July 17, 2003. GemAdviser 1.2

We are glad to inform you that the GemAdviser 1.2 (build 28) is released and available for download.

April 23, 2003. DiamCalc appraiser fix: updated AGS girdle estimation
Updated appraiser file (Apprice.txt):

The DiamCalc appraiser for the AGS system performs the girdle thickness estimation incorrectly. (It was configured to perform girdle thickness estimation similar to GIA data but the AGS has different rules for girdle estimation). The correct data for AGS girdle estimation is included now in the updated appraiser file. If you need quick solution for this problem then please replace the older appraise.txt file in the DiamCalc folder with this new one: Appraise.txt, otherwise you may want to wait until the next DiamCalc release that will include this fix.

Another known issue about the appraisal is that the DiamCalc data for GIA estimation of girdle thickness entered as percentage or mm value is valid only for diamonds of size from 3.80 mm to 8.25 mm, for the diamonds out of this range DiamCalc gives incorrect GIA estimation of the girdle thickness (this issue doesn't apply to girdle thickness entered as word description). This issue will be fixed by the end of the May 2003.

March 7, 2003. DiamCalc 2.2.1
version 2.2.1 build 265

February 25, 2003. DiamCalc version 2.2.1 (build 255) is released.

The DiamCalc 2.2.1 has the following updates:

• The "Emerald" cut has two additional parameters (on the Advanced 2 tab) that define cutting of the rectangle corners: "Corner facets" and "Corner facets ratio";
• Import from TXT file with parameters recognizes additional parameter: second diameter. See SampleImport.txt for example;
• Zoom in/zoom out commands may be invoked by rotating the mouse wheel;
• When the user chooses one of the predefined lightings the photoreal visualization automatically turns on if it wasn't activated already;
• The FAQ section is added to the Diamond Calculator user manual;
• During import from PACOR MMD files all non-convex facets are triangulated to guarantee that all imported facets are convex.

The following bugs were fixed in the DiamCalc 2.2.1

• The position of the observer's head is visualized correctly now in the "multiple rays from eye" mode;
• The "Table diameter" parameter in "Princess" cut works correctly now;
• Consequent Zoom in and Zoom out commands does not change zoom factor now;
• In some cases some facets of the model were not highlighted;
• In some cases some parts of the ray in the raytracing mode were not displayed properly;
• When the model had significant displacement from the origin of coordinates in DXF file, this model was imported incorrectly;
• During import from DXF, MMD, SRN files the orientation of the model is checked and if the table is not at the bottom, the whole model is turned upside-down.
• Hotfix: the DiamCalc 2.2.1.265 (March 7, 2003):
  In the version 2.2.1.255 in the GemCad ASCII files import panel crown, pavilion and girdle parameters were frozen and displayed value "0". It is fixed in the build 265.

See previous DiamCalc versions history for the list of new features in previous versions.

The new 2.2.1 version is available from DiamCalc download page.

March 3, 2003. GemCalc 1.2
version 1.2

We are glad to inform you that the new version of GemCalc 1.2 is available for download.

The GemCalc 1.2 has the following new features:

• The "Emerald" cut has two additional parameters (on the Advanced 2 tab) that define cutting of the rectangle corners: "Corner facets" and "Corner facets ratio";
• Added 6 informative parameters for the brilliant cut describing details of the crown and pavilion angles. They are useful when dealing with gems that have deviations from ideal round girdle shape (Angles details tab);
• Added the possibility to view and save to a file graphical illustration of the map of current light sources (Options > Advanced > Lighting map);
• Added brain picture options to the Head and eyes configuration dialog (Options > Advanced > Lighting configuration > Observer > Head and eyes);
• Added import of text files containing cut parameters. For the format of these files see SampleImport.txt file (Cut > Import cut > From TXT file with parameters);
• Export of the generated movie into AVI format using the codec selected by user. This command is available in the movie menu on the toolbar, or in the main menu (Options > Animation > Movie > Export to AVI);
• Non-spatial animation in movies. The movie may be generated by changing gem parameters (crown and pavilion angles). This feature is available through the path type menu on the toolbar, or through the main menu (Options > Animation > Figure > Reverse Crown vs. Pavilion, Direct Crown vs. Pavilion, Crown variation, Pavilion variation, OctoNus-MSU Crown vs. Pavilion);
• The "Movie recording options" dialog box provides a possibility to set the step of animation figure parameters change when applicable;
• Added "Reset diamond to table-up position at movie start" option to the "Movie recording options" dialog box. It allows to preserve the current diamond orientation and to start the spatial animation from the chosen position or from the "table-up" position;
• Added "Draw diamond wire-frame profile in the corner" option to the "Movie recording options" dialog box. It allows to lay the diamond wire-frame profile on the movie frames during recording to illustrate how the diamond parameters (crown and pavilion) change;
• In the ray-tracing mode the spatial animation takes into consideration options for objects rotation (rays, gem or both).
• Added the possibility to load JPEG images as background (Options > Background color > Picture > Set picture);
• The background picture is now placed in the center after load by default. The background is easier to move now to match the current gem model (Options > Background color > Picture > Adjust position);
• Zoom in/zoom out commands may be invoked by rotating the mouse wheel;
• When the user chooses one of the predefined lightings the photoreal visualization automatically turns on if it wasn't activated already;
• The FAQ section is added to the Gem Calculator user manual.

The following bugs were fixed in the GemCalc 1.2

• The position of the observer's head is visualized correctly now in the "multiple rays from eye" mode;
• The "Table diameter" parameter in "Princess" cut works correctly now;
• Consequent Zoom in and Zoom out commands does not change zoom factor now;
• In some cases some facets of the model were not highlighted;
• In some cases some parts of the ray in the raytracing mode were not displayed properly;
• When the model had significant displacement from the origin of coordinates in DXF file, this model was imported incorrectly;
• During import from DXF files the orientation of the model is checked and if the table is not at the bottom, the whole model is turned upside-down;
• If the selected background color differed from black, then adjusting the position of the background picture caused corruption of the solid background;
• When saving an image of the current model with the background picture set in a high resolution, the background picture was not zoomed accordingly;
• Setting of the standard light or changing the observer parameters corrupted the "Distance between eyes" parameter set by the user.

See previous GemCalc versions history for the list of new features in previous versions.

The new 1.2 version is available from GemCalc download page.