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Optitex Expands Its Fabric Management Offering with VIZOO and swatchbook

Tel Aviv, Israel, July 8th, 2021 – Optitex®, a global provider of integrated end-to-end 2D & 3D CAD/CAM software solutions for the fashion & apparel, automotive, and upholstery industries, collaborates with two internationally-acclaimed market leaders, VIZOO, a provider of the advanced industry-leading U3M-compatible 3D fabric scanner, xTex, and swatchbook inc, a leading cloud-based digital materials platform. Partnerships with both vendors will enable Optitex customers to access and enjoy a rich variety of scanned materials, and create more realistic 3D garments, to share with their buyers and marketing channels, and in turn, make fabric management easier and more affordable.

The latest Optitex version, O/21, includes a host of newly digitized fabrics from VIZOO and swatchbook (downloadable via PDS 3D SamplePack), from ubiquitous suede, rib, knit, heather, and corduroy, to specialized materials, such as zipper backing, dry fit, birds eye mesh, leather snake, and laces. These materials are ready for use in Optitex PDS, bringing superior realism to digital garments. Moreover, the swatchbook-Optitex partnership gives users access to 70 additional real sourceable materials available for free download from a dedicated swatchbook-Optitex portal. For details, contact Optitex support at optitex.support@optitex.com and follow the video below.

Optitex Expands Its Fabric Management Offering with VIZOO and swatchbook
Skirt simulated in Optitex PDS-3D applying JLAK1671 swatchbook material

To further enrich their digital material library independently, users can deploy Optitex’s Material Converter to import additional VIZOO materials, and materials hosted on swatchbook to Optitex PDS, and expand their material range even more, with additional options for realistic 3D rendering. With the surge in e-commerce and digital workflow adoption that demands both high fidelity and accurate simulation, combined with appealing, eye-catching 3D rendering, Optitex uniquely offers the exact combination of both, plus its prime focus on highly-accurate garment simulation.

Amir Lehr, CEO of Optitex, said, “Our extended partnership with market leaders, VIZOO and swatchbook, brings concrete added value to our customers, enabling them to access a wide selection of digital fabrics in their virtual design prototypes to create impressive and reliable 3D rendering of fabrics. This is an integral part of Optitex’s recent and planned enhancements in our rendering infrastructure, to consistently give our customers the digital tools they need – from design to development and marketing, on every job.”

“We have witnessed an unprecedented demand for premium-quality digitized fabrics from global retailers and brands,” said Martin Semsch, Founder & CEO of VIZOO. “Extending our close partnership with Optitex, will enable us to offer our accumulated experience and expertise to Optitex customers, allowing them to benefit from a rich materials library, and ultimately, boost the quality of their 3D rendering across the board.”

Yazan Malkosh, Founder & CEO of swatchbook, said, “We are proud to partner with Optitex, and complement Optitex’s advanced digital design tools with a broader selection of digital fabrics and scanned materials coming directly from suppliers. Together, we can enrich the user experience for Optitex customers around the globe, and in turn, help them create exquisite, high-quality designs with real sourceable materials, rather than abstract shaders.”

Optitex Expands Its Fabric Management Offering with VIZOO and swatchbook
Skirt simulated in Optitex PDS-3D applying LASQUEN swatchbook material

About VIZOO

VIZOO is the number one supplier of solutions for the physically accurate digitization of material swatches in the fashion industry. Since 2013, the company has helped fashion brands and their supply chain to digitize their material processes and create digital twins of physical material samples. Clients are using their technologies from 3D Design to eCommerce in 30+ countries globally. To learn more about xTex technology, reach out to www.vizoo3d.com/contact.

About swatchbook, inc

swatchbook is a design & software company that develops applications that make you smile. Founded in 2017, the company focuses on the development of cloud, desktop & mobile software applications that help integrate the creative community within an organization into the product development process. swatchbook is located in sunny Irvine, CA. Its founders share a deep passion for good design & workflow, as well as a deep understanding of the challenges in the digital product development process & the future needs of companies in many industries. For more information, visit www.swatchbook.us.

Optitex and Alvanon Extend Collaboration to Make 3D Avatar Library Available to Optitex O/Cloud Users

Tel Aviv, Israel, April 8, 2021 – Optitex®, a global provider of integrated end-to-end 2D & 3D CAD/CAM software solutions for the fashion and apparel industry, and Alvanon, the global leader in body technologies for the apparel industry, today announced the extension of their long-term collaboration to support Optitex’s enhanced O/Cloud platform, and enable O/Cloud customers to enjoy the benefits of Alvanon’s rich selection of fit standards and 3D avatars.

This enhanced collaboration will allow Optitex customers to facilitate teamwork between brand and vendor designers, patternmakers, and collection product managers dispersed around the globe in different locations and time zones. Further, irrespective of the lockdown requirements still in place, it will enable teams to make both collection and style-level decisions exceedingly faster and easier.

Alvanon virtual body

By integrating the Alvanon Body Platform’s (ABP) vast library of over 6,000 3D virtual avatars, each representing a specific brand’s fit standards, into Optitex O/Cloud’s 3D environment, Optitex customers, apparel design and development teams, fashion brands and retailers, can enjoy the benefits of Alvanon’s range of correctly sized and shaped 3D avatars to test patterns in all sizes, and validate fit.

Optitex O/Cloud enables seamless 3D collaboration, from concept to production, all on a single cloud-based platform, where users can manage the end-to-end development process by sharing their digital workplace with the supply chain – teams, vendors and partners, all in a high-quality digital 3D environment.

Alvanon’s extensive library of 3D virtual bodies

This collaboration will enable Optitex O/Cloud users to share and review 3D garments simulated on Alvanon virtual bodies over O/Cloud, collaborate with various view options and a variety of tools, including real-time 3D sphere rotation, and commenting. Alvanon’s library offers both standard (ASTM) and brand-specific avatars.

With access to Alvanon’s extensive library of 3D virtual bodies, patternmakers can run online fit sessions via the cloud, and collaborate with all stakeholders – supervisors, designers, and team members, to review how garments look and feel on their Alvanon virtual body, using a variety of Fit tools, such as Tension Map, Mesh View, and Distance Map. Users will also be able to navigate the model, view all of its colorways, and add comments directly on the garment, all of which will help accelerate the design review process. As all garment-related information is easily viewed in 3D, users no longer need to share static images of their garment in different map views.

Optitex O/Cloud enables seamless 3D collaboration, from concept to production,

“At Alvanon, we believe that the 3D journey begins with the 3D avatar. Not just any avatar, but the fit standard that represents the brand’s target customers’ body shapes and sizes,” said Jason Wang, COO of Alvanon. “We are pleased to further our collaboration with Optitex, to enhance their customers’ design capabilities, and the overall user experience. It’s via close collaboration with leading 3D digital software providers such as Optitex that we can deliver our range of virtual avatars, and provide the fit accuracy that brands and retailers demand.”

Alvanon, the global leader in body technologies for the apparel industry

Amit Ben-Sheffer, VP Products at Optitex, commented, “As a market leader, we are committed to helping our customers streamline their operations, and to achieve and maintain their high ranking in the fashion industry. Our continued collaboration with Alvanon is yet another example of how Optitex helps its customers tailor their digital workflow by enabling a collaborative and efficient fit process based on their virtual fit models of choice.”

Virtual Activewear Stretch

About Alvanon

Alvanon is a fashion technology company, focused on the body and its application and implications in the apparel industry. It has developed a unique and innovative body data-driven approach, with a consumer-scanning element, to solving the challenges of sizing and fit inherent in the fashion industry.

Since 2001, it has dedicated itself to body shape data research and has gathered more than 1.5 million body scans in 30+ countries, most recently, in China, Colombia, Costa Rica, and the US. Combined with its deep apparel knowledge, this has allowed Alvanon to develop thousands of fit standards for hundreds of brands globally. For more information, visit www.alvanon.com.

The Alvanon Body Platform (ABP) is the central database of virtual bodies created by Alvanon. It is the starting point for brands 3D journey. The ABP Platform is a response to the industry’s need for a digital, 3D solution that cuts costs and increases speed-to-market. It virtually replicates the costly process of physical fitting. It is already being successfully used by 250+ major fashion brands, retailers and designers, including Columbia Sportswear, Lululemon, The North Face, Under Armour, PVH Europe, and Walmart. For more information, visit www.abp.alvanon.com.

OPTITEX O/24

 

We are pleased to announce the release of Optitex O/24 with new and exciting enhancements in Optitex PDS 2D & 3D, Marker, and more! Now, you can enjoy new features and functionality to handle complex jobs with ease, and go-to-market faster, with accurate, premium-quality garment collections.

Powered by industry-leading 2D and 3D development tools, Optitex O/24 includes significant enhancements in GPU simulation engine, fast and seamless export of symmetric patterns, ability to upload colorways as GLB files to O/Cloud in just one click, easily export 3D for animation in external packages, and lots more!

New enhancements in Optitex PDS 2D & 3D, Marker, and more!
New enhancements in Optitex PDS 2D & 3D, Marker, and more!

OPTITEX O/24 HIGHLIGHTS

PDS 2D

  • Export AAMA/ASTM – Enjoy an enhanced AAMA/ASTM export, allowing exporting of symmetric patterns with single-side notches/internals, fast and easy, without manual steps
  • Define buttons – Assign buttons to specific sizes, thus greatly simplifying button grading.
  • Lectra file converter – Added support in notch and drill mappings for easier conversion from Lectra to PDS files
Assign buttons to specific sizes
Assign buttons to specific sizes

PDS 3D

  • GPU simulation engine – Enhanced simulation to boost performance and stability, including an extended range of simulated garments and bags, extensive fit-related viewing options, wider selection of lighting environments, improvements in GPU window UI/UX, and more
  • Upload colorways – Automatically upload colorways (articles) as GLB files to O/Cloud, with every colorway presented in a separate GLB file
  • Export 3D for animation – Optimized export of 3D animation sequences for use in external animation software
  • Color swatch matching – Significant enhancements in refining color swatch matching between PDS and Photoshop
Automatically upload colorways as GLB files to O/Cloud
Automatically upload colorways as GLB files to O/Cloud

Marker

  • NEW! ‘Search in Preference Dialog’ option for easier access to settings, without the need to browse all user preferences, saving valuable time and resources
NEW in Marker: ‘Search in Preference Dialog’ option
NEW in Marker: ‘Search in Preference Dialog’ option

Marks & Spencer Partners with Optitex and First Insight

Complementary Technologies Enhance Digital Product Development Capabilities for Marks & Spencer

PITTSBURGH, PA – November 5, 2020 – First Insight, Inc., the world’s leading technology company transforming how companies make product investment, pricing and marketing decisions, and Optitex, a leading provider of digital solutions for fashion and apparel, automotive, upholstery and industrial fabrics, today announced a collaboration with Marks & Spencer, one of the UK’s largest and most iconic retailers. Marks & Spencer is now able to leverage the combination of First Insight’s industry-leading digital product testing solution and Optitex’s 3D computer-aided design (CAD) software to better understand their customer, increase speed to market, support digital workflows, create sustainable sampling processes and reduce waste.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated and expedited a shift from high-touch to low-touch across every aspect of retail, including the product development process,” said Greg Petro, CEO of First Insight. “Our partnership with Optitex allows retailers like Marks & Spencer to digitize their product development cycle, which eliminates the need to create and traffic physical samples, host showroom visits and conduct in-store product testing—all of which are crucial capabilities not only during the Coronavirus outbreak, but also for long-term sustainability and efficiency.”

Marks & Spencer partners with Optitex and First Insight

Marks & Spencer has already been leveraging First Insight’s consumer-driven predictive analytics software solution to make design, buying and pricing decisions across categories that include apparel, lingerie, footwear, accessories, food, home and beauty. The platform has enabled the British multinational retailer to test tens of thousands of products across more than 50 departments and use that information to shape collections and assortments that meet customers’ desires and to offer those items at the right prices.

The retailer achieved successful results from new product testing using the First Insight solution and Optitex 2D CAD technology. Based on that success, Marks & Spencer has begun using 3D CAD visualizations in its product testing for a number of departments. The transition to 3D imagery has resulted in increased test completion rates and boosted respondents’ comments by 50%, providing richer product feedback to the company’s product development and merchant teams. The use of 3D CAD technology has also reduced cost and lead time in Marks & Spencer’s product development process. Incorporating digital solutions can reduce lead time from 24 weeks to 3 weeks for retailers, allowing them to increase their speed-to-market and their margins.

“We’re pleased to be integrating our technology with the First Insight platform to help Marks & Spencer and other companies achieve digital transformation,” said Amit Ben-Sheffer, VP of Products at Optitex. “In the product development process, 3D CAD images provide a more realistic visualization of how a finished product will look, which means the feedback consumers provide through First Insight’s platform is more reliable and useful. It also reduces the need for physical samples and enables virtual line planning and virtual fit testing.”

Marks & Spencer partners with Optitex and First Insight

“We are excited to continue our relationship with First Insight and Optitex as we transition our strategy to a more digital product development-focused model,” said Elaine Wheeler, Head of Digital Product Development at Marks & Spencer. “Our customers are at the heart of everything we do. We’ve put customer-focused digital innovation at the heart of our business, and this partnership will allow us to bring winning products that our customers truly want to market more quickly and sustainably.”

Learn More about the First Insight – Optitex – M&S Collaboration

Download a full recording of our recent webinar in Optitex’s Fall/Winter Webinar Series: Predicting the Future with 3D & First Insight to learn more about how to quickly generate print and color variations with Optitex 3D Design Illustrator, and how M&S is using 3D assets for pre-market online testing with First Insight’s predictive analytics solution.

To learn more about how Marks & Spencer is leveraging their partnership with Optitex and First Insight, register for free to attend PI Apparel NY & Supply Chain on 9 November 2020 at 11:40am ET for the presentation “The Art of the Possible: Unleashing the Power of 3D Digital Design” with Teresa Ayling, Digital Product Development Manager at Marks & Spencer.

About First Insight, Inc.
First Insight is one of the world’s leading Experience Management (XM) platforms that empowers companies to incorporate the Voice of the Customer into the design, pricing, planning and marketing of products and service offerings. Through the use of online consumer engagement tools, the First Insight platform gathers real-time consumer data and applies predictive analytic models to create actionable insights, which drive measurable value. Customers include some of world’s leading vertically integrated brands, sporting goods companies, department stores, consumer products companies, mass merchant retailers and wholesalers. For further information, please visit www.firstinsight.com.

About Optitex
Optitex is a global software provider of integrated 2D-3D computer-aided design (CAD) solutions for fashion & apparel, automotive, upholstery and industrial fabrics. We digitally streamline design, development and production throughout the supply chain, enabling efficient workflows and quick response to market demands. Informed by over three decades of experience and a growing base of 30,000 users, our innovative solutions are highly accurate, sustainable and cost-effective. We offer brands, retailers and manufacturers a one-vendor solution for delivering high-quality products on demand and on budget. To learn more about Optitex, visit www.optitex.com.

About Marks and Spencer
Marks and Spencer (M&S) is a leading retailer in the United Kingdom and internationally, with over 1,500 stores spanning 62 countries across the world. M&S is renowned for its high quality ranges of own-label food, clothing and home products, which it sells both in its stores and online across its 44 websites globally.  

Media Contact:
Berns Communications Group
Stacy Berns/Michael McMullan
sberns@bcg-pr.com/mmcmullan@bcg-pr.com

First Insight Contact:
Gretchen Jezerc
SVP of Marketing
gretchen.jezerc@firstinsight.com

Optitex Contact:
Talia Rimon
Head of Marketing
talia.rimon@optitex.com

Optitex partners with Daz 3D

Taking the digital collection showcase to the next level

Tel Aviv, Israel, July 1, 2020 – Optitex®, global provider of integrated end-to-end 2D & 3D CAD/CAM software solutions for the fashion and apparel industry, today announced its integration with Daz3D, a renowned 3D character and avatar software suite and digital marketplace. This partnership will provide Optitex 3D users access to Daz3D’s 5 million smart-content assets, including top-of-the-line 3D characters, enabling them to showcase and share visually appealing collections with teams, buyers, vendors, and marketers.

Daz3D’s digital marketplace offers hobbyists and professionals tens of thousands of 3D products with millions of inter-compatible 3D assets allowing users to make photo-realistic characters.

Optitex customers over the world benefit from a rich suite of DAZ3d avatars, including scanned avatars

Optitex customers over the world benefit from a rich suite of avatars, including scanned avatars. Powered by a robust avatar editor, users can customize avatars to meet their needs, easily adjusting morphs, adding accessories, and visualizing garments in various sizes and poses.

Click here to learn how it works and follow the video below.

Acknowledging the growing need for fashion and apparel companies to market and sell online, Optitex looked to expand its avatar range and creative freedom and sought after a strong avatar provider who would enable designers to showcase digital garments on advanced, high-end detailed avatars, to management, buyers, and online consumers.

Optitex partners with DAZ 3d

Recognized over the world for its cutting-edge avatars and complementary assets, Daz3D was the perfect fit. With the latest Optitex version O/19.5 released at end of March 2020, Optitex customers are able to use Daz3D avatars directly within Optitex pattern making solution. This enables them to deliver exceptional high-quality, high-precision digital garments to all stakeholders in the supply chain, strengthening their commitment to the 3D ecosystem, and further supporting sustainability by creating true-to-life models and garments.

Optitex customers over the world benefit from a rich suite of DAZ3d avatars, including scanned avatars

“We are pleased to be the solution of choice for Optitex customers, giving them the content they need to impressively exhibit their digital garment designs,” said Daz3D Chief Revenue Officer, Steve Spencer. “We believe that our 3D avatars – real-life-like models, matched with our rich library of associated content, will give Optitex customers measurable added-value, helping to make their design process fast, easy, and even more realistic.”

Amit Ben-Sheffer, VP Products at Optitex, commented, “We believe in giving our customers a real competitive edge, to help them achieve and maintain their leading positions in the fashion industry. With Daz3D avatars as part of the design process, we’re putting our customers one step ahead of the competition, so they can easily mix, match, blend and transform their designs into attractive, true-to-life garments. Daz3D has helped enhanced our solutions offering today, and we’re excited to see what the future will bring to our customers.”

About Daz3D

Daz3D is a software suite for creating your own high-resolution 3D stills and animations while building professional quality 3D scenes. Founded in 2000, Daz3D’s digital marketplace offers hobbyists and professionals tens of thousands of 3D products with over five million inter-compatible 3D assets for Daz Studio and other 3D applications. Daz 3D has created the most artist-friendly digital marketplace, paying nearly $100 million to its global network of contributing artists. With over 2.5 million downloads, Daz continues to drive efforts at the forefront of digital identity and expression. For more information on Daz3D, visit www.daz3d.com.

About Optitex

Optitex is a global software provider of integrated 2D-3D computer-aided design (CAD) solutions for fashion & apparel, automotive, upholstery and industrial fabrics. Our solutions digitally streamline design, development and production throughout the supply chain, enabling efficient workflows and quick response to market demands. Optitex offers brands, retailers and manufacturers a one-vendor solution for delivering high-quality products on demand and on budget. Backed by over three decades of experience and a growing base of 30,000 users, our innovative solutions are highly accurate, sustainable and cost-effective. To learn more about Optitex, visit www.optitex.com.

Optitex partners with DAZ 3d

Optitex partners with zipper manufacturer YKK

The collaboration will help speed the production process and increase accuracy

Tel Aviv, Israel – 18 May 2020 – Optitex®, a leading provider of digital solutions for fashion and apparel, automotive, upholstery and industrial fabrics, today announced its collaboration with the YKK Group, one of the world’s leading zipper manufacturers. YKK® products are available to Optitex users since recent version O/19.5.

Shirt with YKK zip 3d cloth design software

Optitex customers will now be able to easily access and embed YKK 3D images from YKK’s rich library of fastening products in their 3D models and enjoy the visual standards and rendering precision of YKK products. In addition, having the zipper data embedded in their design will enable customers to track the zipper model all the way to sourcing and inventory management later in the production process. This partnership will help fashion and apparel companies to create more accurate digital models of their products, collaborate more efficiently, get to market faster, and reduce production errors.

”We are thrilled by the incorporation of our high-quality zippers into Optitex’s design process,” said Takashi Tsukumo, Vice President, YKK Corporation Global Marketing Group. “We’re proud that our partnership will deliver a sustainable and smarter workflow, saving our joint customers time and money.”

Amit Ben-Sheffer, VP Products at Optitex, said, “We are continuously striving to expand our fashion and apparel toolset. The collaboration with YKK, a leading industry vendor, enriches our users’ options and supports the level of detail and precision we are committed to delivering from design to production.”

About YKK

Since the company’s founding in Tokyo in 1934, YKK has continuously set industry standards for quality, service, value, and innovation in the production of zippers, plastic hardware, hook and loop fasteners, webbing tapes, and snap and buttons. With integrated production and supply systems in 72 countries and regions around the world, YKK is positioned to meet the needs of the textile and sewing product industries as they increasingly diversify and require shorter product cycles. Guided by the CYCLE OF GOODNESS® philosophy – no one prospers without rendering benefit to others – YKK aims to contribute to a sustainable society through its products and manufacturing operations and constantly seeks new ways to serve the changing needs of its customers while at the same time investing in its employees and giving back to its communities.

About Optitex

Optitex is a global software provider of integrated 2D-3D computer-aided design (CAD) solutions for fashion & apparel, automotive, upholstery and industrial fabrics. We digitally streamline design, development and production throughout the supply chain, enabling efficient workflows and quick response to market demands. Informed by over three decades of experience and a growing base of 30,000 users, our innovative solutions are highly accurate, sustainable and cost-effective. We offer brands, retailers and manufacturers a one-vendor solution for delivering high-quality products on demand and on budget. To learn more about Optitex, visit www.optitex.com.

Optitex Acquired by FOG Software Group, a Division of Constellation Software, Inc.

Optitex will operate independently, benefit from long-term business continuity and stability, and continue to innovate its market-leading solutions

Tel Aviv, Israel – April 17, 2020 – Optitex®, a global provider of integrated 2D & 3D CAD/CAM software solutions for the fashion and apparel, automotive, upholstery and industrial fabrics industries, today announced its recent acquisition by FOG Software Group (“FOG”), a division of Constellation Software, Inc. [TSX:CSU].

Optitex will continue to operate as an independent company within FOG, and will revert to its historic “Optitex” name and brand, allowing the company the strategic and operational freedom to focus on the unique and specific needs of its users. Optitex will continue to innovate its products, expand its suite of software solutions and services, and directly support its customers worldwide.

With Constellation Software’s long term strategy to acquire, build and retain companies, Optitex will benefit from Constellation’s additional strategic support. Having completed over 500 acquisitions, Constellation Software brings a robust set of business best practices and investment strength to its portfolio companies to ensure their steady and continuous growth.

“This acquisition provides significant added-value to Optitex, its customers and partners. While retaining independence of business operations, we reinforce our strong commitment to innovative product development,” said Amir Lehr, CEO of Optitex. “This investment also shows a tremendous vote of confidence in both our team, and our technology, particularly in these challenging times. Optitex expects to achieve lasting business stability supported by Constellation’s long-term vision, and further benefit from Constellation’s financial support, networking opportunities and well-honed management best practices.”

“We are excited to enter the 3D digital design space and impressed with the product and market vision of the Optitex team. With our historic investment in similar companies in this market this reinforces our commitment to the segment and we are very pleased to add Optitex to the FOG family,” said Sandy Scott, FOG Software Group Portfolio Manager for Retail and Textile Technologies. “We look forward to supporting continued product innovation to create value for customers around the world.”

About FOG Software Group

Deerfield, IL-based FOG Software Group is a division of Toronto-based Vela Software and Constellation Software, Inc. [TSX:CSU]. The companies acquire, manage, and build software companies in a variety of vertical markets. By helping their acquired companies improve operations, grow through organic initiatives, and seek additional acquisitions that can strengthen their market position, their portfolio companies become clear leaders in their industries. For more information, visit www.fogsoftwaregroup.com.

About Optitex

Optitex is a global software provider of integrated 2D-3D computer-aided design (CAD) solutions for fashion & apparel, automotive, upholstery and industrial fabrics. We digitally streamline design, development and production throughout the supply chain, enabling efficient workflows and quick response to market demands. Informed by over three decades of experience and a growing base of 30,000 users, our innovative solutions are highly accurate, sustainable and cost-effective. We offer brands, retailers and manufacturers a one-vendor solution for delivering high-quality products on demand and on budget. To learn more about Optitex, visit www.optitex.com.

YKK Zippers

Starting from the O/19.5.0 release, Optitex customers are now able to easily access and embed YKK 3D objects from YKK’s library of fastening products in their 3D models and enjoy the visual standards and rendering precision of YKK objects.

Follow the steps described below to start using YKK Zippers:

  • Download the YKK Zipper.zip file. Note that the download may take some time, depending on the strength of the internet connection.
  • After the download is complete, unzip the YKK Zippers.zip into PDS Content Library directory – this is usually found on C:\Users\Public\Optitex\Optitex 21\Content Library.

After the download is complete, unzip the YKK Zippers.zip into PDS Content Library directory

  • Check that the YKK Zippers directory and the corresponding sub-directories were created correctly.

Optitex customers are now able to easily access and embed YKK 3D objects

  • You can now load and use these zippers in your PDS virtual designs. Zippers are called “Button Shapes” in PDS. You need to add a button, create a stitch on it, open a 3D Stitch Properties Dialog and navigate to the YKK Zippers directory when loading button shape.

YKK Zippers - Optitex

  • After selection, YKK zipper part could be visualized in PDS 3D window.

YKK Zippers - Optitex

For more information, please visit the YKK website.
Additional OBJ Files can be requested through your YKK contact.

Rapha Gets on the Fast Track with
Optitex 3D

Renowned cycling clothing manufacturer boosts creativity and productivity with intuitive, easy-to-use 3D digital design tools

FREMONT, Calif., March 30, 2020 – EFI™ Optitex®, Electronics For Imaging’s global provider of integrated end-to-end 2D and 3D CAD/CAM software solutions for the fashion and apparel industry, today announced its agreement with Rapha® Racing Ltd., one of the world’s top cycling clothing manufacturers. Through the agreement, Rapha purchased EFI Optitex 3D solutions to enhance its design and production workflow.

Founded in 2004, London-based Rapha’s cycling clothing collections are globally recognized for redefining comfort, performance, and style for cyclists from beginners to WorldTour professionals. Rapha’s mission is to make cycling the most popular sport in the world. The company organizes and sponsors rides and events both within its global 15,000-strong members base known as the Rapha Cycling Club, and for the general public. Rapha has been working with the world’s best athletes for many years and currently partners with the women’s UCI WorldTour team, CANYON//SRAM and the men’s WorldTour team EF Education First® Pro Cycling.

Rapha Gets on the Fast Track with EFI Optitex 3D

With Rapha’s commitment to excellence, accelerating design processes and implementing advanced digital solutions, adding EFI Optitex 3D was the next logical step in ensuring the delivery of high-quality products, on time and on budget.

EFI Optitex partnered with Rapha to boost the clothing manufacturer’s overall efficiency, enabling Rapha to gain a real competitive edge in the industry. The company first implemented EFI Optitex 2D solutions, and more recently augmented the software with EFI Optitex 3D solutions to integrate 3D digital design and prototyping into Rapha’s workflows. Rapha is currently participating in training and onboarding to implement EFI Optitex 3D Pattern Design Software (PDS) with photorealistic renderings and the 3D Design Illustrator (3DDI) plugin.

Rapha Gets on the Fast Track with EFI Optitex 3D

Today, Rapha is primed and ready to grow and embrace the power of an integrated 2D-3D workflow. With EFI Optitex 3D, Rapha will benefit from significant savings in sample production time and make quick adoption decisions. The company will be able to showcase true-to-life virtual samples within hours and work with a single digital asset, eliminating manual steps in the design-development process.

“We chose Optitex 2D as our pattern cutting solution because of its intuitive, easy-to-use tools and functionalities, and its insight into implementing EFI Optitex 3D down the road, to serve as a single solution in helping us to reduce samples through fit assessment early in the process,” said Rapha Head of Atelier Claudine Rousseau. “What’s more, investing in 3DDI will greatly help our graphics team to visualize graphic applications, and facilitate a more experimental approach. It will also minimize errors in communication with our vendors, saving time and costs.”

Rousseau added, “We are keen to work with EFI Optitex as a long-term partner to take innovative digital solutions forward, as we strive to maintain our reputation as a leading cyclewear brand.”

EFI Optitex General Manager Amir Lehr commented, “As an amateur cyclist and an avid customer of Rapha, I’ve learned to appreciate the functional fit, care for details and meticulous design Rapha provides. We share the objective of accelerating concept-to-delivery and customization while maintaining strict quality control enabled by digitizing the workflow, today, and well into the future.”

About Rapha

Rapha was established in 2004 to address a need for stylish, high performance cycling clothing. It now provides products for every cyclist and continues to push the boundaries of innovation in cycle wear. Alongside this, Rapha has cultivated a global community of passionate riders who come together as members of the Rapha Cycling Club (RCC), the largest club of its kind in the world. Rapha’s retail model and unique brand values come to life in its many rides and events and global network of Clubhouses that combine retail, cafes and cycling culture all under the same roof. For more information, visit www.rapha.cc/rd/en.

Rapha Gets on the Fast Track with EFI Optitex 3D

About EFI Optitex

EFI Optitex is a global software provider of integrated 2D-3D computer-aided design (CAD) solutions for fashion & apparel, automotive, upholstery and industrial fabrics. Our solutions digitally streamline design, development and production throughout the supply chain, enabling efficient workflows and quick response to market demands. EFI Optitex offer brands, retailers and manufacturers a one-vendor solution for delivering high-quality products on demand and on budget. Backed by over three decades of experience and a growing base of 30,000 users, our innovative solutions are highly accurate, sustainable and cost-effective. To learn more about EFI Optitex, visit www.optitex.com.

Rapha Gets on the Fast Track with EFI Optitex 3D

Fashion Enter Closes UK’s Skills Gap with Optitex 3D

Leading fashion and textile industry training center
offers UK professionals hands-on experience with 3D digital design tools

FREMONT, Calif., February 26, 2020 – EFI™ Optitex®, Electronics For Imaging’s global provider of integrated end-to-end 2D & 3D CAD/CAM software solutions for the fashion and apparel industry, today announced its partnership with Fashion Enter Ltd., a UK training and technical skills development center for the fashion and textile industry, who implemented EFI Optitex 3D solutions into their course curriculum. 

FASHION ENTER CLOSES UK’S SKILLS GAP WITH EFI OPTITEX 3D

Established in 2006, London-based Fashion Enter Ltd. (FEL), is a veritable “all-in-one” technology hub for the fashion and textile industry, offering multiple training and technical skills development services, encompassing the entire design to production cycle. A not for profit, social enterprise, FEL also provides apprenticeships and adult learning at the ESFA and SEG approved technical centre supported by Haringey Council, Mayor’s Good Growth Fund and Asos.

FASHION ENTER CLOSES UK’S SKILLS GAP WITH EFI OPTITEX 3D

To help lay the foundation for the UK’s fashion and textile industry on its imminent journey towards digital transformation, FEL was determined to close the mounting skills gap in both industry and academia and offer UK professionals hands-on experience and exposure to 3D digital design tools. With a keen understanding of the market’s growing need for speed, flexibility and shifting demands, in September 2019, FEL selected EFI Optitex as their 3D technology partner. FEL sought after advanced 3D solutions that would enable them to implement innovative digital design courses, apprenticeships and bespoke training, including collaboration with leading fashion retailers, such as Marks & Spencer, ASOS, Next, and many others. 

FASHION ENTER CLOSES UK’S SKILLS GAP WITH EFI OPTITEX 3D

After a short but highly intensive training period FEL implemented EFI Optitex 3D into their design and production processes, including pattern design and 3D tools for design and fitting. Since its implementation only six months ago, FEL have already reaped the benefits of EFI Optitex 3D fully-digital design, from sampling and grading, through to production. During its preliminary implementation phase, EFI Optitex 3D will enable FEL to deliver a wide range of accredited 3D design courses and forge collaborations with new customers, a result of EFI Optitex 3D’s intuitive design tools, ease of use, and time and resource savings.

FASHION ENTER CLOSES UK’S SKILLS GAP WITH EFI OPTITEX 3D

“Fashion Enter strives to be a center of excellence in both quality garment manufacturing and skills training,” said FEL Founder and 35-year UK fashion industry expert, Jenny Holloway. “EFI Optitex has given us a strong and reliable 3D toolset, not only to maintain, but to strengthen our position as a leading UK training and technical skills provider.” Holloway added, “We welcome a long and mutually beneficial relationship with EFI Optitex, as we forge ahead to help bridge the digital divide in the UK’s fashion and textile industry.”

Amir Lehr, EFI Optitex General Manager, commented, “We are proud to support Fashion Enter’s objective to diminish the skills gap in our industry, and to help them consistently inspire the future of UK fashion. As an end-to-end 2D-3D technology partner, we strive to deliver quality solutions that enable our customers to embrace digital transformation. Today, with EFI Optitex, digitization is fast becoming the focal point of FEL’s training and technical skills development offering.”

About Fashion Enter Ltd.

Established in 2006, London-based Fashion Enter Ltd. (FEL) specialize in training and technical skills development for the fashion and textiles industry, in addition to providing apprenticeships and adult learning via subcontracting agreements with local academic institutions. A not for profit, social enterprise, FEL strives to be a center of excellence for sampling, grading, and production, offering an inspiring training environment where apprentices gain hands-on experience and exposure to all aspects of the design to production cycle, and where FEL graduates earn accredited quality qualifications and apprenticeships. The Fashion Technology Academy is the training academy of FEL in collaboration with Haringey Council, Mayor’s Good Growth Fund and ASOS. For more information, visit www.fashion-enter.com.

FASHION ENTER CLOSES UK’S SKILLS GAP WITH EFI OPTITEX 3D

About EFI Optitex

EFI Optitex is a global software provider of integrated 2D-3D computer-aided design (CAD) solutions for fashion & apparel, automotive, upholstery and industrial fabrics. We digitally streamline design, development and production throughout the supply chain, enabling efficient workflows and quick response to market demands. Informed by over three decades of experience and a growing base of 30,000 users, our innovative solutions are highly accurate, sustainable and cost-effective. We offer brands, retailers and manufacturers a one-vendor solution for delivering high-quality products on demand and on budget. To learn more about EFI Optitex, visit www.optitex.com.