CAD For Jewelry / CAD CAM for Jewelry
Frequently Asked Questions
- What's the best CAD Software to Design Jewelry?
The best Cad for Jewelry software depends on your specific needs. Define the work you need to accomplish. Then find a CAD for jewelry software that will do the best job for YOUR SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS.
There is not BEST CAD for Jewelry Software. Just the right software for YOU.
- What CAD for Jewelry Packages are available and their price?
In the US, there are a good number of specific CAD for Jewelry packages available. Their price range from a few hundred dollars to Several thousands of dollars.
The most popular are:
- Matrix (Based on Rhino) made in the US.
- ArtCAM JewelSmith made in England
- 3Design Jewel made in France
- JewelCad made in Hong Kong
- TechGems (Based on Rhino) made in Spain.
- Why Rhino is not in the list?
Rhino is a great generic CAD program. It's not specifically designed for jewelry. Matrix and TechGems are two programs (plug-ins for jewelry) that have been designed based on Rhino.
- What's the difference between CAD for Jewelry and CAD/CAM for Jewelry?
With a CAD program you can only make a design, usually a 3D Model. Then you can display the 3D Jewelry design in the screen of your computer. You can also export your design to produce a physical model, usually a wax model. The most popular file format to export in the jewelry industry is the STL format.
A CAM program allows you to produce the instructions to produce your model in a CNC. These instructions are also called G-Code.
From the list above, ArtCAM JewelSmith is the only program that is an integrated CAD/CAM for jewelry program. In ArtCAM JewelSmith you don't have to export or create an STL file to produce the instructions (G-Code) to create your model in a CNC.
The other programs in the list are only CAD program. In these programs you have to create your design in STL format to produce the instructions for the CNC in a separate program.
- Can I learn CAD for Jewelry on my own?
Yes, you can learn CAD for Jewelry in your own. Some programs have very good tutorials available. But be prepared to spend a tremendous amount of time practicing, you will also need an unlimited amount of patience. If you want to get a CAD for Jewelry system to save time and money producing your models do not attempt to setup and learn the system by yourself. Get specialized training.