BeadMod - Create Beautiful Bracelet Models

---
title: Global Defaults & Sizing Guide
description: Master the global defaults system and understand the XS to XL sizing scale
---

# Global Defaults & Sizing Guide

BeadMod's Global Defaults system lets you set preferred materials, finishes, and sizes that automatically apply to all newly added beads. This speeds up your design workflow while still allowing individual bead customization.

## 🎯 What Are Global Defaults?

**Global Defaults** are preset values that apply to every new bead you add to your design. Instead of customizing each bead individually, set your preferences once and all new beads inherit those settings.

### Benefits
- **Faster Design**: Add beads quickly without repetitive customization
- **Consistency**: Maintain uniform look across your design
- **Flexibility**: Override defaults on individual beads anytime
- **Experimentation**: Quickly try different global aesthetics

### What Can Be Set as Default?
- **Material Category**: Natural, Wood, Ceramic, Pearl, Glass, Resin, Metal
- **Finish Type**: Polished, Matte, Frosted, Faceted, Brushed, Hammered, Glossy
- **Bead Size**: XS (4mm), S (6mm), M (8mm), L (10mm), XL (12mm)

---

## 📐 The Sizing System

BeadMod uses a 5-tier sizing system from Extra Small to Extra Large, with each size representing an actual bead diameter in millimeters.

### Size Scale

| Size | Diameter | Description | Best For |
|------|----------|-------------|----------|
| **XS** | 4mm | Extra Small | Delicate accents, spacers, rings |
| **S** | 6mm | Small | Small details, earrings, delicate bracelets |
| **M** | 8mm | Medium | Standard beads, most designs (default) |
| **L** | 10mm | Large | Focal beads, statement pieces |
| **XL** | 12mm | Extra Large | Bold focal points, large pendants |

### Visual Comparison

When viewed in the 3D canvas:
- **XS beads** appear about 50% the size of Medium
- **S beads** appear about 75% the size of Medium
- **M beads** are the baseline standard size
- **L beads** appear about 125% the size of Medium
- **XL beads** appear about 150% the size of Medium

---

## ⚙️ Setting Global Defaults

### Accessing Global Defaults

1. Open the **Properties** panel (right sidebar)
2. Look for **"Global Defaults"** section
3. Expand if collapsed

You'll see three dropdown controls:
- Default Material
- Default Finish
- Default Size

### Setting Default Material

**Material Categories**:

1. **Natural** - Gemstones and minerals
   - Examples: Amethyst, Turquoise, Jade, Rose Quartz
   - Use for: Authentic gemstone jewelry

2. **Wood** - Wooden beads
   - Examples: Oak, Bamboo, Sandalwood, Ebony
   - Use for: Natural, earthy, organic designs

3. **Ceramic** - Porcelain and ceramic
   - Examples: White Ceramic, Blue Ceramic, Terracotta
   - Use for: Handmade, artisan, bohemian styles

4. **Pearl** - Natural and cultured pearls
   - Examples: White Pearl, Black Pearl, Golden Pearl
   - Use for: Elegant, classic, bridal jewelry

5. **Glass** - Glass and crystal beads
   - Examples: Clear Glass, Colored Glass, Murano Glass
   - Use for: Sparkle, translucence, modern designs

6. **Resin** - Acrylic and resin beads
   - Examples: Custom colored resin beads
   - Use for: Vibrant colors, affordable designs

7. **Metal** - Metallic beads
   - Examples: Silver, Gold, Bronze, Copper
   - Use for: Spacers, accents, luxury designs

**How to Set**:
1. Click the "Default Material" dropdown
2. Select your preferred category
3. All new beads will use this material type

### Setting Default Finish

**Finish Types**:

1. **Polished** - Smooth, shiny surface
   - High reflectivity
   - Classic jewelry finish

2. **Matte** - Non-reflective, flat finish
   - Subtle appearance
   - Modern, understated

3. **Frosted** - Slightly textured, semi-matte
   - Soft appearance
   - Elegant, refined

4. **Faceted** - Cut with flat faces
   - Maximum sparkle
   - Gemstone-like

5. **Brushed** - Linear texture
   - Directional finish
   - Contemporary metals

6. **Hammered** - Textured, hand-worked look
   - Artisan appearance
   - Organic, handmade

7. **Glossy** - High-gloss coating
   - Maximum shine
   - Bold, vibrant

**How to Set**:
1. Click the "Default Finish" dropdown
2. Select your preferred finish
3. All new beads will have this surface treatment

### Setting Default Size

**Size Options**: XS, S, M, L, XL (described above)

**How to Set**:
1. Click the "Default Size" dropdown
2. Select your preferred size
3. All new beads will be this size

---

## 🎨 Global Defaults Strategies

### Strategy 1: Uniform Design
**Goal**: Create consistent, cohesive jewelry

**Settings**:
- Material: Pearl
- Finish: Polished
- Size: M (8mm)

**Result**: All beads are uniform pearls, creating elegant, classic design

**When to Use**:
- Formal jewelry
- Professional pieces
- Simple, clean aesthetics

---

### Strategy 2: Efficient Base + Custom Accents
**Goal**: Fast design with selective customization

**Settings**:
- Material: Natural (gemstones)
- Finish: Polished
- Size: S (6mm)

**Workflow**:
1. Set globals for your "base" beads
2. Add many beads quickly
3. Selectively customize 2-3 focal beads to L or XL
4. Add custom colors or effects to focal beads

**Result**: Quickly built design with strategic focal points

**When to Use**:
- Large designs (necklaces)
- Designs with focal beads
- Time-sensitive projects

---

### Strategy 3: Size Variation
**Goal**: Dynamic visual interest through size changes

**Settings**:
- Material: Wood
- Finish: Matte
- Size: M (default)

**Workflow**:
1. Add several medium beads
2. Change global size to L
3. Add a few large beads
4. Change global size to S
5. Add small accent beads

**Result**: Interesting size variation without individual edits

**When to Use**:
- Organic, natural designs
- Bohemian styles
- Experimental layouts

---

### Strategy 4: Material Mixing
**Goal**: Combine multiple material types

**Settings**:
- Start: Material = Natural, Finish = Polished, Size = M

**Workflow**:
1. Add 5 beads (natural gemstones)
2. Change global material to Metal
3. Add 2 beads (metal spacers)
4. Change global material to Wood
5. Add 3 beads (wood accents)
6. Repeat pattern

**Result**: Rhythmic pattern of mixed materials

**When to Use**:
- Eclectic designs
- Material contrast
- Artisan jewelry

---

## 🔄 Overriding Global Defaults

**Key Concept**: Global defaults apply ONLY to new beads. Existing beads keep their settings.

### Individual Bead Override

1. **Select the Bead**: Click on bead in canvas or list
2. **Open Properties**: View bead's individual properties
3. **Change Any Property**: Size, material, color, finish, effects
4. **Override Persists**: Bead keeps custom settings even if you change global defaults

### When to Override

**Common Override Scenarios**:

1. **Focal Beads**: Make 1-2 beads larger or special
   - Keep globals for base beads
   - Override focal beads to XL size
   - Add glow or iridescent effect

2. **Spacer Beads**: Add small accents between large beads
   - Globals set to L (large)
   - Override specific beads to XS (spacers)
   - Change material to Metal

3. **Color Gradient**: Vary color across beads
   - Keep material/size globals
   - Override individual bead colors
   - Create color gradient manually

4. **Pattern Breaking**: Intentional contrast
   - Uniform globals (e.g., M size, Natural)
   - Override one bead to be different
   - Creates visual interest

---

## 📏 Size Selection Guidelines

### By Jewelry Type

**Bracelets**:
- Default: M (8mm) - standard bracelet size
- Delicate: S (6mm) - lightweight
- Statement: L (10mm) - bold
- Mixed: Vary between S, M, L

**Necklaces**:
- Default: M (8mm) - versatile
- Choker: S to M (6-8mm) - delicate
- Statement: L to XL (10-12mm) - dramatic
- Graduated: XL center, S at ends

**Rings**:
- Default: XS to S (4-6mm) - comfortable
- Delicate: XS (4mm) - minimal
- Statement: S to M (6-8mm) - visible
- Avoid: L, XL - too bulky

**Earrings**:
- Default: XS to S (4-6mm) - lightweight
- Studs: XS (4mm) - tiny
- Dangles: S to M (6-8mm) - noticeable
- Avoid: XL - too heavy

**Anklets**:
- Default: M (8mm) - standard
- Delicate: S (6mm) - subtle
- Casual: M to L (8-10mm) - visible

### By Design Style

**Minimalist**:
- Small to Medium (S to M)
- Uniform sizing
- Simple, clean

**Bohemian**:
- Mixed sizes (S, M, L)
- Organic variation
- Eclectic combinations

**Statement**:
- Large to Extra Large (L to XL)
- Bold, dramatic
- Attention-grabbing

**Classic Elegant**:
- Medium (M)
- Consistent sizing
- Refined, traditional

**Modern Contemporary**:
- Varied sizes (all 5)
- Intentional contrast
- Artistic choices

---

## 🎓 Advanced Tips

### Tip 1: Quick Design Iteration

Want to see how your design looks at different sizes?

1. Complete your design with current size
2. Select all beads (Ctrl+A or Cmd+A)
3. Change size in properties
4. All beads resize simultaneously
5. Compare and choose best size

### Tip 2: Material Category Exploration

Try designing the same bracelet with different global materials:

1. Create design with Material = Natural
2. Save design
3. Create new design (same bead pattern)
4. Use Material = Wood
5. Compare aesthetics

### Tip 3: Progressive Size Building

Build necklaces with gradient sizing:

1. Start with Size = XL (center beads)
2. Add 3-5 beads
3. Change to Size = L
4. Add 5-7 beads
5. Change to Size = M
6. Add 10-15 beads
7. Change to Size = S
8. Add remaining beads (near clasp)

Result: Natural size graduation

### Tip 4: Performance Optimization

If experiencing low FPS:

1. Set Default Size = S or M (smaller)
2. Smaller beads = less geometry = better performance
3. Reserve L and XL for focal beads only

---

## 💾 Defaults and Saved Designs

### What Gets Saved?

When you save a design:
- ✅ **Individual bead properties** (size, material, color, effects)
- ✅ **Layout settings** (radius, spacing, arc)
- ✅ **Product type**
- ❌ **Global defaults are NOT saved** (they're editor preferences)

### Loading a Design

When you load a saved design:
- All beads load with their saved properties
- Global defaults reset to editor defaults
- Adding new beads uses current global defaults
- Original beads unchanged

---

## 🌟 Best Practices

### Do's ✅

1. **Set Defaults First**: Before adding beads to new design
2. **Use for Bulk**: Great for adding many similar beads
3. **Override Strategically**: Customize key beads individually
4. **Experiment**: Try different global combinations
5. **Match Product Type**: Use appropriate sizes for jewelry type

### Don'ts ❌

1. **Don't Over-Customize**: Defeats purpose of defaults
2. **Don't Ignore Performance**: Large sizes = lower FPS
3. **Don't Forget to Change**: Update defaults as design evolves
4. **Don't Expect Persistence**: Defaults don't save with design
5. **Don't Use XL for Rings**: Too bulky for finger jewelry

---

## 🎨 Example Workflows

### Example 1: Pearl Necklace

**Goal**: Classic pearl necklace with gradient sizing

1. **Set Globals**:
   - Material: Pearl
   - Finish: Polished
   - Size: XL

2. **Add Center Bead**: 1 large pearl (12mm)

3. **Change Size**: L (10mm)

4. **Add**: 2 beads on each side (4 total)

5. **Change Size**: M (8mm)

6. **Add**: 5 beads on each side (10 total)

7. **Change Size**: S (6mm)

8. **Add**: Remaining beads

9. **Result**: Beautiful graduated pearl necklace

---

### Example 2: Mixed Material Bracelet

**Goal**: Alternating wood and metal beads

1. **Set Globals**:
   - Material: Wood
   - Finish: Matte
   - Size: M

2. **Add**: 1 wood bead

3. **Change Material**: Metal

4. **Change Size**: S

5. **Add**: 1 metal spacer

6. **Repeat** steps 2-5 alternating pattern

7. **Result**: Wood beads with metal spacer accents

---

**Related Guides**:
- [Getting Started](/docs/getting-started)
- [Product Types](/docs/product-types)
- [Material Effects](/docs/material-effects)
- [Properties Guide](/docs/properties-guide)

---

*Design faster, customize smarter! ⚙️✨*