Retro Cover Studio 0.95 – Beta 8

Retro Cover Studio v0.95.0-beta.8 — Pre-release notes

Create printable retro-game DVD/Blu-ray case covers, CD jewel-case inserts, wraparound artwork and CD/DVD/Blu-ray disc labels on macOS, Windows and Linux. This update combines the improvements introduced in Betas 6–8 since public Beta 5.

What's new in Beta 8

Customizable top media band

• Set any background color and opacity (0–100%) for the spine-to-front header band.
• Optionally replace the spine's “PC” marking with a custom image or transparent logo.
• Independently replace the entire front “PC CD-ROM”, “PC DVD-ROM” or “PC BLU-RAY” marking with another image.
• Choose local images or SteamGridDB artworks. Images retain their original aspect ratio.
• Existing printed header letters remain available and the default black/86% band style is preserved.
• On jewel cases, the top media strip applies to the separate front card rather than wrapping around the tray spines.

From Beta 7 — Disc printing and artwork editing

• Export transparent 600 dpi disc-label PNGs (2835 × 2835 px for a 120 mm disc), in addition to the existing PDF format.
• Set printable inner-hole and outer diameters (defaults: 22 mm inside / 118 mm outside). Multi-disc projects export one numbered PNG per disc.
• PNGs can be imported into Canon Easy-PhotoPrint Editor or compatible direct-to-disc printing software. The app does not directly operate printer trays.
• Artwork can be replaced at any time, without having to unlock images.

From Beta 6 — Layout and preview

• Use an outside wraparound image as a base, then optionally place independent front/back images above it.
• Customize the spine background and opacity.
• Preview text edits using Update Preview; other controls keep their responsive preview updates.

All existing Beta 5 disc-label placement controls, optional translucent text strips, colors, image fitting modes and case layouts remain supported.

Downloads

Platform	File
macOS 13+, Universal (Intel / Apple Silicon)	RetroCoverStudio-macOS-v0.95.0-beta.8.zip
Windows 10/11, x64	RetroCoverStudio-Windows-folder-v0.95.0-beta.8.zip
Linux, x86-64	RetroCoverStudio-Linux-x86_64-v0.95.0-beta.8.AppImage

Also provided: SHA256SUMS-BETA8.txt, the MIT LICENSE and THIRD_PARTY_NOTICES.md. Check the SHA-256 of each downloaded program against the manifest.

Installation

macOS: Unzip the package and open Retro Cover Studio.app. The app is unsigned and not notarized; macOS may display its normal security warning. Do not disable system security to run it.

Windows: Unzip the full portable folder, keep all of its contents, and run RetroCoverStudio.exe from inside. No standalone single-file EXE or installer is distributed. If needed, obtain the official Microsoft Visual C++ x64 Redistributable directly from Microsoft. The binary is unsigned; never bypass Defender detections.

Linux: Mark the AppImage executable with chmod +x RetroCoverStudio-Linux-x86_64-v0.95.0-beta.8.AppImage and launch it from a graphical desktop session. Compatibility can vary across distributions.

Printing: Set PDF printing to 100% / Actual Size. For direct-to-disc labels, load the 600 dpi PNG in your disc-printer editor, match the printable inner/outer diameters and test alignment on a blank.

Important notes

• This is beta software, without an auto-updater, installer or code signing.
• The application includes no personal API key and no third-party game artwork. Each user provides their own SteamGridDB API key if desired.
• Artwork and trademarks remain subject to their respective owners' rights and service terms. API access is not permission to redistribute images.
• macOS uses a separate native renderer and autosave format; Windows/Linux share a Python engine and .rcs projects. Cross-platform project-file conversion is not currently supported.
• Very small layout or printed-color differences across systems/printers are possible. Test physical case and disc alignment.

Development and feedback

Retro Cover Studio was developed with assistance from OpenAI's ChatGPT. The project concept, requirements, decisions, tests and release management are directed by the project author. The tool is independently maintained and is not affiliated with or endorsed by OpenAI.

Issues and feedback: https://github.com/elprincipal85/RetrocoverstudioBETA/issues

Project source is maintained separately in a private development repository. This public repository distributes tested beta releases and documentation.

Retro Cover Studio 0.95 – Beta 5

Retro Cover Studio 0.95 – Beta 5

Pre-release | macOS and Windows

Create print-ready game covers and disc labels for your personal retro gaming collection.

What's new in Beta 5

• Adjustable disc logos, numbering and media labels.
• Customizable text colors and transparent background strips.
• Improved artwork fitting without stretching.
• Artwork galleries and improved cover layouts.

Downloads

macOS: Universal build for Intel and Apple Silicon, macOS 13 or newer.

Windows: Portable folder version for Windows 10/11 (64-bit). Extract the complete ZIP and launch RetroCoverStudio.exe.

Windows requires the official Microsoft Visual C++ x64 Redistributable if it is not already installed. Download it directly from Microsoft.

** Linux x86-64 (AppImage)

Retro Cover Studio is now also available for Linux as a portable AppImage.
Tested successfully on Bazzite.
PDF preview, cover generation and disc labels.
SteamGridDB artwork search and one-click Auto design.
Existing manually selected artwork is preserved.
No separate Python installation required.
Download the AppImage, make it executable and launch it in desktop mode.

The application is unsigned. Third-party license notices are included. A personal SteamGridDB API key is required for online artwork searches.

Licenses and privacy

• MIT-licensed application code.
• 63 third-party license and notice files included in the Windows package.
• No separately bundled Microsoft VC++/UCRT runtime DLLs.
• No personal API keys or game artwork included.
• SteamGridDB requires the user's own API key.
• Users are responsible for respecting artwork rights and applicable service terms.

Important beta notes

Both applications are unsigned; the macOS app is not notarized. Do not disable security software to run the application.

Please report problems through GitHub Issues. Never include personal API keys in issue reports.

AI-Assisted Development

Retro Cover Studio was developed with the assistance of OpenAI’s ChatGPT. The project concept, requirements, feature decisions, testing, and release management were directed by the project author. ChatGPT assisted with software implementation, debugging, and documentation.

The project is independently maintained and is not affiliated with or endorsed by OpenAI.