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Can any help with a graphics question?

by rmx
10 replies
I'm the first to admit I'm graphically challenged.

I'm creating a series of ebooks all on the same topic and need a good looking cover for the series. The cover image and most of the text will be the same on each one except for slight variations, like different volume numbers, sub headings etc.

I'm going to hire someone to create the image cover.

But is there an easy way for me to keep the cover almost the same each time but just make slight changes in the text myself?

Thanks, RMX
#graphics #question
  • Profile picture of the author webapex
    If you get source files from the artist, you can just edit the separate text layer of the document.

    The problem is, the source file will usually require the costly app photoshop to edit.

    Maybe there's a cheaper app that will do this, paint shop pro?
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve Wells
    Originally Posted by rmx View Post

    I'm the first to admit I'm graphically challenged.

    I'm creating a series of ebooks all on the same topic and need a good looking cover for the series. The cover image and most of the text will be the same on each one except for slight variations, like different volume numbers, sub headings etc.

    I'm going to hire someone to create the image cover.

    But is there an easy way for me to keep the cover almost the same each time but just make slight changes in the text myself?

    Thanks, RMX
    The problem is this. Yes, you can get editable PSD files, but legally the images that are used "if they are royalty free" images, are supposed to be flattened, meaning they are not editable. The text can be though.

    It seems to me though that many, many designers on this forum do not follow the rules with images nor do they care..... since they are in other countries that would be a pain in the arse to deal with legally, so they just do what they want.

    You will need a graphics software that allows you to edit a PSD file with text, Gimp will not allow you to edit text, the text is automatically rasterized, which means it is turned into a image, and not editable.

    Photoshop elements will work, which is the cheaper than the full version of Photoshop.

    Also, one more big problem is that the ecovers more than likely will need to be turned from a flat version to a 3D version which will require an adobe action script, which more than likely your designer will not supply you with, and to boot, you will need photoshop the full version to run it....

    So, its best just to hire someone to do it all for you...........
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  • Profile picture of the author miamipuaintraining
    Yes. Absolutely. What you want to do is have your graphic designer, create the image in Photoshop, and provide you with the PSD file. Emphasize that you want the text you plan on changingto bean individual layer. Then you simply need to load up Photoshop, and just change the text of the layer, which can then be saved out to JPG and put in your book. Very simple.

    Originally Posted by rmx View Post

    I'm the first to admit I'm graphically challenged.

    I'm creating a series of ebooks all on the same topic and need a good looking cover for the series. The cover image and most of the text will be the same on each one except for slight variations, like different volume numbers, sub headings etc.

    I'm going to hire someone to create the image cover.

    But is there an easy way for me to keep the cover almost the same each time but just make slight changes in the text myself?

    Thanks, RMX
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  • Profile picture of the author WillR
    As others have mentioned get one ecover done and make sure you ask for the psd file as well. If you have photoshop then you can just go in and edit the texts and colors very easily but you will then need some ecover actions to turn the flat image into an ecover.

    If you get the psd file I can easily do the edits for you and turn them into ebook covers. It won't take me long so I wouldn't charge you for it. Send me a pm if you need help.

    This is how I first got started. Whenever you order an ecover from someone make sure you always ask for the psd file. That way when you need a new cover done you can send the psd file to a designer and just ask them to make a few small changes. Much cheaper than getting new ecovers produced each time.
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  • Profile picture of the author webapex
    I just ran across a mention of the free app Gimp being to edit photoshop files, I don't have first hand experience with it.

    GIMP - Downloads
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    • Profile picture of the author WillR
      Originally Posted by webapex View Post

      I just ran across a mention of the free app Gimp being to edit photoshop files, I don't have first hand experience with it.

      GIMP - Downloads
      Gimp does not allow you to edit PSD files properly though. When you import a PSD file into GIMP the text will be rasterized into a flat layer (an image) that you cannot edit.
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      • Profile picture of the author ronr
        Will photoshop elements do everything photoshop will for this purpose>?
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      • Profile picture of the author Steve Wells
        Originally Posted by WillR View Post

        Gimp does not allow you to edit PSD files properly though. When you import a PSD file into GIMP the text will be rasterized into a flat layer (an image) that you cannot edit.
        I forgot the name of it, but there is a plugin for Gimp that will allow you to edit PSD files with text, not sure how it works though, just heard it existed and at one time looked at the plugins download page, just do not remember what it was called.
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        • Profile picture of the author edlewis
          Just hire a designer who will do it for you.

          No offense, but if you are only changing text on each image....a decent designer should have no problem doing that for you. They shouldn't charge you for 10 covers if those 10 covers are the same design with just 1 small text change.

          Of course, this is only if you are doing them all at once.

          If you are going to change things later, then you will need a PSD from your designer and the ability to edit that PSD file later...ie Photoshop.
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