The premise of this project is a simple one: give casino chip enthusiasts like myself a tool to visually prototype various color, mold and edge pattern combinations in real time. The model for this application was the tool known as the "ASM Mockup Generator", which is no longer functional.

My goal is to build the ultimate web-based casino chip prototyping tool.

In my opinion, the images generated by the former tool were somewhat close to actual chip colors, but not nearly as accurate as possible. I've gone to great lengths to ensure that the color reproduction techniques used in the application produce an image that is as true to life as technically possible. The initial prototype for this tool used scanned chips as the source for the color palette. I found that the tool-generated images were not very accurate to the actual chips, so I set out to find a way to generate a more accurate image.

Through a series of experiments, I determined that digitially photographed images would provide a sufficiently accurate source for the color palette. Sample chips were photographed in a controlled lighting environment using my camera's "RAW" mode. Each image contained a color balance reference that was used to accurately correct each image in a post-processing application.

The colors defined in the current ASM palette are based on photographed images taken in a lighting environment of approximately 6000 degrees Kelvin (this is roughly equivalent to bright, mid-day sun). The images generated by this tool should be nearly identical to an actual chip, as photographed in bright, natural lighting. The generated images, of course, will only appear as accurate as your monitor settings will allow, and will not very often — if ever — look like an actual chip held close to your display screen.

Here are some side-by-side sample images of photographed chips and their tool-generated counterparts. (Images temporarily unavailable).

The current version, 0.90a, is an alpha-quality product. The application demonstrates basic functionality, but still lacks many features. This version provides the ability to prototype a single ASM chip, using only their Horsehead mold and "312" edgespot pattern. All colors currently available from the ASM factory can be used to specify base and edgespot colors.

Additionally, one GPI/Paulson edgespot pattern can be specified in this version. (This was added to demonstrate the capability of the application.)

I believe that the tool usage is self-evident, so I'll opt not to provide user instructions.

These are the improvements I'm planning to make in the very near future (in no particular order):

Expand mold and edgespot pattern selections for the ASM line.

Implement the feature that allows an array of chips to be prototyped.

Enhance the user interface.

Add Paulson molds, colors and edgespot patterns.

Selectable skins.

These are the long-term improvements (again, in no particular order):

Add the ability to write images to common format(s). Flash has no out-of-the-box ability to write images (JPG's, BMP's, etc.). Currently, the only way to preserve a chip prototype is to take a screenshot and crop the image in a paint program. The research I've done indicates that there are third-party solutions to this problem, but they involve considerable backend work.

Add the ability to display a user-uploaded inlay. This will also involve some backend work.

Enhancements to improve the visual quality of the generated image.

The Chip Forge application is written in Macromedia Flash MX Professional 2004 and requires Flash Player Version 7 or greater to run.