Shank & Final Cut

14. Build and refine the shank

Create a Classic shank with Preset 037 and edit it: height 2.10 mm, and in the Opening tab a cut length of 15 mm with cap bumping at 0.2 mm so the caps touch the baskets and everything reads as one solid structure. Switch the bottom profile to Profile 013 and shape it — or pick whichever asset profile suits the design better — and accept, leaving the third profile untouched.

15. Finalize the ring and match the inner cut to ring size

In the Outliner, run Cut by Ring Size on all the baskets and press Enter. The inner cut now matches the size 6.5 curve — review the finished assembly and it’s ready for rendering.

Tips for a clean result

• Don’t rush the reference alignment: the entire geometry depends on the image being placed and scaled accurately.
• Keep elements touching where it matters — the basket-and-shank structure is only as strong as its contacts.
• Rotate gem and basket together, never separately.
• Rigid Objects in Quick Flow is what keeps the stones from deforming — don’t skip it.
• Update the Outliner after moving or rotating so the model state stays current.
• Alt + Gumball duplicates repeated stones fast, and distinct layer colors keep the reference curves legible.