HOW TO MAKE A GREAT BOOK COVER
I think it's about time that we start a discussion based on how to make a cover. There are lots of talented artists on the site, so please feel free to share your tips in this thread. Here is my step-by-step instructions for creating a cover in Picasa . If they are too small, make your screen bigger (for PCs it's Control and the + button)
1. Download Picasa (it's free!):
http://picasa.google.com/... Show more
HOW TO MAKE A GREAT BOOK COVER
I think it's about time that we start a discussion based on how to make a cover. There are lots of talented artists on the site, so please feel free to share your tips in this thread. Here is my step-by-step instructions for creating a cover in Picasa . If they are too small, make your screen bigger (for PCs it's Control and the + button)
1. Download Picasa (it's free!):
http://picasa.google.com/
2. Add your photos to Picasa:
http://www.bookrix.com/image/showpic.php?art=user&size=m&p=rebeckdawn_c_workshop_2.jpg
3. If you are going to edit a single photo, all you need to do is double click on it and play around with the settings:
http://www.bookrix.com/image/showpic.php?art=user&size=m&p=rebeckdawn_c_workshop_3.jpg
4. If you want to use more than one image, first you need to click the "Create Photo Collage" button - it's quite small:
http://www.bookrix.com/image/showpic.php?art=user&size=m&p=rebeckdawn_c_workshop_1.jpg
5. Now you need to select the images you want to use. After you have selected them, you can choose which setting you want:
http://www.bookrix.com/image/showpic.php?art=user&size=m&p=rebeckdawn_c_workshop_4.jpg
6. Collage Setting: Picture Pile
a) First I selected the setting "Picture Pile", then I moved back to the Clips tab and made the Notebook photo into the background picture:
http://www.bookrix.com/image/showpic.php?art=user&size=m&p=rebeckdawn_c_workshop_5.jpg
b) This particular cover is for a travel book, so I am going to make the other images look like instant photos. Click on the image, then click on the button that looks like an instant photo. Repeat for all images. Don't forget that you can rearrange them at any time:
http://www.bookrix.com/image/showpic.php?art=user&size=m&p=rebeckdawn_c_workshop_6.jpg
c) Hit "Create Collage" button after everything is in place:
http://www.bookrix.com/image/showpic.php?art=user&size=m&p=rebeckdawn_c_workshop_7.jpg
d) Add text:
http://www.bookrix.com/image/showpic.php?art=user&size=m&p=rebeckdawn_c_workshop_8.jpg
e) Choose whatever font style, size and color that suits your book. Just click anywhere on the image to start writing. After you are finished, click the "Apply" button:
http://www.bookrix.com/image/showpic.php?art=user&size=m&p=rebeckdawn_c_workshop_9.jpg
f) Go to the "File" tab and save your work.
Here is the finished product:
http://www.bookrix.com/image/showpic.php?art=user&size=m&p=rebeckdawn_jetlagged.jpg
7. Collage Setting: Multiple Exposure (to overlap images) Make sure you click "Create Collage afterwards to start editing:
http://www.bookrix.com/image/showpic.php?art=user&size=m&p=rebeckdawn_c_workshop_10.jpg
a) After they were overlapped, I decided to play around with some settings, first the lighting:
http://www.bookrix.com/image/showpic.php?art=user&size=m&p=rebeckdawn_c_workshop_11.jpg
b) Next, the "Lomo-ish" feature, and then the Cinemascope and removed the Letterbox:
http://www.bookrix.com/image/showpic.php?art=user&size=m&p=rebeckdawn_c_workshop_12.jpg
c) Then I added text and hit "Apply" and it was all finished:
http://www.bookrix.com/image/showpic.php?art=user&size=m&p=rebeckdawn_workshop_2.jpg
So, it's pretty simple - and I must admit - lots of fun! Please let me know if you have any questions about the process! Keep in mind, it's will take a lot of trial and error before you get the hang of it!
Now go forth and make great covers!
http://madetobeunique.deviantart.com/art/Awesome-FREE-Dragon-Stock-png-258560808
http://flexdreams.deviantart.com/art/Free-Stock-Gabrielle-1-148163241
Pity this group ended abandoned like everything else on here. It was a great inspiration.