Author Topic: TBS Cover Editor - Create virtual boxes and covers for your software (Read 49,345 times)

cognitive · « **on:** March 31, 2009, 07:51 PM »

True BoxShot Software released a new version of their TBS Cover Editor 1.6.

Site: http://www.trueboxshot.com/TBSCoverEditor

This tool will bring you to another professional level of cover design for electronic products: software, video, e-books, music, etc. The TBS Cover Editor is an extremely useful tool for presenting your products electronically.

What's new in version 1.6:

Vista Box allows you create a modern type of a vista style box in 3D.
3D box object have adjustable round corners that make 3D objects to look even more realistic.
Layer effect were enhanced.
New free templates were added.
Better compatibility with Vista 64x.

Download the TBS Cover Editor 1.6 and give it a spin:
http://www.trueboxshot.com/DownloadTBSCoverEditor

Screenshots
[attachthumb=#]

mouser · « **Reply #1 on:** March 31, 2009, 08:19 PM »

Very impressive.. Maybe we can arrange a discount/giveaway for dc members at some point?

cognitive · « **Reply #2 on:** March 31, 2009, 08:27 PM »

Quote from: mouser on March 31, 2009, 08:19 PM

Maybe we can arrange a discount/giveaway for dc members at some point?

I'll discuss this idea with TBS guys (I'm slightly affiliated with them) and I hope we'll arrange an offer for DC members.

cognitive · « **Reply #3 on:** March 31, 2009, 08:51 PM »

Mouser, check PMs

sri · « **Reply #4 on:** April 03, 2009, 06:29 AM »

The attached screenshot doesn't expand upon clicked for me.

cognitive · « **Reply #5 on:** April 03, 2009, 07:18 AM »

Here is a direct link to real size image:
http://www.donationcoder.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=17709.0;attach=39475;image

cognitive · « **Reply #6 on:** April 06, 2009, 05:53 AM »

... One day special offer expired ...
http://www.bitsdujour.com/software/tbs-cover-editor/

mouser · « **Reply #7 on:** April 06, 2009, 06:19 PM »

I really want one of these boxshot programs.. I compared a few of them today and my conclusions are as follows:

TBS Cover Editor seems like the most powerful tool, with basically a full editor that lets you place text and clipart exactly where you want it. Most boxshot editors require you to create an image file for each side of the box shot and use those. While that may be ok much of the time, it does make it significantly harder to tweak things and deal with odd proportioned areas like the spines of boxes, etc. The graphic editor in TBS is extremely impressive, and the real time preview is fast and snappy. Big thumbs up here:

The commercial box shot programs use templates that have different objects (like a box, a book, a cd, a dvd case), so all have the potential of supporting more fun designs.

However, the only thing causing me to hesitate in purchasing TBS Cover Editor is that they are missing some object designs that would be really nice to have. For example Insofta Cover Commander has must less control over placing your graphics and editing, but has some really neat object designs you can use, including a spiral book, and several designs which show a cd/dvd box with a cd standing next to it or half removed, which i personally like better than the designs in TBS:

Compare this to the meager collection of object designs in TBS:

And it should be said that the lack of a graphic editor has an unexpected benefit for a program like Insofta, which is that you can easily switch between different object designs and see how your box images would look on them, which you can't do in TBS because each object design template requires different graphics layout. However this may be less useful than it seems because its not often that the image files will be the right proportions for multiple object templates, which requires a cumbersom editing of the graphic image files in a separate program.

So my conclusion:
TBS Cover Editor could be an easy pick for top Box Shot Tool on the planet, if they created more object designs. Even without them, it's right up there at the top of the heap -- the only reason to choose another tool would be if you really wanted one of these other objects (like a box+cd combo image, which i think is pretty nice looking).

If and when TBS Cover editor adds some of these fancy object designs it will be an easy recommendation.

mouser · « **Reply #8 on:** April 06, 2009, 06:23 PM »

Other box shot programs (free and commercial) mentioned on DC:

mouser · « **Reply #9 on:** April 06, 2009, 07:36 PM »

Just speaking for myself, I think I'll probably buy TBS while it's on sale today, and hope the authors get around to adding some extra objects soon.

superboyac · « **Reply #10 on:** April 06, 2009, 08:42 PM »

^^Awesome review mouser! Love it.

I never knew how cool these programs were. We should invite the authors to this thread and see if they will participate.

cognitive · « **Reply #11 on:** April 07, 2009, 06:31 AM »

Quote

We should invite the authors to this thread and see if they will participate.

I'm affiliated with TBS Cover Editor so you may consider me as author. I've already registered Mouser's concerns and suggestions. I'll be glad to receive other feedback regarding the product.

mouser · « **Reply #12 on:** April 07, 2009, 10:17 AM »

And you may consider me as registered user

app103 · « **Reply #13 on:** April 09, 2009, 08:22 AM »

I have tried quite a few of these box shot creators and most never really impressed me except Insofta Cover Commander, which I was thrilled when I was able to get it for free on GiveawayOfTheDay, awhile back.

It seems that Cover Commander is more suitable for someone that has some talent and can create the images needed in another graphics program.

That is where the power seems like it really is in TBS Cover Editor. You can edit their premade designs and come up with one for your boxshot much easier, without needing any real design talent or Photoshop skills. Most of the work seems like it was already done for you. All you have to do is snap it all together how you want it.

BTW: There is a big bundle deal coming up on April 15th for Insofta Cover Commander, a bunch of icons, and AWIcons Pro.
http://www.bitsdujour.com/software/stock-icons-bundle/

wraith808 · « **Reply #14 on:** April 09, 2009, 02:22 PM »

Hmm... Interesting. Not something I'd get at normal price, though. For the stuff I do, that price is overkill. But I'll keep an eye out for more deals, especially if mouser recommends it.

cognitive · « **Reply #15 on:** June 08, 2009, 12:31 PM »

Our fellow partner True BoxShot Software has recently released a new version of its amazing TBS Cover Editor - a full-cycle tool for creating 3D boxshots and virtual cover images from scratch.

What's New in Version 1.7

Specular highlight
A specular highlight is a bright reflection from a light source and it provides a strong visual cue for the shape of an object and its location with respect to light sources in the scene. Now, in the TBS Cover Editor it is possible to specify the intensity of a specular highlight shining on a 3D object.

Reflection Effect
Now, you can use the new reflection effect for every layer in your design with possibility to adjust the offset of reflection, the opacity, and the length.

Curved 3D Screenshot
It is clearly self explanatory. The amount of bending you set up in the document settings dialog (Shift+F12).

Printing the cover
In the new version it is possible to print a designed cover on printer with basic mark ups on edges, thus you can even theoretically make a sort of real box with scissors and glue.

You may also find this article How to make software box shots much useful for getting started with boxshot design.

Download the new version from http://www.trueboxshot.com/DownloadTBSCoverEditor and give it a try!

mouser · « **Reply #16 on:** June 08, 2009, 12:39 PM »

I'm going to merge this with the other thread on TBS Cover Editor -- let's not create new threads for version updates.

cognitive · « **Reply #17 on:** June 08, 2009, 12:45 PM »

Quote from: mouser on June 08, 2009, 12:39 PM

let's not create new threads for version updates.

Ok. Will do.

cognitive · « **Reply #18 on:** July 14, 2009, 08:21 AM »

The TBS Cover Editor team has recently created a live demo of how to make an original 3d box from scratch, i.e. even if you have no box sides images at all. Check it out!

YouTube version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIRB4vZFpc8 (I failed to insert flash in the post)

Hi-Res version of the demo (640 x 480, ~15Mb): http://www.trueboxshot.com/tbs-cover-editor-live-demo

TBS Cover Editor web site: http://www.trueboxshot.com/TBSCoverEditor

cognitive · « **Reply #19 on:** March 13, 2010, 11:54 AM »

True BoxShot Software are proud to announce that the TBS Cover Editor 2.0 is available for download!

This version of TBS Cover Editor is built with a new rendering engine, containing many improvements in 3D rendering and the visual quality of models. The following is a brief summary of the new features and enhancements we've introduced in the new version:
* New 3D Engine: Faster, Preciser, Scalable, Allows rendering more detailed models
* Better 3D Models: More polygons, More details, More realistic look
* New 3D Models: DVD Case variations, Book variations, Electronics & Hardware, ... even more models are expected shortly
* Basic SVG Import: Import your existing graphics as vector objects.
* Layer "Stripes" Effect: Create countless unique backgrounds just by pressing one button.

Download the new version: http://www.trueboxshot.com/DownloadTBSCoverEditor

Please note a few important points before you download:

Here is just a few samples of what version 2.0 can:

Find more at http://www.trueboxshot.com/

mouser · « **Reply #20 on:** March 13, 2010, 12:10 PM »

Very nice

cognitive · « **Reply #21 on:** May 19, 2010, 09:10 PM »

True BoxShot Software is proud to announce that the TBS Cover Editor 2.1 is available for download!

* New models: Spiral bound book, Blu-ray case, IPad
* More shapes and templates
* Added new option: load last opened project
* Improved installation: added support of installation by another user
* Improved start-up speed

Download the new version: http://www.trueboxshot.com/DownloadTBSCoverEditor

Here is just a few previews of the new models:

Spiral/Spring book

Another spiral/spring book

BluRay 3D case

iPad 3D Model

More info: http://www.trueboxshot.com/TBSCoverEditor

mouser · « **Reply #22 on:** May 20, 2010, 10:11 AM »

very nice new models

wraith808 · « **Reply #23 on:** May 20, 2010, 12:13 PM »

I noticed it's on Bits du Jour today for $32.00.

tinjaw · « **Reply #24 on:** May 21, 2010, 12:18 PM »

Those look nice!

I wish I would have seen this yesterday.

I have Insofta Cover Commander, but for the BDJ price I would have picked this up to get these new models.