East Coast Companies Develop 3-D Software For Better Fit
Boston-based Zweave Inc. and New York–based OptiTex USA Inc. have completed the development of a new 3-D software application aimed at producing better-fitting garments.
Zweave is incorporating OptiTex’s 3-D solutions for its 3D Fit Studio, which also incorporates Zweave’s FittComm fit-management tool.
“This is the first 3-D application built to truly support technical design with 3-D visualization,” said Laura McCann, director of PLM (product life-cycle management) consulting services for Zweave. “Three- Dtools on the market today emphasize visualization, fabric drape and silhouette. Our product emphasizes human factors, 3-D body scans, landmarks and measurement capabilities that integrate seamlessly with PLM and pattern making.”
PLM manages product development processes from design and sample making to sourcing. The 3-D workspace created by 3D Fit Studio is designed to increase the visibility and interaction of fit business processes within a broad apparel product lifecycle, from fit testing to sizing system development, 3-D portfolio and item visualization and Web-based workspaces.
Zweave has received considerable funding from the Department of Defense to research, develop and build Web-based software to develop 3-D solutions.
Zweave’s 3D Fit Studio solution was part of the result.
“With 3D Fit Studio, technical designers, designers and pattern makers leveraging our OptiTex Runway and PDS software can increase their capabilities and address the demand inside of their organizations for a collaborative workspace for managing technical fit activities,” said Yoram Burg, president of OptiTex USA. “Zweave is allowing the fit activity in apparel organizations to be collaborative by leveraging OptiTex’s capabilities in a Web-based PLM solution for the first time. Any organization currently deploying a PLM initiative or considering doing so in the future can benefit today from our joint investments and innovations.”
In another development, Zweave is teaming with Malaysian firm eWarna to leverage color management within PLM.
This partnership will help integrate eWarna’s Online Color eXchange application with Zweave’s ColorCOMM and MaterialCOMM solutions, enabling color technicians, designers and merchants to create, store and manage color requirements for artwork and materials, bill of materials, color approvals and logistics, color testing data, and digital color palettes and color cards.
“The product development organizations that will thrive are those that choose to leverage color management technologies in their current business processes to accelerate time to market, increase operational efficiencies, and address the issue of color specification and quality control,” said Manhon Shiew, chief executive officer of eWarna. “As a result of this alliance, Zweave and eWarna will be combining leading solutions, technology, services, innovation, best practices and infrastructure to provide product development organizations with a unique advantage across their design and manufacturing processes.”
The joint Zweave and eWarna solutions and services can help apparel companies reduce their total cost of ownership for color management software and increase the success of new product introductions, added David Buck, chief executive of Zweave.
Buck said the apparel industry has struggled to manage color data as an integrated process. “What the industry needs is apparel-specific color management and PLM solutions and best practices. As two of the strongest, most experienced vendors in the color and PLM apparel market, Zweave and eWarna will best equip companies with the technology, quality practices and business processes they need to manage the end-toend design and production value chain effectively and profitably surpass customer expectations and evolve with future market changes.” —Robert McAllister
