[Jewelry making - Article 00926] - Re: [Orchid] Rhino versus JewelCAD

[Neil George]

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Chris,

>     I use Rhino and build all my objects from scratch. Therefore I am
>     a big fan as you are not restricted to the "X-BrandJewlleryCAD"
>     programs which have a library of objects that you piece together
>     to create your item. 

    Libraries are a starting point, and not a locked solution where you
    are being forced to create the generic jewelry as you call it. The
    fact of the matter, is that the individual has the ability to add to
    his or her library of parts at any given point. Even those drawn from
    scratch:-) Other software solutions, have the tools to be creative
    and generate whatever shape, form or design intent you can come up
    with, and that could be with, or without a library of pre-existing
    parts. This comment regarding libraries has cropped up several times
    in just as many discussions, and I find it mind boggling that
    individuals grasp onto certain buzz words such as generic and
    libraries and completely stop at that point. It seems at least to me,
    that some are completely blinded by that one phrase, and assume that
    the whole solution revolves around a small portion of the complete
    solution. 

>     I suppose it is akin to one jeweler who makes his items from
>     findings and settings and calls himself a jeweler and another
>     jeweler who does the same but creates everything from scratch. 

    Therefore, a setting drawn from scratch versus importing the same
    from a library is different and commands more respect? 

    The fact of the matter, both are in digital format, and both will be
    produced via RP or milling, therefore, both are equal as far as the
    final product is concerned. 

    Both Matrix and 3Design will accomplish whatever you can do, but
    with more flexibility, functionality and more importantly increased
    productivity. That's the beauty of CAD, there are no rules of
    engagement, and the whole point is to be able to draw exactly what
    the design intent is, in the shortest amount of time. 

    Well thought out libraries of components, and the ability to change
    the dimensional values of those elements to fit into new criteria's,
    is in my opinion a very smart way of doing things. 

>     My comment on the above is that the first jeweller will create
>     pieces that will have a generic look and the latter will create
>     slightly more individual pieces. 

    Individuality is expressed in the entire creative design process,
    rather than just the vehicle that gets you there. The tools are there
    to assist and not to detract or limit the channel of creativity.
    Understanding not only what the end product will look like, but also
    understanding how to utilize the fastest vehicle that gets you from
    point A to point B is very important. There is nothing wrong with
    starting out with a generic piece as you call it from a library of
    parts. The important factor and the key to success, is what can you
    do with that model from that point on?. The fact that a generic model
    can be imported into a CAD file and then manipulated whether through
    dimensionally driven attributes or in the free form dragging of
    surfaces to skew, taper, distort or whatever into a form that is now
    not so generic, is the real power of added functionality. 

    The real power is not necessarily in the position you start at, but
    the realization that you can modify on a whim and on the fly. A block
    of clay from an arts and crafts store, is a generic form that each
    and every one of us can buy. Now the skill of an artist can sculpt
    and manipulate this into something very pleasing to the eye, in my
    case, it would probably look better as a block :-) The same thing
    applies to CAD. Knowing where you can save time, and knowing when
    it's more practical to maybe build a new model, which may allow for
    easier manipulation at a later time for other products etc, will make
    a CAD Designer more productive. 

>     The "X-BrandJewlleryCAD" programs are easier to use because they
>     ask a series of short questions and then create the object for you.
>     (ie what ring size?what profile?, what width?) If you are building
>     from scratch in Rhino you have to do these steps yourself. 

    Chris, many software solutions, will allow many different directions
    to automate productivity. Personally, I use macros, Visual Basics
    scripts and other methods of utilizing equations via parametrics to
    automate any task that has an association in a family of similar
    parts. Spend the time doing one, and kick the crap out of the rest
    with one click of an icon and answer a few questions that control the
    features that need to be changed. 

    Have you ever created your own design table in Excel for the
    creation of derived parts stemming from an original model? Very
    Powerful stuff. 

    Personally, I don't want to spin my wheels doing repetitive time
    consuming tasks, I would much rather gain time, and spend that time
    in improving my skills and in any which way I can, speed up
    productivity, and that can be from both the CAD and CAM aspects. 

    Taking it to the CAM side of things, the same applies. Would you
    rather have the CAM system provide you with a generic canned
    toolpath, or would you rather program the whole job in notepad line
    by line? 

    The key is, let the program give you automatically the repetitive
    tasks, and meanwhile, knowing full well, that you have the tools to
    enhance it further if you so desire. 

>     My last arguement on the case is look at the objects in the Rhino
>     gallery. http://gallery.mcneel.com/?language=&g=1 (Not just the
>     jewellery items) All of which were built from scratch and do not
>     look generic in their construction. 

    To create a library component, someone, somewhere has to draw that
    part. In many industries generic parts saved into libraries are an
    essential time saver in producing many products, which today
    originate in many cases from a CAD solution. What may seem as a
    generic part to you, is to others an essential part that belongs to a
    generic family of products. Do you think that mechanical engineers
    draw every single bolt, spring and washers for example. Do a search
    on items used in building fixtures such as bull clamps or spring
    pins, and most companies will have a downloadable CAD file of that
    same exact element, so that it can be used in the design phase of
    your tool. Again, the provided libraries of components are starting
    points, and often used to illustrate the fact, that you can build
    them yourself and additionally to call up parts used in conjunction
    with tutorials etc. Where you take it from there, is entirely up to
    you. 

    I am confident that you have a library of items for your own use
    that you created from scratch, however, others who have a different
    solution, that just so happened to come with a library, will also
    have their own collection of non generic items drawn from scratch. 

Best Regards.
Neil George
954-572-5829
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