Designing an Air Force Commander’s coin using Open Source software
Michael Fink designed a ‘challenge coin’ for the US Air Force and shares the entire creative process. The result looks very cool!
I was given the opportunity to create a challenge coin for my Air Force Wing Commander. I used Blender, GIMP, and Inkscape to take the design from sketches to the finished product.Having previously designed the 22d Intelligence Squadron’s coin, I decided to give my hand at designing the Wing Commander’s coin. Not long after submitting my entry I was notified that my design was selected.
In this article I will describe the design process and the open-source tools used to refine the final design.
(Challenge Coins and given by military and many government leaders to recognize exceptional service, show gratitude for a job-well-done, or to show where you’ve been. Each leader or unit will have a unique design made. President Bill Clinton’s official portrait even features a Challenge Coin rack where he places all the coins he receives from military units he visited while a Governor and President.)
Wondering if 3D printing services like Shapeways could find a way to put colored glass or enamel on printed metallic medals/jewels?
I was thinking along the cloisonné enamel technique where colored glass powder is used to coat part of the metal in vibrant and smooth colored panels…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitreous_enamel <— relevant wikipedia entry
You should write them and ask. If they’re not working on it, I’m sure they’d at least like to hear about it. At any rate considering all of the innovations happening in 3d printing I’m sure this technique or something similar will be a reality soon. Great idea by the way!
Posted on the Suggestion part of their forum. Wait and see. ;)