Hi 'Urge'
There are a couple of software packages that have mask/framing capabilities you may want to try that could be faster than trying to
do this in Word
Example
http://easyphotoframe.com for a trial copy of one.
(There are a couple of free ones that work in batches, but I'm late for work so I'm rushing a bit here <g>)
You can do it in Word fairly easily by using the picture merge techniques here
http://gmayor.com/mail_merge_graphics.htm if there is
a naming convention you can use to merge else it would probably need to use a macro to go through the folder of pictures and insert
each into its own table cell, or you can do it manually, a page at a time using a technique along the lines of the one below.
In Word 2007 you can use the Picture Content control or in previous versions you can link to a set of pictures then use Edit=>Links
to swap out for another page of pictures, or duplicate the page and continue.
These steps may give you an idea of how to do it.
1. Create a new document with page margins of 1/2" on all sides, set the orientation to landscape. Turn on the 'non printing
character' icon on the Home tab (or in prior versions on the formatting toolbar)
2. Press enter to insert a blank paragraph
3. In Word Options (Alt, T, O) turn on the view of 'Object Anchors'
4. Zoom out so you get a full page view.
5. Insert a 2 column wide by 3 row high table and set each of the cells to be 5"w x 3"h (a typical photo size)
6. Save the document to be reused as a template
7. If you're using Word 2007, place the cursor in the first cell in the table and go to the Developer tab (You may need to use Alt,
T, O) to turn on that tab if not there, and insert a 'Picture Content control' in the first table cell and size it to match the
cell. Copy it (or repeat those steps for each of the remaining 5 cells. Save the document again
7a. If you're not using Word 2007, with the cursor in the first table cell, use Insert=>Picture=>From File and use Insert=>Link for
a picture and repeat that for the other 5 cells.
8. Use Insert=>Shape and select oval. Hold the ctrl key while drawing to get a circle.
9. Right click on the circle and use Format Shape to
a. Select a line color.
b. Set the size to 2.4 x 2.4
c. Set the transparency to 100%
10. With the circle still selected, press ctrl+D 5 times to create duplicate circles.
11. Drag one of the circles over each of the pictures. You should see a small anchor for each circle on the page. Drag the anchor
up to the empty paragraph (mark) you created in step 2. (i.e. you don't want the anchors to be inside the table).
12. Repeat the steps until you have a circle over each table cell.
13. Holding the shift key, click on each circle (do not group them) and then use Alt, T, A, to get to the Autocorrect dialog.
Select 'formatted text' as the entry type and for a trigger type in
-circles
14. Save the document under a new name and close.
15. Reopen the document you saved in Step 7 and type at the top of the page
-circles
Your circles should reappear.
16. Position the circle for any particular picture over the picture to highlight where you want to cut for your paperweights and
print the page.
17. If you're using Word 2007, right click on each picture and choose 'change picture' to start again, then move the circles again
and print.
=========
Thanks, that worked but is there a way to put a moveable
circle/outline around part of a picture with no fill in the middle so you
could select which part of the pic you want to capture? I want 2.4" round
pictures to put in a paperweight(400-500 pics). I know the pics could be
cropped but I'm trying to be as efficient as possible given the volume I
have to do. <<
--
Bob Buckland ?
MS Office System Products MVP
*Courtesy is not expensive and can pay big dividends*
