Editor's Note: During the month of May 2002, Armand Morin, creator of eCover Generator released a major update that will quite simply blow your socks away. While I have great respect for the many ebook cover artists I have hired in the past, the new eCover Generator does things that are unbelievable.

Using Microsoft DirectX technology, you can now create spiral bound reports, thin books, thick books and boxes and even CD covers -- all with just a few mouse clicks. You don't need an artist any more. With eCover Generator, you become the artist in mere seconds.

Pick a sample cover from the VAST library of professionally designed templates, add your text, choose your format, add a shadow and you are done. This product will save you time and money -- guaranteed.

How important are covers for electronic products? As an ebook publisher (EbookoMatic), I realize the importance of having a good ebook cover design. People do judge a book or ebook by its cover. Walk into any book store to see if what I say is true. Look at your own browsing habits. Doesn't a cover that intrigues you or appears pleasing to your eye make you want to pick it up to learn  more? A quality ebook cover design makes your ebook tangible. 

For the past two years, I have been using the services of some very talented artists.  Most designers claim a good ebook cover design can increase sales over 300%. I don't know if that's true, but I can certainly believe they do increase your sales. If an ebook looks like a real book, it is taken more seriously, and the purchaser is far more likely to buy it.

But what if you have some graphic skill to design a cover, but lack the tools and know-how to give it that same 3D realistic look? Now there is a tool that enables even the most graphically challenged to create 3D realistic ebook covers or software boxes with just a few clicks. It really is that simple.

eCover Generator enables anyone to create a great cover in under a minute. Sounds impossible? It's not and a picture is worth a thousand words. You simply select the ebook design you want from the library of professionally designed graphic templates. Then using a simple text editor, you place the text where you want it -- changing color, fonts, sizes and clarity at will. You can add text to the spine of the book cover or box, too.

You can even add a shadow to the graphic to make it literally pop off the page. The program handles the perspective all by itself, so if you can click on a button and type the title of your ebook and your name, then you can create a sweet cover instantly. Here are some examples of ebook covers I created within minutes of using the tool (reduced in size using Jasc Paintshop Pro):

       

       

In some of these instances, I had already been given a flat cover and all I did was add the spine and shadow. In other cases, I used the templates supplied with the program, and in other instances, I simply imported artwork from Hemera Photo Objects, added the text and I was done. Here are a few software boxes I created:

   

 

This tool is indispensable for both ebook authors and software developers or anyone who is selling an intangible product or service on the Net. eCover Generator may not increase your sales 300%, but it sure will make you look like a million dollars, and on the Net -- appearance is everything! To learn more, click here.