Hello, everyone. Welcome to wearware, your go-to site for shaping the future of the fashion and apparel industry.
Ever wonder why it takes so much time and so much money for the clothes you design to be brought to market? Generally speaking, the process of making clothes is said to take a year. Sample making in particular often involves a lot of rework, which can inflate both time and cost. To reduce this lead time, the use of virtual samples is becoming increasingly popular. By using virtual samples, you can perform planning and evaluation without making actual samples, which also helps to reduce waste of resources.
Today we begin a six-part series on promoting digitalization in the fashion industry through the use of virtual samples. In this first installment, we introduce the workflow of creating virtual samples for knitwear.
Table of Contents
- How Realistic Are Virtual Samples?
- Creating Knitwear Silhouettes
- Creating Knit Patterns (AI Technology for Search similar patterns)
- Jacquard Design (Automatic Conversion to Jacquard Pattern)
- Expanding Color Variations (Auto Colorway function and More)
- Summary Material Giveaway
- APEXFiz®, the Subscription Service from the SDS®-ONE APEX Series
- Comprehensive Guide to Digitalization in the Fashion Industry! "Overview of Six-Part Series"
The content of this article is based on the webinar series hosted by Shima Seiki Mfg., Ltd. on the same topic. You can register to view all six webinar recordings and download related materials from the following site.
Fashion Tech Webinar Series Archive Released!
The Fashion Tech Webinar introduces solutions to promote digitalization in the fashion industry in a six-part series.
View the site
Related Link
How Realistic Are Virtual Samples?
Virtual samples are increasingly being considered by companies as they help reduce the number of physical samples needed. But many of you might be wondering if they can truly replace product samples.
So, here’s a question for you: Which of the following two photos is real, and which is a virtual sample?
The answer is, the right one is real, and the left one is a virtual sample. Could you tell the difference?
This was created with the SDS®-ONE APEX series design system. With this level of realism, it seems quite practical for actual product planning, doesn’t it?
For more detailed information about virtual samples, check out the link below.
Virtual Samples: The Savior of the Apparel and Fashion Industry?
Today, let's dive into the game-changing world of "virtual samples," which is key to making our industry more sustainable by cutting down on sampling time and costs.
Related Article
From here, we will explain how to create realistic knit virtual samples, incorporating the operation methods and convenient features of the SDS®-ONE APEX series.
Creating Knitwear Silhouettes
In the SDS®-ONE APEX series, we use "patterns" for creating silhouettes. This allows you to pursue the ideal silhouette through design expression with patterns.
- Select the item you want to create from the templates.
- Enter the body measurements in the measurement table.
- The pattern will be created.
Pre-made templates are available for knitwear patterns, allowing you to start easily by selecting one that closely matches your needs. Additionally, you can create original patterns by setting detailed values in the measurement table. The ability to create silhouettes from dimensions body measurements input specifically for knit patterns is unique to the SDS®-ONE APEX series, making it highly valued among its users.
Next, let's dress the created pattern onto the 3D model.
- Select a model from the templates.
- Choose the fabric texture.
- Dress the 3D model.
You can select a model from the templates included in the software or import a 3D body from other companies. When dressing the pattern, selecting the fabric texture allows for more realistic simulation. The 3D model can be viewed from any angle, providing a design review experience as if the product were right in front of you.
In this state, you can manually adjust the silhouette using the editing tools. Adding slits or parts and freely arranging the design while checking it in 3D is quite attractive. Of course, you can also create an original pattern from scratch and dress it on the 3D body.
For a more detailed operational flow, please download and refer to the following materials.
Creating Knit Patterns (AI Technology for Search similar patterns)
Let’s dive into creating knit patterns. The SDS®-ONE APEX series design software includes a specialized tool for knit patterns. There are over 1,500 types of knit patterns available in the archive, which you can freely combine to create your designs with ease. Additionally, using SHIMA Datamall™, you can search, view, and purchase knit pattern data to expand your design possibilities.
The patterns you create can be immediately reflected on the 3D model, allowing you to accurately grasp the image of the finished product while designing.
Moreover, there is a feature utilizing AI called search similar patterns. By inputting an image of the design you have in mind, it will automatically search for and suggest patterns that are similar to your design.
Once your pattern design is complete, the next step is to specify the yarn and simulate it. You can choose from about 170 types of yarn in the design software’s library, or you can scan and use your own yarn.
Additionally, you can download yarn data from the yarnbank® site. Yarn manufacturers provide data for their actual selling yarns, making it convenient to contact and purchase the yarn directly from the manufacturer if you like the simulation results. It's a free service, so feel free to give it a try.
The simulation image created in this way shows the unevenness and three-dimensionality of each individual thread in great detail, and the result is so realistic that it could be mistaken for a real photograph.
Also, when designing the pattern, knitting codes for the knitting are automatically generated simultaneously, making collaboration with factories smooth when the planned product goes into production. This can further streamline the production process.
Jacquard Design (Automatic Conversion to Jacquard Pattern)
The SDS®-ONE APEX series design software is also equipped with convenient features for creating jacquard patterns.
- Prepare the design or photo you want to convert into a jacquard pattern.
- Automatically convert it to a jacquard pattern.
- Make necessary adjustments to the pattern as needed.
Reflecting the pattern you created on the 3D model from earlier completes the product image.
Expanding Color Variations (Auto Colorway function and More)
The SDS®-ONE APEX series design software also includes convenient tools specialized for color variations. You can combine colors freely from color palettes and standard libraries like PANTONE and Archroma, but the highlight is the Auto Colorway function. With the Auto Colorway function, you can randomly extract colors from photos or concept boards to create color schemes.
Using the Auto Colorway function, you can get suggestions for color combinations you wouldn’t have thought of yourself, helping to prevent from getting stuck in a rut of color schemes.
Summary Material Giveaway
So far, we have introduced the process of creating virtual samples for knitwear and the features of the SDS®-ONE APEX series. We are offering summary materials packed with examples of actual screens and virtual samples that can be created with the SDS®-ONE APEX series. Please download and check them out from the link below.
APEXFiz®, the Subscription Service from the SDS®-ONE APEX Series
Introducing APEXFiz®, a subscription service from the SDS®-ONE APEX series. Like the SDS®-ONE APEX series, it allows you to create everything from planning and design to color evaluation, realistic fabric simulations, and 3D virtual samples. It digitally connects the planning and production sides, reducing lead times and promoting eco-friendly manufacturing.
When planning fashion and apparel products, what software do you use? From CLO3D, Browzwear and Optitex to the familiar Adobe suite, there are certainly many options out there. Today, we introduce APEXFiz®, a design software that is extremely useful for everything from planning and production to e-commerce.
Related Article
Interested in learning more about APEXFiz® design software? Shima Seiki, the developer and distributor offers a newsletter subscription with information on products, services and exhibition updates. You can subscribe to their newsletter here.
Comprehensive Guide to Digitalization in the Fashion Industry! "Overview of Six-Part Series"
At wearware, we are introducing solutions to promote digitalization in the fashion industry in a six-part series. Please look forward to the upcoming articles!
Overview of Six-Part Series
- Key Features for 3D Virtual Sampling of Knitwear!
- Seamless Linkage with Production for More Efficient Sampling!
- How to Start Up a Digital Design Project!
- Realizing Manufacturing Without Physical Samples!
- Accelerating DX in Your Planning Work with Fabric Simulation!
- Increase your e-commerce profits using virtual samples!
Moreover, you can register to view all six webinar recordings and download related materials from the following site.
Fashion Tech Webinar Series Archive Released!
The Fashion Tech Webinar introduces solutions to promote digitalization in the fashion industry in a six-part series.
View the site
Related Link
wearware supports the digitalization of fashion design.
Stay tuned for more updates!
