Spinning coin Tutorial

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Rotating Coin tutorial

Xara Rotating Coin Tutorial

This tutorial shows how to add a texture to a shape in order to give the object realism
Although it is written for Xara a lot of the principles apply to other programs

First you need a jpg image of a coin, this can be a scanned image or a downloaded file
The image must be cropped as close to the edge of the coin as possible see example below

Next you need to open Xara [I use version 5] drag the Xara window to workable size, not to big as the final graphic will be to large a file and take to long to load. I use a window size around 250x250 [there is a read out at the bottom right of your Xara main window the shows the current window size]

Now click you mouse on the X3D logo and rotate is so it is flat there is X : Y : Z read out at the bottom left move it so all the read outs are 0 : 0 : 0 see fig 1

Fig 1

Next you need to get rid of the fonts, so on the Tool Bar click the I Text font [see fig1] and delete all the letters

When it is completely blank you need to add the round shape do this by clicking on the button tool in the tool bar.

Fig 2

Choose the rounded style and set the stretch to 100%
[see fig2]

Making the shape

Fig 3

Choose the extrusion options and set a depth of 10

Choose the bevel options and set them to none

Then place your mouse on the shadow that is cast by the circular button and drag it so it is completely hidden behind the button [see fig 3]

Setting the texture

Fig 4

Open the texture options and click 'load texture' and find the image of the coin and load the picture.

Alter the size and postion if needed to make the image fit the shape as in figures 4 and 5

Fig 5

Then choose the colour options and set the background [use the drop down menu to find background] and set it to the colour you are to use to display [if displaying in the forum it needs to be white], If using a silver coin set the color of the lights to white

Setting the rotation

Fig 4

Fig 5

Click the view menu and choose start animation

Open the Animation options and set the direction of rotation.

Saving your work

When it come to saving you work there are two things to consider.
If you want to work on your spinny again at some point just click File Menu>Save as and save it out

If you want to save the work so you can display it on a web page such as GLTG's forum then you need to export the spinny as an Animated GIF file File Menu>Export Animation

On the Gif options choose the least number of colours as you think you will 'get away' with as it keep the file size smaller [for a coin use 16 colours as they are mostly silver greys]
The rest of the options leave as is.

You'll notice that your spinning coin has two sides the same
If you want a double sided coin you'll need to save out 2 gif files one with each side and then paste the gifs together with a program such as Paint Shop Pro's Animation Shop [this Tutorial coming soon].

All the best Wylie.