The Coat of Arms Design Studio is a graphics software program that lets you create a coat of arms using many built in graphics. It
includes over 120 creature charges, over 50 symbol charges, a bunch of ordinaries and the most common divisions. (Supporters and decorative
partition lines are features that should be coming later in the year.) The free version runs in your web
browser using Java technology.
The free and pro versions differ in only three ways:
- In the Pro version, you can add any .png image as a charge.
- The pro version installs on your computer so you don't need to be connected to the
internet, while the free version must be run in your web browser.
- The pro version allows you design the images at a larger size and you may enlarge the size of the design even more when you save.
The free version saves an image that matches the size in the small design area on your screen.
The graphics used are all public domain in almost all jurisdictions. Each image's source is noted so you can confirm the legal
status yourself. In many cases they come from a classic heraldry book where the authors passed many years ago. In some cases they were
created specifically for the Coat of Arms Design Studio and placed in the public domain (or where that is not possible, all rights were
released) and in some cases the images came from other public domain or "open" sources.
See the list of features below the cropped sample images. See also the quotes and reviews toward the bottom of the left sidebar for
others' thoughts on the software.
Lions placed on a bend. |
|
Crosses in chief with an eagle. |
|
Saltire ordinary on a lozenge. (Used by Ladies.) |
|
Dragon countercharged. |
|
Simple dragon. |
|
Per Quarter. |
|
Note: I have not signed the software with an official certificate because those cost money
and this project is "in the red." Therefore, when you go to the
free version's page the first time you will most
likely see a prompt noting that "The software can't be trusted." You must click "OK" or "Trust"
or whatever the affirmative button says to fully use the software. Otherwise, you will not be able
to save or export your maps. (You will see an error regarding permissions if you try.)
