How to make a basic DVD or BluRay cover
This tutorial uses Photoshop CC. If you do not own Photoshop, you can still use this tutorial as a guide. Everything you need (apart from Photoshop) is available on HiResCovers.net.
Things you will need:
• Photoshop (or other graphics software)
• A DVD or BluRay template from Design Assets > DVD/Bluray Templates. You may require some fonts, which can also be found in Design Assets > Fonts
• Your movie resources. For this example I am using Get Hard (2015)
• Your movie information (Such as distributor/special features/movie specifications). A good source is Blu-ray.com or DVD Empire
Let's Get Started
I am going to use a BluRay template for this example. There are different sized templates available, as different regions use different size cases. I am using the 3173x1762 version, as it is a common size.
Load your template into Photoshop. It is important to turn on the guidelines (CTRL H) as these will show the areas for the front, spine and back.
Pic 1
Load your chosen front image into Photoshop. Now you need to copy and paste it into your template. Select the image (CTRL + A to select all) and copy (CTRL+C) your front image. Select your template window in Photoshop and paste (CTRL+V) your image. Now the image will probably be far too big, so we need to resize it. We do this by 'transforming' the image (CTRL + T) but it is very important that you also maintain the aspect ratio. This can be done by holding SHIFT when resizing, or clicking the 'link' image (PIC 2). Please note though that you have to resize from a corner, and not a side, otherwise the Maintain Aspect Ratio will disable and your image will stretch out of proportion. Resize your image so if fits within the front guidelines. When you are happy with it's position, press Enter
Pic 2
Now I want to add a background. I have added a grunge wallpaper found from Google, as it matches the front poster. I done this by selecting the bottom layer (HiresCovers.net see PIC 3) and pasting (as described before) on this bottom layer, so it is layered underneath our front poster.
Pic 3 and 4
The grunge background is the wrong colour however, so we need to change this. Press CTRL + U to adjust the Hue/Saturation (PIC 4). Click 'Colorize' and adjust the Hue and Saturation until the colour matches.
Pic 5
I also coloured the spine, to separate it from the background. I done this by creating a new layer above the grunge layer (PIC 3), selecting the Rectangular Marquee Tool (Press M (see PIC 6)) and selecting the spine area, within the guidelines. Then fill the area with your choice of colour with the Paint Bucket Tool (G). This fills a solid layer, but we want to bring out the grunge beneath. Do this by changing the Blending Mode to Linear Burn. (PIC 3)
Pic 6
Now we need a spine title. Select your Text tool (T) and click anywhere in the template. Type in your title and press enter. Now go to 'Edit -> Transform -> Rotate 90 clockwise. Now you just need to adjust and align your title. Holding CTRL, while the Text tool is active, will allow you to move the title with your mouse. Change the font and size accordingly.
Pic 7
Time for a spine image. Once you have established what image you will be using, select and copy your image so it is in your clipboard. An easy way to add this to your cover, is to select a small area on the spine (using the Marquee Tool), and Paste Into (Edit -> Paste Special -> Paste Into) This will paste into your selected area, and then you can resize/move the image accordingly. Please note the mask area now in the Layers tab. Here you can select the image or the mask. You need to make sure the image is selected, not the mask, to resize (PIC 3). Don't forget to hold shift!! Now we can add a quick border, to frame our spine pic. With our spine image selected in your layers, click Layer Styles (Pic 3). Select Stroke. Change the colour to white, and size to 3. Press OK. If you need to align the spine image, click in between the image and mask in your layers tab. This will link the two together, so you can move them as one.
We now have a front and spine! Time for the back....
For this example, I have removed the barcode (untick the Barcode group in your layers tab). Now add some screenshots. Do these in the same way you done the spine picture above. For this example I used an orange stroke, size 6. Add your synopsis text. A good source for original synopsis' is dvdempire.com or just google 'Movie Title synopsis'. I also added a tag line above the synopsis.
For the Special Features, I extended the spine colour we made before. Add your features, I got these from dvdempire.com. I separated the features with bullet points (Hold ALT and type 0149 on your number pad).
Now all you need to do is add your credits (I downloaded these from the HiRes Resource Gallery) and edit your legal area. Please make sure you change the legal font to a colour that can be read against the background. This can be done by either changing the text colour, or by adding a 'Color Overlay' from 'Layer Style' (See PIC 3) on logos. You must also complete the correct legal information. Covers uploaded with uncompleted movie titles, running times etc will be rejected.
And there you have it! A finished cover. Now go try with your own cover. Try experimenting with colours and positioning of pictures and texts. And don't forget to use the WIP on the site for help, or requests section for any fonts or images. Good luck!
This tutorial uses Photoshop CC. If you do not own Photoshop, you can still use this tutorial as a guide. Everything you need (apart from Photoshop) is available on HiResCovers.net.
Things you will need:
• Photoshop (or other graphics software)
• A DVD or BluRay template from Design Assets > DVD/Bluray Templates. You may require some fonts, which can also be found in Design Assets > Fonts
• Your movie resources. For this example I am using Get Hard (2015)
• Your movie information (Such as distributor/special features/movie specifications). A good source is Blu-ray.com or DVD Empire
Let's Get Started
I am going to use a BluRay template for this example. There are different sized templates available, as different regions use different size cases. I am using the 3173x1762 version, as it is a common size.
Load your template into Photoshop. It is important to turn on the guidelines (CTRL H) as these will show the areas for the front, spine and back.
Pic 1
Load your chosen front image into Photoshop. Now you need to copy and paste it into your template. Select the image (CTRL + A to select all) and copy (CTRL+C) your front image. Select your template window in Photoshop and paste (CTRL+V) your image. Now the image will probably be far too big, so we need to resize it. We do this by 'transforming' the image (CTRL + T) but it is very important that you also maintain the aspect ratio. This can be done by holding SHIFT when resizing, or clicking the 'link' image (PIC 2). Please note though that you have to resize from a corner, and not a side, otherwise the Maintain Aspect Ratio will disable and your image will stretch out of proportion. Resize your image so if fits within the front guidelines. When you are happy with it's position, press Enter
Pic 2
Now I want to add a background. I have added a grunge wallpaper found from Google, as it matches the front poster. I done this by selecting the bottom layer (HiresCovers.net see PIC 3) and pasting (as described before) on this bottom layer, so it is layered underneath our front poster.
Pic 3 and 4
The grunge background is the wrong colour however, so we need to change this. Press CTRL + U to adjust the Hue/Saturation (PIC 4). Click 'Colorize' and adjust the Hue and Saturation until the colour matches.
Pic 5
I also coloured the spine, to separate it from the background. I done this by creating a new layer above the grunge layer (PIC 3), selecting the Rectangular Marquee Tool (Press M (see PIC 6)) and selecting the spine area, within the guidelines. Then fill the area with your choice of colour with the Paint Bucket Tool (G). This fills a solid layer, but we want to bring out the grunge beneath. Do this by changing the Blending Mode to Linear Burn. (PIC 3)
Pic 6
Now we need a spine title. Select your Text tool (T) and click anywhere in the template. Type in your title and press enter. Now go to 'Edit -> Transform -> Rotate 90 clockwise. Now you just need to adjust and align your title. Holding CTRL, while the Text tool is active, will allow you to move the title with your mouse. Change the font and size accordingly.
Pic 7
Time for a spine image. Once you have established what image you will be using, select and copy your image so it is in your clipboard. An easy way to add this to your cover, is to select a small area on the spine (using the Marquee Tool), and Paste Into (Edit -> Paste Special -> Paste Into) This will paste into your selected area, and then you can resize/move the image accordingly. Please note the mask area now in the Layers tab. Here you can select the image or the mask. You need to make sure the image is selected, not the mask, to resize (PIC 3). Don't forget to hold shift!! Now we can add a quick border, to frame our spine pic. With our spine image selected in your layers, click Layer Styles (Pic 3). Select Stroke. Change the colour to white, and size to 3. Press OK. If you need to align the spine image, click in between the image and mask in your layers tab. This will link the two together, so you can move them as one.
We now have a front and spine! Time for the back....
For this example, I have removed the barcode (untick the Barcode group in your layers tab). Now add some screenshots. Do these in the same way you done the spine picture above. For this example I used an orange stroke, size 6. Add your synopsis text. A good source for original synopsis' is dvdempire.com or just google 'Movie Title synopsis'. I also added a tag line above the synopsis.
For the Special Features, I extended the spine colour we made before. Add your features, I got these from dvdempire.com. I separated the features with bullet points (Hold ALT and type 0149 on your number pad).
Now all you need to do is add your credits (I downloaded these from the HiRes Resource Gallery) and edit your legal area. Please make sure you change the legal font to a colour that can be read against the background. This can be done by either changing the text colour, or by adding a 'Color Overlay' from 'Layer Style' (See PIC 3) on logos. You must also complete the correct legal information. Covers uploaded with uncompleted movie titles, running times etc will be rejected.
And there you have it! A finished cover. Now go try with your own cover. Try experimenting with colours and positioning of pictures and texts. And don't forget to use the WIP on the site for help, or requests section for any fonts or images. Good luck!
