This calendar holds 12 approximately round, if lying inside the calendar dates, or pentagonal if occupying a full face, photographs or images. Since, you can't really make round or pentagonal images you need to make 12 approximately square images (with the main object of interest fairly centrally placed) and then you need to make the outer region of the image transparent so only a round or pentagonal area is visible. It is also wise to fade the outer area to white so the dates will clearly show when placed over the image. To do this you need to be fairly familiar with the tools in Photoshop, Corel Photopaint or similar image processing software. If you aren't very familiar with photo manipulation you can still use these templates by merely placing a small square image centrally within the date circle of each face. If you are creating a small sized version the largest square image you can use is 280 x 280 pixels (300 dpi) If you are creating the larger version you can use a 450 x 450 pixel image (300 dpi). I also recommend using the jpg versions as these usually print at the designed size by default, simplifying things. If you are familiar with making areas transparent you should use images approximately double this size. For those of you who are familiar with photo manipulation I'd recommend first resizing 12 images to the above sizes then placing them in the templates I provided WITHOUT the dates. When you have the images as you want them (with outer perimeter faded to white) you can then layer on top of your images the appropriate gif image (with dates). These were saved with transparent backgrounds so they will open with all items masked as a separate layer. All these templates were designed to be used at 300 dpi. At this setting the templates for the smaller duodecahedron will work well with both 8.5" x 11" and A4 paper. The templates for the larger duodecahedron are designed for 8.5" X 11" but if the dpi is increased slightly (~320 dpi) while maintaining the image size in pixels they will work with A4 paper also. I have used GIF files for several reasons: 1. It's supported by pbase and and just about all photo-programs can use these 2. It allows for transparent backgrounds so those who are more skilled in photo manipulation can overlay the template on top of images of their choice 3. The transparent background/masked text also makes some color changes more easily accomplished. For some strange reason this has caused the thumbnails only to be artifactually displayed as negatives, the original images have white backgrounds.
Despite the fact that these gif files were exported at 300 dpi they open in most programs at 72 dpi. To ensure these images print at their designed size (and overlay accurately) you may have to resize the GIF images from 72 dpi back to 300 dpi. To do this resize your image maintaining the original pixel image size (to do this in Photo Shop you remove the check from the resample box, in Corel PhotoPaint you check the maintain original size box) and increase the dpi 72 from 300. Note: in some programs if you paste in your images into the original .gif files (only 256 colors), without first converting the file to a .jpg or changing the colors to RGB (24 bit) color, your images may be converted to 256 colors producing a poor quality image.
When you have produced your final file, carefully check none of the dates or fold lines are obscured, save and print your files. When you have printed your files carefully cut out the templates for the two halves as indicated in the gallery diagram by the green line, and then fold them approximately 70 degrees along the thick dark lines to make a bowl shape (the angle of bend isn't too critical, it'll form the correct angle by default when you are done). Then assemble each half by gluing the light gray areas (do these one by one). I have found that 'super glue' is fast and very effective with glossy photo paper, remember to use one of the better designed glue dispensers that allows you to accurately dispense a small smear of this glue. When the two halves have dried, glue them together one tab at a time. An option when you assemble the two halves of the calendar is to place a few wrapped hard candies inside packed with a little crumpled tissue paper. This will give the calendar more weight, and the calendar owner will get a small treat at the end of the year. Well that's it: good luck.... remember I can't give you click by click instructions, there are just too many software applications with too many versions out there... and I have too little time. If you need help with the photo manipulation software just press F1 and use the in program guide or ask a friend. One last thing: my old geometry teacher was right...... I did finally need it. :-)