I added a model search page to the site. Just a different way to look at the models I have for free download. I’m not sure if I will add models to this database in the future. I think the most useful jewelry model database would just be elements of jewelry(or related items) that are very standardized.

In fact, I am actively working on some of the ideas outlined in this post from June 2007:
The merging of model sharing and jewelry design software.

Currently I am writing a plug-in for Rhino using C# & .NET. It’s my first venture into .NET. I know VB & some C++ so it’s pretty easy. As always I am working on jewelry software for the end user/consumer that they can use for free. It will be 5 years in October the I have been toying with ideas for this project. It’s frustrating because I have yet to release anything useful over the years.

I can’t wait till I have a useful product out there. I don’t think this will take too long. Well, at least a useful product for people that already know Rhino. To make it simple enough for non-CAD people will take much longer.

I am writing a jewelry design tool that non-CAD users can use for free. As a side effect this also can be used as a basic standalone jewelry design Rhino plug-in. It will also be a back end to a web based mass customization system.

There would be no cost to the non-CAD users. You can download and use Rhino for free permanently as a model viewer. My plug-in will be free as well. These users will be able to save parameters of a piece they designed using the plug-in. Jewelry manufactures can use these parameters(a file or link) to build the piece, or as a starting point to design what the non-CAD user wants.

I plan on releasing every Monday night for 8 weeks. Yesterday all I had was a ring rail tool. These releases will be in Alpha, as in buggy. Releasing unfinished software is a necessary evil as I need I to create a feedback loop with the users.

At some point I would like to write a front end so this can all be done over the web. One thing at a time. I feel a Rhino plug-in would be the most useful (and hence profitable) starting point.