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Index IAF 2005 [TC]² Activity Member Profile - OptiTex USA, Inc. Important Dates A Look Ahead

IAF 2005

Planning is underway for the 2005 International Apparel Federation Convention to be held in Cancun October 20-23 with a Study Tour October 23-26 of the Yucatan Peninsula including factory tours and exposure to the culture of the Mexican people. At this week's meeting in London, the IAF presidency was transferred from Pere Prat of Spain to Alejandro Faes of Mexico.

Camara Nácional de la Industria del Vestido ( www.cniv.org.mx ), a trade organization that supports the sewn products industry in Mexico, will be the host organization, and will be coordinating the conference activities. Raul Garcia representing CNIV reported that he, along with Kevin Burke of AAFA, Mike Fralix of [TC]², and Alejandro Faes had prepared a preliminary program for the convention. The working topics are:

•  Economics: A worldwide report for the apparel and textile industry

•  Quota Phase Out: What has happened post-January 1, 2005

•  Technology and Logistics: The state of product lifecycle management (PLM), RFID, and other issues

•  Trade: Free trade or not free trade – this is the dilemma…

•  Markets: Innovation and new products

•  Speed to Market: How fashion trends can be produced for any consumer

•  Fashion: Worldwide trends presented by worldwide experts

For more information or to register, visit www.iafcancun2005.org .

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[TC]² Activity

3D to 2D automatic pattern unwrapping is [TC]²'s newest software development.

This innovative software allows the user to define a garment surface in relationship to a 3D body model generated by [TC]²'s NX12 3D body scanner. The application then automatically unwraps and outputs a 2D flat pattern. The resulting 2D pattern output is in .dxf format, and can be imported into many leading commercially available pattern design applications.

The London College of Fashion hosted two training sessions in November, one for its faculty and the second for sponsors of the SizeUK national sizing survey. Representatives from Great Britain retailers included Marks and Spencer, House of Frasier, Monsoon, John Lewis, and Freemans. LCF purchased a [TC]² scanner in July of 2004 for research and industry projects.

Training class with Jeni Bougourd of LCF, on far right.

“[TC]²'s NX-12 body scanner was acquired by London College of Fashion as a key component of three-dimensional technology systems being assembled. A multi disciplinary group including designers, technologists, artists, and scientists will use the scanner to enhance the curriculum, continue three-dimensional research, and provide a scanner bureau for industry,” commented Jeni Bougourd, Senior Research Fellow at LCF.

[TC]² is also hosting ongoing training sessions for its member companies and SizeUSA sponsors. Two classes have already been held at [TC]²'s Cary , NC location for Product Development, Technical Design and Patternmaking executives from retailers and brand owners including Target, VF, Invista, Beehive Clothing, Kellwood, Levi Strauss, Liz Claiborne, Jockey, American Eagle Outfitters, Haggar, and Brooks Brothers. Educators from Virginia State University , who recently purchased a [TC]² scanner, as well as North Carolina State University and the University of Missouri – Columbia also participated. Attendees received free training and a thirty day demo copy of the software that allows them to test it in their own business environment or for use in research or teaching sessions.

The initial release of the software has been met with much enthusiasm, as retailers consider the use of this software for custom apparel, as well as standardization of product information for multi-sourcing scenarios. Both [TC]²'s automatic pattern output, and 3D point cloud or body model can be imported into Optitex's 3D Runway for virtual fit simulation. It is included in [TC]²'s measurement extraction software package, which can be used with not only [TC]²'s 3D body scanners, but other available scanner products.

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Member Profile

OptiTex USA, Inc., founded in 1987, sells and supports products in all areas of product development. Products are sold and supported around the world and are available in more than 15 languages. In April of 2003, OptiTex announced the opening of its North American headquarters at 325 West 38th Street, in New York, NY. Sales, product demonstrations, training, and support for United States, Canada, and Mexico's garment customers and business partners is easier and allows for more efficient service to its constituents.

OptiTex's innovations in the 2D/3D world have marked them leaders within the sewn products industry. With product, economic and social development at the forefront, their mission is strong – to increase profit, develop, produce, and distribute CAD/CAM advancements, and pioneer improvements in the industry.

Their commitment to industry standards has brought value to their name and confidence in their products. The OptiTex Runway™ 3D Draping Solution is a cloth simulation tool which provides true to life draping on a 3-D image. With realistic looking cloths, patterns and fabric characteristics, enhancements to sample garments increase quality, as well as accuracy in the end product. This focus in technology is designed to meet the needs of today's manufacturers. Pre-production work associated with fitting, texture and color variation and overall visualization is simulated with Runway 3D's suite of tools.

Used as a sales tool and for merchandising, virtual storyboards come alive making marketing unique. With over 40 adjustable body measurements, precision can be gained and detail optimized. Base mannequins can be saved, saving time for additional fittings. Utilizing actual fabric data, quick and accurate cloth behavior arrives in real time. A communication tool between retailer, subcontractor, pattern maker, designer, manufacturer, engineer, and merchandising and management, Runway 3D provides a graphical collaboration tool for all involved in the product development process.

To view a free demo, or for more information on the Optitex Runway™ 3D Draping solution tool and other Optitex products, visit
www.Optitex.com .

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Important Dates

December

January 2005

February 2005

For detailed information about industry events, visit www.techexchange.com

Thanks to the techexchange site sponsors Blinco Systems Inc., Gerber Technology and Methods Workshop.

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A Look Ahead



Dec. 6 Caribbean-Central American Action Conference (C-CAA), Miami

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[TC]²
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