They let me in 

Maybe Sketchup, but I haven't tried importing them yet, but it is compatible with Collada files. I would still recommend Blender as you will be able to see the textures. I could post another blend file with the scene set up and cycles set into preview mode. Then you see almost realtime results as the sampling passes increase. Blender is quite complicated but navigating is relatively straightforward. You can rotate around by holding MMB and pivoting, scrolling zooms.

I have no idea how to go about doing this. But I'll look into it. Thanks!

Also I've made the models freely available so anyone with the know-how is free to try and print their own. I should note that the models in this state aren't suitable for printing yet because the meshes need to be solid, but that's easily done.

Nice idea, but I don't think I have the time to manage a kickstarter, and I don't know if I could deliver the quality I would want. I'll keep an eye out for developments in 3D metal printing and if I find a good one I'll test a coin or two and then probe the community if there's any interest. I don't think I want to make them like Casascius which have actual BTC value, these would just function as pretty objects to have.

Thanks I would like to print them in metal, but the metal prints at shapeways aren't suited for the fine details. Plastic would be an option, but it would seriously diminish the cool factor. I think I'll just have to be patient and wait for 3D metal printing technology to improve and become affordable, it's developing quite fast.

Thanks for releasing me John! 

I've been released from the newbie forum and would like to share what I shared there. The response on the newbie forum and r/bitcoin was very positive so I think you guys might appreciate it too.

Here is an album with the renders I made: http://cybrbeast.minus.com/mbc5sy1T0j5v1D

The Bitcoin logo was traced, but the rest of the design was my own. The binary strip on the side of the coins spells "Bitcoin", and the diagram on the back of the coins is supposed to represent a p2p network. The image on the screen in the background may be familiar to some if they can see through the blur. The 5BTC coins has the "Vires in Numeris" ("Strength in Numbers") motto on the side as many people requested. The art on the 5BTC is supposed to symbolize the blockchain.

I've made the models of the coins freely available on Blendswap. Anyone can get them there and you can also get Blender for free which I used to make and render the coins. For people who use other CAD programs I've also exported the coins as Collada and OBJ files. This should make it compatible with nearly every 3D package including Sketchup I think. However if you don't use Blender to open them you only get the model and not the shiny textures.

So everyone feel free to use them or share them with someone who knows 3D CAD software and I hope you enjoy it. Crediting me would be nice, but not required. If anyone feels like tipping me you're very welcome to do so at: 1BmSFrbDDYT46W6aLpRNk72yA57RvkJgDP

As an aside, I also emailed Ton Roosendaal, the original developer of Blender to ask if the Blender Development Fund would accept Bitcoin donations. He replied that he was looking into it and it was already on his long list of to-do things.

I've also been approached by a few people on r/bitcoin to do render some requests in exchange for Bitcoins, so I'm open for requests too.

*Edit: now with animation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d99dLbM4eGY

Thanks for the kind words!

My fifth post, onwards to the real forums! 

Thanks for the compliments!
mike, I would really like to 3D print some, but I don't think the metal printed at Shapeways is good enough to capture the fine details.

Thanks

I made these 3D renderings of Bitcoins:

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=160361.0

I wanted to share them in the Project Development Forum, but then I ran into the newbie wall.

I was overwhelmed by the positive feedback I got on r/Bitcoin when I posted about the Bitcoins I rendered in Blender and thought the people here might enjoy it too.

Here is an album with the renders: http://cybrbeast.minus.com/mbc5sy1T0j5v1D

The Bitcoin logo was traced, but the rest of the design was my own. The binary strip on the side of the coins spells "Bitcoin", and the diagram on the back of the coins is supposed to represent a p2p network. The image on the screen in the background may be familiar to some if they can see through the blur. The 5BTC coins has the "Vires in Numeris" ("Strength in Numbers") motto on the side as many people requested. The art on the 5BTC is supposed to symbolize the blockchain.

I've made the models of the coins freely available on Blendswap. Anyone can get them there and you can also get Blender for free which I used to make and render the coins. For people who use other CAD programs I've also exported the coins as Collada and OBJ files. This should make it compatible with nearly every 3D package including Sketchup I think. However if you don't use Blender to open them you only get the model and not the shiny textures.

So everyone feel free to use them or share them with someone who knows 3D CAD software and I hope you enjoy it. Crediting me would be nice, but not required. If anyone feels like tipping me you're very welcome to do so at: 1BmSFrbDDYT46W6aLpRNk72yA57RvkJgDP

As an aside, I also emailed Ton Roosendaal, the original developer of Blender to ask if the Blender Development Fund would accept Bitcoin donations. He replied that he was looking into it and it was already on his long list of to-do things.