Pavé, Prongs & Cutters

5. Build the pave layout and compute stone placement

Open Pave in the Diamonds tab, add the model to the selector, and load a descending size sequence: 1.3, 1.2, 1.1, 1.0, 0.9 and 0.8 mm. Place the 1.3 mm reference gems in a line with vertical symmetry on — aligning each new gem’s outer circle with the previous gem’s edge — lock them, then enable symmetry on both axes and click Automatic. Add, move or delete stones and recompute until the layout is balanced with no large gaps.

6. Generate prongs and cutters

In the Prongs tab set diameter 0.6 mm, overgirdle 0.3 mm, undergirdle 0.3 mm and a 0.3 mm manufacturing extension, then run Automatic Generation. Fill any gaps by hand — never below 0.4 mm diameter — and finish in the Cutters tab with the 4th preset activated.

7. Close the lower opening and cut the first piece

Select the lower edges (Ctrl + Shift + double-click) and extrude downward with the Gumball to create a margin surface. Run Offset from the SubD tab with Solid = Yes, flipped inward at 0.8 mm, and soften the result with Remove Crease. Then Boolean Difference with the cutters opens the stone seats.