue', 'Saturation' and 'Brightness' fields or by selecting colors in the 'Red', 'Green' or 'Blue' fields.

Remove the foreground color by clicking the

button - i.e the

foreground becomes white. Change the color or thickness of the pen line by clicking on the

'Pen' tab. (See also the chapter 'Line Tool')

clicking. A context menu will then open.

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The complete functions of the context menu are identical with those described above (see also the chapter 'Rectangle tool').

2.2.2.4 Text box tool

The text box tool for the input of text blocks is activated by clicking the button and allows you to :

 Insert a text box by dragging the mouse pointer.  Edit the marked text box exactly by right

clicking. A context menu will then open.

The 'Group', 'Ungroup', 'Arrange', 'Align' and 'Geometry' functions of the context menu are identical to those described above (see also chapter 'Rectangle tool').

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'Properties'

Enter block text in the text field and mark it for further editing. Select the font using the drop down button. Change the font size using the drop down button. Format the text with 'Bold', 'Italic', 'Underline', 'Set left',

'Centered', 'Set right' and 'Block text' using the buttons.

2.2.2.5 Text tool

The text tool for the input of graphic text is activated by clicking on the button and allows you to:

 Insert a graphic text by clicking with the mouse into the workspace and inserting

the text. For any further editing it can be marked with the

 Edit a marked text exactly by right

Change the text color using the button 'A’.

dapt the text in the printable area of the cover element by activating the box 'Adapt to shape'.

Prevent any further alterations to the text by activating the box 'Read only'. This is very useful when creating templates.

The tabs 'Pen', 'Brush', 'Image' and the expression 'Text block' are described in detail in the chapter 'Text Block Editing'.

button.

clicking. A context menu will then open.

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The functions 'Group', 'Ungroup', 'Arrange' 'Align' and 'Geometry' in the context menu are identical with those described above (see chapter 'Rectangle tool').

'Bend' Bend the graphic text, e.g. to create a label. Text blocks in a

text box cannot be bent.

'Convert to curve'

'Properties'

Convert a graphic text to a graphic element. After the conversion it can no longer be edited, bent or formatted.

Edit graphic text on the tab 'Font'. Select the font in the 'Font' region by clicking on the desired

font. Select the font style in the 'Font style' region by clicking on,

e.g. 'Normal' or 'Italic'. If the 'Crossed out' box is activated the graphic text will appear

crossed out. If the 'Underlined' box is activated the graphic text will appear underlined.

Change the font size in the region 'Size' by clicking on the

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2.2.2.6 Tracklist tool

The tracklist tool is activated by clicking on the button and allows you to:  Insert a tracklist by dragging the mouse pointer.

required size. Show all changes in the region 'Example' before accepting the

input by clicking on the 'OK' button. The tabs 'Pen', 'Brush', 'Text' and the expression 'Graphic text'

are described in detail in the chapter 'Editing Artistic Text'.

 Edit the marked tracklist exactly by right

clicking. A context menu will then open.

The functions 'Group', 'Ungroup', 'Arrange', 'Align' and 'Geometry' are identical with those described above (see chapter 'Rectangle tool').

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'Data' Edit the appropriate data in the self-opening window.

A detailed description of how to edit document data can be found in the chapter 'Document Datas'.

'Properties'

Edit the track properties with the tab 'Tracks'. Select the disk index appropriate to the tracklist in the field

'Disk'. Stipulate the index of the first and last visible audio tracks in

the fields 'First track' and 'Last track'. Select a predefined style for the illustration of the tracklist in

the field 'Style'. Stipulate the line spacing in the field 'Line spacing'. Stipulate the page on which the tracklist contents should be

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aligned in the field 'Align'.

Adapt the size of the contents to the printable area by activating the box 'Adapt text to shape'.

Show a preview of the latest tracklist by activating the box 'Show example window'.

'Fields' region: Select a field that is available in the chosen style. Using the

control box you can select whether the field is visible or invisible.

Select a predefined format specific to the marked field and the alignment of the field text using the drop down buttons.

Select the color and font for the marked field by clicking on the color field or by clicking on the font button.

Select the font size for the marked field compared with other fields either by input or by using the arrow keys.

Enter an individual text that should always appear either before or after the marked field in the fields 'Text before' or 'Text after'.

The tabs 'Pen', 'Brush' and 'Image' are described in detail in the chapter 'Text Block Editing'.

The functions 'Data' and 'Properties' can be called up via the moveable toolba

that appears after inserting a tracklist.

2.2.2.7 Index Tool

The index tool is activated by clicking on the button and allows you to:

 Insert an index by dragging the mouse pointer.  Edit the marked index exactly by right

clicking. A context menu will then open.

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The functions 'Group', 'Ungroup', 'Arrange', 'Align' and 'Geometry' in the context menu are identical with those decribed above (see chapter 'Rectangle tool').

'Data' Edit the appropriate document data in a self-opening window.

You can find a detailed description of how to edit document data in the chapter 'Document Datas'.

'Properties'

Edit the index properties on the tab 'Index': Select the appropriate disk index in the field 'Disk'. Stipulate the index of the first and last visible file or index entry

in the fields 'First track' and 'Last track'. Select a predefined style for illustrating the index in the field

'Style'. Enter the line spacing in the field 'Line spacing'. Stipulate the page on which the index content should be

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aligned in the field 'Align'.

Adapt the size of the content for the printable area by activating the box 'Adapt text to shape'.

Show a preview of the latest index by activating the box 'Show example window'.

'Fields' region: Select a field that is available in the selected style. Using the

control box you can select whether the field is visible or invisible.

Select a predefined format specific to the marked field and the alignment of the field text using the drop down buttons.

Select the color and font for the marked field by clicking on the color field or by clicking on the font button.

Select the font size for the marked field compared with other fields either by input or by using the arrow keys.

Enter an individual text that should always appear either before or after the marked field in the fields 'Text before' or 'Text after'.

The tabs 'Pen', 'Brush' and 'Image' are described in detail in the chapter 'Text Block Editing'.

The functions 'Data' and 'Properties' can be called up via the moveable toolba

that appears after inserting a tracklist.

2.2.2.8 Image tool

The image tool is activated by clicking on the button and allows you to:

 Insert a saved image by selecting in a self-opening window.  Position the image by dragging the frame.  Edit the marked image exactly by right

clicking. A context menu will then open.

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The functions 'Group', 'Ungroup', 'Arrange', 'Align' and 'Geometry' in the context menu are identical with those decribed above (see chapter 'Rectangle tool').

'Effects' You can find a detailed description of working with effects in

the chapter, 'Editing images'.

'Properties'

Edit the image with the tab 'Image'. Select a new image by clicking on the 'File' button in the self-

opening window.

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Scan in a new image by clicking on the 'TWAIN' button. A scanner must be installed!

Adapt the image to the frame size in the region 'Stretching'. This region is only active when the image has been inserted via the menu 'Object', 'Background settings'! (See chapter 'Fitting to the Frame Size'.)

Creative editing of the image by clicking on the button 'Effects' and selecting the desired effect, e.g.

You can find a detailed description of working with effects in the chapter 'Image Editing'.

2.2.2.9 Field tool

The field tool is activated by clicking on the button and allows you to: Insert a saved field by selecting in the self-opening list.

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 Position a field by dragging it with the mouse.  Edit a marked field exactly by right

clicking. A context menu will then open.

The functions 'Group', 'Ungroup', 'Arrange', 'Align' and 'Geometry' in the context menu are identical with those described above (see chapter 'Rectangle tool').

'Bend' Bend the marked field by clicking on this function. 'Data' Edit the appropriate document data in the self-opening

window.

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'Properties'

You can find a detailed description of editing document data in the chapter 'Document Datas'.

Edit the field type in the region 'Options'. Format the field using the drop down button in the field

'Alignment'. Stipulate the index of the referenced disk using the arrow keys

in the field 'Disk'. Select a format for displaying the time span using the drop

down button in the field 'Time format'. Select a format for displaying the size using the drop down

button in the field 'Size format'. Select a format for displaying the date using the drop down

button in the field 'Date format'.

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Enter an individual text for displaying in free fields in the field 'Free text'.

Enter an individual text to be placed either before or after the content of each field in the fields 'Text before' or 'Text after'.

By activating the box 'Fixed size' the field text wil always be of the same size. This function is not available for bent texts.

The tabs 'Pen', 'Brush', 'Text' and 'Font' are described in detail in the chapter 'Editing fields'.

The functions 'Data' and 'Properties' can also be called up via the moveable toolba

that appears after inserting the field.

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3 Auxiliary Aids

3.1 Ruler

The ruler, which appears at the left upper side of the application window, makes it easier to set the size and position of objects.

The ruler is displayed by default. If it is not displayed, you can make it visible using the 'Ruler' item on the 'View' menu.

3.2 Guidelines

Guidelines are lines that help you align objects. They can be either horizontal or vertical.

1. Select 'Guidelines' from the 'View' menu.

2. Enter the desired (horizontal or vertical) position and click on the 'Add' button.

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3. Repeat the entry for each additional reference line.

4. Click on the 'OK' button to close the window. The reference lines you have

If 'Snap to guidelines' is active in the 'View' menu, objects are automatically aligned to the guidelines when they are moved or drawn near the lines.

The fastest way to create guidelines is to click with the left mouse button into the ruler at the top of the application window and drag a guideline into the workspace.

3.3 Grid

In a way similar to guidelines, the grid helps you align objects. The grid is a row of dots with uniform horizontal and vertical spacing.

1. Select the 'Grid Setup' command on the 'View' menu.

created are identified by a dotted red line.

2. Enter the horizontal and vertical grid spacing you want.

3. Click on the 'OK' button to close the window. The grid is then displayed.

If the option 'Snap to grid' is active in the 'View' menu, objects are automatically

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aligned to the grid when they are moved or drawn near the lines.

3.4 Zoom

The command 'Zoom' in the 'View' menu provides various possibilities for detailed editing.

Zoom In: For magnifying the workspace. Keyboard shortcut: 'Ctrl' key and the '+' key on the numeric key block.

Zoom Out: For shrinking the workspace. Keyboard shortcut: 'Ctrl' key and the '-' key on the numeric key block.

Zoom All: Restores the original size of the workspace.

Zoom Region: For magnification of parts of the workspace by dragging the special mouse pointer.

3.5 Clip objects

The command 'Clip objects' in the 'View' menu enables you to adjust the object to the frame size of the cover element, clipping everything outside the printable area from the object.

Complete picture

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+ 82 hidden pages