Pixellu Smartalbums 2 1 13

1. Importing Images

2. The Grid & Templates SmartAlbums uses a strict grid system. It automatically calculates the spacing (gutters) based on the lab’s requirements.

3. Placing & Editing Photos

4. Timeline (Bottom Bar)

Here is a typical wedding album workflow using this version: pixellu smartalbums 2 1 13

Step 1: Import
Launch the app → Create a new album → Choose a size (e.g., 12×12) → Drag and drop a folder of final JPEGs (or TIFFs). The software builds low-res proxies instantly.

Step 2: Auto-Fill
Click "Auto Spread." In 3–5 seconds, SmartAlbums populates the first 10 spreads. The algorithm sequences by time metadata or file order, grouping similar shots.

Step 3: Manual Refinement
Swap photos between spreads. Double-click a photo to open the mask editor. Add a background layer – perhaps a soft blur of the venue’s architecture.

Step 4: Text & Details
Add page numbers, chapter titles, or a custom cover text. The font manager includes standard system fonts plus Google Fonts integration. Once you approve a spread

Step 5: Proofing
Export a password-protected PDF slideshow for client review. Clients cannot modify the layout but can leave comments (if using Adobe Reader).

Step 6: Final Export to Lab
Once approved, select “Order Prints” → Choose your lab → Output either a layered PSD or a print-ready PDF with crop marks and bleed. Upload directly via lab plugin.

Total time for a 40-page wedding album (80–100 images): 45 to 90 minutes – drastically faster than InDesign or Photoshop.

Once you approve a spread, the software locks in the design. But you can still: including its features

In the fast-paced world of professional photography, time is the most non-renewable resource. After a wedding, portrait session, or event, the last thing any photographer wants is to spend dozens of hours wrestling with clunky design software just to create a simple album.

Enter Pixellu SmartAlbums. For years, this software has been the gold standard for narrative-driven album creation. While Pixellu has since released newer versions (including SmartAlbums 3 and the cloud-based SmartAlbums X), version 2.1.13 remains a critical milestone—and for many working photographers, the most stable and beloved iteration of the software.

In this deep-dive article, we will explore everything you need to know about Pixellu SmartAlbums 2.1.13, including its features, workflow benefits, system requirements, how it compares to modern alternatives, and why it might still be the right tool for your studio today.

You might wonder: If newer versions exist, why look back at 2.1.13?

Here are three compelling reasons: