1. Open a new project in XCS (XTool Creative Space) by clicking on the folder icon on the top menu and clicking on NEW from the dropdown.
2. Select Insert → Rectangle from the left side menu
3. Draw a rectangle on the page and set the size of the box to 11.25"w x 3.25"h using the Size(in) boxes on the top menu.  You will probably need to unlock the constrain proportions by clicking on the lock icon between the height and width boxes.
4. Set the corner radius to 0.125 using the Corner radius (in) box on the right of the top menu.
5. In the Object setting dialog box on the right hand side set the Processing type to Cut with the following settings: 100/7/1 (Power(%)/Speed(mm/s)/Pass)
6. This will be the front and back cover of your box.

1. From the left menu click Image and navigate to the location you saved the NotebookFlexibleBinding.svg file you can download as part of this tutorial. The file will then appear on your screen.
2. Select the binding image on your screen and double check that the dimensions are 2"w x 3.25"h.  If they are not,  use the Size(in) boxes on the top menu to adjust it.  You might have to click the lock icon between the 2 boxes to adjust hight and width with out keeping the same aspect ratio.
3. Select both the rectangle you completed in step one and the flex binding image and click Align → Horizontal align center and then Align → vertical align center on the top menu.
4. Select both objects (the rectangle you completed in step one and the flex binding image) by drawing a box around them with your mouse and click Group from the top menu.
5. In the Object setting dialog box on the right hand side set the Processing type to Cut with the following settings: 100/7/1 (Power(%)/Speed(mm/s)/Pass)
6. You have now created the front, back and binding of your notebook cover.

1. Select Insert → Rectangle from the left side menu
2. Draw a rectangle on the page and set the size of the box to 3.25"w x 3.5"h using the Size(in) boxes on the top menu.  You will probably need to unlock the constrain proportions by clicking on the lock icon between the height and width boxes.
3. Set the corner radius to 0.125 using the Corner radius (in) box on the right of the top menu.
4. Create 2 more 3.25"w x 3.5"h boxes by selecting the box you just created and using Ctl-c and then Ctl-v (Cmd-c and Cmd-v on a Mac). Position all 3 on the workspace so they do NOT overlap.
5. Draw another rectangle on the page and set the size of the box to 3.25"w x 3.375"h using the Size(in) boxes on the top menu.  You will probably need to unlock the constrain proportions by clicking on the lock icon between the height and width boxes.
6. Set the corner radius to 0.125 using the Corner radius (in) box on the right of the top menu.
7. Select one of the 3.25"w x 3.5"h rectangles you created and the 3.25"w x 3.375"h rectangle and click Align → Horizontal align center and then Align → align top on the top menu.
8. With both rectangles still selected click on Combine → subtract from the top menu. This will be used as a spacer for your flap.
9. Create a second flap spacer by selecting the object you created in step 3.8  and using Ctl-c and then Ctl-v (Cmd-c and Cmd-v on a Mac) on your keyboard.
10. Position both spacers so they do not overlap. Select both spacers and make sure they are on the same layer using the Layer dialog on the bottom left of your design space. (they should be the same colour). If they are not, click the Move to link in the bottom right corner of the Layer dialog box and move them to the same colour as in previous steps. I use blue for my cut layer.
11. In the Object setting dialog box on the right hand side set the Processing type to Cut with the following settings: 100/7/1 (Power(%)/Speed(mm/s)/Pass)
12. You should now have all the pieces of your notebook cover.

Here is where you get to leave math aside and be creative.  I have used one of the shapes available from within Creative Space but you can certainly sub out one of your own images, an image you have purchased or just a textual saying.

1. To add the musical notes select Shape → Other and click on the image in column 1 row 9.
2. When the image appears on your screen, select it and set the Rotate box in the top menu to -90° and the dimensions to 2.391"w x 2.884"h. Position it on the notebook cover about 1/3rd of the law from the right of your flexible binding.
3. Select Text from the left side menu and in the Text dialog box on the left side type in Just a few Notes.  Use the following settings:  Size(pt): 36, Typeface: Caveat, Style: Bold, Spacing: 0, Leading: 0, Align: center, Operations: Weld.
4. Select your text and set Rotate to -90°. Position it on your front cover just a bit to the right of the right side of your musical notes image.
5. Select both the musical notes image and the text and click Align → Horizontal align center and then Align → align top on the top menu. Then click Group from the top menu.
6. With your new text and image group move them to an engrave layer using  the Layer dialog on the bottom left of your design space. Click the Move to link in the bottom right corner of the Layer dialog box and choose a different colour from your cut layer. I use black for my engrave layer.
7. Click on your engrave layer and, In the Object setting dialog box on the right hand side set the Processing type to Engrave with the following settings: 60/150/1 (Power(%)/Speed(mm/s)/Pass)
8. You have now created your decoration and all the pieces necessary to create your notebook cover.

1. Place your wood on the Xtool bed and turn on your machine, air assist and fan and click the Process button.
2. Make sure to Frame your image using the left top position and place the cross hairs of your laser along the top left corner of your wood.
3. Hit Start on the top right of your Creative Space workspace and then click the Start button on your machine and cut and engrave your notebook cover.

1. You will notice that the hinge has cut your binding, front and back cover into 3 separate pieces. Using super glue, (I use Gorilla gel superglue) align these as you saw on your screen and glue them together.
2. Glue the spacers to one side of each of the cover flaps making sure the bottom and side edges align. There should be no top edge. Clamp and let dry
3. Glue the spacers with the now attached flaps to the back side of your cover (the side the image is NOT on) matching the bottom and side edges and clamp until the glue dries.
4. Insert the front and back covers of your notebook into the slots and voila!

• Colour the cover using stain or acrylic pens if you choose to do so, do a light sanding and spray a protective varnish over it.  You can also leave it just as it is.
• As mentioned, I used and image from XCS and text but it would be fun to do this and add your company logo or a bouquet of flowers for a gift or any other image.
• Feel free to adjust the sizes to make larger notebooks.  You want it about .5" larger than the actual notebook your are trying to cover with the length being the measurements of your front and back cover doubled and add .5" plus the size of your coils on the notebook.