Software Box Covers are typically associated with off-the-shelf software products. However, many shareware authors find that users react more favorably to software packages which include an image of a boxed version of the product, even though the product is not available as a boxed product.

Creation of a box cover is simply a marketing tool to help the author attract the favorable attention of potential buyers.

Other types of image editing software, such as Paint Shop Pro or Adobe, can be used to create software box covers. See these tutorials for examples:

• Virtual Software Box Tutorial

There are also service companies that you can use to create the software box covers, such as these:

• ACT Media
• CheapCoverZ.com
• DynamiteCovers.com
• eBook Covers
• eCover Script Pro
• eCoverDesign
• eCoverGenerator
• eProductCover.com
• HyperCover
• MonsterCovers.com

Review Results
This review is in work. Until the review is complete, I suggest the following application for your box cover editing needs:

• 3D Box Shot Maker
  An easy to use box maker. Creates two-sided images with size, shadow and reflection features.

Box Cover Features
These are the minimum features that I expect from a box cover editor. Each of the candidate programs will be ranked against how well they implement the following features. As the review continues, the list of features may change.

1. Use of user-supplied images
2. Point of view (rotation)
3. Size/aspect control
4. Number of sides
5. Animation
6. Shadow
7. Reflections
8. Multiple boxes in same image
9. Format support (BMP, JPG, GIF, PNG)

Candidate Programs
These are the programs included in this review.

Freeware	Commercial
3D Box Shot Maker Cereal Boxer IMANDIX Cover	3D Box Maker Professional $50 3D eBook Shot $30 3D Real Boxshot $35 3DVirtualBox $15 AVS Cover Editor $69 Box Shot 3D $35 BoxCoverMaker3D $20 Cover Commander $109 Cover Factory $40 eCover 3D $99 eCover Engineer $38 Just BoxShots $30 Quick 3D Cover $50 True BoxShot $45 Virtual Cover Creator $90

User Feedback & Suggestions
I welcome any suggestions on other box cover programs that should be considered, or suggestions on how better to review the selected programs.