3Design CAD vs TiaraCAD

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.

TiaraCAD is jewellery CAD software for designing rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and custom diamond jewellery. It works as a plugin for Rhino, and Rhino 8 is required to evaluate it. The product describes its design approach as “Stone-First,” building metal around a stone and generating only the metal required by the design. Its tools include gem settings, modular design, detailing, and support for multiple open files. Users can import company gem charts, metal density charts, and setting parameters for default use. TiaraCAD can generate a bill of material report for a quotation in one click, and release notes say version 2.6.5 added JewelCAD file import. It is offered for macOS and Windows; the features page says TiaraCAD 2.0 works natively on macOS. A 15-day evaluation is available, with no free plan. Continuous internet access is not required, though license validation needs an internet connection once, or once every 14 days with Cloud Licensing. Listed one-time plans include TiaraCAD 2 for Rhino 8 users at $995, paid once, and TiaraCAD 2 with Rhino 8 Commercial at $1,990, paid once.