Streamlining the process: Getting the best results from your CAD designer

by charlene_voisin | July 1, 2015 9:00 am

By Shele Letwin

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I grew up in the jewellery business, my father being Bill Letwin, Sr, owner of Andrew’s Jewellers in Calgary. Dad loved the vibrancy of coloured gemstones; he was one of the first people in Western Canada to receive his graduate gemmologist certificate from Gemological Institute of America (GIA). I remember how much he loved designing with gemstones, particularly when it involved making a custom piece.

In the 1970s, there were only two methods of communication: telephone and Canada Post, which made things a bit tricky. Usually, you came up with a design, sketched it, and sent it off to a manufacturer in Toronto or Montreal. It was rare you even spoke to the goldsmith, since all instructions were typically handled by the company’s receptionist. As long as the completed piece looked pretty, clients were usually content you were able to create something especially for them.

The Internet and smartphones have changed the rules of the game quite a bit. In fact, many would agree it is straightforward to offer custom design today because of the ease the web offers. These days, consumers can do hours of research from the comfort of their homes, formulating exactly what they want. In most cases, a designer can quickly zero in on the style their client is looking for and pass this information on to their custom shop.

With consumer demands high, developing effective communication with your CAD operator is critical. Neither you nor your client like being in that awkward situation where a lack of communication meant something was overlooked. To eliminate the do-overs, here are a few tips to help maintain a good working relationship between you and your CAD designer.

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Measure twice, cut (or print) once. Double check you have provided accurate stone measurements and your stone count is correct. If the piece incorporates a fancy-shape gemstone, it may be a good idea to scan it using a flatbed scanner and then trace it to design the setting. If you don’t have a scanner, a camera will work, but be sure you are directly over the gem to ensure you are photographing its shape correctly. Better yet, consider getting a 3D scan of the gem for the best fit possible.

It is all in the details. The more information you can provide the CAD person, the better. A word of caution, though. Do not include paragraphs’ worth of information beside the photos or sketches you send. A clean, quick sketch at different angles pointing out certain details is all that is required. People skim-read these days and can miss important details when they are overwhelmed with long explanations. It’s best to keep things concise, although be sure to include the correct finger size, as well as approximate heights and widths in your drawing. Advise your customer to be a little flexible when it comes to certain details like thickness. Adjustments may have to be made for security, wearability, and overall esthetic.

Timing is everything. We all want to make the sale and when there is an occasion or deadline that cannot be changed, you may have no choice but to ask for a rush job. However, be prepared to pay a little extra. Also, you may want to inspect the finished piece a little more closely. We all know the feeling of doing things too quickly and how easy it is to make mistakes, even when we are trying to be careful. In addition, try not to bombard your CAD designer with too many rush jobs. People tend to get tired and burn out if you treat every day like Dec 24.

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Size matters. If ‘attention to detail’ is your middle name, ask your CAD operator to create a render so you can double check everything is as you want it to be before the wax is produced. Keep in mind computer renders of a design always look bigger and heavier than the finished product. Some software can incorporate metal type and gemstones into the image, but also ask your CAD operator for the line drawing with measurements. As someone who works with CAD day in and day out, I always recommend you trust the measurements and not use the render as a true indication of proportions, etc. Doing so will likely keep you from calling the CAD person and telling them they have made the piece too heavy. No one likes to be told they did something wrong, particularly when you’ve jumped the gun in voicing your concern.
 
A marriage of the minds. There is more than one CAD operator in the world. However, when you find one with whom you communicate well, they deliver on time, and charge a fair price, you may be a little reluctant to use someone else. That said, things can change. A great CAD operator is hard to find and it’s likely others have discovered how great yours is, which means you won’t have them all to yourself. If you find yourself looking for a new CAD operator, consider finding one who specializes in the jewellery you design. For instance, if your custom jobs are mostly bridal jewellery, find a CAD designer who works in this field. The bottom line is to collaborate with someone who understands what you’re looking for to minimize the number of e-mails and phone calls.

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Here’s a tidbit of information. Some CAD designers are turning to software that allows them to ‘sculpt’ in CAD, rather than build. Using a tablet, they can achieve some pretty amazing detail, but a mouse can do the trick as well. The software is reasonably priced and is meant to mimic working in clay. So if your CAD operator says a design can’t be done, maybe they just don’t have the tools to do it.

Offering custom design does not have to be scary. In fact, besides bridal, it has come to be known as a recession-proof sector. I can’t tell you how often people have told me custom CAD design pulled them through some tough times and helped grow their business. However, it all begins with working with an experienced and professional CAD operator and providing clear, understandable instructions.

If you’re working with a CAD service centre, you may not be the sole copyright holder of your design. Find out more here.[5]

Shele Letwin is president of GV Design Canada, the authorized Canadian distributor of Gemvision and Envision Tec products. She is a graduate of the jewellery arts program at George Brown College, an award-winning designer, and CAD/CAM instructor. Letwin is often a guest speaker at trade shows and at the Gemvision Design Symposium. For more on CAD, see GV Design on YouTube at ‘gvdesigncanada ““ future jeweler’ or follow the company on Facebook or Twitter @GVDesigncanada. Letwin can be reached via e-mail at shele@gvdesigncanada.com[6] or (866) 299-1702.

Source URL: https://www.jewellerybusiness.com/features/streamlining-the-process-getting-the-best-results-from-your-cad-designer/

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