Computer-Related Faceting Possibilities

This is the place to find Gemcad, Datavue2, and other faceting-related computer programs, as well as information related to them!

I am using programs which offer various means of using computer-generated computations and graphics for examining gems and their optical properties, designing new cuts, and displaying approximations of their appearance under various lighting models. This is an area of experimentation: there are various mathematical models being used in an attempt to explore the realities of light as it travels through gemstones and returns to the viewer's eye. None of the models are perfect in accounting for every detail of the reality they are simulating, but they all have usefulness in exploring the art of gemcutting through science. If nothing else, these programs are helping to identify the areas where more research and experimentation is likely to be of the most value.

What I like is that they can help quantify (determine values in numbers) various aspects of optical properties: brightness, dispersion, scintillation, reflection patterns, etc. so various cuts (or versions of a cut) can be compared as to their optical performance. It is then up to the individual gemcutter to interpret this information, and use it in creating gem cuts that accentuate the appearance and features that he desires from each individual stone. There are no absolutes in this- beauty is a subtle mix of various properties of the stone and it's optical performance!

Gem Cuts are not to be confused with "shapes". "Shape" is referring to the stone outline as seen when mounted; when I say "cuts", it refers to the placement of the facets within the shape. Here is an example of several "cuts" - the Standard Round Brilliant, Double-Mirror, Zircon Cut, Step Round, and Portuguese Cut- which are all of the round "shape".

Gemstone Design and Raytracing

G E M C A D G E M C A D G E M C A D G E M C A D G E M C A D G E M C A D

Gemcad for Windows! GemCadWin simulates a facet machine; the one place where you can cut and recut, and not waste valuable rough! Check out those cutting directions for typos, create new designs, or revise old ones. This one even prints out the cutting directions for you. Can import/export gem designs in other (i.e.- Long & Steele) formats. This is the full-featured version of GemCad for Windows, with a 30-day trial period. If you want to continue using it after 30 days, you need to purchase a license from Robert Strickland. We have been authorized by Mr. Strickland as an authorized agent to accept credit card payments for GemCad for Windows. Once payment is received, we give the customer's email address to Mr. Strickland, who will then email the key directly to them that unlocks their 30-day limit. Screenshot of GemCad for Windows Download Gemcad for Windows here! Current pricing is $95 for first time customers. There are discounts available to those who are registered users of DOS version of GemCad; those who purchased the GemCad Complete suite pay just $75.00 for GemCad for Windows. (See details at: www.gemcad.com) Charge it to your credit card here at the Facet Shoppe, or see Strickland's website at www.gemcad.com for other payment options.

G E M R A Y G E M R A Y G E M R A Y G E M R A Y

GemRay for Windows GemRay renders images of gemstones using the technique of ray tracing. Its purpose is to predict what a faceted gemstone will look like when it is cut and to optimize its angles for the best optical performance. GemRay runs on PC compatibles with Microsoft Windows XP™ or later. GemRay... Renders images of gemstones using ray tracing. Predicts how a stone will look. Evaluates the optical performance of a gemstone. Optimizes the angles for best performances. Models colored stones. Models refractive dispersion. Reads .gem and .asc files made by GemCad. While GemCad is concerned primarily with the shape of the gemstone, GemRay is concerned with its appearance and performance. GemRay... Does not model birefringent materials. Does not model di- or trichroic materials or a closed C-axis. Does not model polarized light. Models only flat facets—no curved, O.M.F. or notches. GemRay lets you select the color of the material. Just like in a real gemstone, the farther a light ray travels through the material, the more the light is absorbed. You can select the refractive index. GemRay can model dispersion. If you set the dispersion to a value greater than zero, GemRay will separate the red, green, and blue rays, assign each the refractive index corresponding to the wavelength and material and then follow the paths separately. Current pricing is $45.00 Charge it to your credit card here at the Facet Shoppe, or see Strickland's website at www.gemcad.com for other payment options.

D A T A V U E 2

Datavue2 If you do not have Datavue2 installed on your computer, DOWNLOAD IT HERE at the Facet Shoppe! This is the entire DataVue2 program installation, which sets up the program on your computer and includes the entire current library of gem designs.

Robert Long and Norman Steele have written a series of Facet Design books which have a wealth of cuts and information on related topics, like angles, brightness, dispersion, and general gemstone/optical properties. They are available here at the Facet Shoppe: you can find them in our Lapidary Equipment and Supplies section:

William R. Deazley wrote this DOS program to aid in designing gem cuts as they would be executed by the facet machine he designed (the "new Concept Concentric" Faceting Machine). Mr. Deazley wrote it for his own use, but is generously making it available to the faceting community through the Facet Shoppe as a free download in hopes that others may benefit from it as well. This program is called "Facet", and it is based on computations using distances from the stone center to the facet-face. Facet is a design program that is an aid in understanding the cutting process and for showing the stone's appearance during the intermediate stages of the cutting process. It has an interesting display that depicts the design in memory as a moving 3-D image. There is no FAQ or technical support with this program! This is a zip file: after downloading it, expand it into it's own directory (I called mine "facet") and it will create it's own subdirectory called "backup". The executable file is "facet.exe" and it has some information about using it incorporated into the program. Those who are familiar with DOS/Command Line programs may find this quite interesting and useful; if you rely on drag-&-drop with lots of menus, you probably will not like this.

14.5K

Use this opportunity to check out our quality faceting rough or take advantage of our discount prices on our full line of quality lapidary equipment and supplies. We offer prompt, courteous service, shipping on most items within 24 hours, a no-nonsense satisfaction guarantee, and excellent after-sale support.

Ordering is easy at the Facet Shoppe; choose the way that works best for you...

Back to the Facet Shoppe Home Page Comments or Questions? E-mail us Now!