5x7 Notebook Cover.

I created this object outside of XCS.

This process of alignment takes a little bit of time, but making sure the cover aligns with the notebook is really important.  

1. Measure the original cover of the notebook.
2. Measure and count the spiral holes.
3. Measure the space between the top of the cover and the first spiral hole and the same on the bottom.
4. Measure the space between the left of the cover and the spiral holes.
5. Create a rectangle with the measurements of the cover.
6. Make the right corners slightly rounded (this step can be skipped)
7. Create a square with the measurements of the spiral holes.
8. Copy and paste to get the amount of squares needed.
9. Move one square to the top of the cover, and one square to the bottom, based on the measurement on step 3.
10. Move all the other squares between the top and the bottom square.
11. Select all squares → vertical align → distribute vertically. This will make all the squares equally spaced.
12. Select all the squares → group.
13. Move the group to align with the cover based on, measurements on step 3 and step 4. 

Testing cover alignment.

I have a Silhouette Cameo machine and I sent the design to be cut on paper to make sure the cover aligns with the notebook.

This also can be done on the laser machine.

Import Notebook and a flower images into XCS.

Front Cover.

1. Set the cover to Cut.
2. Copy and paste the flowers, multiple times and arrange into a flower vine on the cover  → Combine → Unite → Set to Engrave
3. Add a quote. (This is optional) → Set to Engrave.

Optional Step. 

I wanted to have some of the flowers, their petals to be cut, instead of engraved. I could not find a way to separate the flowers and extract the petals in XCS, I used another design app to do it.

1. Bring the petal image(s) into XCS.
2. Move the petals, arrange and size according to the selected flower → Combine → Unite.
3. Move the petals to the Front of the selected flower, Select Arrange → Bring to Front. → Set to Cut
4. Repeat steps 2-5, for each flower that will have the petals cut out.

Back Cover.

Make a copy of the cover object and mirror it, this will be the back cover. 

1. Copy the flower design 2 times. → Set to Engrave
2. Arrange on the back cover on the top left and bottom right corners.

Send the project to the laser.

1. Group all cut objects together.
2. Group all engraving objects together.
3. Process project.

Optional steps.

Add pattern paper to the back of the covers.

1. Take the cover shape, copy and paste twice.
2. Mirror one of the copies, this is for the back cover. 
3. Cut it. *
4. Glue the paper to each of the covers.

*I cut the pattern paper with a Silhouette Cameo. This also can be done with the laser, with specific settings for the paper used.

Final Step.

Add covers to the notebook.

Your are done!

Happy Crafting.