These are rectangle splines, placed by eye into the shape of the curves of the book cover.
step 2 of 9
This is what happens when you put those rectangle splines in a loft nurbs object.
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This was a cube placed to make the pages of the book. I made the it appear to have more loose pages but extruding quite a few of the sides just a little.
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A couple of cylinders to create the catch.
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These are the little brass ring loops that attach the leather.
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For the elastic string I drew a spline and created a circle and then applied sweep nurbs.
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The set up, a sky object with a HDRI set from the c4d gallery. I also used a wide spot light for the shadows.
step 8 of 9
This is the texture applied to the book, a picture closeup of the real thing.