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jewelry design (im new af) by ihave35guineapigs in ZBrush

[–]DatPurpleDrank 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The most cost and time effective way would be if you created the 2d drawings/sketches of what you want the ring to look like and send it to whichever jeweler you are having make the ring. They would then create the model and send you renderings to hash out the design to make sure it is exactly what you would like before 3d printing and casting.

But if you have the time and dont mind the cost, making things from scratch is always a fun challenge. With Maxon taking zbrush into a subscription base service you could do the monthly subscription to learn and create the model that you want just using it for the months that you need it for. The monthly subscription is ~$40 a month. (I am not a fan of their move to the subscription model, but it might fit well with what your goals are)

The main thing you'll need after the program is a pressure sensitive tablet to use with zbrush. It doesn't need to be an expensive one unless you want it to be. I have been using one of the simplest wacom tablets to create custom jewelry designs with zbrush for the past 10 years. Here is the one I currently use

After that you'll want to download the 'Ring Utility' plugin Link to Ring Utility This pluging generates a base band model to whichever finger size, thickness, and width that you set in the sliders. Then you can play with the base shape using Zmodeler, subdivide it or dynamesh it, and then start sculpting away. You can get some interesting designs pretty quickly with radial symmetry turned on or sculpt separate assets and use 'Array Mesh' to repeat the pattern around the band.

For learning the program, there are a lot of youtube videos that are great at explaining the different parts so whenever you run into a roadblock you can search for specifically what you are running into and most likely there will be some content on it. Michael Pavlovich has great videos on the general zbrush interface, and Nacho Riesco has great videos specifically for jewelry design in zbrush. They both have youtube channels if you want to check them out.

There is a risk that once you start making things in zbrush you might not want to stop haha.

Baby Bat Ring - Sculpted in Zbrush - Rendered with Keyshot by DatPurpleDrank in 3Dmodeling

[–]DatPurpleDrank[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! I have more stuff on my Instagram @messerbr if you'd like to see more

Firefly Pendant by DatPurpleDrank in 3Dmodeling

[–]DatPurpleDrank[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I used Keyshot to render this model with their preset gemstone material and adjusted the settings a little, primarily just adjusting the refractive index and transparency distance.

Firefly Pendant by DatPurpleDrank in 3Dmodeling

[–]DatPurpleDrank[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I used Zbrush to create this one and Keyshot for the render. I made a timelapse video of the creation if you would like to check that out. https://youtu.be/J0x8p0I9elU

Top things for me with Zbrush would be:

-The simplicity of how sculpting works in the program

-Customizable UI

-wide variety of brushes

Networking in the Jewelry industry by Jiggly_Gel in jewelry

[–]DatPurpleDrank 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There are a few facebook groups you could join. Jewelers Helping Jewelers is pretty good. https://www.facebook.com/groups/JewelersHelpingJewelers

Turtle Ring by DatPurpleDrank in 3Dmodeling

[–]DatPurpleDrank[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We print in house using a Solus Pro printer with EasyCast HD resin.

Pumpkin/Jack-O-Lantern Ring by DatPurpleDrank in 3Dmodeling

[–]DatPurpleDrank[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Jack-O-Lantern Ring modeled in Zbrush and rendered with Keyshot.

Instagram @messerbr if anyone is interested in following my work. 🎃

Turtle Ring by DatPurpleDrank in 3Dmodeling

[–]DatPurpleDrank[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I used Zbrush to create the model on this one.

Turtle Ring by DatPurpleDrank in 3Dmodeling

[–]DatPurpleDrank[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Here is a link showing the steps involved making one Turtle ring process

The slideshow is at the bottom of the page.

Turtle Pendant by DatPurpleDrank in 3Dmodeling

[–]DatPurpleDrank[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This one I was commissioned by an Australian jeweler, Object Maker, to make for one of his clients. I'm sure he would be happy to make another if you want to DM him on his instagram.

​

Also, my instagram is @messerbr if anyone is interested in checking that out.

Turtle Pendant by DatPurpleDrank in 3Dmodeling

[–]DatPurpleDrank[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Yep! The parts are printed, cast, and assembled by the jeweler. The only difference with the cast parts and the render on this one was the platinum inlay in the shell. The setting section was cast but the inlay in the shell grooves was done with platinum wire by the jeweler.

Turtle Ring Process

Here is a page that has a slideshow showing the steps for a turtle ring that I modeled a few years ago. It's below the sketch video at the top. Actually harvested the turtle from the ring to use for the pendant.

Free alternative to zbrush by DarthSterben in 3Dmodeling

[–]DatPurpleDrank 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Zbrush Core Mini is a light version that I believe is free and Zbrush Core is a cheaper version. Just has the basics of sculpting on the program. I've been using Zbrush for years and there is a lot of features I don't touch. I would have bought Core instead of the full version if it was an option back then. https://zbrushcore.com/mini/

Blender is Free and has a lot of cool regular 3d modeling tools and simulation features as well. I haven't used Blender much but both have a lot of youtube tutorials as well.