DiamCalc
FAQ of DiamCalc (obzolete)

This page is obzolete. Please vizit the new DiamCalc FAQ here

Questions on installation

If I change or restore computer, laptop or operational system and would like to reinstall DiamCalc 2.8.0 what should I do?

If I were to reinstall DiamCalc 2.8.0 on new OS would that change the Registration key?

I downloaded setup.exe of DiamCalc but I can't run it.

When I run setup.exe of DiamCalc (or GemAdviser), it begins installation, then says "please insert disk two" and is searching for the file "layout.bin".

I am getting an error message "HASP not found" when i go to launch DiamCalc. What should I do ?

Questions on work

Unfortunately our USB Hasp key is broken. What shall we do?

What is the difference between GemCalc and DiamCalc?

Can DiamCalc work with different gemstone, such as Sapphire, Quartz, Topaz etc.?

I registered with RapNet and have downloaded their RapNet99 application. I tried opening the DBFCONV application, but got a "Cannot load DBC libraries...need full version" error. How can I load their prices into DiamCalc?

What is orientation (X, Y, Z) of the model in DiamCalc relatively to the model in GemCad?

What quality of images we are able to print from DiamCalc?

How I can work in DiamCalc with arbitrary cut?

Can I work in DiamCalc with cut which has not table?

Is it possible to receive a scan taken with the Helium device which I can import into the DiamCalc?

The current input screen of DiamCalc assumes that I have the Crown and Pavilion percentages. It's often the case that the stones I want to model come from RapNet and only have the overall table and depth percentages. Is there a way I can still use DiamCalc to model the stones?

RapNet now offers Princess prices as a separate table. However, when I import the dbf files, the price conversion utility doesn't seem to capture the princess price. Will you be able to address that?

Should I enter the actual measurements of the stone and adjust the proportions?

Can we save all parameters of diamond in particular file and to make customize report?

What is the use of view distance if we have the head distance?

Is it possible to measure the light coming out of crown and value it in a number? Can it be computable with cultured diamonds?

What is the difference between a DiamCalc 1-user license and the HASP-key version?

I am trying to import DXF made with 3D MAX and it fails to import the file. What do I do wrong?

Can I import concave designs?

Do you have a Web Viewer that I can scan my diamonds and show them to my customers over the internet (some kind of ActiveX)?

I downloaded GemAdviser and imported marquise file from the DiamCalc. DiamCalc says "The data format stored in this file is not supported by this version. You probably need to upgrade your program". What does it mean?

I know that each brilliance analyser has different results. How accurate is the Brilliance calculated by DiamCalc? Can I use the DiamCalc results and mention them an appraisal that the brilliance of a particular stone is Good to Very Good? How do the DiamCalc results compare with a Brilliancescope or any other hardware based unit?

What do colors mean in Parameters quality and Proportions section?

How to record a movie in DiamCalc?

How can I export movies from DiamCalc to iPod / iPhone

Answers

If I change or restore computer, laptop or operational system and would like to reinstall DiamCalc 2.8.0 what should I do?

There are two options: First option is to install version 2.8.0 on your computer and send us registration number and we will send you registration
key back; the second option is to upgrade your version to HASP version for only 65 Euro and you will get HASP key and versions of DiamCalc 3.0 and 3.2 Beta.

We recommend you to use the Second option because:

1) In this case you will get HASP key and will be able to plug it to any computer. If you will restore operating system or change laptop or computer or then you will be able to use DiamCalc program without any additional request to support by just plugging of HASP key and installing driver and distributive.
2) You will get more optional version DiamCalc 3.0 http://www.octonus.com/oct/products/3dcalc/pressrelease_dc3.php
and new one DiamCalc 3.2 http://www.octonus.com/oct/download/files/DiamondCalculator3_2beta.pdf
3) All next updates of software will be avaiable only for users with HASP version of DiamCalc.

If you select First option please:

a) Download DiamCalc 2.8.0 version from our website and install it.
b) Run program and you will see the message:

c) Press Ok and you will see Software registration window:

d) Copy registration number from this window with help of Copy / Paste commands and send it us via OctoNus Support Service http://www.octonus.com/oct/support/SubmitTicket.phtml

If you select Second option please fill the form here:

http://www.ideal-scope.com/dcupgrades/myform.html

If I were to reinstall DiamCalc 2.8.0 on new OS would that change the Registration key?

If you don't format HDD and reinstall the same OS on the same drive, you don’t need new Registration key.

I downloaded setup.exe of DiamCalc but I can't run it.

a. Please check that the digital signature of the file you downloaded is valid. You may find instructions on how to check the signature on our web-site. If the digital signature is absent or not valid, download the file once again, try different download location.
b. Put the downloaded files into a separate empty folder.
c. Check that there is enough free space on your hard disk (at least 25 Mb).
d. Run the installation under administrator's account.

When I run setup.exe of DiamCalc (or GemAdviser), it begins installation, then says "please insert disk two" and is searching for the file "layout.bin".

There is some bug in the installation part of the program that reveals on your computer. Please see the article on web-site of InstallShield that describes this problem.

I am getting an error message "HASP not found" when i go to launch DiamCalc. What should I do ?

1) Check that you plugged HASP key to USB slot of computer. If it is not plug it, run DiamCalc and check presence of error. If error is still present, go next step.

2) Check that you see red light and it shines continuously. If there is no red light reinstall driver from here After red light shines in HASP run DiamCalc and check presence of error. If error is still present, go next step.

3) If HASP key is blinking then please try to install update. You might need to run update three times before HASP key comes to normal condition with continuous lighting. If HASP key still blinking after update contact us to change HASP key. If HASP key shines continuously, run DiamCalc and check presence of error. If error is still present, go next step.

4) Check that your type HASP key is corresponding with type of program and replace program with new one if necessary. There are HASP4 key and HASP HL types of keys. Look at pictures here Please download corresponding DiamCalc distributive. DiamCalc 3.2 and later versions are available only for HASP HL type of key. If you want to replace HASP 4 key with HASP HL key please fill the form Run DiamCalc and check presence of error. If error is still present, go next step.

5) Check that you run DiamCalc under Administrative rights. In not, please log on under administrative rights and run DiamCalc and check presence of error. If error is still present, go next step.

6) Please try to disable antivirus/antispyware software temporary and run DiamCalc.exe once again. Check presence of error. If error is still present, go next step (please leave antivirus/antispyware software disable before you get success in running of DiamCalc. After you can enable software and check error. If it is still present then most probably you have to change antivirus software. Contact us for recommendation about antivirus program. If DiamCalc works properly after disabling of antivirus software then it is probably you have change antivirus software. Contact us again for recommendation about antivirus program.

7) Please try to reinstall HASP driver. You should first delete driver and then install it once again. Run DiamCalc and check presence of error. If error is still present, go next step.

8) If all above steps don’t help please contact developers from here and inform us about your Operation system: type, language, 32-bit or 64-bit, version of service pack; computer configuration: CPU, Graphics card, Motherboard.


Unfortunately our USB Hasp key is broken. What shall we do?

To replace defected or broken HASP key with new one you have to pay cost of key and cost of transportation. It is equal to cost of upgrade from version DiamCalñ 2.8 to 3.0. So please proceed with payment here. After receipt of new HASP key please send defected or broken key to distributor who sold you DiamCalc and sent first key to you.

What is the difference between GemCalc and DiamCalc?

Main additional possibilities of DiamCalc (in comparison with GemCalc) are:

  • There is Cut Quality estimation (Light return, Contrast, Fish eye);
  • There are standard Appraisers (AGS, AGA, GIA, HRD, Russian);
  • There is function "Cut / Load proportions", which is loading some standard proportions;
  • There exists import from MMD, SRN files;
  • It is possible convertation SRN -> GEM for full directory.

Can DiamCalc work with different gemstone, such as Sapphire, Quartz, Topaz etc.?

DiamCalc can work with any isotropic minerals. You can read about this in chapter 9 of DiamCalc User manual or find the same description here.

I registered with RapNet and have downloaded their RapNet99 application. I tried opening the DBFCONV application, but got a "Cannot load DBC libraries...need full version" error. How can I load their prices into DiamCalc?

If you tried the small version then please try the full version of DBFCONV. Here you will find the related links how to use Rapaport price list in 3DCalc.

What is orientation (X, Y, Z) of the model in DiamCalc relatively to the model in GemCad?

The orientation of the model differs in DiamCalc and GemCad because the X, Y and Z axes are directed in different ways. This behavior can't be changed. You may rotate the model in the DiamCalc after import by 90 degrees in the anticlockwise direction to get the same orientation as in the GemCad.

What quality of images we are able to print from DiamCalc?

You can choose resolution up to 600 dpi.

How I can work in DiamCalc with arbitrary cut?

DiamCalc allows working with several predefined cuts with parameters and import arbitrary cuts in several formats: AutoDesk DXF, GemCad ASCII, Sarin SRN files. It is assumed that the model in these files is convex. DiamCalc allows to create a photoreal image of any imported cut using various lightings. The current version of DiamCalc allows modifying only cuts imported from GemCad ASCII files. The next version will be able to modify any convex imported cut and export it to DXF and ASCII formats. Also DiamCalc allows exporting the model to our GEM file format which may be viewed with our free GemAdviser program. The GemAdviser allows viewing the photoreal image of the model using several predefined lightings.

Can I work in DiamCalc with cut which has not table?

You can import arbitrary cut to DiamCalc. During import DiamCalc tries to find a table to properly orientate the model. If the model does not have a table, it may be imported upside-down, but the photoreal image and many other features will still be available.

Is it possible to receive a scan taken with the Helium device which I can import into the DiamCalc?

The installation kit of the DiamCalc 2.3 contains two sample DMC files created by Helium. They are installed in the same folder where the DiamCalc.exe is installed ("...\Program Files\OctoNus Software\Diamond Calculator 2.3.1\"). Their names are: SampleHelium037.dmc and SampleHelium055.dmc. You may open them as usual in the DiamCalc, using "File"-"Open" menu. As these files were originally created by Helium and not DiamCalc, so along with the diamond model they contain a set of diamond parameters. Major parameters may be seen on the "Advanced" and "Advanced2" tabs. DiamCalc also can generate the detailed reports with diamond parameters. Use "File" - "View Scanned Diamond Report"/"Print Scanned Diamond Report" menus. There are several templates of reports provided with the DiamCalc in the "Reports" folder. You may customize them or even create your own. You need MS Word 97 or later installed on the computer to view or print these reports. You may convert these DMC files to GEM files in the DiamCalc and open them in GemAdviser 1.3.0. The GemAdviser will also display major diamond parameters.

The current input screen of DiamCalc assumes that I have the Crown and Pavilion percentages. It's often the case that the stones I want to model come from RapNet and only have the overall table and depth percentages. Is there a way I can still use DiamCalc to model the stones?

You may enter the total depth at first. The DiamCalc will change the heights of crown, girdle and pavilion proportionally and try to fit the stone into the given total height. Then you may enter the table diameter. It changes only crown angle, but leaves crown height intact. Thus you may get a model with your parameters. But you should understand that this information is not enough to describe the stone precisely, because the relation between crown, pavilion and girdle heights is still unknown. You will get only some approximation of the stone. If you have some other information about the stone, you may try to use it. For example, one way to find parameters that cannot be measured directly is to examine the diamond image produced by DiamCalc, adjusting parameters until the computer image looks similar to the real stone.

RapNet now offers Princess prices as a separate table. However, when I import the dbf files, the price conversion utility doesn't seem to capture the princess price. Will you be able to address that?

Unfortunately the price conversion utility recognizes only Brilliant, Pear, Marquise and Emerald cuts at the moment.

Should I enter the actual measurements of the stone and adjust the proportions?
Yes, you should enter all available actual measurements of the stone. But if you want to model the stone correctly, you should use the scanned 3D model. If you use only parameters, then you always get inaccurate model. The less parameter you use the more probable deviations from the real stone you get. The correctness of this problem depends on your requirements to precision and additional information that you possess about the stone. We recommend to seek for advice of other experienced users on Pricescope web-forum.

Can we save all parameters of diamond in particular file and to make customize report?

The current version of DiamCalc 2.3 does not have such possibility. It may generate only MS Word reports. We will try to implement it into the next version.

What is the use of view distance if we have the head distance?

The head distance and head size determine the position and size of the head as it shadows the light sources. The view distance is the distance from the eyes to the virtual object seen through the optical system. It was added to help model the optical system. If there is no optical system, the view distance and head distance are the same.

Is it possible to measure the light coming out of crown and value it in a number?
Can it be computable with cultured diamonds?

The DiamCalc can estimate the value of "Light Return mono" parameter. This feature is not available in demo version, it becomes available only after registration. This parameter describes the amount of light returned by a diamond in a specific lighting environment ("Office") relative to a diamond with "ideal Modern Tolkowsky" proportions. Our software also takes into account the features of human perception. You can read the details on implemented approaches on our web-site.
The DiamCalc may estimate these parameters only for colorless diamonds. As the cultured diamonds have the same density and refraction index as natural diamonds, the calculated values will be correct.

What is the difference between a DiamCalc 1-user license and the HASP-key version?

The DiamCalc Standard version and DiamCalc HASP version have the same functionality. The DiamCalc Standard version should be registered electronically (we provide for Registration code via e-mail) and may be used only on a single computer, on which DiamCalc was registered. The DiamCalc HASP version may be used on any computer, but it will work only when the DiamCalc HASP key is plugged into it. The delivery of HASP key is much more difficult than electronic registration via e-mail.

I am trying to import DXF made with 3D MAX and it fails to import the file. What do I do wrong?

There are quite a lot of variations of the DXF format. Only limited support of the DXF format is implemented in the DiamCalc (only "Mesh" type data is supported). DiamCalc requires "3DFACE" elements in the DXF file that describe sides. Also, the file should be ASCII, not binary. And it is assumed that the model in DXF file is convex. If the model is not convex, some of its parts may be cut off.

Can I import concave designs?

At present the only way to get a concave design is to import the concave model from the MMD file created by OctoNus Pacor/Helium software. On the whole support of concave models is very limited. Even if you get such a model in the DiamCalc you will not be able to adjust its parameters as you can for an arbitrary convex model.

Do you have a Web Viewer that I can scan my diamonds and show them to my customers over the internet (some kind of ActiveX)?

We have a free product accompanying DiamCalc specially for these purposes. It is called GemAdviser. You may import model into DiamCalc, set the required lighting, save it as a tiny GEM file and pass this GEM file to your customer. Menu command "File" - "Export for GemAdviser".
Your customers do not need DiamCalc to view the stone in GEM files. They may use the free GemAdviser to view your stone under your customized lighting or choose from several predefined lightings. Please note, that GemAdviser is a read-only software and it may read only files created in DiamCalc. So, you'll have to use DiamCalc to convert your models into GEM files. You may find the following command useful: "Cut" - "Batch processing" - "Convert from SRN to GEM". This command is available only after registration.

I downloaded GemAdviser and imported marquise file from the DiamCalc. DiamCalc says "The data format stored in this file is not supported by this version. You probably need to upgrade your program". What does it mean?

GemAdviser shows this message when you try to load GEM file created in unregistered DiamCalc. It loads the model correctly, just displays this message. If the GEM file is created in the registered DiamCalc, then GemAdviser opens it without any messages.

I know that each brilliance analyser has different results. How accurate is the Brilliance calculated by DiamCalc? Can I use the DiamCalc results and mention them an appraisal that the brilliance of a particular stone is Good to Very Good? How do the DiamCalc results compare with a Brilliancescope or any other hardware based unit?

We recommend to seek for advice of other experienced users on Pricescope web-forum.

What do colors mean in Parameters quality and Proportions section?

Each color corresponds to parameter quality and total appraising of the stone in different appraisers. You can see how each parameter influences to the appraising of the diamond. Note that AGA appraiser is more complicated than others and total appraising of the stone is not always corresponding to the worst parameter.
You can see color correspondence table for different appraisers below:

System appraisers
AGA AGS GIA HRD Russian
1A 0 E-VG   Ê
1B 1   Excellent*  
2A 2 G Very good À
2B 3      
  4      
3A 5 F Good Á
3B 6      
  7      
4A 8     Â
  9      
4B 10 -- -- --

*Excellent is not an official HRD data. It is provided here for possibility to check its suitability for your purposes.

System appraisers in DiamCalc: AGA, GIA, HRD.

How to record a movie in DiamCalc?

  1. Choose the appropriate path for moving diamond from the menu Options - Animation - Figure.
  2. Record movie in DiamCalc. Menu Options - Animation - Movie - Record. The dialog box will appear with recording options. Adjust them if you wish and press OK button. Most probably the default settings will suit you. The recording will start. You will see how program renders movie frames. There will be red sign of recording in the top left corner. When the recording is over the sign in the top left corner will change to the green sign of playback. And you will see the movie loop.
  3. Stop the movie playback. Menu Options - Animation - Movie - Stop. Also make sure that the green Play button is not pressed on the vertical toolbar on the left.
  4. When you have a recorded movie and it is not playing, you may save it to DMV or GEM or export it to AVI.
  5. Save to DMV or GEM
    • When the movie is completely generated and stopped save it as a DMV or GEM file. Menu Options - Animation - Movie - Save. Choose necessary file type in the standard Save As dialog.
    • If you saved movie in GEM file you (and other people) may use the free GemAdviser to load and watch it. Open the GEM file in GemAdviser (Menu File - Open) and launch movie by pressing the green Run button on the toolbar. GemAdviser is a free software of OctoNus. You may download it from our web-site.
    • If you saved movie in DMV file one needs DiamCalc to watch it. Open the DMV file in DiamCalc using menu Options - Animation - Movie - Load.
  6. Export to AVI
    • When the movie is completely generated and stopped export it into AVI format. Menu Options - Animation - Movie - Export to AVI. Choose the necessary codec for compressing the movie data by pressing the Codec button in the Save As dialog and choose from the list of installed codecs. This list should have all codecs installed on your computer. There is a great variety of free and commercial codecs available and each has its advantages, limitations and own collection of settings. Please, refer to the documentation of the specific codec. If you compress the movie with some codec, usually you should have the same codec installed on the computer where you plan to watch the movie.
    • Please note, that most of the codecs require that the movie is a true-color one. So, make sure you choose the "true-color" Color Depth option when recording the movie in the DiamCalc.
    • Also, a lot of codecs have limitations on the size of the movie frame. It should be divisible by at least 16 (sometimes more). Please, check the frame size of the recorded movie in the status bar of the DiamCalc.
    • After you created an AVI file you may watch it in any suitable application, such as standard Windows Media Player. Please, refer to the documentation of the application you use.

How can I export movies from DiamCalc to iPod / iPhone

To export movie from DiamCalc to iPod / iPhone:

  • Press button Movie menu
  • Choose Record
  • Set movie recording options
  • Press Ok
  • The recording will proceed. Press Stop when movie is ready
  • Choose Export to MOV…:
  • Save file *.mov
  • Import *.mov file into your iTunes
  • Select *.mov file in iTunes and Right click mouse on it
  • Select Create iPod or iPhone Version in context menu to convert movie for your iPod / iPhone

Please read more details and see illustrations here