If you are an author of a virtual product -- software, ebook, ezine -- then
you probably have already read the hype about the importance of having and
using a realistic cover graphic to make your intangible product seem more
tangible to your prospective customers.
For many years, graphics designers such as VirtuaPack,
led the way by providing unique 3D, photo-realistic graphics of boxes
and book covers. Everyone was using them. But graphic designers, for all their
value, can be very costly. If you intend to market more than one product over
time, then you might need multiple graphics, and that's where the cost really
builds up fast.
A number of software products have been released over the past year that
make it easier for you to create your own 3D graphics. All you need is a
quality 2D graphic, and these software tools can quickly and easily create
beautifully rendered software boxes, ebook covers, CD boxes and more.
Well, a new product has just been released call eCover
Studio, and it's worthy of your attention. While it bears some
resemblance to eCover
Generator, it does a few things differently that might intrigue you.
This software package makes it very easy to select, preview
and customize 3D images. It also enables you to add subtle realistic details
such as shadow and reflections -- a very nice touch. You can add multiple
layers of graphics and even bar codes.
It comes with a selection of ready made templates including
book covers, CD covers, ezines, spiral bound books, membership cards and much
more. The image quality is very good, too. It renders on-the-fly and unlike
other packages available on the marketplace, it does not require ActiveX and
worked fine with my PC's older video card.
One of the things that sets this package apart from the others
available on the market is the incredible number of graphic settings and
details you can set. Granted, to understand and realize the value of so many
settings, you need to experiment a bit -- and it certainly helps if you are
graphically inclined to begin with.
This package comes with a number of pre-designed graphic
templates that may be customized to create your own cover graphics. The
biggest problem I see with tools of this ilk is that it enables less
graphically talented individuals to create really bad looking graphics. I'd
like to see at least one software developer try to create a meaningful
tutorial on design -- not so much how to use their respective software -- but
on the art and design of ebook covers.
In any event, eCover
Studio is a very nice product. It's easy-to-use, competitively priced,
and should empower you to take whatever images that are stuck in your head and
render them in beautiful 3D. Click here
for more info and to download a free demo version.
