Software, Software, Software
Unusually for an author I get a lot of people asking me what software I use. I’m not talking about if I write using Microsoft Word or Apple Pages. (For the record, I write using Apple Pages - what can I say. I’m an Apple fan boy, there I said it.) No, what people want to know is what software I use to make my pretty pictures and build the books. If you, kind reader, didn’t know by now, all the art for the front cover, (minus a few bits & pieces), the website and previz work was created by me. Computer generated art is something of a hobby and, when I turned my mind to writing, I decided to use this hobby to good effect. Unfortunately some people think that creating these images is a quick and simple matter and that if I tell them which package to download then they too can dash of images left, right and centre. Oh, if it were only that simple! Firstly, I use many different pieces of software and secondly, they all seem to cost a fair bit. So, to follow me down the rabbit hole would be a bit expensive.
So what are the tools I use? Well, my basic tool that transcends all the art pieces I create is Adobe Photoshop CC. It goes without saying that this is one powerful tool. True, all my pieces are 3D creations and Photoshop is primarily a 2D app, but everything I create always needs at least a final polish at the end.
Adobe Photoshop CC
Saying that, when I render out important work I do so in what are called passes, these I then composite together in Photoshop. So you see nothing would happen without Photoshop.
Several render passes
My second piece of software is Foundry’s Modo. I do all my 3D model work in it. All the characters and props are built in Modo. I used to use something called Softimage but unfortunately that died and is no more. After switching to Modo, I built the five main characters for the front cover. It was the first bit of serious work I did with it. I’ve hardly scratched the surface with this program but so far I can say I really, really like it.
The Foundry's Modo 902
For my Landscapes I use a program from e-on software called Vue. I love using this and it’s probably the oldest software package I own. It’s great for experimenting with. I can literally create worlds from nothing using it. It’s great at building pretty much anything organic: Seas, clouds, terrains, rocks, trees or even just blobs. I can build a entire planet or a single blade of grass.
E-On Software's Vue 2016 R6
Colour grading can be achieved using photoshop, as mentioned above, but sometimes I use Adobe Lightroom. As a keen amateur photographer I’ve used Lightroom to process my photos for years and find it really responsive and easy to use. Therefore, when it comes to final balance of a piece of art I might well put it through Lightroom and play about with the levels a bit.
Adobe Lightroom Classic CC
For book layout and formatting of both ePub and physical editions I use Adobe InDesgin. I really haven’t found anything better than this, although it’s a bit of a beast to learn. It’s not what you can call logical with some of it’s button layouts but you can’t have everything.
Adobe InDesign CC
Plug-in’s. I’ve played around with a few and use a varied number, too many to post here. They’re useful and help cut corners. I’m always on the outlook for the next new plugin that will save me.
Anyway, I hope that answers a few questions.