Frosting in Import & Report

When you import a design from another tool or generate a cutting report, frosting data is handled carefully so nothing is lost in translation.

Importing designs with frosting

GemDiagram can import frosting from .asc, .gem, and .gcs files created by other tools (like GemCad or Gem Cut Studio). When you import such a file:

1. The frosting is preserved — frosted facets are identified and loaded into the design.
2. The 3D viewport shows the frosting immediately.
3. You can then edit it, add more frosting, or remove frosting using the same tools you use for designs you create.

Formats that preserve frosting

• .gcs (Gem Cut Studio format): Commonly includes frosting data in a dedicated column.
• .gem (Gem CAD binary): May include frosting; GemDiagram reads it if present.
• .asc (ASCII): Some ASCII files include frosting annotations; GemDiagram parses them.
• .facet (GemDiagram native): Always preserves frosting exactly.

If an imported file has frosting information that GemDiagram doesn't recognize, the design loads without frosting — the geometry imports fine, but the frosting data is skipped (usually with a note in the browser console).

Frosting in the PDF cutting report

When you export a design to PDF (click Export → PDF), the cutting report includes frosting as follows:

• Separate tiers: Each frosted side (pavilion or crown) appears as one or more additional tiers in the report, grouped by cone-angle ring (all frost facets at the same angle are one tier).
• Tier names: Frosted tiers are labeled clearly — e.g., "Pavilion Frost 1", "Crown Frost 2".
• Facet counts: The report shows how many frost facets are in each tier, so a cutter can see the complexity.
• Angles and distances: Frosting tiers list their angles and distances, just like main tiers.

The frost tiers sit alongside the regular main tiers in the report table — a cutter can follow the same sequence, treating each frost tier as another step in the sequence.

Frosting visibility in the viewport

• Solid mode: Frosted areas appear as a grainy gray surface.
• Realistic mode: Frosting scatters light realistically, creating a soft, matte appearance at the seams.

Switch between the modes by pressing R or clicking the render-mode button to see frosting in the way most relevant to your purpose.

Removing frosting before handoff

If you import a frosted design and want to remove all frosting before exporting it again, use Add Frosted Facets's Remove frosting button. This strips all frost tiers from the design — the geometry remains, but all the slivers are deleted.

Alternatively, use Click-to-frost a facet to remove frosting one facet at a time if you want selective control.

Handoff: design vs. report

• Design file (.facet): Contains the frosting data in full; a cutter receiving the file can see and modify the frosting in GemDiagram.
• Cutting report (PDF): A snapshot of the frosting at export time — the report shows what frosting was present when you generated it, but the PDF itself is not editable.

If a cutter wants to modify the frosting, ask them to work from the .facet file, not the PDF.