A mesh describes a 3D surface as many small flat triangles joined at their edges. STL, OBJ, FBX and GLB files store a mesh.
In more detail
A mesh of a cut stone needs only a few triangles per facet: the T73 has 118. In a closed mesh, exactly two triangles share every edge.
How we measure it
Each build measures every model's volume, size and depth from its mesh. The build stops if a mesh is not closed.
Related terms
- 3D model: A 3D model of a gemstone is a digital solid of its facets for CAD, rendering, printing or games. An exact model has flat facets, sharp edges and a closed, watertight surface at real size.
- Watertight: A watertight model is a closed surface with no holes, so it encloses a solid. In a closed mesh, exactly two triangles share every edge.
- STEP file: STEP is a standard CAD format that stores an exact solid, with each facet as a true plane. CAD programs such as FreeCAD, Rhino and Fusion open it to measure a stone and design a setting.
- Planar facet: A planar facet is a facet that lies exactly in one flat plane. Real cut stones and our models have planar facets; curved or smoothed display models do not.