Make 3D eBook/Box Covers

Chapter 1: Using CoverFactory Software

1. First, I choose what type of cover I want to create. In this example, I'm going to make a binder (a folder with binding) with a CD-ROM.
   
   
   
   The program then guides me through a wizard (in this example with 10 steps), which allows me to make all the main choices about the various elements of the cover.
   
   
2. I choose the dimensions of the cover (the width, height and depth of the binder):
   
   
   
   
3. I choose what to place on the front (I can choose a solid color, a pattern, a texture, a picture, etc.):
   
   
   
   
4. I choose how thick the pages inside the cover are, compared to the front-cover and back-cover containing them (as well as the paper's color, etc.):
   
   
   
   
5. As this is a binder, I can choose the type and color of the binding to use:
   
   
   
   
6. As this image will include a CD-ROM, I get to choose the CD-ROM's appearance:
   
   
   
   
7. As this image will include a CD-ROM, I get to choose where to place the CD-ROM relative to the binder:
   
   
   
   
8. I get to choose the background to place the cover image on (I can choose a picture, textures, etc., but in this case I've chosen a plain white colored background):
   
   
   
   
9. I choose the size of the background (and hence the final image) in pixels:
   
   
   
   
10. I choose the lighting, shadow and reflection effects that I want to apply:
    
    
    
    
11. I can choose to add special effects like Lens Flare or Bevel (in this case I've chosen no special effects):
    
    
    
    
12. This is what my cover looks like so far in the Render preview:
    
    
    
    At this point, I can now (among other things):
    
    
    • Add additional elements on any of the sides (like text, lines, boxes, circles, pictures, etc.).
      
      
    • Change the orientation of the cover (rotate it, move it, etc.)
      
      
    • Change my prefences for almost any of the settings I've already chosen. For example, I could decide to use a different CD-ROM image, or change the positioning of the CD-ROM, or use a different set of shadows, and so on.
    
    
13. I've decided not to mess with the settings, but instead draw a few extra elements on top of the front of the cover.
    
    I click the tab in the program to view the front of the cover, and start drawing.
    
    Here's what it looks like after I've added some text, two polygons (the light-blue stripes near the top left), and some clip art that I got from Hemera's Photo-Objects 50,000 Premium Image Collection:
    
    
    
    
14. I think that I'm finished, so I check out the Render preview:
    
    
    
    I'm now happy with the result... so I click Render To File... in the program, and my final image is saved to my computer's hard-disk.
    
    
15. And here's my finished cover image:
    
    

• CoverFactory
  
  Software for creating your own eBook Covers.