Current Technology and Industry Challenges
The actual shape of patterns, used for cutting, is just one part of the designer’s work. The output from the CAD department must also contain additional information such as manufacturing guide for sewing, fusing, ironing, accessories, fabrics, labelling, embroidery, printing or other decoration. This information is passed to other departments using technical sheets containing sketches, drawings, pictures, text instructions, etc., often edited in third party applications.
Basically, there is a parallel flow to create this additional set of information, usually not based on the geometrical shapes and content designed in the CAD application. Synchronizing the CAD content with this sketch information is a challenge, and the amount of work and skills are increased artificially.
Our Breakthrough
Gemini’s solution is quite simple: add all needed graphical capabilities directly into the Pattern Designer application, therefore transforming the classical CAD environment into a fully featured sketch application. The concept is to be able to add the necessary information directly on the real patterns and to link the information organically into the geometrical structure of the model.
How It Works?
Gemini enables the use of graphical content such as: vector SVG and PDF files associated with accessories such as buttons, embroidery, printing and fused decoration, industrial standard point symbols, industrial standard sewing and processing lines, text capsules with arrows pointing towards pattern elements, text along paths and contours, customizable piece info-cartridge. This large pool of information-carrying elements can be used by the designer to make-up each pattern piece in order to pass the necessary instructions to further manufacturing phases.
The challenge for this new feature was to not interfere with the plain standard CAD design process, and to not over-load the simple CAD shapes with content not useful during design, grading, etc. Gemini developed a simple yet powerful display option by which the user can shift from “CAD View” to “Sketch View”, hiding or showing all these additional elements by a simple switch.
How Is the Information Published?
One of the features most appreciated by Gemini Pattern Designer users is the Product Data Sheet editor. Now Gemini brings this functionality to a totally new level: all make-up information and graphics shall be output in the new Product Data Book, as well as in the Product Technical Sheet. We apply WYSIWYG concept: “what you see is what you get”, which means all the information will be exported into PDF files containing everything as it is visible on the screen.
It is important to mention that all the information shall be exported in vector format, therefore all fine details can be zoomed-in and clearly studied.
What Are the Benefits?
First of all, there is no need for a parallel design process run with other software tools, using drawings and sketches not linked to the actual CAD patterns.
Second, all added information is placed and linked to the patterns, therefore is permanently synchronized in terms of position and content with the current version of the model.
Third, all the information is stored inside the CAD files and its evolution can be managed in the same way as the patterns, including restore points, branches and rights of access for different contributors.
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