I have just run across a most amazing web application called Drawshield. It is written by a Mr. Karl Wilcox, and he has available both the source code as well as hosting the web application on his site. It will emblazon the shield of a coat of arms from the text blazon. It also has a mode that allows for constructing a shield element by element.
I had been pondering writing such an application should my spare time ever allow it. Now however it seems that it has already been done. Its both amazing that someone has gone to all this work and made it available, and yet sad that now I will probably never get to doing my own implementation.
An interesting website. However, the software doesn’t seem to like my blazon. (At least I don’t remember putting question marks all over my shield…)
Yeah, it didn’t particularly like mine either. I started going through it and making changes/corrections and got more and more of my blazon recognized. There is supposed to be some documentation as to which divisions, charges, etc. are recognized and supported. I think the feature that lets you design arms step by step while creating the blazon for you as you go will be of most use to newcomers.
WBHenry;90424 wrote:
An interesting website. However, the software doesn’t seem to like my blazon. (At least I don’t remember putting question marks all over my shield…)
I’ve seen several of these in the past…unfortunately they never work for my arms. Which is pretty amusing since my arms is very simple. It never can recognize "palewise" or even "maple leaves" on this one.
Not recognizing palewise surprises me. Not recognizing maple leaves, not so much 
J. Stolarz;90432 wrote:
I’ve seen several of these in the past…unfortunately they never work for my arms. Which is pretty amusing since my arms is very simple. It never can recognize "palewise" or even "maple leaves" on this one.
Should I start looking at a new career ? :D
It really doesn’t like my blazon…
Thankyou for sharing that link Mr. Chanbers.
The author’s google blog site indicates he’s still working on adding supported charges, how cool!
Andrew Stewart Jamieson;90444 wrote:
Should I start looking at a new career ? :D
I think you can rest quite easy. As many have remarked after seeing your recent emblazonment of my arms, there is a world of difference between true art and the usual clip-art "renderings".
Andrew Stewart Jamieson;90444 wrote:
Should I start looking at a new career ? :D
Andrew Stewart Jamieson;90444 wrote:
Should I start looking at a new career ? :D
You dont have to worry unless lots of your clients have question marks in their arms…:rofl:
cachambers007;90453 wrote:
I think you can rest quite easy. As many have remarked after seeing your recent emblazonment of my arms, there is a world of difference between true art and the usual clip-art "renderings".
And there is a world of different between a digital artist and a clip-art rendition… I know it’s not what you said, but…. Let’s not imply "true art" lies only in the province of "hard copy"
I certainly didn’t mean to imply that digital art wasn’t art. I’ve been a professional software developer since I was 13 and certainly don’t dismiss the digital medium. But there is certainly a difference between an actual rendering and cutting and pasting a few metafile components.
Kathy McClurg;90478 wrote:
And there is a world of different between a digital artist and a clip-art rendition… I know it’s not what you said, but…. Let’s not imply "true art" lies only in the province of "hard copy"
There are many digital artists that do "actual renderings" and are not cutting and pasting a few metafile components. There are some who do use some clip art as a base and put a great deal of effort making it something more personal with their own unique style and then there are some who just slap together clip art.
Just as there are levels of capability in "hard copy" artwork - there are in digital artists…. Lumping them all together or making allusions that there is somehow less effort involved for those practicing artwork digitally is just wrong.
There is room for both and both should be shown equal respect. A particular emblazon may be preferred over another, but a medium shouldn’t be the target..
<Jumping off soapbox now - at least for this post>
I agree; Andy can rest easy…
Andrew Stewart Jamieson;90444 wrote:
Should I start looking at a new career ? :D
Dear Andrew,
A threat to your craft does not come from an ordinary computer program but should the Chinese ever decide to form a commercial heraldic art venture your days will be numbered. Just think of the tens of thousands of pairs of hands (willing to work for two dollars an hour), skilled with years of experience painting famille verte & famille rose porcelain, of carving Peking glass, embroidering silk with bullion thread, etc., etc., etc..
You could however, retain a cut of the pie by offering your services as a consultant. Simply remind them of the various errors that appear on 18th and 19th century armorial Chinese export porcelain.
By the way, below are posted two images of an English Coalport porcelain cup and saucer from the 19th century bearing three beautiful crests, perhaps you will know the armiger off the top of your head since few people bear three crests.