September, 2007
If you don't own Adobe Photoshop CS3 then I'll show you how to create a software cover for a box without using Vanishing Point.
You can create a template which you can use over and over again. This template will sit on a layer by itself with an opacity of 50% and the layer is locked. (Make sure to create everything in 300 px resolution.)
Make a duplicate of your artwork and merge it (select all layers and press Control+E). Next, with the Rectangle Marquee tool, select the side of the box artwork, center the selection using the arrow keys. Change the cover art layer mode to Multiply.
Go to Layer>New then choose Layer via Cut.
You should now have two separate pieces.
Select the front cover and move it into place. Choose Transform>Distort.
Move the corner points to the position of the template. When finished, press Enter.
Do the same for the side panel. When moving corner points up or down, hold the Shift key down to constrain it. Change both layers mode to Normal.
On a new layer create a rectangle and fill it with black to white. Change it's mode to Multiply with an Opacity of 40%. While the layer is still active, press Control and click inside the little box of the side panel layer to select the outline. Invert the selection located under the Select tab. Press Delete and you sould have a gradient that looks like the one below.
Here is the box cover as it should appear.
Copyright (c) 2007, Jacquelin Vanderwood, All Rights Reserved
