Spread in IDML template contains two pages, but is recognized by AP as one page only

[Foucault]

Hi,

I am a total newbie to Affinity Publisher and DTP in general.  I want to print a 30page photobook with - say - Whitewall. To get page sizes right, Whitewall offers idlml templates. When I open a template for a 30-page book, it shows 30 single pages, but each single page (i.e. "spread" in Affinity) is actually a double page,

Going to "document settings" and checking "facing pages" gives me a spread with four pages on it: I am not sure that will come out right from the printer.

Is there a way to "tell" Affinity Publisher, that the spreads in the idml-File actually contain two pages?

Thanks

Foucault

[Joachim_L]

Welcome to the Affinity forums @Foucault!

Normally APu recognizes double pages correctly. Could you upload the IDML template here?

[Foucault]

Hi,

good idea; here it is:block_pages_24_A4LAND_hardcover_StandardSilkMatte_Digital.idml

Actually, I have the same problem with templates from Saal-Digital: Fotobuch 15 x 15, Innenseiten Fotopapier matt, 26 Seiten (1).idml

Regards

Stefan

[Joachim_L]

I cannot open the first file, as it seems to be corrupted (or an INDD instead of IDML?). The second file (Fotobuch ...) has 13 pages with the dimensions of width 290 mm and height 145 mm, so APu opens them correctly.

[Foucault]

Hi,

yes, the Whitewall idml seems to be corrupt; I can't open the either. 

About the second idml: There are 13 spreads, each 290*145mm; but shouldn't there be 26 facing pages, 145*145mm?

Edited June 14, 2021 by Foucault

[Joachim_L]

10 minutes ago, Foucault said:

but shouldn't there be 26 facing pages, 145*145mm?

No, I opened the file with InDesign and there were in fact 13 pages with 290 x 145 mm.

[Foucault]

Hm,

when I open an idml template from CEWE, I get 16 spreads with 30 pages looking like this (When choosing "facing pages"):

Using the Saal-Digital template, I get 15 spreads numbered as 15 pages:

Checking "facing pages" there still are 8 spreads with 15 pages looking like this:

[Andreas Scherer]

Saal Digital seems to request spreads: »Es ist wichtig, dass wir im PDF jede Doppelseite als eine Seite erhalten.«

Blurb requires individual pages: »Wählen Sie für Ihre Seiten die Option Bereich: Alle Seiten.«

[Andreas Scherer]

Saal Digital and WhiteWall provide separate IDML files for the cover and the pages block according to the desired format and page count. SD's page block consists of spreads, WW's of individual pages. The cover IDML is a spread in both cases.

A quick glance at Blurb's PDF pages suggests their specific plugin for Adobe InDesign, but I recall that Affinity Publisher is also supported. The Blurb evangelist Dan Milnor talks about his preferred setup (iPad Pro and the Affinity Suite!) in his latest Q&A 48 video.

[Andreas Scherer]

On 2/10/2023 at 10:46 AM, Andreas Scherer said:

The Blurb evangelist Dan Milnor talks about his preferred setup (iPad Pro and the Affinity Suite!) in his latest Q&A 48 video.

There's another short mention of the Affinity App on iPad in his Q&A 51.