Due to its broad range of uses, computer-aided design (CAD) is essentially a “no limit” solution for designing and producing textiles. Modern designs and unusual colour combinations are now easily achievable thanks to the development of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing technologies. In the quickly evolving fashion industry today, textiles are increasingly appealing and competitive. High-quality exportable textile products, such as clothing, upholstery, blankets, and carpets, are produced with the use of CAD systems, demonstrating more potential for revenue generation from the export market.
Computer-aided design technology is being employed more and more in the textile sector because it allows textile designers’ creativity to soar. The textile industry makes extensive use of CAD as a tool for production and as a medium for designing. Almost all composite textile mills in our nation’s power loom industry have embraced this form of CAD software for textile design and production in their R&D facilities. The programme is so effective that it generates all the necessary outputs in a matter of seconds and lets the craftsman use increasing amounts of inventiveness.
Computer-Aided Design or Computer-Aided Manufacturing is abbreviated as CAD. For various individuals working in mechanical engineering, manufacturing, and design, this term has different meanings. One advantage of CAD is the widespread use of it in fabric design. The CAD system is used for creating sarees, suits, and shirts, upholstery and furnishing fabrics, blankets, terry towels, carpets, labels, knitwear, bed covers, and other items. It is simple to create a variety of intricate weaves; one need not bother with intricate drafting and peg plans, and the effect of the weave may be viewed before production.
The need for cutting-edge weave designs is enormous today since every new generation is increasingly fashion-savvy. Designers find it challenging to keep up with the market’s rapidly shifting trends under these circumstances. They occasionally discover that they are not prepared to meet the demands of the market. Since today’s designs go out of style tomorrow, it is difficult for them to stay competitive by only using the old methods of design. As a result, companies lose market share, making computer-aided design and production increasingly important to stay up with the market’s rapidly changing trends.
It Is a well-known fact that people are constantly looking for ways to save money, time, and comfort. Any textile industry will consider ways to increase productivity, make the best use of available resources, and enhance services to satisfy clients. The pursuit of these components results in the creation and application of new technologies. Computers have proven that the proverb “Creativity is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration” is incorrect. They have streamlined, accelerated, improved, and enjoyed textile design. The designer can use a mouse or a pen to develop his motifs.
The process of further modifying the design, such as cutting particular portions, adding new forms, changing the shapes, distorting, resizing, recoloring, colour reduction, reproducing, and merging as needed, can be completed in the shortest amount of time once the design has been established. Additionally, changes to one component of a design need not influence the others.
In conclusion, computers make it easier to complete tasks quickly and produce more work overall. The fields of weaving, fashion, embroidery, apparel, printing, and knitting all use computer-aided design tools. In the creation of textiles using CAD, many weave patterns as well as combinations of two or more weaves are used. The use of CAD technology has made weaving a lot more convenient and easier. It has great importance in the craft of weaving.
Q1. What is called weaving?
Ans. Weaving is the process through which fabric is made. In this process, two sets of yarns are interlaced in such a way that they cross each other, usually at right angle and weave in a particular design.
Q2. What are the major types of weaving?
Ans. Major types of weaving are −
Plain weave: e.g. plain, and hopsacks, poplin, taffeta, etc.
Twill weave: e.g. examples are 2/1 twill, 3/3 twill, or 1/2 twill.
Satin weave: e.g. satins and sateens, etc.
Pile fabrics: e.g. velvets and velveteens
Complex computer-generated interlacing, e.g. jacquard fabric.