Need CD, DVD, Jewel Box Labels And Covers?

Encore Review: Mac360 is fond of Mac developers who “get it.” So it is with the entire collection of Mac applications from BeLight Software. They get it.

If you need CD or DVD covers and labels, you’ll get it, too, with Disc Cover.

It’s one thing to put out a great Mac application, carve a delicate niche among hundreds of other developers, and make money at it.

It’s totally something else again to put out a whole suite of Mac applications that compete with the likes of Adobe and Microsoft and others.

That’s what’s going on with BeLight. Not only do we like their Swift Publisher (saves you hundreds over Adobe’s InDesign or Quark) for good desktop publishing, we’ve found their other applications, including Disc Cover, to be best of breed and great values.

First, Disc Cover. It makes covers and labels for CDs, DVDs, and cases. Big deal, right?

Well, yeah. It’s easier said than done, and most of the software you buy when you buy CD labels and covers is Windows only. Even some of the Mac applications sure don’t look and feel like Mac applications.

That’s what we mean about “get it.” You know when you start in with a new Mac application whether the developer really “gets it” or not.

Disc Cover gets you covered so you can get classy looking CD and DVD covers on your discs. Then, transfer that design to the case labels for a complete set.

If you’ve finally put together a CD or DVD of family photos, iPhoto slide shows, or music from your own GarageBand concoction, Disc Cover adds the perfect touch to make the package look as good or better than your creation.

Disc Cover opens with the Disc Cover Assistant. Here, you choose from more templates than you can count, or import your own design or digital photograph.

Click to see the design on the CD/DVD cover, and how it looks on the CD/DVD case label. The designs in the template list are inspiring, so if you can’t find one template you like, make your own.

It’s actually easy. Just as iMovie and iDVD bring in photos, movies, and music from the iLife applications, Disc Cover lets you select from iLife, too. Playlists from iTunes. Albums from iPhoto. Even DVD projects.

When your design is the design you want, it’s time to print. This is where the fun begins.

Not only does Disc Cover print labels and covers for all the popular labels and covers you can buy, it also prints direct to the CD and DVD if your printer allows (Canon and Epson).

If you like Swift Publisher, you’ll truly love the convenience and ease of use built in to Disc Cover.

Frankly, there’s not much to not like. I always like 4X the templates, but you can modify the including templates to make them your own design.

If you like palettes and floating windows (I don’t), you’ll love the tools. They’re everywhere.

I started my first project taking a template, adding both a Playlist from iTunes and an Album from iPhoto to create a CD and DVD package. A “matching” package, I might add.

Then, I took another template and modified it; adding some of my own photos into a montage, and then created another cover and label package for QuickTime movies for my family.

Tera said they look absolutely professional, except for the Copyright © 2006 Barbara Marie Hambi on the label. Whatever.

Still, $35 is modest for a Mac application that behaves like a good Mac application, has a long list of features, and comes from a developer who “gets it” with half a dozen excellent Mac apps.

As you’d expect, the download is free, and Disc Cover lets you try out all the features in demo mode. Click Here for the features list and download link.

Do you create CDs or DVDs and custom labels? What tool have you found best at creating the labels and why?

Off Topic Note: Guess what? There’s now over 100 categories in the all new Mac360 Store (it’s really Amazon, so when you want to buy from Amazon, shop the Mac360 Store and help support us). The updated Store has more Macs, more iPods, more Mac books, more software. Click Here and select any category for more detail, or use the handy search function. Remember, when you buy from Amazon buy from Mac360. The Store has discounts and special pricing on Microsoft Office for Mac ($125), Apple’s iWork ‘08 suite ($62), and Adobe Photoshop Elements ($70). Where? At the newly remodeled Mac360 Store. Now with more fiber.