[Jewelry making - Article 00313] - Re: [Orchid] Monarch CAD software

[JDK]

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>     If anyone knows of any decent free (probably a contradiction in
>     terms) CAD programme that will work on a modern Mac comuter please
>     let me know. 

    As Ian mentioned, there are emulators which will run windows
    programs on Mac. According to a lot people the best one is Bootcamp,
    but it works only on the newer Macs with the Intel processors. 

    As John mentioned, Z-Brush or Mudbox which are mesh modelers, have a
    more sculptural type style of modeling. I've found they don't have a
    way to control precise dimensionality like a NURBS based modeler, so
    what some people will do is create a basic model in a NURBS program,
    export it as an.ojb file and then texture or detail it in a mesh
    modeler. Silo, which isn't expensive at all, is a mesh modeler that
    does have measurement tools and there is a Mac version. Mesh
    modelers are better for the organic bumpy cracked textural surfaces
    you see on animated characters in video games and movies. While Maya
    and 3dmax are cool programs, there is reason most CAD jewelers tend
    to use easier to the learn and more efficient to use NURBS based
    program such as Rhino with or without TechGems or Matrix. 

    ArtCAM Jewelsmith is in a class of it's own because it has tools
    required to accomplish the precise dimensionality needed for jewelry
    design AND also do very organic artistic modeling with textural
    surfacing in a very efficient manner. 

    There are some free older versions of CAD programs for the Mac.
    Here's a good place to do research- http://www.architosh.com/ I
    believe an older version of Amapi is available for free and Carrara.
    5 isn't expensive, but they're not as user-friendly or powerful as
    the more popular windows based CAD programs. 

    Unless you have a personal opposition to using a windows PC, you
    might consider it as option. Considering the cost of a Mac based CAD
    program, if you're primarily interested in 3d modeling and don't
    intend to do a lot of fancy rendering stuff, the option of using an
    inexpensive windows computer and CAD program makes sense. 

    A new PC with enough processing power and memory to run MoI goes for
    about $400. MoI isn't very demanding graphically so any video card
    made in the last 5 years would be sufficient, opening up the option
    for a used PC at a very nominal cost. MoI will be priced at around
    $200. It's free right now until version 1 is released. 

    Another strong factor in favor of windows based CAD programs is that
    there are really good communities (with open forums) of PC based CAD
    jewelers online from which to get the help and support you'll need to
    be successful without tearing your hair out in the process. :-) 

Regards,

Jesse
jdkjewelry3d.blogspot.com
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