Newbie looking for some pointers (PS1 DVD case related)

[yadster]

I have over the years collected a lot of great PS1 games, mainly purchased from charity shops and eBay. but many of them the cases are in less than perfect condition. Replacing the cases can be expensive which is why I considered making my own DVD style cases as it's much cheaper. After a bit of googling I came across this site and it's perfect for replacing the cases and giving them that PS2 look. But to keep costs down even further I'm attempting to make a single cover for all the PS1 Tombraider games, an 'ultimate collection' if you like. I've been messing around most of the afternoon using photoshop CS3 and Shenske's PS1 template and I'm quite pleased with the results so far but am some way off the finished article. I was just wondering if anyone can offer a few tips to speed things up, best way to get logo's, how best to add the blurb and screenshots to the rear and any other pointers.

My photoshopping skills are rather limited but it's amazing how much you can pick-up in just a few hours. If I get this Tomb Raider collection finished and it looks ok then my next projects will be PS1 X-Files and PS1 Doom collection.

TIA & TTFN

[yadster]

Well I've sort of got to where what I want the finished cover to look like but there are a few things I'm not so sure about.

I'm a UK Playstation owner and all my PS2 games are labelled with (I think) with Arial font along the spine whilst I've noticed most of the custom PS1 DVD covers here have graphic logos along the spine. Is the consensus view that the latter way is better? Also on UK PS2 covers under the SLES on the spine there's another number - should I put something similar on my case or not bother?

Is the barcode number important to people or can I put any old number there?

How should I arrange the text on the spine....
TOMB RAIDER THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION
TOMB RADER: THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION or
TOMB RAIDER - THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION

Also as this is a compilation should I put a made-up SLES/SLUS number or omit it all together?

All I think I need to do now is create a decent logo for the front of the box, alter the spine text and replace the two screenshots with something better. I would still welcome any pointers as I have very little experience using a graphics program other than editing photos to use on eBay.

[AppleQueso]

I'd say you're doing pretty well on your own actually.

Spine Text vs Art - Seems to be a preference thing. A lot of users seem to dislike the generic font spines that the PS2 PAL games had. You can do it either way though, I see plenty of both.

Barcode - On the Devil May Cry collection cover that The7k did, he replaced the barcode entirely with a NOT FOR RESALE thing, which is what I would do. For future reference though, it's recommended to at least make sure the numbers match up to the original game's when not doing a compilation like this..

Spine Text - up to you, but personally I'd go with either the hyphenated or colon one.

SLUS/SLES -  on the Devil May Cry collection cover that The7k did, he did it like this:

SLUS
20216
20284
20627

..etc, with the SLUS numbers corresponding to the original ones. I'd recommend doing that.

oh, mind if I ask real fast, how are you going to fit 5 games into a single DVD case?

[yadster]

I'd say you're doing pretty well on your own actually.

Barcode - On the Devil May Cry collection cover that The7k did, he replaced the barcode entirely with a NOT FOR RESALE thing, which is what I would do. For future reference though, it's recommended to at least make sure the numbers match up to the original game's when not doing a compilation like this..

Good idea. That's what I'll do.

Spine Text - up to you, but personally I'd go with either the hyphenated or colon one.

I'm leaning more toward the colon. Looking at some of my PS2 games like Burnout 2, they seem to favour using a colon.

SLUS/SLES -  on the Devil May Cry collection cover that The7k did, he did it like this:

SLUS
20216
20284
20627

..etc, with the SLUS numbers corresponding to the original ones. I'd recommend doing that.

Obvious really lol. I'll do that.

oh, mind if I ask real fast, how are you going to fit 5 games into a single DVD case?

The local computer shop near me sells DVD replacement cases including ones where you can fit 10 DVDs in. It's more of a trial run but as most of the TR games I have are missing manuals it would make economic sense just to use one case seeing as I'm a tight wad :-) Plus as I'm completely new at this the experience I've learnt will help me to create some other PS1 covers.

[AppleQueso]

The local computer shop near me sells DVD replacement cases including ones where you can fit 10 DVDs in. It's more of a trial run but as most of the TR games I have are missing manuals it would make economic sense just to use one case seeing as I'm a tight wad :-) Plus as I'm completely new at this the experience I've learnt will help me to create some other PS1 covers.

All I'm saying is that I haven't seen a case that holds more than 4 DVD cases that's still the standard size. I suppose though all you'd have to do is expand the spine a bit if it's too narrow.

[yadster]

All I'm saying is that I haven't seen a case that holds more than 4 DVD cases that's still the standard size. I suppose though all you'd have to do is expand the spine a bit if it's too narrow.

You're probably right. It looks very similar but without measuring it I'm not sure. I've been tweaking the cover a bit more as I learn more how to get a grasp of photoshop. Only thing I'm not happy with is the front logo. I'm still looking for a decent Tomb Raider font and a style layer (.asl) to match.


By yadster at 2010-04-09

[juan0tron]

The local computer shop near me sells DVD replacement cases including ones where you can fit 10 DVDs in. It's more of a trial run but as most of the TR games I have are missing manuals it would make economic sense just to use one case seeing as I'm a tight wad :-) Plus as I'm completely new at this the experience I've learnt will help me to create some other PS1 covers.

All I'm saying is that I haven't seen a case that holds more than 4 DVD cases that's still the standard size. I suppose though all you'd have to do is expand the spine a bit if it's too narrow.

I have a few cases that you can definitely shove 6 in without any manuals whatsoever. A 2 CD holder on each side, and a 2 CD thingy that clamps in the middle. Never had a use for it though...

[shenske]

I'm still looking for a decent Tomb Raider font and a style layer (.asl) to match.

I don't have a tomb raider font but will this logo help you?
http://www.thecoverproject.net/uploads/Shenske/tombraider.png

[Zelimpdna]

I have a few cases that you can definitely shove 6 in without any manuals whatsoever. A 2 CD holder on each side, and a 2 CD thingy that clamps in the middle. Never had a use for it though...

Yeah, I've got a couple that hold 8. Same thing, except the flap in the middle holds 2 cds on each side. They used to sell them at my local computer shop, but they haven't had them for a while now.

Particularly useful for tv show box sets, if you want to save a bit of room on your shelves.

[juan0tron]

I have a few cases that you can definitely shove 6 in without any manuals whatsoever. A 2 CD holder on each side, and a 2 CD thingy that clamps in the middle. Never had a use for it though...

Yeah, I've got a couple that hold 8. Same thing, except the flap in the middle holds 2 cds on each side. They used to sell them at my local computer shop, but they haven't had them for a while now.

Particularly useful for tv show box sets, if you want to save a bit of room on your shelves.

Yeah that's how my library holds most of its tv collections. Managed to grab a few spare cases from 'em for my FF games.

[yadster]

I'm still looking for a decent Tomb Raider font and a style layer (.asl) to match.

I don't have a tomb raider font but will this logo help you?
http://www.thecoverproject.net/uploads/Shenske/tombraider.png

cheers mate, will definitely give it go.

[yadster]

I've had a mess around with the cover again and I think this will do for now. I may tweak it in the future by altering the spine and move a few other bits around but that will have to wait until I get more used to using Photoshop. The link for the full .jpg is here http://yfrog.com/jctombraidersshenskecopyj and it's around 5MB as I've not compressed it.



Now onto doing a PS1 X-Files cover.

[yadster]

PS a huge thanks for replies and a massive thanks to Shenske for the rather wonderful PS1 template. 

[juan0tron]

I've had a mess around with the cover again and I think this will do for now. I may tweak it in the future by altering the spine and move a few other bits around but that will have to wait until I get more used to using Photoshop. The link for the full .jpg is here http://yfrog.com/jctombraidersshenskecopyj and it's around 5MB as I've not compressed it.

Now onto doing a PS1 X-Files cover.

Looking awesome! I like the new text style, but it's a bit hard to read on the back of the box. The logo's great though

[AppleQueso]

I've had a mess around with the cover again and I think this will do for now. I may tweak it in the future by altering the spine and move a few other bits around but that will have to wait until I get more used to using Photoshop. The link for the full .jpg is here http://yfrog.com/jctombraidersshenskecopyj and it's around 5MB as I've not compressed it.

Now onto doing a PS1 X-Files cover.

Looking awesome! I like the new text style, but it's a bit hard to read on the back of the box. The logo's great though

A lot of things that are hard to read in previews end up being perfectly legible when printed, just saying.

I agree though, looks great for a first-timer.