3Design CAD vs Drakon

3Design CAD is desktop CAD/CAM software for professional jewelry design, available on macOS and Windows. Its parametric construction tree lets users revise designs after creating them. Jewelry-specific tools include custom stone building, advanced pavé, and microsetting; the software also has sculpting and animation tools, parametric modeling, a built-in render engine, and 3D print export. The maker describes Version 13 as adding over 400 fixes and 50 new features across stone setting, curves, interface, and performance. Version 13's rendering engine includes reflections, ambient occlusion, bloom effects, and refined materials. Installers are available for both operating systems, with separate downloads for the software, model libraries, and Swarovski stone libraries. Files can be shared between Mac and Windows, and the maker lists compatibility with 3Dconnexion SpaceMouse. A 30-day Version 13 trial includes access to experts for questions and guidance. Recommended specifications are 16 GB RAM and a dedicated graphics card for Windows, or Apple Silicon with 16 GB RAM for Mac. Pricing and license details are available from a sales representative.

Drakon is jewelry design CAD software that works as a plug-in for Rhino and Grasshopper. Its Jewelry Builders and Interactive Gallery include components such as rings, gems, bands, bezels, prongs, patterns, ornaments, and gem settings. Designers can change settings while working and have the model readjust; logic-based tools record modeling history. Controls cover weight, measurements, gem placement, and sizes. Production tools can generate technical reports and STL meshes for 3D printing, and the product lists photorealistic rendering and manufacturing export. A web viewer lets users open and share 3D models from any device, with cloud and e-commerce integration. Drakon Copilot accepts natural-language instructions to automate Drakon and Rhino tasks, but requires internet access. The software requires Rhino 7 or 8 and supports Windows 10 and 11; Linux is unsupported. Its fully functional 30-day trial leaves only a few tools available afterward. A Drakon license costs 1,995.00 EUR once, with Rhino required separately unless purchased in a bundle. Copilot credits are sold separately.