Australian Facetors' Guild Limited

I have a question, as a new subscriber and because I cannot locate a search panel to review previous topics,  why are the faceting diagrams in GemCad and why are diagrams not available freely without having to pay for and download GemCad?

I actually do not want to download GemCad but I do want to access suitable diagrams.

So can someone explain the error of my ways please?

Hi John,

I suppose the answer to your question about why diagrams are in Gemcad format is that the programme was developed in the 1980s and has become the most widely used gem design programme.  I think it was the first, or among the first, programme with design optimisation routines and software. 

Anyway it has been very widely used for many years, and until recently was exclusively used for generating the diagrams used for faceting competitions.

One of our members Rej Poirier has produced and markets Gem Cut Studio, which is also a cad programme specifically for gem design. It will import and export gemcad files and was used for some of the diagrames in this year's competition  It has built in optimisation processes whereas Gemcad's main optimisation routine uses a separate programme, Gemray.

Both programmes read the database of about 8000 designs that is available to members.  

Many of the old designs have not been optimised and their performance can be changed from dead to lively using the optimisation routines in this cad software.  It is why I don't cut a design until I first check it using either Gemcad/Gemray or Gem Cut Studio, especially if it is for a competition.  It can make a difference to the "Visual Appeal" result..

If you are looking on the web for designs, Arya Akhavan and Volante both optimise their designs.  Arya Akhavan often comments on the performance of his designs over a range of RIs.

Yours sincerely

Gordon Perkins

Thank you Hans, I will look for the pdf files you spoke of;  Gemology Online ... yes I have scoured that site ... I need more, I look for particular designs.

And in Gem Cut Studio, for optimisation, the first thing I want to do is alter the index from 96 - not available.  Yes, I know, it is a trial program but I want to trial the software in real terms.

Yes Bruce, I 'actually' owned GemCad back in the days when RAM was in short supply, when "dial-up" was our connection tool and Malcolm Turnbull owned Ozemail - all long gone.

I have contacted Robert Strickland one time in the past and no, I do not have GemCad today (why, I do not know) but it is a good idea to try again today.  And I shall!