If you are involved in the world of fashion design, chances are, you have at least heard about specialized 3D software like CLO 3D and other similar products that help bring design concepts to life. These programs have become a go-to solution for visualising garments in the digital environment.
Is NewArc.ai an alternative to these products? Yes and no. There are definitely cases when 3D design software is irreplaceable – for example, if you are designing digital fashion (as it’s the end product you’re essentially designing!) or if you actually need a 360 degree overview of how your garment will look like and fit.
However, in a large number of cases, you don’t need 3D software at all. Or you can at least spare yourself from using it until much later, pre-production stages. At early stages of product ideation, NewArc.ai can save you hours of work (and thousands of dollars, too!).
Let’s dive into the purpose of 3D software, its most popular options – and where you can easily sub them with NewArc.ai.
What Is The Purpose of 3D Design Software?
With 3D software, designers can create lifelike digital prototypes of their garments, visualizing them from all angles and in various lighting conditions. This capability allows for a more accurate representation of the final product, helping designers make informed decisions about fit, fabric, and overall design. 3D prototypes have made it possible to cut down on physical samples, as you can see what works and what doesn’t before signing the concept off to further manufacturing.
In essence, 3D design software empowers fashion designers to bring their ideas to life with greater precision, speed, and cost-effectiveness. However, they’re not the easiest or the cheapest options to use – especially for those just starting out on their design journey. Let’s dive into some of the most popular 3D design software options and their usecases.
Top-3 Leading 3D Design Software Solutions
CLO 3D: Best for highly realistic garment visualization and pattern making, ideal for designers and brands focusing on design precision and realism.
Browzwear: Offers a comprehensive end-to-end solution with strong collaboration tools, suitable for brands looking for an integrated platform.
Style 3D: Focuses on efficiency and accurate simulation, perfect for teams looking to streamline production processes and reduce development time.
Key features of 3D design software:
- Fabric and Texture Simulation: Realistic simulation of fabrics and textures.
- Virtual Fittings: Fit garments on customizable digital avatars to see how garments fit on different body types.
- Pattern Making: Tools to design and adjust sewing patterns.
- Automatic Fabric Properties Analysis: Enables you to determine the thickness, stretch and bend of your fabric.
- Digital Fabric Creator: Craft unique digital fabrics, easily modifying materials and refining physical properties.
- Mix and Match: Store your designs in one location to mix and match them with each other.
- Tech Pack Generation: Automated tech pack creation for further production.
- Collaborative Tools: Features for team collaboration and feedback at every stage in the process, from design through merchandising.
Pros and Cons of Traditional 3D Software
While CLO 3D, Browzwear, and Style 3D offer robust tools for creating detailed 3D garments, they come with several challenges:
- Complex Learning Curve: Mastering these tools requires significant time and effort.
- Slow Iteration Process: Making design changes based on client feedback can be time-consuming.
- Limited Production Integration: Even with workflow integration, factories still often modify designer-created patterns to suit their specific needs.
NewArc.ai: a Fast and Easy Sketch-to-Image AI Alternative
NewArc.ai offers a fresh, AI-driven approach to fashion design. This platform allows designers to upload sketches and generate photorealistic visuals in seconds, bypassing the need for detailed 3D modeling before the concept is finalised. It may not be a complete replacement for 3D software, but it does reduce the need for it significantly – especially during the brainstorming process when the overall look and feel of the garment is being approved. Moreover, it can be used for presenting ideas to stakeholders for a more clear communication of ideas – again, to make sure that everyone is on the same page before the selected concepts go into complex 3D visualisation or further production.
Key features of NewArc.ai include:
- Instant Visualization: Quickly convert sketches into detailed, photorealistic visuals.
- Ease of Use: Designed to be intuitive, significantly reducing the learning curve.
- Rapid Iteration: Easily explore different design options, including materials, colors, and lighting.
- High-Quality Renderings: Create photorealistic images suitable for presentations, marketing, and stakeholder approvals.
- Easy Access: NewArc.ai generates simple image files that are easy to share with a wider team, including buying and merchandising stakeholders who work at the higher level of strategy and range planning.
Summary: NewArc.ai vs. Traditional 3D Software
| Criteria/ Software | 3D software | NewArc.ai |
|---|---|---|
| Speed and Efficiency | Requires more time | Works in seconds |
| Ease of Learning | Extensive training and experience needed | User-friendly for beginners and experts alike |
| Design Iterations | Slow iterations, often taking days to finalize a design | Rapid iteration capabilities, enabling quick adjustments and refinements based on feedback |
| Application | Pre-production before sign-off to factories | Focuses on visual prototyping for design concept validation |
Why and When to Choose NewArc.ai?
NewArc.ai is particularly advantageous in the following scenarios:
When Speed is Essential: NewArc.ai drastically reduces the time needed for design iterations. If you need to produce high-quality visuals quickly to meet tight deadlines, NewArc.ai is an excellent choice.
For Cost-Effective Solutions: Traditional 3D software often requires extensive training and long design iterations, which can be costly. NewArc.ai, with its user-friendly interface and rapid iteration capabilities, offers a more economical solution for both freelancers and large design houses.
During Early Design Phases: NewArc.ai excels in the early stages of design, allowing designers to quickly visualize concepts and make adjustments based on feedback. This rapid prototyping is ideal for refining ideas before committing to detailed 3D modeling.
For Enhanced Collaboration: The ability to generate quick visualizations in a form of simple graphic images facilitates better communication with clients and stakeholders. If you need to ensure everyone is aligned before moving to production, NewArc.ai can significantly streamline this process.
Conclusion
While traditional 3D software offers powerful tools for creating detailed digital garments, their complexity and inefficiencies can hinder your design process. NewArc.ai may often be a sufficient alternative that provides faster, easier, and more visually appealing way to bring fashion concepts to life through AI sketch to image generation.
Curious how NewArc.ai actually works? Sign up for a free trial here👇
Special thanks to Erica Horne @CAD For Fashion for sharing expertise on 3D design software