I am writing for a friend who has some designs she would like
someone to turn into wax models for casting. As she is not computer
savvy, I need phone numbers for her. Thanks. Alana Clearlake
Hello Alana, We do cadcam model making as well as build machinery for
cnc… And we are a full casting and finishing house for lost wax
casting and pewter ( which is a diffrent process. If your friend
would like to call us , Here are our phone numbers. Bobby hunter is
the person to talk to as far as having models made on the cnc . I ,
on the other hand do all the finish on cast models and run/ own the
casting division of the company. We have done a lot of very good work
for people on orchid and have a great reputation for getting things
done the right way. Here are the numbers ( we have 2 numbers) Bobby
Hunter ( badges of America Co. ) 401-272-1196 Daniel Grandi (
Racecar Jewelry Co. Inc.) 401-461-7803 Best Wishes, Daniel Grandi
daniel, do you cad/cam guys have a price list or formula for us to
follow for estimating jobs… or is there a book i could buy to have a
better understanding of what should be used for cad/cam …
thanks lisa mcconnell
Dear Orchidians After many years of working from guess to guess on
my gold jewelry without any design . Im starting now to get in to the
CAD world, Just got Rhino, and I’m about to start learning to wqork
with it. still I understand that it needs the Matix plug-in to realy
be a useful jerelry designing tool, I do not at this stage looking
in to the CAM side of it, I do funcy hand work. usualy sitting on
a piece for anyting between a week and a month… so every 'wrong’
decision with the design puts me in a difficult place indid. if
any one would like to share some info. about Rhino [i do have the
manual] and of how to get Marix , this would be lovely, I’m an
Israeli living in India for many year, I’ve been learning the
jewelry craft here on my own, next month there will be a web-site
on, if any one would like to see this work. Peace and Love and many
thanks akash
still I understand that it needs the Matix plug-in to realy be a useful jerelry designing tool,
I would tend to disagree with this, but it would depend on what
you’re intending to design. If what you wish to do is use Rhino to
design conventional jewelery much like what is already out in the
commercial world, then Matrix might be useful. But the people I
know, who are designing things which are actually unique and
original, are doing so with Rhino by itself, or other such CAD
programs (rhino isn’t the only solids modelling software, just one
that is popular, and among the most economical.) What matrix does is
to automate the building of traditional sorts of designs. it doen’st
do anything that you cannot manually do with rhino already, once
you’ve learned fluent use of the program. CAD programs in general,
are not quickly learned, and it is this long learning curve that
makes automated builders, scripts, macros, etc, popular, since less
experienced or impatient users can quickly get to use the program.
But experienced CAD modellers will prefer, generally, to use the
Rhino program interface itself to build their work, since it gives
them total control over what they build, not needing to conform to
what a script thinks an item should look like. If you’re unsure of
what I mean, go take a look at the various degree shows on the web,
by former (and current) students at Tyler School of Art near
Philadelphia. That school program has been using Rhino as it’s
primary CAD program for a number of years, with significant success.
So far as I know, they’re not bothering with the conventional-only
capabilities of add ons like Matrix. The URL is
http://www.temple.edu/crafts/public_html/mjcc/mjcc.html .
The above URL is the index to the metals program web site. Scroll
down to first read the definitions of virtual, actual, and tangible
objects, if you’re not yet familier with Tylers use of these terms,
then scroll a little further down to the gallery links, to see the
work itself.
Peter Rowe
Akash, Matrix is a very powerful tool, but is not needed to design
jewelry with Rhino. It does simplify quite a few steps and can be a
great time saver. But after saying all that, I would suggest
getting familiar with Rhino first, then you will be better able to
decide on Matrix. One very good thing about Matrix is that it is not
a cut and paste like Jewelcad and it allows quite a lot of freedom
for the designer. By the way I do have both. Regards, James
Hi Akash! Wow, I hope you are having a lovely time in India! I hope
you include some pictures of your travels on your site! I am a big
travel bug, and India is one of my next bigger trips planned. I just
wanted to let you know, that you don’t NEED Matrix. I understand a
lot of people on this site may use it, and I don’t want to say that
they are wrong by any means, but you can’t understand the
fundamentals of 3d digital modeling with Matrix, so it is a very
positive thing that you are working with Rhino to begin with. I would
suggest trying Matrix first before you shell out thousands of dollars
first. I found it not to be so useful when you can use Rhino for much
cheaper. Kindest, Kim Fraczek
Hi Akash, You can create very good jewelry designs in Rhino, only it
might take you longer to achieve the same results as you would get in
Matrix. Rhino is the “engine” of Matrix, so it does all the same
things, but the tools aren’t automated.
Michealangelo was said to have been able to see a sculpture in the
stone before he picked up a chisel. There is a certain intutive
sense we have as a craftspeople that’s tied to holding the material in
hand, feeling it’s weight and other physical characteristics. To a
certain extent, we are able to “see” the jewelry in the metal or wax
before it is created. The same intutive process guides us as we
actualize the design.
In learning CAD, it was neccessary for me to learn to conceptualize
a design in a new way. Rhino’s 4 viewports show a visual
representation of the model from top, front, side, and a perspective
view that can be rotated and turned.
I had to learn to visualize and work with three-dimensional
construction lines, curves and objects on the screen from viewport to
viewport, and really understand what I was seeing and doing from all
different angles. It’s as if I had to “hold” the work with my eyes and
mind rather than my hands while creating the design.
I have a pretty simple nature, I’m used to working with hand
tools…I’m convinced I had to create new neural pathways in my brain
to accommodate these new thought processes! There is definitely a
learning curve, but the best way is to actually use the program to
make jewelry. It’s absolutely amazing what you can come up with when
you put a little time into it.
The Rhino newsgroup is a great place to post files of “works in
progress”, ask questions and follow questions and solutions posted by
other users. It’s kind of like Orchid for techno-geeks, but don’t
tell them I said so…lol. You can find it on the Rhino site or:
news://news.rhino3d.com/rhino
I have more about Matrix if you are interested. If you
have any specific 3D modeling questions, I’ll try to answer
them…send me an email.
Jesse Kaufman
Jessie: I, too, have an interested in 3D modeling software for
jewelry design. I had been looking at Matrix and others but I find
them all just too expensive. ArtCam Pro is $8,000. What is your
input? Is it really worth that kind of money? Thanks for your help. Ed
Katz
if any one would like to share some info. about Rhino [i do have the manual] and of how to get Matrix , this would be lovely, ....
Akash, There is definitely a learning curve, the hardest part is
developing a modeling strategy for a particular design. Like anything
else, practice and experience is the key to successful results. The
program has a basic tutorial in it, and you can download the manuals
which have lessons in them as well. You can go through the many
online tutorials to get some basic familiarity with the program tools
and pick up some modeling tricks and techniques. Then, the best way
to learn is to actually use the program to make jewelry. The Rhino
newsgroup on the Rhino site is a great place to ask questions about
“works in progress” and follow questions and solutions posted by
other users.
Jesse Kaufman
Katz, Choosing software is like choosing a computer the more you
spend the more you get. It is rather overwhelming. You will need
to compare the softwares ability to make the best choice. Once you
have picked your software you may find it does not do everthing you
want so you may need to purchase other software to complete your
needs.
For instance, when purchasing Matrix you are essentially getting two
other programs (rhino and flamingo) to make this program work as
well as it does. The Matrix program includes the jewelry tools and
wizards, which is driven by the Rhino engine, and the Flamingo
program to render your finished project.
These CAD programs range in cost from $800.00 for a program like
Rhino. Purchasing near the top of the range, up to $7,500.00 you can
purchase a program like ArtCam.
You also have to ask your self what type of file your software can
export. Most CAD software generates 3D files that can only be
exported to rapid prototype machines. Rapid prototype machines range
in cost from $49,000. to $200,000. so most people need to send them
out to a service bureau to have them printed due to the machine
cost.
If you want to cut your parts on a CNC milling machine, you will
need a program that can generate a G code or toolpath files. Only a
few CAD programs generate these files, Art Cam is one hence the
extra cost. If you have a CNC milling macnine and want to create
toolpaths you can purchase specific software to do this like BobCAD
or DeskProto.
Edward J. Friedman
IT Technical Support Manager
www.modelmaster.com