JewelCAD Viewer

JewelCAD version 5 allows the export data file in JCV format. It is a proprietary format and can only be visualized through JewelCAD Data Viewer. The JCV file can't be read through JewelCAD and the Data Viewer only contains viewing functions. User of JewelCAD can now export their file to JCV file and provide it to others for visualization through JewelCAD Data Viewer.

Download JeweCAD Viewer setup file

Download the sample data for JewelCAD Viewer

Notes:

JewelCAD Viewer program is included in the version 5 software CD. If you have installed JewelCAD version 5 or its evaluation version, you may run the JcadView.exe file to access this program.

If you don't have the software CD, you may just download the setup file from above and do the installation. The converted JCV file doesn't contain the Material data that are not existed in the standard Material directory. The new Material files created are also required to be put into the Material directory for better visualization.

JewelCAD Support Forum
You may share your skill and techniques in using JewelCAD through the JewelCAD Support Forum.

Some questions and answers to the problems in using JewelCAD can be found below:

[IGES]
Q1. How to import IGES files to JewelCAD, many different IGES files cannot be imported to JewelCAD?

[Exporting]
Q2. Why some of the parts in an object are missing after exporting?

[T-Line]
Q3. What is the use of T-Line?

[Volume/Mass]
Q4. The unit in the "Volume/Mass" command in the "Misc" menu is confusing, what is the unit in the final calculated value?

[Offset Surface]
Q5. The program occasionally closes itself when we try to "Offset Surface" (in the Surface menu). Other times it works. What is the cause?

[CNC output]
Q6. The "NC Program" (Misc Menu) seems to create a box around the object on the screen then cuts the objects out of the block. What is its purpose?

[Network version]
Q7. Is there a Network Version of JewelCAD available? What is its requirement?

[Shared Database]
Q8. Is there a way to allow two or more running programs of JewelCAD to use a single, shared database?

[STL]
Q9. Is it possible to output a full STL data format for CNC and Rapid Prototyping output?

[Tablet Support]
Q10. Can JewelCAD demo version support the use of Tablet?

[UVMap & Project Mapping]
Q11. What is the use of UV-mapping and Project-mapping?

[Super-subtractor]
Q12. What is the use of Super-subtractor?

[Hot Keys]
Q13. Is there a list of Hot Keys in JewelCAD?

[STL output for CNC]
Q14. If a CNC machine can import STL data, how is the way to export STL data for the CNC machine?

Submit your questions to our Technical Support

A1. The JewelCAD IGES importer only accepts entitiy No. 128 : Nurbs Surface. For other types of entities, JewelCAD just ignores them.

There are also some restrictions in importing Nurbs surfaces to JewelCAD. Since JewelCAD surfaces are only uniform B-Spline surfaces, when importing Nurbs surfaces to JewelCAD, they may change shape if they are actually non-uniform or rational. For example, a sphere represented in form of a Nurbs surface will become a box-like object after imported to JewelCAD.

A2. The export functions are not perfect. For the IGES export, it cannot include the Boolean entity, the Gem Stones and the Block entity. For the DXF and STL export, it cannot include the Boolean entity. The Substractors or Intersectors in the Boolean operation will still be remained after export. You may apply Trimming or Boolean operation on these parts through the softwares that you do the import.

A3. The T-Line can simply be used as a ruler line for the size reference of an object. You can draw T-Lines with specific spacing as a reference to confine your design objects.

A4. The most update version 4.04 of JewelCAD will solve this confusion. In version 4.04, there are Specific Gravity and Unit for selection. If the unit in the grid size is mm, then your mass will be in gram. You may download the update version in the "What's new" section of this Web site.

A5. The offset surface function is not perfect. It has problems sometimes and the program will stop running and say some illegal function performed. The problem was outstanding when there are multiple points on the curves that creating the surface. We are looking into the solution for this problem but we expect it takes certain time.

A6. The "NC Program" will generate standard GM-code for CNC milling machine. After you define a 3D box to include your design object and do the setting of the parameters inside the function menu, a ".nc" file will be generated in GM-code format. This file is a text file and you can modify it if necessary (such as adding the feed rate of the CNC machine).

A7. A Network Version of JewelCAD is available. The minimum number of licenses for the Network version is 3 while the maximum is 250. The price of the network version for a certain number of licenses is the same as the total cost for the same number of copies of the standalone version. Actually the cost of per license in the network version is the same as that of the standalone version.

For the Network Version, only a single protection hardlock is required. The LAN network can be a MS Windows NT network. It can also be a LAN with Windows 95 or 98 only. The hardlock can be put on the Server PC running Windows NT or any one of the clients in the network running Windows 95 or 98. Beside installing JewelCAD in the Server, we need to install JewelCAD in every Clients also. The server or the PC with the Network hardlock must be turned on in order to support the network version. In fact, the network version works exactly the same as the standalone version except you are using a single network hardlock.

A.8 Use Notepad or a text editor to edit a file. In the file, write down only the required sharing Database full path directory name. Save the file as "Database.txt". Then put this file in the JewelCAD home directory in each PCs in the network. When JewelCAD is running, the program will look for the required sharing Database directory.

A.9 You may use the STL output inside the Cut into Slice function in the Misc menu by checking the option box of STL. The STL data output through this function is a conversion from SLC data and will contain the full data including the boolean parts. This data will be good for CNC machining and Rapid Prototyping machine supporting only STL input. If you are using ModelMaker II, you may just go to the Cut into Slice function and do the output in SLC format (don't need to check the option box of STL). The SLC data can be accepted by ModelMaker II and requires less time for processing.

A10. If the tablet can work in Windows environment, then it can be worked with JewelCAD just like the mouse. The demo version, just like the full version, can also support other input devices. However, the way of curve drawing in JewelCAD may not support the direct digitizing through the tablet in a perfect way. JewelCAD is using B-spline curves and the curve will not pass through all the control points. The best way to digitize a curve is by scanning the design file and do the curve tracing on screen. JewelCAD can allow the input of a image to be the background by using the View - Background function.

A11.

A. UV Mapping
Download a demo file uv.jcd for UVMap. Then follow steps below to create the file:

1. Call out a circle (across flat) and scale it to oval shape.
2. Call out a diamond setting.
3. Boolean - Union the setting as a single object
4. Change the Setting as non-deformable
5. Extend Copy the setting to number 16 at 2 unit apart

Then do the UVMapping as follows
1. do not use auto mapping direction and extent
2. Use horizontal direction
3. Set Left = 0 and Right = 16 x 2 = 32
4. Then map the setting onto the oval
The settings will have separation with each other. You can then size them
up with object axis on.

You may find further examples of using UV mapping in the Exercise directory. The files are Uv_map_1.jcd, Uv_map_2.jcd

B. Project Mapping
1. Project map objects onto a surface

- Open sample file "projmap3.jcd" in the Exercise directory
- Change to Front view

A ring (surface) and a series of objects appear on the screen.
The ring is unpicked and the series of objects are picked

- Choose the Deform - ProjMap menu and set the Project Mapping dialog box as follows-

Offset Base = Superimpose
Project Direction = Top
- Select the ring in the Front view
- Result The picked objected are put onto the top part of the ring.

Change to Four views and Color Shaded mode to look at the ring
- You can repeat the exercise by rolling the objects and set the Project Direction to different value
- You can repeat the exercise by moving the objects away from the horizontal axis and Project Map them to the ring with Keep Surface Section on

2. Project Map CVs onto a curve
- Open sample file "projmap4.jcd" in the Exercise directory
- Pick the series of objects and Show CV
- Unpick the object to notice the picked CVs
- Choose the Deform - ProjMap menu and set the Project Mapping dialog box as follows-
Offset Base = Just Touch
Project Direction = Top
- Select the circle in the Front view

A12. When an object is defined as a super-subtractor, any objects (except jewel) near to it will be subtracted by it. No Boolean operation is required.

1. Download a demo file ss1.jcd. The round setting includes a super-substractor in it. You can recognise it by Shading in Color or Rendering.

2. Download another demo file ss2.jcd. The round settings with the super-substractor are put on a ring. Change the camera view to 3D view and rotate it to look at its bottom part. Use Rendering (not fast shading) to see the effect of Super-substractor. You may go to Edit Menu and select Hide Jewel to take away the Jewel for manufacturing. If you delete all the settings. The ring doesn't has any holes in it.