If your calling is to be a fashion entrepreneur in today’s digital age, you will need specific tools in your arsenal capable of taking your creative renderings from paper to product. You must have access to fashion design software developed to make your ideas and sketches a tangible reality. But which software should you be using to produce the digital blueprint of your designs? Well, the tools of the trade include fashion design software and apparel manufacturing CAD systems. Fashion designers, clothing line startups, textile designers, apparel manufacturers, and even fashion students utilize CAD software.
At the moment, many fashion entrepreneurs are most likely using Adobe Illustrator to take their designs into the digital space. Still, the good news is that there is more than one software solution available to help you start your clothing line. When it comes to choosing which one is best for you, it is a good idea to base your decision on what will work for your business in the long run. Think about whether you want a one-time lifetime license or subscription-based model. Also, bear in mind that using more than one software solution to create digital fashion sketches, digital samples, and develop prototypes is also a viable option.
What is Fashion Design Software?
Fashion design software is a computer-aided design (CAD) tool that allows users to create 2D and 3D sketches, illustrations, and tech packs with callouts to specific design functions. The goal of leveraging fashion design software is to simplify communicating design ideas for accurate samples and production runs later in the supply chain. Once the designs are approved, they become the only source of truth for those constructing the garment.
Utilizing Apparel Design Software
Expert digital fashion sketches are necessary throughout the apparel manufacturing process; therefore, fashion entrepreneurs should initially determine which software is right for them by first acknowledging for what purpose they intend to use the technology. Doing so will make it easier for them to understand the product features they should be looking for because each solution offers different things. Determining whether you need software dedicated to design or have a design feature integrated into a broader supply chain solution is the first step. Solutions like the GRID can offer end-to-end visibility with the ability to build CADs and tech packs directly in the software.
Another point is that you should consider things like customizable clothing templates, technical support, and free e-training. Make sure you know what the system requirements are, whether it requires the internet, and what exactly you can design with it. If you are already familiar with fashion design software, then the solution you choose will depend on your level of training. True, that in most cases, drawing skills aren’t required to use fashion design software, but for those who have no experience or just have basic knowledge, opting for software that comes with free training and technical support will make using the technology easier. The more advanced user should bear in mind that knowing how to create digital fashion sketches differs from creating patterns. This is because pattern making is something most people are formally trained to do first before they can use the software.
The next step in your decision process is which route do you want to go down, 2D fashion flats, or 3D garment design. It can be tempting to lean towards 3D, but it is worth noting that 2D fashion flats are still the standard industry format because pattern makers do not cut in 3D. That said, 3D can help give pattern cutters an enhanced idea of how the design looks from all angles, although some people argue that this is achievable with 2D flats.
Various logistics software for fashion solutions is available to you when you start your clothing line. Here are five fashion design software programs with multiple functionalities that could aide your fashion design process by eliminating particular aspects of your work while giving you a competitive edge.
1) Digital Fashion Pro: Professional Digital Fashion Sketching & Illustration
Digital Pro is a solution developed to help you start your fashion brand. Included with the program is a help video and eTraining guide that explains the core functions of designing a clothing line. Digital Fashion Pro will help you create technical sketches and design menswear, women’s wear, kid’s wear, baby clothing, handbags, shoes, and accessories.
Easy-to-use, Digital Fashion Pro will give you access to hundreds of digital fabrics, textile prints, and customizable clothing templates. It will help you design things like jeans, t-shirts, dresses, outerwear, athletic wear, handbags, swimwear, and shoes.
2) TUKATECH: 3D Fashion Design & Garment Development Software
TUKATECH has two digital fashion products, TUKAcad and TUKA3D. Created for designers (and also manufacturers), the TUKAcad allows you to create advanced patterns, grading, and markers to streamline your production process. Key features include pattern-making, automatic grading update with pattern changes, marker making, and integration of artwork and logos.
According to TUKATECH, TUKA3D is a software that designs, develops, and delivers. Eliminating the need for physical samples, it makes it possible to create life-like digital collections. TUKA3D features include 3D virtual sampling in 5 visual ways, real-life virtual fit sessions, and fabric and trims library.
3) C-DESIGN Fashion: Fashion Design & Collection Management
If you are looking for software that will help you throughout your clothing creation process, then C-DESIGN Fashion will be perfect for you. It is a software created to help designers go from design to production. One of the reasons why it is so popular is because it uses clear and specific technical files that include materials information, measurement chart, color matching, labeling, and much more.
Developed with an intuitive user interface, many people in the industry consider it to be one of the most advanced fashion design software on the market. Its key features include fashion illustrations, technical drawing tools, latest generation design tools, and color and fabric matching.
4) PatternSmith: Cutting Solutions
Award-winning software, PatternSmith, is an intuitive and easy to use solution specifically built for textile patterns. It provides templates, 2D or 3D drafting, editing, and nesting solutions. PatternSmith makes it simple to execute designs of all types while enabling you to create, manage, and nest patterns and export files to your cutting machine.
The textile pattern creation and management tool’s key features include automated pattern clean-up, custom add-ons, streamlined order processing, and a full 2D CAD pattern drafting and editing.
5) CorelDRAW Graphics Suite: Create Everything From Scratch
Enjoyed by diverse industries, CorelDRAW Graphics Suite has been the go-to tool for fashion businesses for a while now. Built for Windows, the vector design software has been helping designers in the apparel and textile industry produce and output designs. Key features include shape drawing tools and shaping options, vector illustration, and layout.
Conclusion
No matter which solution you choose for your business, it is important for design teams to collaborate with the operations team to ensure consistency at each stage of the value chain.
