Project 4 Step 1 continued

The Top Diamonds

I am going to add the vectors for the diamonds that are around the center stone. These diamonds are 1.3mm each. I "Paste Along Curve" 24 of these stones. I selected 24 by trial and error because of the fit. Remember it is best to use an even stone number to paste. I will then add the .6mm diameter prongs by nudging and mirroring them. I like to raise the prongs at a 50 to 80 degree dome and .6mm height.  I used 50 degree in this project. This is what the vectors should look like.

The Finished Top

 

The Top Diamonds Video

Project 4 Ladies Engagement Ring

This project has several techniques used to make it. First, the under gallery is designed in the ring Blank 3 Axis model to demonstrate and introduce the possibilities there. In other projects I will show other techniques for more advanced galleries. Second, the side diamonds on the shank has the angle of the prongs corrected by using a cutter method. This technique can be used for other shaped parts a jewelry designer can add to an assembly. ArtCam draws prongs and other objects straight up and down as a default in the program. I will demonstrate another simpler technique in another project that will make these prongs perpendicular to the shank much quicker. 

Step 1
In this design I will create a softly squared top with 24 1.3mm diamonds around a 1 carat center. I start with the center diamond vector of 6.4mm and then draw a 12mm square with a 1mm radii. The center prongs are 1.2mm that I place in position, then mirror. I copy these two then rotate 90 degrees and then rotate all four prongs 45 degrees.  I then offset the outside square vectors by these amounts in this order.
.4mm
.65mm
.65mm
.4mm
.35mm
The center stone vector is then offset by .25mm and 1mm. The vectors should look like this:

The Top

After drawing the vectors I will use the 3D Blend tool to make the initial plate. I use a small taper with the 3D Blend tool (.5mm Border and 1.0mm inner vector) to minimize the distortion that would occur when I make the prongs. Also it is more pleasing to the eye then a sharp incline. I then subtract the shadow box and build a couple raised areas on the top for decoration. I also made a bezel edge for the center stone for strength and looks. This is the video for this portion of the top. I will add the surrounding gemstones in the next section.

Project 3 Step 2

Step 2

I'm going to begin this step by going back to the shank I created in step one and change the shape in the center of the ring. I want that area to be straight and not pointed. After that I will create a rectangle vector that I will subtract from the profile vector to make a euro shank. I simply reset the relief and then re sweep with the changed vectors to build my final ring design.

3D view showing the pointed section in the center of the ring.

2D view of the section I am going to edit.

I reset the relief then mirror the rectangle to use as a guide for editing.

Editing the top rail by inserting nodes.

Mirroring the edited top rail to the bottom.

Making a rectangle vector in the profile section for the euro shank.

F9 the rectangle to make sure it is centered. Then use the down arrow key to nudge in place.

The rectangle is in position

 

Subtract the rectangle from the profile vector by selecting the ring profile first, holding down shift and selecting the box second. Press the subtract vectors button.

This is the result. I will now edit the profile to the euro shape.

Enter node editing by pressing "n" and create an arc at the bottom by pressing "a".

.
Raise the arc vector up and then select the two outer nodes and nudge them down. Adjust the arc as needed for a pleasant design.

Two rail ring sweep the vectors. Select the top rail, bottom rail, small cross section, large cross section, and ring profile, in that order by holding down the shift key. Press the Two Rail Ring Sweep button to get to this menu. Make sure the add button is selected then press calculate.

The result from the sweep showing the euro and removed pointed section in the center of the ring. I still need to add the ridge back. 

Select the two rectangle shapes and use the shape editor to add the 90 degree dome ridge back to the shank. Now, mirror merge left to right to assure both side are the same.

The finished shank design.

 

 The Euro Shank Video

Project 3 Step 3

Step 3

This step builds a pear shape bezel in the 3 axis flat. The stone size is 4 X 3. I begin by making a rectangle vector the size of the pear shape stone and then place a 3mm circle at the bottom. The rectangle serves as a guide for my stone. I edit the circle into the pear shape. I then offset the stone vector outward and inner .35mm to create the bezel walls and the inner opening. I F12 and add 1.5mm to the outside vector. Then add a -45 degree pyramid with a start height of -.5mm. The inner vector is zeroed. This creates the bezel that is added to the assembly by the mesh creator.

The flat three axis model is used for the bezel. A small model size is used to just accommodate the setting.

Draw a 3 X4 guide box to create the bezel setting.

Draw a 3 mm circle and select the circle first then the rectangle then click align bottom.

Node edit the circle into a pear shape using the rectangle as a guide.

 

 Offset the stone vector both inner and outer by .35mm

 

Using F12 add 1.5mm to the outside vector.

 

Using F12 add a -45 pyramid with a -.5 Start Height to the stone vector.

Using F12 zero the inner vector.

Add to the assembly with the mesh creator.

Rotate and nudge into position.

Copy and paste another bezel into the assembly.

Rotate the second bezel 180 degrees in z.

The completed ring.

 The Pear Shape Bezels Video

 

Project 3 Euro Shank

This is a simple design with many possible ways to recreate it differently. It is designed to fit a half carat center diamond set in a peg head. Two 4 X 3 pear shape stones are placed as accents on the side. It also has a euro shank for both looks and comfort.



Step 1


 Select the Tapered Round Shank from the model New Shanks section. The following pictures show the values entered.

 

This is the view showing a thick and not very flowing shank design created by the wizard. I am going to edit this model into my final shape. The important thing to remember during the design process is to create smooth flowing lines and pleasing shapes.

The first thing to do is accept the wizard, then reset the relief, then offset the inner shank in the profile section out by 1.8mm. The thickness of 1.8mm between the fingers keeps the ring comfortable. This will be the vector I will edit to make the ring profile including the euro shank later. Normally, I would do all the editing in one step but to demonstrate the thinking process I have broke it down in smaller sequences. 

 

The next thing to do is edit the profile curve into our desired shape. This is done by node editing. I also inserted a couple of nodes to create the profile I wanted.

This is the view of the shank after editing in the profile section.

Here I am editing the top rail for the ring shank. I only reshape the top left side. I will delete the bottom rail and then mirror the edited top rail to the bottom. 

A two rail ring sweep is done with the changed vectors including the profile or ring silhouette.

This is the result of the ring sweep and a mirror merge left to right.

A rectangle vector is added to the shank where we want to make a ridge for decoration. This rectangle needs to be node edited to match the shape of the rails.

Use the shape editor F12 to add a domed 90 degree height to our vector.

The result is then mirror merged left to right to get both sides of the ring.

The 2D view of the completed shank.

 

The Shank Video