Gems on Curve - Advanced

Advanced Gems on Curve

With this command, you can parametrically add gems to any curve with full control over the sequence: instead of one repeated stone, you build a list of gem groups — each with its own quantity, shape, sizes and rotation — and the command distributes the whole sequence along the curve. This is the tool for graduated runs, alternating patterns and any distribution that a single-stone repeat can’t describe.

Selection

Select the curve along which the gems will be distributed and, optionally, the geometry the gems will be oriented to. Two handles appear at the ends of the curve: drag them to limit the stretch of the curve used for the distribution, without editing the original geometry.

Gem Groups

The heart of the command is the groups table. Each row defines one group of stones in the sequence:

• Qt: The number of stones in the group.
• Shape: The cut used by the group, chosen from the Gem Studio catalog.
• Start and End: The size of the first and last stone of the group. The sizes of the stones in between are interpolated, so a single row gives you a smooth graduated run.
• Rotation: The rotation of the group’s stones in their plane — useful for fancy cuts.

Add or remove rows to build the pattern: one row makes a classic graduated line; several rows create alternating sequences — for example, one 3 mm round followed by five 1.5 mm rounds, repeated along the shank.

Parameters

• Gems Distance: The spacing between consecutive gemstones along the curve.
• Move in Z: Fine-tune the vertical position of the gems relative to the curve.
• Alignment on Curve: Choose where the distribution begins along the curve — from the Start, the Center or the End.
• Alignment Vertical: Align the gems to the curve by their Top (table) or by their Girdle.
• Starting Point: Measure the distribution from the Boundary of each stone or from its Center — crucial for projects with minimal margins between components or when working with very small gems.
• Gem Orientation: Place the gems in their Natural orientation or Upside Down (culet up, for reverse-set designs).
• Orientation Plane: Enable it to display the orientation plane of each gem in the viewport, to verify how every stone will sit before confirming.

Once you confirm your changes, all the stones you have generated will be listed on the Outliner toolbar.