In the world of Computer-Aided Design (CAD), there is a distinct divide. On one side, you have the engineering-heavy parametric modelers (like Rhino or SolidWorks) that rely on mathematical curves and precise dimensions. On the other side, you have the artistic, freeform sculptors.
For those who love the workflow of ArtCAM JewelSmith but require a modern, fully supported software that runs natively on Windows 10 and 11, there is a direct successor.
The most powerful feature introduced in Version 9 was the layered design approach. Similar to working in Adobe Photoshop, designers could build their jewelry using multiple layers, each containing a different element like a 3D shape, a texture, or some lettering. This system offered incredible control:
Digital designs are only half the story; the other half is getting them made. Version 9.1 provided two new wizards to make manufacturing easier. The first one was for index machining, allowing machining at a series of fixed angles on rotary equipment. The second wizard was truly a time-saver: it could develop mold designs automatically from product designs, generating the parting line and the two mold sections from a user-specified block of material.
