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Paranoia can be good in some instances. One reason I haven't rendered in the full size that SelfPubBookCovers wants is so that there might be less chance to have anyone pilfer the artwork. I'll have to also consider putting a watermark on future renders. I've resisted up until now because I haven't started producing anything I thought anyone would want to steal. And, I'm not worried about regulars in the forum actually stealing my work. Most are way more talented than I and have been doing this a lot longer. I think the regulars here are totally ethical and want to share their experience with us newbies in the field. I also respect their opinions.
However, the forums are completely accessible to outsiders through google searches so I will have to seriously consider protecting my work in the future. After reading this, I actually did a search to see what comes up and, yes, this thread does come up in a search, but only if specifing "DAZ studio book covers" in the search box. I haven't tried watermarks in Gimp. I'll play with it. I'll think about resizing the render in the post above, too, and editing the post with a smaller picture. It is really a shame that one has to think about these things.
The most important step prior to entering a market, is taking the time to understand and investigate the market you are trying to enter, through market research. Who and what are you competing against. What are the conventions and expectation of that market, and if you were a consumer in that market, what would you buy?
I randomly snapped some thumbs on that site to see what they're offering. Then which ones I thought were compelling images. I think that is always a beneficial exercise. You need to put yourself in the shoes of a potential customer and ask yourself would you spend $60-$70-$80 dollars to buy that cover. And of the 10 or 20 or 500 available why you would pick one or two over the rest. That analysis will improve your own creative process.
Considering that this is a learning forum for digital artists and we do not sell images here, I doubt there is a conflict.
Regarding the image itself: I agree that the gun looks awkard on top of the stem. I also think the gun is facint the wrong way -- it is more menaing if the handle is facing toward us, rather than away.
Speaking of the rose, if you do keep this angle, tilt it to one side or the other -- it doesn't look good with it aimed straight up directly along our line of sight. It will look better if
Regarding the pen: bring it into (move it down to the right so we can see all (or most) of it, particularly the tip. Right now it's just clutter that isn't bringing anything to the party, so to speak. Other than all that, though -- I LIKE IT!
LOVE the smoke effect and crisp reflections on the gold, by the way.
Well, I edited the original post to add a watermark to the render. It was actually much easier than I thought it would be. I tend to agree with mmitchell that posting here wouldn't conflict with the info posted above that the cover site has in place. This cover is nowhere near complete yet. As it stands, right now, I wouldn't be satisfied uploading it because I don't consider it finished.
Mmitchell, I'll play with adjusting the items on the tray. I was really impressed with the reflections that showed up and how it all looked and that was totally the work of the shaders and the lighting I chose. I'll also move the pen and see how that changes the scene.
FirstBastion - I've been watching this site for awhile now. I've seen the covers that sell and the ones that seem to just sit there for awhile. I have tried to do my research. I don't think my cover is totally off base, but I could be wrong. I think if I can get this cover looking more professional then there is a good shot at it selling. But, like I said, this is a practice cover. I decided to start with this because I've had this idea for a cover in my head for awhile and I really wanted to try and see it come to life while learning what I'm doing. I have to admit that most of the covers that I have in mind to do tend to be the racier covers with a lot of skin showing. However, I'm still working on my rendering skills where skin is concerned although I'm getting better.
I appreciate everyone taking the time to comment and helping me view my cover with new eyes and giving suggestions to improve. I've enjoyed learning from all of you.
That's great to hear! Every marketplace has its own dynamic, and the customers that frequent the site determine what they need and want. That you have been paying attention and watching what sells definitely benefits you. Is there a way to filter the "Sold" or the recently purchased? And is there a way to determine the number of these they sell in a day or a week?
@FirstBastion not that I've seen. What I've been doing is probably pretty convoluted, but I haven't discovered an easier way of keeping track. I have three main categories that I've been following, Romance, Thriller/Mystery and Sci Fi& Fantasy. Since I have an account, I can add covers to my favorites which is what I do with those specific covers I want to track and I'm constantly adding more. I usually have a bunch in each category in my favorites. I haven't come to any kind of limit yet. There is a link for Published Covers/Testimonials at the bottom of the page. On that page is also a list of the cover artists that have sold. They have two badges, "I sold my art" and "multi selling artist". I usually try to track the multi selling artists. Once I know covers I'm tracking have sold then I try to track them on Amazon to see how they do and what kinds of reviews if any the covers are given. Usually, most reviews are just on the book itself, but sometimes people will let the writer know that the cover influenced their purchase. There is also a place on the Kboards (Kindle boards) where cover artists and authors hang out and discuss covers and Amazon sales. It takes a bit of time to track. I wish it was easier, but I haven't found an easier way of keeping track yet. Some of the artists selling through this site also have their own webpages where they display their covers with links back to SelfPubBookCovers. I've been able to keep track of those as well as they keep their sold covers up to show their work.
That is as much as I can explain right now. It is Court of Honor tonight at the boys' scouts so I have to leave. I'll check back into the boards when I get back in case you have any questions.
The site has a Facebook page where, among other things, the covers that are sold each day (or some of them, at any rate) are posted. This can be helpful in determining what kinds of things are moving.
https://www.facebook.com/SelfPubBookCovers
Yes, forgot about that. I tend try and check that at least once a week or so to see what has sold.
Yah sometimes information isn't readily available, so coming up with innovative ways to track what going on is important. I think your method makes alot of sense.
Sounds like you're doing the appropriate amount of research. Good job.
Thanks guys! I've always been good at research and figuring out ways to get information. Unfortunately, I'm not always good at executing finished projects, but I am improving as I age. Off to spend the day getting braces put on my oldest's teeth. Such fun!
Loving this thread (what I've read so far!) I'm also an author, getting ready to publish my first book next month. I've had to resort to using 3D because I couldn't find anything in stock photos that came anywhere near my characters, which are very specific. (A friend is doing the cover, she's much better at this than I am!)
I'm writing romantic comedy. My first series is set in the Midwest and is fairly contemporary (early 2000s). I have a super hero comedy series in the work as well. Loving all the possibilities with DAZ! I'm a total newbie at the program, but already getting so many character ideas and having great fun playing with it.
The artwork on this thread (and many others) is incredible. Not sure I'll ever get that good, but everyone has to start somewhere. Good to meet some fellow writers using DAZ!
Kim :)
Edited to add: So sorry to hear Kathryn passed away. I haven't had a chance to read her books yet. Her artwork looks amazing.
So, what are the basic dimensions and resolutions for book covers? I am terrible at figuring that kind of stuff out. If I wanted to give a book cover a try what would the basic stuff be?
Resolution doesn't matter for Ebooks. In print, you need 300 dpi.
Longest side of the picture should be at least 2560 pixel. Even for Amazon.
Thank you! Doing some research as well, but am not sure where to look. going to try the site that knittingmommy mentioned above and see if they have some info
The instructions for SelfPubBookCovers.com (the site that I'm thinking of using to test the waters) has artists submitting two versions of the cover. The main one is set at 3125 pixels wide by 4167 pixels high with a document size of 10.417 inches wide by 13.89 inches high which roughly translates to 300 pixels/inch. This is the one that is submitted on their template with suggested author name and title placement for authors to customize on their site. Artists also submit a thumbnail for their site which is 216 pixels wide by 288 pixels high with a document size of 3 inces by 4 inches which roughly translates to 72 pixels/inch. This is the thumbail that is visible to everyone on their site before you click to see the full size cover where authors can customize with the fonts provided or they can buy the cover without the fonts and customize with their own software however they want.
If you are using Kindle Direct Publishing with their Cover Creator for ebooks then the submitted cover size is 600 pixels wide by 800 pixels wide which is what is takes to fill the kindle screen. My research suggests that anything larger uploaded through Cover Creator gets resized and not always in a way that does not fill the kidle screen. It is really hard to find information on their webpages about going through the process which is hard to understand because they are supposed to be geared to make it easier for Indie authors to publish their books.
I haven't researched Smashwords or Lulu or the other major publishing sites because I've pretty much decided to publish my first ebook with Amazon and give them a try while I learn the process of getting a book published. If all goes well, my first novel will be finished and be ready to send to an editor by the end of February. Even earlier, if I can swing more writing time. I'll be trying to figure my own cover while I'm waiting for my manuscript back from the editor. I'm not exactly sure what the turnaround time table will be because I haven't chosen an editor yet and each editor I've researched gives a different time table depending on the type of editing done.
edit: Sonja, here is the direct link to the artist's faqs for cover creation. I think you have to actually set up an account to download the actual artist's instructions with the template, but it is free to setup an account and you don't have to guarantee that you will be uploading anything.
Also adding that all submitted covers need to be in .jpg format for SelfPubBookCovers and Amazon
See that is what I thought, too. I have no idea why their own Cover Creator does smaller resolution images. I understand it is still relatively new, but one would think that it can't be that much different formating for the kindle than other tablets. I don't think I will be using their Cover Creator, but using one of the other methods of uploading a cover for an ebook.
Hi, welcome to the group. I'm still a newbie here, but older ones that have been here awhile have a ton of experience and seem to love sharing their knowledge. I've learned a lot from them here on this thread. Kathryn was wonderful and luckily we still have her words and artwork on the thread. There is a ton of information in the earlier posts. I'm sure you learn a lot. I'll keep a lookout for your book once it goes live.
edit: forgot verb
Thank you so much! That will be most helpful. Now, to just make the time.... lol. Looking forward to reading your book!
I know this is a bit different that what is usually posted here, but this weekend I finally finished the wraparound cover for a magazine I've been working on (just a week past deadline!). The front cover actually started out as a contest in the Newbie forums (I was new to Iray lighting, so I didn't feel guilty when I took 3rd Prize in August for this). I showed it to the editor of the magazine and he asked m an intriguing question: "So, this is 3D? Could you make an illustration looking from the back of the room?"). That had not even crossed my mind, so I decided it was something I would like to do, and we agreed that I should modify it to add a Christmas theme for the Dec. issue. At first, I tried matching the camera angles perfectly, but soon abandoned it because the composition was horrible when I did that. The amoir/chest was way too big and I had the camera that close to the subjects, there wasn't enough room to see any of the gifts. I added all the clutter and the fairy to make things interesting.
Alas, I had so many technical issues with this (memory was clogging up all the time, I could only navigate the scene very slowly, plus it kept crashing -- and then the lights completely vanished; it was a mess), that I didn't have time to refine it as much as I wanted (no idea why the rear-view has a black hourglass, and I didn't have time to repair the texture on Santa's pants).
I know the decision to show the reverse of the logo might be cheesy, but it amused me to do it, and to reinforce that this was the same scene, but seen from behind. The FRONT cover is to the right. The magazine will fold in the middle of the white space between the two images, so that when you hold the physical magazine in your hands, it will enhance the feeling that you're switching angles on the same scene.
Hope you guys enjoy it!
Like the idea! :-)
I like it! And I am amused by the backward letters as well.
I love that!!! You did a good job on that one. I keep wanting to see what I can find that is the same in both versions to see the back of it. Personally, I thought turning the words backward was brilliant, It does actually give the impression that you are looking at the back of the picture that is on the front. The question is did your editor like it as much as he thought he would? Nice.
This is a very small press publication, so the deadlines are "fluid." And, unfortunately, his mom is very, very sick right now (possibly dying), so he only sent me a quick message to say that he did get it and that he'll try to finish the issue this weekend. But he hasn't had time to comment more than that. I'm pretty sure he likes it, though. He was definitely a fan of the original version.
Just wanted to pop in and say Merry Christmas, guys!!! Happy Holidays and all that. I actually managed to get my shopping done. The boys were easy this year. It should be a very laid back day tomorrow and not as hectic as most Christmas' when the boys were younger. They are growing up.
Anyway, I might actually get some work done on my book and maybe even finish up some renders. I did actually work on the character for the cover of my shifter novel. He isn't complete yet, but he is looking pretty good. I did a practice render of him and think I might put him up in the It's Raining Men Contest. We'll see. I do love being able to take a base character and turning him into something totally different. It is fun spinning those dials and adding morphs.
So, go spend time with your families and have a fun filled holiday.
Merry Christmas, one and all!
And thank you, Knittingmommy, for the well wishes. Today will be spent wrapping gifts (due to late-arriving family members, the gathering has been postponed until tomorrow, so I got a repreive tonight). Like you, I do plan to set aside a little "me" time with Daz Studio and Poser 11.
I hope everyone here has a great holiday!
Merry late Christmas lol! We did Christmas Eve the day after Christmas so for us, its still Christmas for a couple of hours.
Wow, it's been pretty quiet over here. Guess I'll stir things up a bit by mentioning something that happened a while back: I won a copy of Poser 11. It was over at the meshbox website, and the contest was to guess the theme for this year's Toon Santa release. No one won the grand prize, so they selected three people who submitted the most interesting ideas (which I think they will use for future releases). Their current model is based on their free Toon character, Chunk (who's a big, goofy character). I suggested they create a Teen Santa, but based on their free character named Norm. Norm is a different body type from Santa, and I guess they hadn't thought of using him to make a thinner Santa. At any rate, I got a copy of Poser 11, and have it installed. I'm still setting up the Runtime libraries from my older versions (I had a lot of content -- in fact, between my Poser 2010, 2012 and runtimes devoted to Western props, I have 12 GB of content to move over from my laptop to the Win 10 desktop where I decided to put Poser 11). Anyway, I've just started playing around with their new unbiased rendering engine, codenamed Superfly. So far I've only used it for a few test renders of stock figures, but I'm hoping to play around with it over the New Year's break. I have an idea for a book cover that I want to work on, and I may decide to do it in Poser, rather than Daz Studio, just to see how the new software shakes down. I'll keep you posted.
Well done on your competition win! I hope you have fun with your software and that we get to see some of what it can do once you get to grips with it :)