If you are an author or software developer, you have many options for
designing your own ebook cover or software packaging. One of the most unusual
software tools to come across my desk for this purpose is Cover
Software Pro from Jason Bradley.
In Jason's own words, "Cover
Software Pro actually bridges the gap between beginners who are forced to use
'push button easy' solutions that are limited in function ability, and professionals who use
tools such as Adobe Photoshop."
Unlike competitive products, Cover
Software Pro is not a standalone software tool. Rather it is a series
of preprogrammed "actions" for Photoshop 7 or higher.
Once installed, you merely select the type of graphic you want
to create from the list of provided actions (book cover, CD package, software
boxes, etc.), and then use Photoshop to customize the provided template.
When you are done with the customization (changing colors,
fonts, text), you finish playing the action to generate the end product. These
final images are quite crisp and realistic and compare with the results of
competitive products.
The pre-design models and pre-programmed actions take the
majority of the work out of the design process for you, but you will still
need to know your way around Photoshop to achieve the desired results.
To help the beginner, Jason has created a series of online
videos you can download (though some are quite large -- a broadband connection
is recommended). A CD is also available.
To round out the offering, Jason is also offering access to a
collection of ebooks and tools and a resale rights library. These bonuses,
while nice to have, offer little that is new and detract a bit from the
overall Cover
Software Pro offering. His tool produces quality results, especially
for the experienced designer seeking more control over the finished product.
