What software to use to design a coin?

[+res2100]

With the previous coins we have made, we always got someone else to design the final graphics for our coins based on our ideas and preliminary artwork. However we want to give this a try ourselves for a new trade-only personal coin that we want to make.

 

Any suggestions on what software package would be good or best to use? I've tried Photoshop Elements in the past, but seem to have problems creating perfect circles and curved text. Any other suggestions on what I can use and what would be straight forward to use?

 

Alternatively if someone wants to take a stab at designing our new coin, I am open to offers, and of course they would be rewarded with some coins for their effort.

[danoshimano]

I am not sure about Elements, but in Photoshop you can draw shapes. However, I think what you really need is an illustration program that also has "paint" capabilities. The problem of course is the time investment in learning how to use it properly.

 

I always recommend programs by Mediachance because they provide 90% of the power of the highest end software programs available at 10% of the price and with more stability. You can have a look at RealDraw Pro HERE.

Edited December 29, 2006 by danoshimano

[+UOTrackers]

Creating coins is a lot of fun. I've been using Adobe Photoshop 6.0. I'm not an artist, have no formal training, but I enjoy playing with programs. When I started my ideas/designs looked a lot like this:

 

Now they are turning out more like these: (both are copywrite Wicks Works designs)

 

It's a learning process, and I have a LOT more to learn, but it's fun. I'd be happy to give your coin a shot, pm me with some info, what you'd like, color preferences, shape etc.

[+Hula Bum]

Illustrator works well for me.

[+lost4good_pa]

try a google search for "inkscape" its an open source replacement for Adobe Illustrator. It takes some time to learn as with any capable graphic software but produces great results.

[+geoSquid]

I use Visio, Photoshop and Imageready for most of my coin design needs, assisted by my Wacom pad.

 

I actually start with pencil and paper before I get to software.

[+Degai]

Does a coin have to be designed on the computer to be made? Can't it be drawn and just sent to a coin maker? I am thinking about making a personal coin and haven't done any research on specifics, yet. I just thought you could sent a picture. For those of you who have completed the process, what have you done?

[+Cornerstone4]

Does a coin have to be designed on the computer to be made? Can't it be drawn and just sent to a coin maker? I am thinking about making a personal coin and haven't done any research on specifics, yet. I just thought you could sent a picture. For those of you who have completed the process, what have you done?

 

That's exactly how I've always done it. I've put something together, sometimes just describing it verbally, and Coins&Pins has always handled the rest for me. No need to learn the software!

[+islander1988]

I use Corel Draw for doing my coin designs. Since it's vector based I find it good for thinking about what can be done in 2D (which is the only type of coin I've done so far). I used it to do the artwork for my personal as well as the Lunenburg, MGA AGM IV, Canadian benchmark, and new ACGA series coins.

[+fox-and-the-hound]

Photoshop and Illustrator are great and my standards, but even so I always start out on paper. My favorite design to date was sketched with Moun10Girl on a napkin while waiting for lunch. Coming up with a concept is definitely the hardest part of the design. There are a lot of places to find help from that point. My all time favorite example of this is the Parents of Sam coin thread. It started as an idea and became reality thanks to the multiple input of ideas and solutions by the good folks here in the thread. Anybody have that link?

[ParentsofSAM]

Photoshop and Illustrator are great and my standards, but even so I always start out on paper. My favorite design to date was sketched with Moun10Girl on a napkin while waiting for lunch. Coming up with a concept is definitely the hardest part of the design. There are a lot of places to find help from that point. My all time favorite example of this is the Parents of Sam coin thread. It started as an idea and became reality thanks to the multiple input of ideas and solutions by the good folks here in the thread. Anybody have that link?

 

I sure do have a link.....ParentsofSAM Coin Design Thread

 

We owe our great coin to the folks right here in this forum!