[Custom Covers] Blanks, Templates - get them, share them, help to modify and create

[Katsunami]

Originally Posted by MiniMouse

So, what I wanted to say...when you want to use pixlr and need any help then I will happily anwer any question that I can.

Thank you

I've looked at Pixlr. It is a very fine program, especially for an online/in-browser one. Very capable and covering at least the basics and more to boot. As far as I can see, GIMP can do anything Pixlr can, and I'm much more familiar with that program, so I'll just stick to that

Still, you may be able to help. What do you do to "embed" the ornaments into the cover, so they don't look "tacked on"?

You can tell me what you do in Pixlr. I'll transpose your workflow into GIMP myself

No, not from scratch. It only puts text over the image but the fun is, that it takes it from your title, author and (if you wish) your series column, so you can change a lot of covers at once if you want.
You can though decide the font, text size, place and add stroke with even a different color.

Hm, OK. Nah. Not the way I work. I often replace covers directly in the book itself (in the EPUB) and fix everything that needs fixing. To do that, I rely on the EPUB editor Sigil. I want the book to be essentially perfect on import.

To each his own

[MiniMouse]

Originally Posted by Sefiriot

The settings for both are basically the same, except the colours and of course, the background images.

Edited because the forums ate the other two cover images. :\ Also, the first image is a book cover made with fanart by nomdeplumeria for the fic in question, combined with one of the cover images by MiniMouse as background, made in Pixlr.

Great work.

I see pixlr worked for you. If you have questions, just ask.

The text you made with the Generate Cover Plugin? If so, please export them and share the zip-files. That would be great. And add the font in your replay.

MiniMouse

[theducks]

Gotcha Covered: Blanks and Templates to create your own covers

[MiniMouse]

Originally Posted by Katsunami

I've looked at Pixlr. It is a very fine program, especially for an online/in-browser one. Very capable and covering at least the basics and more to boot. As far as I can see, GIMP can do anything Pixlr can, and I'm much more familiar with that program, so I'll just stick to that

Still, you may be able to help. What do you do to "embed" the ornaments into the cover, so they don't look "tacked on"?

You can tell me what you do in Pixlr. I'll transpose your workflow into GIMP myself

Okay, first I load my layer in and then the second one. Then pixlr has like 10 different functions that merges these two layers by providing different merge options. Most of the time I test them all and see what comes out if it. The effect is so great sometimes.

MiniMouse

[Sefiriot]

Here you go. The font used in the two default covers is Gentium Book Basic, available on fontspace. For the fanfic cover with the pretty picture, I used two fonts: Ringbearer and Dwarf Runes, both of which are available for free here.

Note that the settings for the left and right margins on my covers aren't exactly fixed; I tend to tweak them if I don't like what I see and mess around till I feel they're just right. YMMV.

[glos]

These are some of those I've done with your covers here ^_^
I'm liking the sherlock holmes font a lot, thanks for the hint
(simply wanted you to see some)

[MiniMouse]

Originally Posted by glos

These are some of those I've done with your covers here ^_^
I'm liking the sherlock holmes font a lot, thanks for the hint
(simply wanted you to see some)

This is great, especially the first one I like very much!

If you want to share and you made them with the Generate Cover Plugin then export the zip-files and put them up here (hint, hint... I what the first one at least, pleaseeeeee)!

And post the font for all the covers in your reply. So everyone knows what to look for if the font is not on his computer.

I love this. You ALL so great. Karma to you all

MiniMouse

[Sefiriot]

MiniMouse, thank you so much for recommending pixlr: I just used it to rework a cover I originally made in GC, which is fast becoming my favourite tool. Now I've a new use for GC: making rough drafts of covers! I used GC to plan the text placement, colours, fonts, sizes and then recreated it in pixlr; shaved off at least 30 minutes there because I just copied over the GC settings.

The font used is Trajan, which is also the font used in the original Mummy promotional posters; note that it's not free, but you can get it if you know where to look. Trajan Pro is a related font that comes free with Windows.

[Katsunami]

4 more covers: scanned as is, with only the author and title removed.

All covers are cardboard, and you can use them as a basis for something more elaborate. If you do, please post the result

edit: added a brown one, with an elaborate pattern.

[glos]

Originally Posted by MiniMouse

This is great, especially the first one I like very much!

If you want to share and you made them with the Generate Cover Plugin then export the zip-files and put them up here (hint, hint... I what the first one at least, pleaseeeeee)!

And post the font for all the covers in your reply. So everyone knows what to look for if the font is not on his computer.

I love this. You ALL so great. Karma to you all

MiniMouse

you mean export the settings using the button in the generate cover plug-in?
err, I think I don't have the settings anymore, I change font/spacing/background cover for almost each fic so I usually don't save...
I simply used your cover and the Sherlock Holmes font you linked in some previous post (or Georgia for the 2nd cover)

[Sefiriot]

Originally Posted by Katsunami

4 more covers: scanned as is, with only the author and title removed.

All covers are cardboard, and you can use them as a basis for something more elaborate. If you do, please post the result

Uh, Katsunami? I don't think the attachments made it through...

[Katsunami]

Originally Posted by Sefiriot

Uh, Katsunami? I don't think the attachments made it through...

They were still uploading. Done now. Patience

[MiniMouse]

Originally Posted by glos

you mean export the settings using the button in the generate cover plug-in?
err, I think I don't have the settings anymore, I change font/spacing/background cover for almost each fic so I usually don't save...
I simply used your cover and the Sherlock Holmes font you linked in some previous post (or Georgia for the 2nd cover)

Oh, no...

Next time, SAVE THEM and share (please)! And yes, I meant the little red dart button in the Generate Cover Plugin. It will export your files, even if it is just for your own backup.
It is work sometimes to recreate settings you liked (or someone else like) and would help to share cool looking settings.

But I like the first one very much, so I think I have to recreate that myself. Thanks for the inspiration.

MiniMouse

[MiniMouse]

Originally Posted by Sefiriot

MiniMouse, thank you so much for recommending pixlr: I just used it to rework a cover I originally made in GC, which is fast becoming my favourite tool. Now I've a new use for GC: making rough drafts of covers! I used GC to plan the text placement, colours, fonts, sizes and then recreated it in pixlr; shaved off at least 30 minutes there because I just copied over the GC settings.

The font used is Trajan, which is also the font used in the original Mummy promotional posters; note that it's not free, but you can get it if you know where to look. Trajan Pro is a related font that comes free with Windows.

Glad I could help

These are no book covers, right? They are for your music?
I like the artwork.
The first one is the final or the second one? Or are they both final?
Anyway, I like the first one more. The picture is more sharp and I personally prefer that.

MiniMouse

[MiniMouse]

Originally Posted by Katsunami

4 more covers: scanned as is, with only the author and title removed.

All covers are cardboard, and you can use them as a basis for something more elaborate. If you do, please post the result

edit: added a brown one, with an elaborate pattern.

Now I have some more to play around with