After creating a basic garment by entering garment measurements or selecting a pattern from the Apex library, designers can see their flat patterns. As the measurements are edited, the pattern shapes change in real time. This is a useful tool for designers who may have less experience in pattern design, as the visualization of the calculations is immediately displayed on the screen.

Block patterns can also be downloaded and saved in the Apex system, which is useful for repeating and carrying over seasonal styles. Once the flat patterns are created, three-dimensional sewing lines should be automatically generated on each pattern piece, referring to where the garment will be sewn during production.

It is at this stage that you can choose a suitable avatar. Apex has a library of various avatars, but Shima has also partnered with the global innovation company Alvanon to facilitate the import of Alvanon avatars into Apex.

With impressive speed, flat patterns are then transformed into three-dimensional clothing that surrounds the avatar. Not only knitted items can be visualized, but also avatars for other products, including pets.

When the garment is draped over the avatar, characteristics such as size can be selected and edited, revealing the effect on fit and fabric transparency based on the size settings. This can help in the decision-making process. Stitch density can be selected with precision based on physical swatches that the designer may already have, or numerical values for rolls and courses can be entered.

While viewing the garment on the avatar from any angle, the 3D measurements can be further modified, and the results can be changed in real time. In essence, this creates a virtual “fitting session” during which you can accurately adjust the drape and fit of the garment to the avatar’s size. Of course, this cannot replace a real fit with a prototype garment on a human model. However, it does offer the opportunity to refine and gain confidence in the prototype measurements before sending to the factory for production. Any glaring mistakes can be identified and for designers with less experience cutting patterns or for designers developing complex garment shapes, this is a very useful tool.

The Apex stitch library can then be used in the same way as when modeling flat fabric, with stitch placement in real scale on the garment. Stitches and colors can be applied to each part of the pattern individually, allowing for specific and elaborate placement of stitch structures, stripes, and design details.

When designing striped garments, the stripe data can be saved and reused in different styles. The depth of the stripes can be entered numerically or adapted in a more “playful” way by dragging the lines on the fabric. The 3D view simplifies the analysis of seams for stripe alignment, so accuracy can be achieved without using “best guesses”. Access to the Pantone library through the software means that any fabrics involving color work can be accurately designed in the initial design stages and realized with color accuracy in production.

Once these elements have been developed, accurate yarn data can be added to improve loop modeling using real scanned yarn from industrial spinning machines. Shima yarns can be used here. All the elements in the Apex toolkit are designed to help you design a knitwear product from start to finish.