What software to use for Jewelry

[Joab]

Looking for good design software to use in a small shop. I really don't want to spend $10,000.00 for Matrix. Planning on sending out the designs to be made until I can afford my own CNC setup.

Thanks

[Harryman]

MOI, is free; http://www.moi3d.com

Rhino; http://www.rhino3d.com, is reasonable.

Both Rhino and MOI have a learning curve and you have to build everything you need using MOI, there isn't any libraries of settings, stones, shanks etc. Rhino has some stuff available aftermarket for jewelry, but since I don't use it, I'm not real familiar with what's out there.

3Design; http://www.3designjewel.com, is @ $6,500 and is better than Matrix, IMHO. Easier to learn and has a history feature, so if you change an element in your design, say stone shape or size, all the other elements of the design adjust to fit. A great time saver.

If you have time on your hands, mess around with MOI, or buy Rhino, but it'll take some time to become proficient. I've used Rhino some and have clients who use it and I'm not real fond of it, it's a bit clunky and quirky. There are tons of users out there and good forums, so there is plenty of help. It is a good value too, as it's reasonable.

Spend the money on 3Design if you want to be making and selling pieces instead of spending all your time trying to figure out the software.

Good idea to hold off on the CNC part of the equation, there's plenty to learn with CAD first before adding that to the mix.

[bohojig]

I used ArtCAM Jewelsmith, and it is very efficient for custom designwork.
You can always look into small bus loans or SBA grants, etc.

[awerby]

I think 3Design is worth taking a look at. It's not cheap, but there really aren't any good dedicated jewelry design programs that are. 3design is parametric, which allows you to create infinite variations on your designs without rebuilding them. Also, it works as a sales tool, since even its working renders are very pretty. Currently, they have extended their Christmas special (until Jan. 17 2008) which gets you 3 days of training free (normally $1800) and a year's maintenance with the price of a copy (which I sell for $5900 - $500 off MSRP).

Andrew Werby
www.computersculpture.com

[Stepper Monkey]

I use Artcam personally and absolutely love it, and there is of course 3design and Matrix.

I was really hesitant to drop 8 or 10 grand on a software program but I was VERY, VERY glad I did. Even in my small shop it paid for itself in no time. Even if you skimp on the mill (a small, inexpensive one can work fine for wax), put all your money in software, whatever flavor you choose.
Rhino may do the job, but everyone who has used it for jewelry finds you can spend two or three hours doing what Artcam or similar can do in five minutes with a lot less hassle. There is also a lot of advantage being able to do real-time modeling of a ring in front of the customer while they describe it! Rhino by itself just won't be practical or profitable for a jeweler. It's like driving nails with a pair of pliers. Works in a pinch or for occasional use, but for jewelry is just the wrong tool.

There are payment/lease options available that drop the cost of the software to a couple hundred bucks a month, and it will make you way more than that right off the bat to have the good software.

[yoshimichi]

hey guys!! about a good jewelry designing software, i started using rhinogold and its so cool. i recommend you to purchase it!

i started playing with it thanks to a demo (you can download it on its website for free) and i'm still using rhinogold.

in my opinion 3design and matrix are nice, but soooo expensive, and they have similar features than "mine"!

i hope i helped you!

take care guys

[CAD_HANA]

IMHO there is nothing better than 3DESIGN. I would rather spend my time designing jewelry or speaking with customers, than trying to figure out how to use a CAD program. When I tried Rhino, I was so lost with all of the command line hoohah, and, I didn't find the interface to be that appealing, which is important for me using the software in my showroom.

[Cecile]

Hi,
I suggest you to use "rhino3d" for designing the jewelry.
This software is very user friendly and really helpful for making the designs.
Thanks