Today Inkubook announced plans to enable a fast and easy way for Windows Live Essentials users to create beautiful photo books in minutes. The Inkubook integration in Windows Live Photo Gallery 2011 will launch in North America beginning September 30th and roll out globally over the next year.

“We’ve seen the demand for professional-quality photo books in recent years, and we want to make it fast, easy and fun for people to create a beautiful photo bookout of their photos from Windows Live Photo Gallery,” said Bryan Saftler, Product Manager at Microsoft Corp. “We’re thrilled to be working with Inkubook.”

In minutes, users can download the Inkubook Photo Book Uploader from within Windows Live Photo Gallery 2011, import photos, and lay out a beautiful photo book. The Inkubook and Windows Live Essentials software is free; users pay nothing until they decide to purchase a book (prices start at $9.95).

“We’re excited to bring Inkubook to the Microsoft community as a Windows Live partner,” said Ken Kratz, GM, Inkubook. “We share the common goal with Microsoft to help people do more on their PCs. We built a fast, easy-to-use bookmaking platform – and this is a great opportunity to help millions of people bring their photos to life in a book. ”

If you’re a Windows Vista or Windows 7 user, get Windows Live Essentials 2011 today. Once you have it installed, add the Inkubook Photo Book Uploader plug-in from within Windows Live Photo Gallery or get it here.

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Maybe it’s been a while since you’ve made a photo book. Or maybe you’re getting ready to make your first photo book with Inkubook. Whatever the case, welcome.

1.  Get Started

Once you sign in to your account, click “Start a New Book.” It’s completely free to sign up, by the way.

You have your options of five different book sizes, some with both hardcover and paperback options. Select a size and format and click “Next.”

Name your book (this is just a way for you to organize your projects; the name will not appear on your book) and pick a theme. No matter what theme you choose, you’ll be able to mix and match any backgrounds and templates you like. Click “Next.”

2.  Pick Your Pics

Pictures are the most important part of your book, and there are different ways that you can go about adding photos to your project.

You may want to import photosfrom your Flickr account or from one of your other Inkubook projects. We like to choose the pictures we want to use before we get started, saving them into a folder on our computer’s desktop. If you’re uploading from your computer, be sure that your photos are in “.jpg” or “.png” or “.tif” format.

The Autofilloption makes placing photos in your book a breeze. On the photo import menu, check the “I want photos placed for me” option, choose a format, and we will place your photos in the book. Think of this as the cooler, faster alternative to ordering prints and putting them in a photo album manually.

3.  Play & Personalize

You have four ways to personalize your book – Photos, Layouts, Backgrounds and Text. Click on the tabs to edit these parts of your book. Inkubook will automatically put your photos into your tray once you add them, and we’ll supply a set of layouts and backgrounds based on your theme.

But you may want to switch up the layout of pictures or swap in new backgrounds. Click on the drop-down menu next to “Show,” located beneath the tray to explore the range of options. When you see something you like, simply drag and drop it from the tray and onto your book.

When you’re ready to add text, you can just type directly onto your book with the “click to edit” option. Use the text toolbar to change the size, font, color or style.

Another option for adding text is to import from a text file or Word document saved on your computer – this feature works well for group projects and recipe books.

Choose “Preview” to see your work, and simply click the “Edit” button to make changes. Once you’re finished, you can either buy your book or you can sign out or start another project by returning to the Home page. Inkubookwill automatically save your project for you. When you’ve got it just right – order your book and we’ll deliver it to you in about a week.

We want to hear from you! How do you choose the best photos? How do you organize your project? Leave a comment telling us about the creative ways that you put your photo books together.

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