Marketing specialists saw a long time ago that packages help to sell. When you sell a book or a piece of software, you should obtain a cool package for it. Luckily, you do not have to pay for real cartons or paper. You may have heard about 3 standard ways to create a virtual cover:

- Requesting it from a designer

- Picturing it yourself in Photoshop

- Using some cool dedicated software

The first option looks pretty simple. However, good designers ask for big money. Every 3d box or ebook cover will Cost up to $160. The second option could work if you are handy with Photoshop. Sure, the work will require getting some action scripts that may raise your expenses by another hundred. And do not forget the price of Photoshop, of course, which is about $700. A more straightforward third choice is to get yourself some boxshot software. Beginning from $15 you can obtain a solution that will match your needs. There is clearly plenty room for your taste. If we look at these offerings, we will be left with 3 categories:

Fixed templates, without free rotation

Simple 3D rendering programs

Sophisticated 3D ray tracing soft

If you go for fixed templates, your boxshot and ebook covers will be fine, but there will obviously be some limitations. Introducing big changes will not come easy to the software box or ebook cover. The second option gives you more freedom, but the simplified model produces unnatural shadows. You will not require a specialist to see that the images look unrealistic. The third choice does not have any drawbacks. Special effects are calculated for each pixel. As the result, you get a truly realistic image. The third kind is the best if you want to get some flexibility in developing your boxshot. Box Shot 3D is a cool example of such software. This program costs 40 euros. It will help you make great images of your books and boxes, member cards and more. Have a look at some pics of ebook covers and software boxes.

It would be quite a bit of work to deliver equal level of graphic detail in Photoshop unless you possess the necessary scripts. You will not come across lots of programs that can deliver a similar result. You will take advantage of many adjustable properties, for example modifying the power of light and shadows, and fine tuning all other graphic features. No software box or e-book cover should be created without Box Shot 3D. Your products will have the most appropriate looks. And appropriate packages can even increase sales. Choose Box Shot 3D and never regret it.