Is GIMP as good as Photoshop for making ebook covers?

iggy · **Posted:** Tue Sep 22, 2015 10:24 pm **(#1)**

GIMP Version: 2.8.14
Operating System: Linux
OS Version: Xubuntu 15.04 Vivid
GIMP Experience: Intermediate Level

Seems I've lost my ebook cover designer. I've made a few covers in the past but hers just had that extra bit of whatever that said "professional." She used Photoshop. Which was a little annoying because I didn't have the ability to tweak anything when I got the source file. Anyway, I'm thinking of making the covers myself again. I almost feel like I have to buy Photoshop to do the covers professionally. I'm pretty comfortable with GIMP. Not a newbie. But I'm not like a lot of you who are GIMP masters. Do you think somebody like me could make professional-looking ebook covers with GIMP?

Odinbc · **Posted:** Tue Sep 22, 2015 11:21 pm **(#2)**

Yes Gimp is very capable of making any type of book cover. The key is starting with the proper canvas, dpi/ppi, dimensions/aspect ratio, etc., for the format. Once that's in place your imagination is the only limit.

Ebook-specific cover design
Self-Publishing Basics: How to Pick the Size of your Book
Standard size of a book and understanding image size and resolution
Wikipedia: Book size

Tip: Consider how the book design will look as a thumbnail.

Wallace · **Posted:** Tue Sep 22, 2015 11:28 pm **(#3)**

I have to agree with Odinbc on this one. :bigthup

sallyanne · **Posted:** Wed Sep 23, 2015 12:11 am **(#4)**

Hasn't merrak done a few?
http://www.anorthogonaluniverse.com/my-books/

AnMal · **Posted:** Wed Sep 23, 2015 1:22 pm **(#5)**

iggy: gimp is definitely as good as photoshop for this, but i'm reminded of something my photographer friend always says: "a camera doesn't take good pictures, the person behind the camera does". whatever the software, the ultimate result depends on the user, and how much time and energy that user is prepared to put down on getting the right result.

Wallace · **Posted:** Wed Sep 23, 2015 2:58 pm **(#6)**

AnMal wrote:

iggy: gimp is definitely as good as photoshop for this, but i'm reminded of something my photographer friend always says: "a camera doesn't take good pictures, the person behind the camera does". whatever the software, the ultimate result depends on the user, and how much time and energy that user is prepared to put down on getting the right result.

Well put AnMal! :bigthup

iggy · **Posted:** Thu Sep 24, 2015 12:38 am **(#7)**

Good. Because I'm finally starting to get GIMP. Thanks for the feedback.

RobA · **Joined:** Jul 14, 2010 **Posts:** 697

The only thing I might add is suggesting using Inkscape for your text. It is quite a bit easier to place text on curves, distort text, adjust letter kerning, spacing and orientation, etc.

-Rob A>

iggy · **Posted:** Mon Sep 28, 2015 5:34 pm **(#9)**

RobA wrote:

The only thing I might add is suggesting using Inkscape for your text. It is quite a bit easier to place text on curves, distort text, adjust letter kerning, spacing and orientation, etc.

-Rob A>

Thanks Rob. Inkscape is new to me. So I can do an .xcf image in GIMP and then open the .xcf in Inkscape to do the text?

Odinbc · **Posted:** Mon Sep 28, 2015 5:52 pm **(#10)**

iggy wrote:

Inkscape is new to me. So I can do an .xcf image in GIMP and then open the .xcf in Inkscape to do the text?

From Gimp consider exporting SVG, Inkscape's native file format.
5.7. Paths and SVG files

iggy · **Posted:** Mon Sep 28, 2015 7:40 pm **(#11)**

Odinbc wrote:

iggy wrote:

Inkscape is new to me. So I can do an .xcf image in GIMP and then open the .xcf in Inkscape to do the text?

From Gimp consider exporting SVG, Inkscape's native file format.
5.7. Paths and SVG files

Thanks Odinbc. I read it. All I could see doing with Inkscape is doing text on an image from GIMP. I don't really have the skills to understand svgs and paths yet, but would I be able (after learning how) to do that?

Odinbc · **Posted:** Mon Sep 28, 2015 8:44 pm **(#12)**

If you're simply using Inkscape to add text to the background artwork, export from Gimp as PNG. Inkscape can import/export PNG.

iggy · **Posted:** Mon Sep 28, 2015 9:42 pm **(#13)**

Odinbc wrote:

If you're simply using Inkscape to add text to the background artwork, export from Gimp as PNG. Inkscape can import/export PNG.

Cool. Thank you.

RobA · **Joined:** Jul 14, 2010 **Posts:** 697

As Odinbc said - export the image without text as a png, then bring in that into inkscape.

I like to put the image on its own layer, then work on a new layer to create all the text. Then I hide the image, and export from Inkscape as a png, and bring it back into Gimp as a new layer.

I could do a quick video demo if interested...

-Rob A>

iggy · **Posted:** Wed Sep 30, 2015 9:03 pm **(#15)**

RobA wrote:

As Odinbc said - export the image without text as a png, then bring in that into inkscape.

I like to put the image on its own layer, then work on a new layer to create all the text. Then I hide the image, and export from Inkscape as a png, and bring it back into Gimp as a new layer.

I could do a quick video demo if interested...

-Rob A>

Thanks Rob. Yeah, I'd love to see a video because I'm not quite sure I get it. What I'm wondering is if I use Inkscape for the text, how, when I get back to Gimp, will I have flexibilty to move it if I need to. Working on layers in Inkscape sounds good. So you have the image on a layer and then do all the text work on a separate layer. Then you hide the image layer and export the text layer as a png. You can do that? That would sound ideal because then I could (if need be) manipulate the text back in Gimp.

Odinbc · **Posted:** Wed Sep 30, 2015 10:18 pm **(#16)**

iggy wrote:

Thanks Rob. Yeah, I'd love to see a video because I'm not quite sure I get it. What I'm wondering is if I use Inkscape for the text, how, when I get back to Gimp, will I have flexibilty to move it if I need to. Working on layers in Inkscape sounds good. So you have the image on a layer and then do all the text work on a separate layer. Then you hide the image layer and export the text layer as a png. You can do that? That would sound ideal because then I could (if need be) manipulate the text back in Gimp.

If you need flexibility; as initially mentioned SVG is the ideal way to go when working with both Gimp and Inkscape. PNG was only mentioned to simplify things. When exporting between Inkscape and Gimp SVG gives you more options than using PNG. Some knowledge of paths and SVG export options in both programs is a bonus. If you really need both programs consider segmenting the job, for example Gimp only for background and Inkscape only for text.

FYI, GIMP's selections can be converted to a vector path, and paths can be exported/imported as SVG in Inkscape. Inkscape can export text to path in SVG, Gimp can import Inkscape paths.

iggy · **Posted:** Fri Oct 02, 2015 12:47 am **(#17)**

Odinbc wrote:

iggy wrote:

Thanks Rob. Yeah, I'd love to see a video because I'm not quite sure I get it. What I'm wondering is if I use Inkscape for the text, how, when I get back to Gimp, will I have flexibilty to move it if I need to. Working on layers in Inkscape sounds good. So you have the image on a layer and then do all the text work on a separate layer. Then you hide the image layer and export the text layer as a png. You can do that? That would sound ideal because then I could (if need be) manipulate the text back in Gimp.

If you need flexibility; as initially mentioned SVG is the ideal way to go when working with both Gimp and Inkscape. PNG was only mentioned to simplify things. When exporting between Inkscape and Gimp SVG gives you more options than using PNG. Some knowledge of paths and SVG export options in both programs is a bonus. If you really need both programs consider segmenting the job, for example Gimp only for background and Inkscape only for text.

FYI, GIMP's selections can be converted to a vector path, and paths can be exported/imported as SVG in Inkscape. Inkscape can export text to path in SVG, Gimp can import Inkscape paths.

Got it! (Not really.) Thanks Odinbc. I have a ways to go before I get even close to being able to use Inkscape. But I'm inching toward it. Thanks for all the info. When I get more experience it will make more sense.