Version 3 of HurryCover — rebuilt in the IdExtenso framework — is not a simple facelift. Graphic designers, publishers and printers will finally find the technical refinement that was missing from previous deliveries. Judge for yourself:

1 — A template for each project: Soft/Hard Cover, Dust Jacket.

A dedicated template for each project.

KEY FEATURE. You work safely with a well-defined template, equipped with its own options, for example the wrap area (typically 15 mm) for hard covers. The Dimensions panel adapts to the chosen model. Note that hard covers were not specifically managed by HC 2.

2 — Fine-tuned Margins (side, hinge, spine).

Take control of ALL inner margins!

KEY FEATURE. The internal margins of your book cover act as “safety nets” beyond which the printer is no longer responsible! Some service providers also include this measurement among their specs. It is then necessary to distinguish the top/bottom margins, the regular side margins, the hinge margin on either side of the book spine, and a smaller (interior) spine margin. When you unlink the side margin from the hinge margin, HurryCover automatically creates the guides and marks associated with this fold.

3 — Crop Marks versus Fold Marks.

Some projects require fold marks that are closer to the page edge than the usual crop marks.

KEY FEATURE. Optionally, HurryCover adds printer's marks (called ‘fold marks’ and ‘crop marks’, respectively) on its reserved, upper layer. You can define their weight and style (solid, dashes, dotted). These elements are of course based on the [Registration] swatch — with a fine [Paper] border to keep them visible on dark-colored bleeds. The Bleeds menu controls the distance of these marks from the edge of the page. It is now possible to assign a separate offset to crop marks, distinct from that applied to other marks.

4 — Switch between Measurement Units, “Revert” button.

You can talk to HurryCover in any measurement unit!

KEY FEATURE. The flexible management of measurement units is one of HurryCover's trademarks. Behind the scenes, the program uses high-resolution values, precise to a millionth of a point, which results in conversions even more accurate than those displayed in InDesign or print-on-demand services. (As an example, Amazon KDP gives inch ↔ millimeter equivalences that are distorted by rounding errors.) In HurryCover, you can click the Revert button at any time, which also restores your original unit. Remember that all editboxes accept inputs in any explicitly provided unit — e.g. “18 pt” —, the value will then be converted into the active unit.

5 — Dynamic Book Preview.

Much more than a toy, the dynamic preview allows you to ‘perceive’ the main dimensions of the finished book.

KEY FEATURE. HurryCover 3 offers a simplified view of the book. This viewing area reacts to any change in the main dimensions (width, height, spine) and roughly indicates the flap/wrap guides. This is obviously not a faithful 3D rendering, but this little auxiliary tool allows you to appreciate at a glance the relevance of the dimensions you enter.

6 — Custom export in PNG and/or JPEG formats

Magic ! Direct export of cover panes as images.

KEY FEATURE. Unlocked in the PRO version, the Export feature translates your cover template into images of the selected parts (front cover, back cover, spine, etc). It's a great tool for creating PNG or JPEG thumbnails that can be quickly uploaded into your website or online store. For each output format, you'll set either the height (in pixels) or the resolution (in pixels per inch). It is even possible to add a thin border in an RGB color of your choice.

7 — Repositioning and “Auto Layout”.

Easy as pie! Change the width of your book spine.

KEY FEATURE. When any dimension change (for example the spine width, i. e. the thickness of the book), the automatic adjustment of the artwork takes into account all the construction lines. Part of the process involves moving objects according to the anchor points of the cover. A more advanced option — available only in the PRO version — is to “snap” reference lines (including margins, if you wish) so objects in contact are automatically resized or reframed. The Preferences > Auto Layout menu allows you to refine the scope of this algorithm.

8 — Support for print-on-demand services.

Applying Kindle Direct Publishing settings (hard cover) to an existing template (soft cover + front flap).

KEY FEATURE. As an experiment, the PRO version of HurryCover 3 incorporates settings from print-on-demand services such as Kindle Direct Publishing, Books on Demand, and more to come. The animation above shows how easily you select a service and a set of compatible, interrelated options. You can then convert your current project into a valid POD template with very few manual adjustments at the end.

The few examples given above are far from covering all the new features included in HurryCover 3 (guide colors, extended metadata, footer options…), so:

Don't take my word for it!

• Just install and test the TRY version. If you have used HurryCover 2 before, the difference should be obvious to you. (Note that hC³ and hC² are totally independent scripts. Both can be installed in InDesign without conflict.)

• How is the TRY version limited? All the features are available except three: Auto Layout, Export, and the integration of print-on-demand services. It is however very sufficient to evaluate the program, and even use it in production.

• Upgrade Price. The regular price for one HurryCover 3 lifetime license is €49. However, a €20 discount applies to HurryCover 2 users whenever they decide to purchase the new version. More detailed instructions are provided in the order form.

Acknowledgments

To pay tribute to the shadowy artisans who have nourished the HurryCover saga since the beginning — starting with its godfather, Jean-Christophe Courte — we would have to roll out endless credits! So I reduce the sail and fraternally greet the key players of season 3: Colin Flashman, Emmanuel Fumoleau, Iván Gómez, Nicolas Pichou, Daniel Roudaut, Laurent Tournier, Jean-Claude Tremblay, Camilo Umaña.