Book Mockup Generator v1.0 Help

### “Book Mockup Generator v1.0” Help by “Cris Rene Denopol” v1.0

# Book Mockup Generator v1.0

Created: July 8, 2010
By: Cris Rene Denopol
Email: draftbeer80@gmail.com
Websites:
http://www.draftbeerinitiative.com
GraphicRiver Portfolio

Thank you for purchasing the Book Mockup Generator! In this README file you will find information on how the actions work, and the structure of the PSD templates.

Note that this user guide will not contain steps on Photoshop usage. Procedures such as how to import, run actions, create or modify layer styles, etc. are BEYOND THE SCOPE of this guide. For photoshop tutorials, you can go to PSDTuts.com. Also make sure you read the quick start guide first! It should only take a few minutes.

If you have any questions that are beyond the scope of this help file, please feel free to email via my user page contact form here or visit my website www.draftbeerinitiative.com. Thanks a bunch!

## Table of Contents

1. Brief Description
2. Specifications
3. Files included in this package
4. PSD Structure
5. Quick Start Guide
6. Troubleshooting
7. Sources and Credits

### A) Brief description - top

The Book Mockup Generator contains a set of photoshop actions that generates mockups. It has 2 actions for generating book mockups, 1 action for generating the flat template which you can use as a starting point for designing your own book covers, and 1 action that resets the template to its original structure, if in case an error occured and the template somehow got messed up.

The final mockup generated will be put in the same PSD file, however it will be converted into a smart object so you can modify it and enhance it separately without re-running the action.

A list of files included in this package is given in section C of this documentation.

### B) Specifications - top

- PSD Dimensions (of templates and mockup): 3000x3000px
- Font Used: Arial

- Minimum Photoshop Version: CS3 (Separate versions are created for CS3 and CS4/CS5)

### C) Files included in this package - top

PSD Templates

Photoshop Action Files (ATN)

Quick Start Guide

JPG Images

- Thumbnail
- Preview images

### D) PSD files structure - top

Figure 1.1 shows the structure of the generic/standard template that the action set can work on. There are two layer groups, and they contain all the graphical elements of the front and the side of the book cover. The actions will ONLY work on these two layer groups. It doesn't matter how many elements you put in those folders, and it doesn't matter what time of objects you put in them, as long as they are in their designated folders, they should appear on the final mockup as intended. If there are elements outside these folders, they will be ignored, and the actions should still run properly, however, the final mockup might have unintended results. So, prior to running the action, make sure only these two folders are set to visible.

Figure 1.1

### E) Quick Start Guide - top

This quick start guide will show you how to quickly create an ebook mockup using one of the mockup generating actions. We will be using the "Generate Template" action to generate a basic ebook cover template. And then use this template to generate a mockup. Figure 2.1 shows what we're about to do.

| >>>>> |
from this flat template | to | a finished3D Box

Figure 2.1

First, you need to import the action file included in the package into photoshop, if you haven't already done so. For CS3 users, use the action file located in the CS3 folder and for CS4 and CS5 users, use the one located in the CS4 and CS5 folder. After which, you should have a new action set in your actions panel as shown in figure 2.2.

Figure 2.1

There are 4 actions in the action set. The first action, "Generate Template", will generate a basic template that has the correct layer structure that the other actions can work on. To generate a mockup without a problem, it is recommended that you start building your design on the template generated by this action. This will ensure that the output is correct and the actions will run smoothly. Now, click on the "Generate Template" action and click the play button at the bottom of the actions panel. The action will then generate a new document and will show the flat book cover template. The structure of the document that was generated is explained in section D of this document.

Now, we're ready to run either of the two mockup generating actions. For the purpose of this quick start guide, we will be running the first action which is the "Generate Mockup 1" action. Note however, that both actions work the same way and the same procedure shall apply. Additionally, both actions should work with the same template. Just make sure to run the reset action or get rid of the previously created mockup before you run the other action to avoid conflicts.

We will be leaving the template as is for now. Now go ahead and click "Generate Mockup 1" and click the play button.

Figure 2.3

Figure 2.3 shows the dialog that pops up when you run the action. This dialog window just basically tells you to save your PSD template before you run the action, just in case something goes wrong. If you haven't already done so, you can hit the stop button and save your template. Otherwise you can click on continue and the mockup will be generated.

Note that the final mockup generated is a smart object. So you can do some final touches to some of the elements in the final mockup even after it was generated.

### F) Troubleshooting - top

- Problem: Action stopped unexpectedly and the template doesn’t look right anymore.

1. Cause: The action already did some processes but was unable to complete leaving garbage on the template.

2. Solution:

· That’s what the reset action is for! Play that action and it should fix the template.

· If reset doesn’t work, then start with a fresh copy of the template.

- Problem: The mockup doesn’t look right (White line at the side of the box, Box looks crooked, other aesthetic problems)

1. Cause: You might have moved or modified the position of the front_back or side_back layers.

2. Solution:

· Make sure they’re aligned to the guides. If that’s not visible press ctrl+h and move the elements manually.

· Start with a fresh template and copy custom graphical elements over from the faulty template. Also make sure that the only layer groups visible prior to running the action are the front and side layer groups only.

- Problem: Error message “The command ... is not currently available”.

1. Cause: You might have ran the action and was not able to complete the first time. Or template layer structure is incorrect.

2. Solution:

· It is recommended to start designing over the basic template generated by the "Generate Template" action. If you haven't done so, or if you may have accidentally modified/deleted some essential elements fron the template, you can generate a new basic template and move the graphical elements from the old template to the new one.

· Run the "reset" action or delete the mockup smart object.

- Problem: The action does not finish executing and an object(s) gets stuck in transform mode.

1. Cause: You might have used the action set for CS4 and CS5 in Photoshop CS3.

2. Solution:

· There is a slight difference in the way CS4 or CS5 and CS3 handles transformations in photoshop. So, I've created a separate version for CS3. So, remove the action set, and load the CS3 action set instead.

### G) Sources and Credits - top

Most of the sample content images I've used for the preview are from the envato asset library so, thank you to envato for the images. Some of them such as the cartoon profile pictures and other thumbnail images are from my GraphicRiver portfolio.

Thanks a bunch to Jeffrey by the way for this documentation template! It made my life easier.

Once again, thank you so much for purchasing the Glassique Web Graphics Kit. Again, I'd be glad to help you if you have any questions relating to this item. No guarantees, but I'll do my best to assist. If you have a more general question relating to the items on GraphicRiver, you might consider visiting the forums and asking your question in the "Item Discussion" section. Also if you're interested to check out my other stuff, please visit my GraphicRiver portfolio. Thanks!

Cris Rene Denopol

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