GemCad for Windows Logo NEW!
 GemCad for Windows

 by Robert W. Strickland e-mail
 Gemsoft Enterprises
New Version 1.09!

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What's New

If you are familiar with the old DOS GemCad, here are some of the new features:

  • Most of the features of the DOS GemCad but friendlier
  • 3D view that tilts and spins
  • Creates, edits and saves preforms
  • Prints on any Windows printer
  • All of the point commands have been replaced with a mouse click
  • Copy & paste diagrams into your favorite word processor
  • Better scale command to stretch ovals, etc.
  • Toolbar with common commands
  • Multi-level undo and redo
  • Edit cutting instructions and cutting order
  • Doesn't cut facets until you say so
  • New “Reflect” command
  • Opens and saves DOS .GEM and .ASC formats
  • DXF file export
  • Shareware with 30 day free trial
  • Built-in Datavue 2 database access
 GemCad for Windows is a computer-aided design (CAD) program for faceted gemstones. It runs under Windows 95 or later on PC compatibles with screen resolution of at least 800 x 600. GemCad simulates a faceting machine and shows you accurate 3-D views of the stone. GemCad understands symmetry, so you typically have to “cut” only a fraction of the facets to get the full design. GemCad can follow paths of light rays through the stone to allow you to optimize a design to minimize light loss. The end product is an accurate faceting diagram that shows several views of the stone with accurate angles, indexes and dimensions. The program has three main purposes:
  1. Proof-cutting an existing diagram. Proof-cutting a design on the computer allows you to check the accuracy of the diagram and discover pitfalls before wasting valuable rough.
  2. Editing a diagram. You can take an existing diagram and modify it to optimize its optical performance for different materials. You can scale a diagram to make it fatter or skinnier to fit a certain piece of rough.
  3. Designing a stone from scratch. Advanced users can use GemCad to create new designs. GemCad frees the user from the tedious calculations required to determine angles.

GemCad doesn't model curved surfaces or notches but is limited to convex designs that can be cut on any faceting machine.

GemCad for Windows Screen Shot

Here is a screen shot (reduced in size). You can see the path of a light ray through the stone. GemCad's screen is divided into four windows or “views.” The Four View shows the stone from four different viewpoints. The Spin View shows a 3-D view of the stone that can be tilted and rotated. The Cutting Instructions are shown in a table at the bottom. The New Facet Info Box collects information for cutting a new tier of facets
GemCad for DOS

GemCad and GemRay DOS software and documentation are free!

Click here to find out more!

 Facet Design and Software Links