ZBrush has often been viewed as a difficult software to work with for engineering real-world objects, but recent developments within the program have made it much easier to create models for production. For starters, a plug-in, Ring Master, is available from Pixologic, the makers of ZBrush. This plug-in quickly creates base bands of specified size, width, and depth that can then be sculpted on (Figure 1).

It also has gemstone options. We can choose the cut and size of a single gemstone or even place gems around the band we create (Figure 2). The gem feature can be used independently of the band feature, making it that much more useful.

Keeping track of scale and measuring models has previously been challenging, but additions to the 4R8 version of the program have greatly reduced these issues. The included plug-in Scale Master allows the user to set the scale size of any object and even change that size later, if needed. For example, in Figure 3, the generic 10 mm x 8 mm Ring Master stone on the left has been resized using Scale Master to be a custom 12.4 mm x 10.2 mm x 6.95 mm stone.

Once a set scale has been established for a file, the transpose line can be used to measure out any part of a model with great accuracy. In the ring example in Figure 4, the transpose line is drawn out and calculates the width of the ring as 19.587 mm, which is displayed in the upper left-hand corner. Any object can be measured quickly on the fly to maintain tolerances for prongs, openings, walls, etc.

Two additional new features to the 4R8 version of the program, which have familiar features to current CAD users, are Gizmo and Live Booleans. Gizmo (Figure 5), which Rhino users will recognize for its similarity to Gumball, allows users to move, scale, rotate, and copy objects while also having built-in transform tools, such as twist and taper.

Live Booleans give the functionality all CAD users are accustomed to while interjecting a new element in which Boolean adjustments (Figure 6) can occur in real time.

Adjustments can then be applied to the actual geometry of the piece (Figure 7).

Gems, prongs, and gem cutters are a part of any CAD user’s workflow for jewelry, and, while there are currently no pre-existing tools for these functions outside of the limited use of gems in Ring Master, a user can custom create these tools within the program. While these tools can be time-consuming to set up, once made, they allow for easy calibration and use of gems, prongs, and gem cutters in a single brush stroke. The parts can then be split into gems, prongs, and gem cutters as separate subtools, ready for Boolean functions (Figure 8).

Probably the most overlooked benefit of incorporating ZBrush into a jewelry CAD workflow is how it is a return to the sculptural modeling style of wax working. With subtle brushstrokes, it is reminiscent of how jewelry waxes were first created, and gives a hand-touched artistry that engineered CAD alone rare-ly possesses (Figure 9). All of the aforementioned tools aside, the most production-friendly reason to use ZBrush for jewelry is the return to craftsmanship, just digitally.