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How Do I Make Ecovers WITHOUT Photoshop?

by SandyHall
21 replies
Hi Everyone,

I want to start making my own ecovers for all the
software products I've started to make.

But unfortunately, I do not have photoshop on my computer.

I've heard about some resources that I would be able to do this
without having photoshop or photoshop elements.

Do any of you, well informed, warriors know where or how
I can gain access to or learn about this?

I would be more that grateful if you guys come thru for me.

Thanks so much,
A very grateful warrior - Sandy
#ecover #ecover design #ecovers #make #photoshop
  • Profile picture of the author JayXtreme
    Big Mike has a product at incansoft that isn't too expensive for this type of thing.. I forget what the product is called now... err....

    Google incansoft and you should find your way to his site...

    There is also GIMP which is a free tool, a little bit like photoshop but I don't know what it's powers are

    Peace

    Jay
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    • Profile picture of the author Guy Horton
      I'm not a affiliate for this product. I have used it and it works well.
      Jason Oickle Launches 'Web 2.0 Covers' - June 16, 2008

      http://www.jasonscrazydeals.com/web20covers/

      GIMP is a free tool but, like Photoshop there is a learning curve
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      • Profile picture of the author bobsstuff
        I thought there was a thread in this or the old WF about using photoshop elements with "real" photoshop actions. So, you could get a photoshop ecover script and use it in the much cheaper photoshop elements. My Elements 2.0 came with my scanner.

        Do a googel search for photoshop elements +actions and you will find pages explaining how to use elements for actions the same as you would photoshop.
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        Bob Hale
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        • Profile picture of the author sylviad
          Originally Posted by bobsstuff View Post

          I thought there was a thread in this or the old WF about using photoshop elements with "real" photoshop actions. So, you could get a photoshop ecover script and use it in the much cheaper photoshop elements. My Elements 2.0 came with my scanner.

          Do a googel search for photoshop elements +actions and you will find pages explaining how to use elements for actions the same as you would photoshop.
          I purchased someone's photoshop actions and discovered that they are not compatible with my version of Photoshop (which is a little older). Just something to keep in mind when buying these packages. You might need a refund or have to buy the version that they do work in.

          Also, I have come across sites in the past that give you the ability to create covers online. Not sure what the cost or whether it's free. Try running a search for ebook cover creators.



          Sylvia
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  • Profile picture of the author John M Kane
    GFX Writer is Bige Mike's product for $19.95
    i'm a affl but, this isn't my link;
    GFX Writer V2.0 Header Creator | Create headers, ebook and report covers, graphic software boxes; low cost alternative to PhotoShop...

    also look at Paint.net for free photo retouching software, not as feature packed and less of a learning curve than the Gimp.
    Paint.NET - Free Software for Digital Photo Editing

    for a free open source scalable vector graphic tool go to Inkscape;
    Inkscape. Draw Freely.
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    • Profile picture of the author Tuzic
      Banned
      hi,

      there should loads of other similiar products online, try searching & im sure something will come up.
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  • Profile picture of the author tmdassc
    Hiya Sandy,

    The software I personally use and am an affiliate for is the webgraphics creator by Laughing Bird.

    This is not my affiliate link for it. This is the direct link.

    Web Design Software made easy by Laughingbird Software

    I think you're going to love it. However, just like photoshop, it does have it's learning curve... but I find it easier though
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Mayhew
    Here's 2 great free one's.

    Paint.net
    Redirecting ...
    &
    gimp shop
    Announcing GIMPshop | Plastic Bugs
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    http://www.imopartnership.com/

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  • Profile picture of the author SandyHall
    Thanks Everybody,

    I'm absolutely amazed at the great resources
    you guys have come up with.

    Thanks a million.

    I looked at all the choices above this post and I made the
    decision to go with Warrior-tmdassc.

    laughingbird's "The Web Graphics Creator" looks like the best choice for me.

    But I'd like other warriors to add their resources to this thread
    because there are plenty of people that still need more to look at.

    Thanks so much to all who have answered and to those who will also add their take on here.

    Here's to all our successes,
    Sandy
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  • Profile picture of the author Innocent Akuma
    This is really revealing!

    Please warriors, I'm not trying to change the topic.It's just that I believe that those who know how to make ecover without photoshop should also know how to add text to header graphic without photoshop.

    So, how do I go?
    Hope I've not diverted attention.
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    • Profile picture of the author e-mail2u
      Originally Posted by Innocent Akuma View Post

      This is really revealing!

      Please warriors, I'm not trying to change the topic.It's just that I believe that those who know how to make ecover without photoshop should also know how to add text to header graphic without photoshop.

      So, how do I go?
      Hope I've not diverted attention.
      Your question is answered here is a link to my warrior blog answering this question using gimp.

      http://www.warriorforum.com/blogs/e-...-gimp-how.html

      Gimp is also capable of ecovers you just have to design the template first. Which is not too hard to do who knows i may even do a blog posting on just how to....
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  • Profile picture of the author dvduval
    I've had good experience with Gimp also. With Photoshop being so expensive, I feel better supporting a product like Gimp, because it helps it to grow, and improve, and it does everything I need personally.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Wagoner
    One I haven't seen Real Draw Pro listed yet,
    so I'd like to throw it into the mix.

    I really like it, and you can do amazing things
    with it once you learn to use it.

    Not hard to learn.

    Real-DRAW, the only 2D, 3D and Bitmap vector editor
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  • Profile picture of the author rondo
    Try this one too: eCover Go - Online eCover and Graphic Generator


    Andrew
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    Online courses
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  • Profile picture of the author Stanley Tang
    There are plenty of free ecover-generators which you can download from those giveaway events... but going for the "non-photoshop" method tend to look pretty amateur. Much rather outsource the graphics for just $27.
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve Faber
    Paint.net works great and it's free. Here's a tutorial for how to make a software box with it.
    To make a really great e-book cover you'll need some different software, but this works okay for report covers and software boxes
    http://paintdotnet.forumer.com/viewt...hilit=Software
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    • Profile picture of the author SandyHall
      Hi Everyone,

      Wow, these are some really great answers.

      I really appreciate it. As you saw in my last post, I went with Laughingbird.com's "Web Graphic Creator Software".

      Here are some quick graphics I've made within the first day of using it.
      Could you give me some opinions on if I'm doing it correctly?

      Here's the page I have them on:
      http://www.sandyhallonline.com/logos.htm

      Thanks everyone,
      Sandy
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      • Profile picture of the author tmdassc
        Hiya Again Sandy,

        I'm glad to see you were impressed with my suggestion for Laughing Bird's product. You have to admit, it's easy, fun, and can't be beat on price. Perrsonally, I think it beat the pants off photoshop in many aspects and features.

        In checking your sample page, I see you've done well with it rather quickly. I wouldn't be surprised to see you selling your services for graphic designs in the not too distant future.

        Glad to have been of assistance to you.
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  • Profile picture of the author SandyHall
    Hi Again,

    I forgot that I also found another really great graphics program
    that looks to me far better than anything I've run across before.

    It's called Xara.
    And can be found at: Graphics Software by Xara

    I've been looking at this for a number of years , but forgot about it
    until I went searching in my Firefox bookmarks.

    This is a far easier program to learn and implement than Photoshop and Gimp.

    Go see. I'm sure some of you will be highly impressed.
    Graphics Software by Xara (Not an affiliate link)
    When you arrive at the home page, I'd recommend clicking on the
    Demo Videos link and the Gallery Link in the menu at the top of that page.

    Remarkable stuff.

    Hope this helps,
    Sandy
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