Replies

1. 
   lin_hendrix | Aug 06, 1999 07:25pm | #1

   *
   Hi Jeffrey,

   Do you mean garment patterns for making clothing? Patterning for fabric (textile) design? If so, what format? Or do you mean lots of little 1's and 0's grouped into areas that look like flowers/stripes/what-have-you from a distance?

   If you want garment patterns there are lots of software packages out there that print on (typically) large bed pen plotters (is this what you have?)

   For textile design there are probably (don't know for sure) software packages for doing this too.

   The problem here will be cost. Both types of software are for professional use and will probably start at ~$1K.

   If you just want graphics pix to tile for printing onto blank textiles there's lots of free-ware lying around. See my reply post,

   http://www.taunton.com:8090/WebX?14@@.ee7e34f/5

   regarding ImageMagick. I'm a big fan of this code because (in addition to manipulating images) it **converts** almost any graphics format to any other.

   I've kinda got one foot in the computer world and one in the sewing world so let me know if you want any more info...

   hope this helps,

   --lin

1. 
   Jeffrey_Kwait | Aug 07, 1999 06:26pm | #2

   *Thanks for the reply, I am looking for garment software. I have the textile design software covered the idea is to print the design only where it's needed the system I have developed is on a 60" 4 color plotter the textile is "digitaly dyed" like any inkjet print then finished tradtionaly. I have both feet in the digital world but, I am diving head first into the fabric world. wow look at all the colors-jeff

1. 
   lin_hendrix | Aug 09, 1999 08:58pm | #3

   *Hi Jeffrey, Wow what a cool idea! There's quite a few garment software CAD style packages around. You're going to see a trade off in being able to send to your printer vs cost vs how much pattern drafting you'll have to do. Basically there are "home" versions that do not require lots of pattern drafting experience (a whole other world) that come with packages of pre-designed garment collections; you plug in the body measurements and then print the garment pattern on your home laser printer then tape the sheets together. I do not know if these software packages can send to a large color plotter.Then there's professional stuff which can send to a big plotter but will require more pattern drafting experience. Regardless, you've got a lot of homework to do. Most professional garment software sends to pen plotters (Calcomp); I don't know if the format is the same as for the big HP style plotters.Here are the ones I know of:Fittingly Sew, http://www.knitcraft.com/computer.htmlhome version and digitizing tablet softwarePersonal Patterns, http://www.wfsinc.com/home versionWild Ginger, http://www.wild-ginger.com/home and professional versionsPatternMaker, http://www.eskimo.com/~pmaker/home and professional versionsIf you live in/near a big city you may wish to explore local college fashion design departments. Chat up one of the pattern drafting instructors. These folks usually have years in the industry and could tell you more about other professional software out there. L.A., San Francisco, Dallas, Chicago, NYC all should have college courses in Fashion Design; even Austin's UT!And last note on measurements: If you're not making for a specific person you'll need to get a chart of standard body measurements to be able to develop your garments. Make sure you get a current chart! These measurements are based on the "ideal" figure which changes every couple of years. Most fashion design courses provide these in either a handout or textbook. Let me know how it goes!--lin

1. 
   Jeffery_Diduch | Aug 11, 1999 03:23am | #4

   *I work full time in the garment industry and have used many of the big expensive professional programs. The one that I use at home and have found to most resemble the professional ones, despite certain limitations, of course is Fittingly Sew. You can get a demo from them and try it out. Where did you get your printer? (drool)Another Jeffery