Types of CAD Systems

Types of Cad Systems

·               Textile design systems

·               Knitted fabrics

·               Printed fabrics

·               Illustrations/ Sketch Pad Systems

·               Texture Mapping: 3D Draping Software

·               Embroidery systems

·               Textile Design Systems

Textile design is the process of developing designs for woven, knitted or printed fabrics or surface ornamented fabrics. 

Textile designers are involved with the production of these designs. The designs developed are then used on Textiles and clothing materials.

Knitted Fabrics

The specialized CAD software is also available for knitwear design. Indication of all knit stitch formation can be viewed on the screen. CAD program produces a pullover graph and it specifies the information on amount of yarn needed by colour for each piece.

The other example of the new technology in the industries is using a yarn scanner. It is attached to the computer and it scans a thousand meters of yarn and then simulates a knitted fabric on-screen. This simulation shows how the fabric will look when knitted using the selected yarn.

Illustrations/ Sketch Pad Systems

Sketchpad is an innovative computer program. It has graphic programmes that allow the designer to use pen or stylus on electronic pad or tablet. Freehand images can be created and then stored in the computer. Using this sketchpad, a lot of different knit and weave simulations can also be created and stored in a library. Later the stored designs can be selected and pasted over the sketches to show texture and dimensions.

Texture Mapping : 3D Draping Software

Texture mapping is a graphic design process which shows the visual effects of fabric on the body. In this system, the fabric can be draped over a form in a realistic way. The designer starts with an image of a model wearing a garment. Each section of the garment is outlined from seam line to seam line. The swatch of a new fabric is created in the textile design system and laid over the area. The computer automatically fills in the area with new colour.

Embroidery Systems

The embroidery design software is used for mass producing the home and commercial embroidered textiles. The designs used for embroidery can be incorporated on the fabric for making garment. Designers can create embroidery designs or motifs straight on the computer. Colour of the design and embroidery stitches is defined. Several combinations of colour and stitches are possible in this system.

Digitizing Systems

Digitizing is a process of adding details to an original pattern or sloper in the computer. The pattern can be prepared by marking the notches, by defining the series of selected points around the pattern. These basic patterns can be manipulated with the help of specific tools in the computer. For example in case of trousers, darts can be moved and pleats can be created, also new designs can be created on screen from pre-existing pattern.

Grading Systems

Pattern grading is the process of turning base size or sample size patterns into additional sizes using a size specification sheet or grading. It is simply increasing or decreasing the size of patterns. Production sample meant for approval is normally medium size but if the buyer requires different size then the patterns are graded to Small(S), Large (L), Extra Large (XL), Double Extra Large (XXL).

Marker Making Systems

A marker is commonly done on large thin paper. It holds all the size of pattern pieces for a specific style of garments. Computerized method is the best and most popular method of marker making which makes the efficient marker. 

This method ensures minimum wastage of fabric. On plain fabric marker making is relatively simple but on striped fabric, matching of fabric requires utmost care. The Computer Aided marker making system is considered to be an easier way for preparing markers.