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In our ongoing six-part series on solutions to promote digitalization in the fashion industry, for Part 4 we introduce design tools that are super-helpful for planning accessory items. In addition to creating patterns and efficiently designing cable and jacquard patterns, we’ll also cover how to create color variations. If you’re looking for steps to implement virtual samples in your company and improve operational efficiency and productivity, be sure to check out Part 3 of the series.
Table of Contents
- Utilizing Virtual Samples for Knit Accessories Planning
- Knit Accessories 1 : Let's Create a Knitted Hats
・Create a Pattern
・Perform Fitting to Model
・Create a Design
・3D Simulation - Knit Accessories 2 : Let's Create Socks
・Selecting a Template Item from the Sock Library
・Convert an Artwork into a Graph
・Creating Colorway Variations
・3D Simulation - yarnbank®, the digital yarn sourcing web service
- Summary Material Giveaway
- Digitalizing the Sample Creation Process for Knit Accessories and Promoting Sustainable Manufacturing
- About the SDS®-ONE APEX Series
- 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
Utilizing Virtual Samples for Knit Accessories Planning
With the SDS®-ONE APEX series design software, you can create virtual samples of various knit accessories, such as knitted hats, socks, scarves, and headbands. By creating virtual samples (digital prototypes) based on patterns and yarns, you can visualize a silhouette and texture in 3D close to the actual products. While we’ll focus on fashion items this time, the software can also be used for dog wear and interior items.
If you'd like to learn more about the contents of this article, feel free to download the material from the following link.
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
Knit Accessories 1 : Let's Create a Knitted Hats
Procedure for creating a virtual sample of knitted hat
Create a Pattern
Perform Fitting to Model
In the Fitting menu, you can choose the model to drape the pattern data. The Design Software provides preset models, so you can select your favorite from the options available. You can also import models made in other 3D software in OBJ format.
In the Fitting menu, both the 3D model and the pattern are displayed. By positioning the pattern correctly and inputting the sewing information, you can create a 3D image. You can fold the hat along creases or add rib structure to finish the shape of the hat.
Create a Design
Next, transfer the created pattern to the Design Software to evaluate a design and color variation. Let's make a hat with striped pattern this time. Using the pattern creation tool, you can adjust the width and color of the stripes. Since you can create the design in 2D while viewing the 3D model, you can check the product image in real time.
Then, design a structure pattern. Using a specialized tool for structure designs, let's add a cable pattern. The Design Software comes with a library of knitting structures, so you can efficiently design by simply selecting your preferred pattern.
3D Simulation
Lastly, create a simulation image of the design. By selecting the yarn and texture, you can easily check a realistic image of how the knitted product will turn out. Since you can change the colors or yarn and run simulations as many times as you like, you can explore various design options without needing a physical samples. The texture of the yarn is also realistically reproduced.
For more details, check out the following link.
Knit Accessories 2 : Let's Create Socks
Next, let's take socks as an example to explore how to create virtual samples for knit accessories. We created a structure pattern with the knitted hat, so this time, let’s try making a jacquard pattern for socks.
Procedure for creating a virtual sample of socks
Selecting a Template Item from the Sock Library
Unlike with knitted hats, where we started by creating the pattern, for socks, select a base template from the Design Software's built-in library and make adjustments from there.
This library includes various sock templates for women, men, kids, and babies. You can easily adjust the length, making it highly adaptable for different styles.
Convert an Artwork into a Graph
Next, prepare the pattern for the socks. In the Design Software, after specifying the number of colors of the pattern and entering the loop density, the size of the pattern is automatically converted to the required number of dots where each stitch corresponds to one dot. By draping this pattern image onto the 3D sock model, you can adjust the size and position of the design while previewing it in real time.
Creating Colorway Variations
Now, let's work on creating color variations for the socks. The colorway creation function allows you to manually change colors or use the automatic color variation function to generate random color combinations. There’s even an option to extract colors from images and apply them to the design, allowing you to base the color scheme on seasonal photos or concept boards.
3D Simulation
Lastly, let's simulate the sock design. Once you select the yarn and run the simulation, the virtual sample of the sock is completed. The Design Software simulates with actual yarns, just like a knitting machine would, resulting in a virtual sample that looks as realistic as the actual product. Being able to check the design faster than making a physical sample is one of the reasons the SDS®-ONE APEX series is so popular.
yarnbank®, the digital yarn sourcing web service
yarnbank® is a web service that connects users and yarn suppliers, for gathering information on yarns from around the world, from standard yarns to the latest yarns and trends. Most of the yarns listed on yarnbank® are available as downloadable data for virtual sampling, and the best part is that they’re free! By using real yarns in your product planning, communication with the production side becomes much smoother.
From the yarnbank® search box, you can filter by season, material, gauge, and the specific functionalities of the yarn. A list of yarn books that match your criteria will be displayed, allowing you to view swatch images, and detailed yarn information. If you find a yarn you like, you can even contact the yarn manufacturer through the website and purchase the yarn, making it a handy service for covering everything from planning to production.
Summary Material Giveaway
So far, we’ve gone over how to create virtual samples of knit accessories, enabling production without physical samples. As a bonus, we’re offering a summary document of this article, which could be useful when introducing Design Software to your team. Feel free to download it below and make the most of virtual sampling in your production process.
Digitalizing the Sample Creation Process for Knit Accessories and Promoting Sustainable Manufacturing
Knit accessories like hats and socks offer a wide variety of designs when it comes to color and pattern variations compared to other garments. It goes without saying you’ll want to compare different types of designs during the evaluation phase. However, preparing physical samples for all these different variations can be incredibly costly and time-consuming, not to mention all the material waste.
This is where virtual samples, as introduced in the Fashion Tech Series, come in handy. One of the greatest benefits for designers is being able to explore color options without worrying about material costs or the time needed to create and ship physical samples. By minimizing waste through virtual sampling, you can also contribute to a more sustainable production processes.
About the SDS®-ONE APEX Series
Finally, we would like to briefly introduce the SDS®-ONE APEX series. Developed by Shima Seiki, a manufacturer of flat knitting machines, the SDS®-ONE APEX series is a design system equipped with software specialized in creating and simulating textile designs, patterns, and colorways for flat knitting, weaving, printing, circular knitting, towels, embroidery, and more. It is widely used not only in the fashion industry but also across various sectors.
We’ve focused on knit accessories in this article, but if you’re interested in learning how to create virtual samples for knitwear like pullovers, be sure to check out the following link.
Key Features for 3D Virtual Sampling of Knitwear!
Virtual Samples: the Savior of the Apparel and Fashion Industry, is key to cutting down on sampling time and costs in clothing manufacturing and avoiding creating wasted resources. In the first session of our 6-part series on solution for promoting the digitalization of fashion industry, we will introduce the process of planning knitwear using virtual samples.
Related Article
APEXFiz®, the Subscription Service From the SDS®-ONE APEX Series
Introducing the APEXFiz® software subscription service from the SDS®-ONE APEX series. Just like the SDS®-ONE APEX series design system, it allows you to perform everything from planning and design to colorway evaluation, realistic fabric simulation, and 3D virtual sampling of products. It digitally connects planning and design with manufacturing, shortening lead times and enabling environmentally friendly production.
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. This time, 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 6-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!
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
Summary material for Session 4 is available from the following link.
wearware supports the digitalization of fashion design.
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