April 6, 2008
Making box shots and e-book covers has become really simple.
Merchandizing experts realized a long time ago that packages help to sell. If you want to successfully distribute your ebooks or programs, pack them up. As the product is made of bytes, so is the package. There are 3 available methods to create a virtual cover:
- Asking someone to do it for you
- Picturing it yourself in Photoshop
- Employing some fancy dedicated software
The choice number one appears to be pretty straightforward. If the designer is good something about 3D, they will bill you quite a bit. Each new software box or ebook cover will Cost up to $160. The second choice might be the best if you are competent about Photoshop. Certainly, the task will require getting a few action scripts that may cost you another Benjamin. Do not forget the value of Photoshop: it will cost you over $600. The third option is to try and choose from the dedicated boxshot software. Beginning from $15 you can get your hands on a solution that will satisfy your needs. There is obviously plenty room for choice. If we group these offerings, we will have three categories:
Ready made templates which give no freedom
Simple 3D rendering programs
Sophisticated 3D ray tracing soft
If you choose pre-made templates, your box shot and ebook covers will be fine, but there will obviously be certain limitations. Introducing considerable changes will not come easy to the software box or e-book cover. Going for the simple 3D offered in the second option will result in unrealistic effects. You will not need James Bond's glasses to see that the pictures look unrealistic. The third method does not have any shortcomings. Special effects are calculated for each ray. The final image will look cool. If you want to have more options and quality, you should use the third type of box shot. Box Shot 3D is a nice piece of such software. This soft costs 40 euros. It will help you make great pictures of your books and boxes, club cards and more. There are a couple of pics below of ebook covers and software boxes.
It would be quite a bit of work to deliver the same level of quality in Photoshop unless you possess some additional scripts. You will not come across lots of programs that can produce a similar result. There are quite a few customizable properties, for example changing the intensity of light and reflections, and fine tuning many other visual elements. No boxshot or e-book cover should be produced without Box Shot 3D. Your goods will have the most appropriate looks. Sell to the prospect with fancy looks. Go for Box Shot 3D and never have second thoughts about it.