GIMP Silver Coin

[mahvin]

I was thinking about giving ccbarr's spinning coin tute another try but I wanted to create a new coin face for it. I made a tutorial for creating coins on my blog a long time ago, but I had always wanted to improve it. Since I've been experimenting with channels, I've found that bump maps seem to be far improved for raised effects.

Anyway, it seems I need to update the tutorial as well.

[nixnine]

Cool man.

[PhotoMaster]

I have done several over the years, but I really like the way yours came out! I want to see your tutorial!

[mahvin]

I need to redo the tutorial, because there is a big difference in the outcome. I've added the use of channels and dd's bevel script. And also skipped some of the older techniques altogether.

[PhotoMaster]

The old one looks good, can't wait for the new one!

[Oregonian]

That's great, mahvin. Is your coin going to have a back side?

[merrak]

That's pretty cool. You did a good job capturing all the little brushes, nicks, and other details. It looks pretty realistic.

[mahvin]

Thanks, everyone.

O: Yeah, trying to decide what I want on the back. I love dragons and gryffons. Might go with a Gryffon.

[Oregonian]

Might go with a Gryffon

I like that idea.

......

http://www.dafont.com/heraldicdevices.font

http://www.dafont.com/intellectaheraldics.font

[Rod]

Nice results Mahvin!

[mahvin]

I've been working on this coin all day, trying to find the "EASIEST" way to make it, so that others can follow along without going through some painstaking process. Now, the big job for me is to take "painstaking" and make it "pain-free". I've learned that using bump maps with channel masks is the best way to "bump" coins. Using layers without any information means you get "light" bump maps. Channel masks with more information equals much improved look from the bump map.

Having said all this, now I'm left with the task of conveying what I did here, in the simplest way possible. Pray for me, because this is easier said than done.

One little tidbit: instead of wasting time making blank coins, I find using actual coins and GMIC inpaint works pretty darn good.

Wish me luck with this video tutorial, I am going to need it!

[mahvin]

Took me 10 years to get a Round To It. Better late than never, I guess: