Comments on: CAD software is the new black

Fashion industry uses software associated with industrial design to move clothes quicker from sketchbook to sales rack.
Software tailor-made for fashion

[Len Bullard]

Mad Mapping Monks vs UPS

That is interesting. For almost a decade virtual world and game designers have critiqued the idea that 3D standards and tools originating in CAD/CAM should be applied to their markets. The original VRML97 precision was lowered because Bell stated at the time that their was no reason to have that in VR. X3D standard editors put that back to enable CAD and formed a working group for that.

So we see the market pushing against the common wisdom of the experts once again and approaches widely considered common knowledge rot away as new kinds of expertise have different requirement. Consider another related graphics industry, mapping. The legacy systems such as ESRI considered cartographers to be the core user. Now we find just-in-time systems where the layers are being added by UPS drivers who update the map data from their mobile units and the data updates the map providing a higher fidelity at a lower cost than what can be achieved by a monastery of diligent map monks.

[Len Bullard]

Mad Mapping Monks vs UPS

That is interesting. For almost a decade virtual world and game designers have critiqued the idea that 3D standards and tools originating in CAD/CAM should be applied to their markets. The original VRML97 precision was lowered because Bell stated at the time that their was no reason to have that in VR. X3D standard editors put that back to enable CAD and formed a working group for that.

So we see the market pushing against the common wisdom of the experts once again and approaches widely considered common knowledge rot away as new kinds of expertise have different requirement. Consider another related graphics industry, mapping. The legacy systems such as ESRI considered cartographers to be the core user. Now we find just-in-time systems where the layers are being added by UPS drivers who update the map data from their mobile units and the data updates the map providing a higher fidelity at a lower cost than what can be achieved by a monastery of diligent map monks.

[Penguinisto]

Bah - you can get your own for free

DAZ|Studio has been out for awhile now, and can produce same/
better results... for a base price of $0.00

http://www.daz3d.com/studio

/P

[fredmenace]

Did you even read the story?

Daz studio is a completely different kind of softare from what is being discussed here. It lacks every single feature that makes the programs being discussed worth paying thousands of dollars for.

Those features are highly technical and specific (to precisely control manufacturing equipment) and based on large amounts of expert knowledge for a specific industry (fashion design, including adjusting a pattern for different sizes - it is not just scaled up linearly - knowing how pieces must be sewn together, and how to efficiently lay out the pieces on a swath of fabric to minimize waste, among many other features - all of which was discussed in the story!).

These things are expensive to implement in software, and also must be tested rigorously to ensure they work properly. These features are also not needed (or wanted) by the vast majority of 3d modelers out there who aren't doing production fashion design. Due to this limited market, the software is even more expensive on a per-copy basis.

This is true of all equipment (hardware or software) used for industrial purposes such as manufacturing or engineering (where, for instance, a building could collapse if the stresses and forces are not modelled correctly). But considering the efficiencies, and often improvements in quality, to be gained in multi-billion dollar industries (or where lives depend on it), spending $20,000 on such a product is trivial.

The point of this software isn't to make pretty pictures. It's part of the automated production chain for efficiently mass-producing real-world products.

[ethana2]

Blender, Qcad, python

...that's what I thought you were going to say.

but this looks nifty.. interesting business model..
--checking for a linux download.

Oh, just the usual OS duopoly. Screw that.

[Penguinisto]

Bah - you can get your own for free

DAZ|Studio has been out for awhile now, and can produce same/
better results... for a base price of $0.00

http://www.daz3d.com/studio

/P

[fredmenace]

Did you even read the story?

Daz studio is a completely different kind of softare from what is being discussed here. It lacks every single feature that makes the programs being discussed worth paying thousands of dollars for.

Those features are highly technical and specific (to precisely control manufacturing equipment) and based on large amounts of expert knowledge for a specific industry (fashion design, including adjusting a pattern for different sizes - it is not just scaled up linearly - knowing how pieces must be sewn together, and how to efficiently lay out the pieces on a swath of fabric to minimize waste, among many other features - all of which was discussed in the story!).

These things are expensive to implement in software, and also must be tested rigorously to ensure they work properly. These features are also not needed (or wanted) by the vast majority of 3d modelers out there who aren't doing production fashion design. Due to this limited market, the software is even more expensive on a per-copy basis.

This is true of all equipment (hardware or software) used for industrial purposes such as manufacturing or engineering (where, for instance, a building could collapse if the stresses and forces are not modelled correctly). But considering the efficiencies, and often improvements in quality, to be gained in multi-billion dollar industries (or where lives depend on it), spending $20,000 on such a product is trivial.

The point of this software isn't to make pretty pictures. It's part of the automated production chain for efficiently mass-producing real-world products.

[ethana2]

Blender, Qcad, python

...that's what I thought you were going to say.

but this looks nifty.. interesting business model..
--checking for a linux download.

Oh, just the usual OS duopoly. Screw that.

[vernbullock]

Assyst/Bullmer 3-D and 2-D CAD Solutions

Although Gerber and Lectra do offer CAD software, Assyst/Bullmer also offers a full suite of CAD/CAM software and solutions. Including 3-D design and 3-D to 2-D conversion for pattern making and fit adjustment. Assyst/Bullmer is by far the leader in 3-D animated technologies for the fashion industry.
See for yourself at www.assyst-us.com or contact us at [e-mail]

[vernbullock]

Assyst/Bullmer 3-D and 2-D CAD Solutions

Although Gerber and Lectra do offer CAD software, Assyst/Bullmer also offers a full suite of CAD/CAM software and solutions. Including 3-D design and 3-D to 2-D conversion for pattern making and fit adjustment. Assyst/Bullmer is by far the leader in 3-D animated technologies for the fashion industry.
See for yourself at www.assyst-us.com or contact us at [e-mail]

[Webconomist]

This Is Actually Old News

This is not really new. A very innovative company in this field is Unique Patterns owned by Unique Solutions (http://www.uniqueltd.com) who's Unique Patterns does custom patterns for women who sew, and they have an integrated Body Scanner. They use they're own custom CAD software. I think that's a very interesting story. Lectra and Gerber have been doing this for a while.

[Webconomist]

This Is Actually Old News

This is not really new. A very innovative company in this field is Unique Patterns owned by Unique Solutions (http://www.uniqueltd.com) who's Unique Patterns does custom patterns for women who sew, and they have an integrated Body Scanner. They use they're own custom CAD software. I think that's a very interesting story. Lectra and Gerber have been doing this for a while.

[csven]

More info

I just happened to post something related to this story a few hours earlier. I've updated to include information not included in the piece. Might be of interest to some of you - http://blog.rebang.com/?p=1411

[Finn1Flintlock]

Response to CAD software is the new black

I find it hard to believe that Optitex was not even included in this story as well as Adobe and specialized plug-ins for the fashion industry. I have been researching, retooling, teaching and developing coursework in the area for Fashion Textile Design Technology for the last 20 years.

My Post responding to CAD software is the new black
http://fashiontech.wordpress.com/2007/12/08/fashion-virtual-technology/

My Optitex post:
http://fashiontech.wordpress.com/2007/10/19/it%e2%80%99s-a-reality-optitex-enables-total-integration-2d3d2d-fashion-product-development/

[thomas_md]

Not So New

I worked for Gerber in the late 70?s and apart from updates to
the technology, computer advances mostly, things haven?t
changed that much with the design and manufacturing process.
The customised 3D modelling is a recent development
becoming possible with faster and cheaper computers.

I guess this equipment isn?t mainstream knowledge, not many
want know how their clothing is made but it has been in use for
many years manufacturing everything from baseball caps to
shoes and everything that you wear in between.

This article is a bit like saying ?Look there is this new technology
called a car?. Compared to the Model T there have been
advances but it has been around a while now.

Nice to reminisce and catch up with what is around now.

- Mark

[thomas_md]

Not So New

I worked for Gerber in the late 70?s and apart from updates to
the technology, computer advances mostly, things haven?t
changed that much with the design and manufacturing process.
The customised 3D modelling is a recent development
becoming possible with faster and cheaper computers.

I guess this equipment isn?t mainstream knowledge, not many
want know how their clothing is made but it has been in use for
many years manufacturing everything from baseball caps to
shoes and everything that you wear in between.

This article is a bit like saying ?Look there is this new technology
called a car?. Compared to the Model T there have been
advances but it has been around a while now.

Nice to reminisce and catch up with what is around now.

- Mark

[corey823]

A liitle more research.

I work for Pointcarre. We are also in the CAD business. When you mention leading CAD to the fashion industry, you might want to mention Pointcarre. Not only are we the only CAD computer that is operating system independent (Mac, PC, & Linux), are clients are among the top in the fashion industry. Tommy Hilfiger, Polo/Ralph Lauren, J.Crew, Jones NY, Nautica, Nike, American Eagle Outfitters, Martha Stewart, are all among the vast client list that use Pointcarre software. So please when you write an article concerning technology, use a little technology and research to make sure you have all the facts.

[corey823]

A liitle more research.

I work for Pointcarre. We are also in the CAD business. When you mention leading CAD to the fashion industry, you might want to mention Pointcarre. Not only are we the only CAD computer that is operating system independent (Mac, PC, & Linux), are clients are among the top in the fashion industry. Tommy Hilfiger, Polo/Ralph Lauren, J.Crew, Jones NY, Nautica, Nike, American Eagle Outfitters, Martha Stewart, are all among the vast client list that use Pointcarre software. So please when you write an article concerning technology, use a little technology and research to make sure you have all the facts.

[csven]

More info

I just happened to post something related to this story a few hours earlier. I've updated to include information not included in the piece. Might be of interest to some of you - http://blog.rebang.com/?p=1411

[Finn1Flintlock]

Response to CAD software is the new black

I find it hard to believe that Optitex was not even included in this story as well as Adobe and specialized plug-ins for the fashion industry. I have been researching, retooling, teaching and developing coursework in the area for Fashion Textile Design Technology for the last 20 years.

My Post responding to CAD software is the new black
http://fashiontech.wordpress.com/2007/12/08/fashion-virtual-technology/

My Optitex post:
http://fashiontech.wordpress.com/2007/10/19/it%e2%80%99s-a-reality-optitex-enables-total-integration-2d3d2d-fashion-product-development/