Copyright Alexander W.

Meredith 2018
Produced for Fourtané Jewelers
This copy is for website viewing only.

Plan for using PLM methods to

Develop and Maintain a Modernized
Custom Jewelry Line
Purpose:
To create 3D models of jewelry for manufacture while using product lifecycle management
techniques to maintain customization abilities while saving costs with ease of modification of the
3D models.

Method:
The methods of this process break down as below and are in consecutive order:

Client Requests with Hand Drawn Sketch

Constraint-Based Model of Jewelry
ZBrush Final Details for Jewelry
Photorealistic Rendering for Client and Final Client Confirmation
Casting of Jewelry
Final Assembly

Each Subset will include all relevant information.

All 3D files will be saved in the .stl format unless otherwise noted.

Client Requests with Hand Drawn Sketch

Each time a new jewelry piece is needed to be made, I believe a simple original sketch is
important to start with.
Copyright Alexander W. Meredith 2018
Produced for Fourtané Jewelers
This copy is for website viewing only.

Juan Da Silva will meet with each client and use his expertise to create a sketch with the client so
that they can see their ideas on paper. The sketch does not need to be technically sound, the
sketch is simply to show a client what the jewelry will try and look like when they meet him.

Additionally, at this time, dimensions such as the size of the stone, finger size, and any other
client specific dimensions will be determined.

Materials:
Sketching Utensils and Measurement Devices

Constraint-Based Model of Jewelry

Once the client’s desires are identified, construction of the ring can be started.

We will establish a reasonable amount of ring templates to aid in the quick and easy completion
of client’s requests.

Using best modelling practices, each model will be constrained using parameters. For example,
inside of the model a parameter can be defined. When constructing the model, a dimension will
use that parameter, and then when the dimension needs to be changed, the parameter will be
modified.

Following dimensions for the shape of the stone, size of finger, etc. the technically sound 3D
surface will be exported for use in ZBrush.

Materials:
Currently, there are many programs that can create the initial 3D model, but I will focus on CATIA. An
alternative is Rhino3D.

Additionally, for iPad usage, the program I recommend is Google Sketchup.

Why CATIA?

Using CATIA, we are able to create an exact model, using surfaces that will be read by ZBrush and able
to be sent to the casting company.

Once the file has been modified and saved, we can import it to ZBrush.
Copyright Alexander W. Meredith 2018
Produced for Fourtané Jewelers
This copy is for website viewing only.

ZBrush Final Details for Jewelry

The .stl file from CATIA is next imported into ZBrush.

From there, please reference these steps, but we have to turn the NURBS file to a Polygon file
(NURBS and Polygon is a way of calculating 3D formats).

Afterwards, we can complete the sculptable Mesh.

Carve the Jewelry to the desired style in ZBrush.

Once all is completed, the file will need to be saved as a .fbx file, so that a photorealistic render
can be made to show the client what the piece will look like.

Materials:

ZBrush - Used to carve “digital clay” or the 3D model so that small engravings can be made.
3D Print Exporter Plugin for ZBrush - Allows users to save as STL and supports 3D Printing
FBX Export Import Plugin for ZBrush - Allows users to save files as FBX to be used in Unreal
Engine
Stylus with tablet can be very beneficial for carving the clay.

Photorealistic Rendering for Client and Final Client

Confirmation
There are a few programs that can be used to make a photorealistic rendering such as Unreal
Engine, Cinema4D, Adobe After Effects, Maya, Blender, Etc.

I recommend Unreal Engine because I will be learning how to use it soon.

The only reason for using a .fbx file here will be to create the rendering and show the client.

Make necessary changes as the customer requests by going back into the CATIA file or the
ZBrush file.

Materials:
Unreal Engine
Copyright Alexander W. Meredith 2018
Produced for Fourtané Jewelers
This copy is for website viewing only.

Casting of Jewelry
The Casting Company will be in charge of the manufacturing process when it comes to physical
materials.

However, from my knowledge they will be using 3D printing techniques to make a mold, and
then will cast the metal.

Depending on the company, the .stl file used after CATIA will be best.

ZBrush exports .stl if the 3D PRINT EXPORTER PLUGIN is installed.

Materials:
The file created from CATIA or ZBrush
Requirements depend on Casting Company

Final Assembly

Juan will make the final assembly of the jewelry and the customer will receive their piece.
Copyright Alexander W. Meredith 2018
Produced for Fourtané Jewelers
This copy is for website viewing only.

References:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNUY2bM896E​ - Very Important video about importing
CAD files into Zbrush titled, “#AskZBrush: “How do I import a CAD file into ZBrush?””

http://docs.pixologic.com/features/main-features/import-export/​ - ZBrush file Formats