LuketheXjesse Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 Out of pure curiosity, how do most of the people here at OCR make album covers for projects? What kind of programs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XZero Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 If it's a project I'm really into, then I'll usually make an album cover. I have some Mega Man CDs that I put together with various tracks that I love from throughout the series. In each of those cases, I went and made album art (can't get enough Mega Man artwork). I used a program that came pre-installed on a Windows ME computer my family has; I don't remember what it is specifically, but after playing with it a bit, I got really good at making artwork. Despite not having a preset for it, I learned how to print the U-cards (back labels) back-to-back, meaning that if I have a clear disc tray, you can see the artwork on the inside of the case under the disc on the same sheet as the outside work appears. I was so proud of that accomplishment because it took hours upon hours of trial and error to get just right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rozovian Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 Photoshop. Seriously Luke, any graphics program that can do graphics can be used to make graphics. As for making graphics, some people draw on a tablet or scan actual drawings, some people do 3d, some people take photos, some use effect upon effect, some paste together pictures. Whatever they do, it all comes together in the graphics program. There are of course alternatives to Photoshop, like GIMP, and vector-based programs, like Illustrator, but the point is to make graphics, right? MS Paint works too. Ultimately, the program can only take you so far. You need to know how to use the program you've got. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuketheXjesse Posted September 21, 2008 Author Share Posted September 21, 2008 I'm pretty good with MS paint, so I could always use that for something simple, but of course that can't do any really cool effects or anything. Also don't you need a lot of $$$ for photoshop? Any kind of freeware?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atmuh Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 I'm pretty good with MS paint rofl Also don't you need a lot of $$$ for photoshop? Any kind of freeware?? most people around here are terrible pirates gimp is free fyi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuketheXjesse Posted September 21, 2008 Author Share Posted September 21, 2008 I'm going for gimp then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rozovian Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 Let me repeat something from my previous post: ...some people draw on a tablet or scan actual drawings, some people do 3d, some people take photos, some use effect upon effect, some paste together pictures. Everything can be used with the effects in gimp or photoshop. Take some photos of various forms and surfaces. Kitchen table, sky, lawn, wall, bathtub, reflection of something in a puddle of water... then start playing with effects. Change colors, blending modes, etc... Learn the program by experimenting, don't start by trying to make something awesome. In short: Get gimp, toy with it. That's how you learn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgx Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 Please refrain from using lots of filters. Graphics newbs are always using photoshop filters on everything. Uggh. Neon glow has got to go. Also, no Comic Sans font, please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy In Rubber Suit Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 I've only done one cover and that was sketched out, scanned then colored in Photoshop. I'd love to do more album covers. I just want to boost my skills more first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dyne Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 (can't get enough Mega Man artwork) Totally, I agree with this statement. I used a program that came pre-installed on a Windows ME computer my family has; You were doing well until you got to here. This is where the fail began. Photoshop = win. I don't know about much else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lemonectric Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 To ask a related question, what dimensions would one use to fit the album cover into a standard cd case? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antipode Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 Personally, I use a 4.75in by 4.75in square for the front cover and another for the inside front (when you open the jewel box). I actually use a long 9.5in by 4.75in format (just double the length) and have the right half be the front cover and the left be the inside front so that when I print it I can just fold it in half and slide it into the box. The CD label is a circle just barely not touching the edges of another square of the same size. I think it's best to find a CD label template to use first and then just fill in what you want (or overlay it). The trayliner (back cover) winds up being 4.75in tall and about 6in wide because you have to account for the two folding flaps that go on the two spines of the CD box. As for programs, DEFINITELY go with Photoshop or Gimp. Also Illustrator works fine if you know how to use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Binjovi Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 Also Illustrator works fine if you know how to use it. If you're not willing to dish out over 600 US dollars for a vector program, Inkscape is a free alternative. I'm pretty sure there's at least one other free one out there, but Inkscape's the one I'm familiar with. I'm sure it pales in comparison to Illustrator, but you can't beat free. It takes some getting used to, and can be very daunting at first (What isn't, really?), but after playing around a bit, you should start getting the hang of it. Art Rage is a cheap program that mimics real mediums rather well, and the program Expression3 is a vector art program that mimics real mediums, however, it goes for about $150.00. For everything I do, though, it's Photoshop all the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramaniscence Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 Out of pure curiosity, how do most of the people here at OCR make album covers for projects? What kind of programs? Render clouds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuketheXjesse Posted September 22, 2008 Author Share Posted September 22, 2008 Let me repeat something from my previous post:Everything can be used with the effects in gimp or photoshop. Take some photos of various forms and surfaces. Kitchen table, sky, lawn, wall, bathtub, reflection of something in a puddle of water... then start playing with effects. Change colors, blending modes, etc... Learn the program by experimenting, don't start by trying to make something awesome. In short: Get gimp, toy with it. That's how you learn. Lol that's actually how I got so good with freaking MS paint. Both my sigs down there are made of MS paint. I'm actually toying with Recapitated album cover ideas at the time with MS paint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atmuh Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 Both my sigs down there are made of MS paint. are you implying that your sigs are good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jillian Aversa Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 The dimensions will usually vary a bit depending on where you get your CDs printed, due to bleed lines and cut offs. I would just download the templates off your chosen manufacturer's site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gollgagh Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 are you implying that your sigs are good better than glitch's, marginally but yeah, I use gimp, myself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jedi QuestMaster Posted September 28, 2008 Share Posted September 28, 2008 rofl Don't underestimate the power of MSPaint! http://www.geocities.com/jedi_questmaster/Metal_Gear.PNG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meccil Posted September 29, 2008 Share Posted September 29, 2008 are you implying that your sigs are good Are you implying that his sigs exist? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheHands Posted September 29, 2008 Share Posted September 29, 2008 Photoshop, 300 pix per inch, 4.5x4.5 inches. This is the standard size for an insert or sleeve, if you want to get fancy and design a wrap around paper box like Nine Inch Nails and Dresden Dolls use exclusively, then you need to change it to (about) 4.5x9.25. Sleeves are 4.5x9, but you need .5 inch tabs coming off the edges of the 9 inch side halfway across. I use Photoshop, but I keep hearing good things about Gimp too. Really though, just go with what you know. Even if you make a collage out of newsclippings and scan it, it can be a cover. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhiJayy Posted September 29, 2008 Share Posted September 29, 2008 Please refrain from using lots of filters. Graphics newbs are always using photoshop filters on everything. Uggh. Neon glow has got to go. haha. Neon glow sucks. I hate it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vilecat Posted September 29, 2008 Share Posted September 29, 2008 Please refrain from using lots of filters. Graphics newbs are always using photoshop filters on everything. Uggh. Neon glow has got to go.Also, no Comic Sans font, please. QFE No more lens flare plz! And no Papyrus either kthx. On topic: from what I know, the student version of photoshop alone is quite cheap (99$ i think?). And to complete TheHand's post: for better quality when you print, if you can change that setting somewhere, use 150dpi instead of 72. It's the dpi used for printed works compared to digital-only. For dummies: prettier picture that won't come out pixelated or blurry when you print it out editteded 4 speelignz lawl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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