DXF-AAMA is a file format developed by the American Apparel
Manufacturers Association in an attempt to solve the difficulties of
using DXF files. Now when talking about converting a pattern into a DXF
(Drawing exchange Format. ) you will find that your converted pattern
does not contains neither scale or units nor usually any method of
reliably describing what needs to be cut, drawn, drilled or notched in
your pattern file however, this file is the most commonly used format
for exchange of drawing files. Listed below, are three of the most
commonly made mistakes made by people not software when trying to
convert a pattern into this type of file.
1rst Problem: Thinking that your pattern will be a print file and not a cut file
Thinking that your converted DXF CAD pattern file will be kept in a
computer system for further modifications is a common mistake. Most of
the time, your converted file pattern will be neither needed nor wanted.
The purpose of the document is to generate tool paths for a machine. So
keep that in mind when formatting and exporting. In most cases nobody
will need to open the drawing in a CAD program, so eliminate what is not
essential. Think about what is needed in a drawing, format and export
accordingly.
2rd problem: Not making the outline of your pattern into one closed polyline creating nesting problems.
In computer graphics a polygonal chain is called a polyline and is
often used to approximate curved paths. Not closing your pattern outline
will create problems when nesting your pattern and processing your DXF
file.
3rd problem: Including objects in a drawing that are unnecessary.
Information such as Fabric type, sewing details, pattern codes,
designer comments etc.. They all should not be included in your pattern
as these will obstruct the conversion process. Think of a way to hide or
make invisible these text blocks put a reference layer or delete all
information before exporting to DXF.
To conclude, three of the most common AAMA DXF pattern conversion
mistakes are done by people and not by software. Converting a pattern
into a DXF (Drawing exchange Format.) will allow other CAD programs to
read and import your digital pattern into tangent or any other nesting
and plotting programs. Some information lost in the conversion process
include: No available information to find if your pattern has a scale or
units, notching information, drill marks etc..Not making the outline of
your pattern into one close polyline and including non essential
objects like text blocks all around a pattern will all contribute to
badly formatted DXF files.
About the Author
Occupation: Designer/ Prod. Pattern Making Consultant. Leading Technical designer, Alejandro Esparza owner of www.smartpatternmaking.com has provided for over 22 years, Apparel clothing line Services for many top companies of our time in Los Angeles CA USA
The article above is free for republishing. Copy the article in plain text form and paste directly into a web page.
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You must respect the copyright of the author whose articles you wish to publish. This includes but is not limited to 1. Resource Box, 2. Any links provided by the author.
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PATTERN MAKING: FULL PACKAGE PATTERN DRAFTING SERVICES LOS ANGELES CA USA
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Saturday, July 6, 2013
How to Print Patterns: Five Easy Pattern Printing Steps That Save You Thousands of Dollars
Many times, apparel clothing designers and garment manufacturing companies have the need to outsource pattern plotting services due to not having a fast plotter to print all of their designs or simply because their machine broke down. Having a plotter is highly costly due to the maintenance service repairs required periodically to maintain it running. Listed below are five easy pattern printing steps that can save you money and all your headaches and costly repairs of a state of the art plotting machine.
1rst Step: Do not over spend money in fixing or buying a new plotter.
If you are not a company that provides just plotting services and you only plot a couple of markers per week or month then you do not need to invest in a state of the art machine. These printing machines could cost in the 15 to 30 thousands of dollars if not more. So be wise and spend money only for every marker or copies of you model that you might need.
2nd. Step: organize your patterns to be plot by importance.
Always organize your models that need to be plot out and do not send any unnecessary markers to print as that will cost you money and chances are that you will not use that marker in a near future due to any new pattern adjustment that you made or simply because your width of your new fabric is wider than the one of your plotted marker.
3rd Step: Plot all your markers at one time.
Plan in advance when printing all your clothing patterns as this could save you money in plotting services. For instance if the regular prize to plot a marker is 40 dollar per marker and if you know that the following week you will need at least 4 more markers of the same marker then plot them all at one time. By working this manner you will usually save the person time in preparing the marker and the more paper yardage your marker has the cheaper it will be meaning instead of paying 10 dollars per yard assuming you have a 4 yards marker and you pay 40 dollars minimum charge you could be paying 8 dollars or less per every single yard plotted.
4th Step: send all your patterns electronically.
Do not spend time and gasoline taking your flash drive or hard drive to a pattern printing service. E-mail them your patterns files to the your plotting service provider this will speed the process and they can either ship you all your patterns or markers in a box all folded flat or you can send your cutting service man to pick all your plotted patterns.
5th Step: Combine multiple markers into a single file marker.
By combining or adding multiple markers into one single marker file you will save some money by not having to pay a minimum printing charge. Providing multiple markers in different files is a time consuming process for the printing service company and material wise they waist paper advancing the machine every time they print and cut a marker therefore seeing a bill for one or two thousand dollars for printing services is not a surprise especially if you have 20 markers with 20 yards each that is about 400 yards of paper equal to 4 rolls of 100 yards consumption plus printing charges 400 yards of paper printing times 5 dollars per yard if no more added all together and you end up with a bill for 2000 dollars if not more.
In summation, printing patterns can be expensive but having to pay for repairs and maintenance of a state of the art plotting machine is extremely more expensive. Over all, you will save thousands of dollars by following these five simply printing pattern steps pay just for what you need only and do not overspend your money by buying a printing factory if you will only print a couple of patterns per week or in a month.
About the Author
Occupation: Designer/ Prod. Pattern Making Consultant. Leading Technical designer, Alejandro Esparza owner of www.smartpatternmaking.com has provided for over 22 years, Apparel clothing line Services for many top companies of our time in Los Angeles CA USA
The article above is free for republishing. Copy the article in plain text form and paste directly into a web page.
Publisher Terms of Service
You must not remove "Article Source: www.smartpatternmaking.com " from any article that you choose to publish
You must respect the copyright of the author whose articles you wish to publish. This includes but is not limited to 1. Resource Box, 2. Any links provided by the author.
You must not change, edit, or reword any part of any article not written by you.
You must agree to keep hyperlinks "live" so that users can click on said link and be taken to its destination.
You agree to never use any articles obtained from smartpatternmaking.com in any form of spam or unsolicited mail.
You agree to not publish any articles on sites that contain hate, racist, warez, porn, or any other illegal material.
You agree to never sell any article obtained from our website directory without written consent from the author. This includes selling articles individually or in a compilation.
1rst Step: Do not over spend money in fixing or buying a new plotter.
If you are not a company that provides just plotting services and you only plot a couple of markers per week or month then you do not need to invest in a state of the art machine. These printing machines could cost in the 15 to 30 thousands of dollars if not more. So be wise and spend money only for every marker or copies of you model that you might need.
2nd. Step: organize your patterns to be plot by importance.
Always organize your models that need to be plot out and do not send any unnecessary markers to print as that will cost you money and chances are that you will not use that marker in a near future due to any new pattern adjustment that you made or simply because your width of your new fabric is wider than the one of your plotted marker.
3rd Step: Plot all your markers at one time.
Plan in advance when printing all your clothing patterns as this could save you money in plotting services. For instance if the regular prize to plot a marker is 40 dollar per marker and if you know that the following week you will need at least 4 more markers of the same marker then plot them all at one time. By working this manner you will usually save the person time in preparing the marker and the more paper yardage your marker has the cheaper it will be meaning instead of paying 10 dollars per yard assuming you have a 4 yards marker and you pay 40 dollars minimum charge you could be paying 8 dollars or less per every single yard plotted.
4th Step: send all your patterns electronically.
Do not spend time and gasoline taking your flash drive or hard drive to a pattern printing service. E-mail them your patterns files to the your plotting service provider this will speed the process and they can either ship you all your patterns or markers in a box all folded flat or you can send your cutting service man to pick all your plotted patterns.
5th Step: Combine multiple markers into a single file marker.
By combining or adding multiple markers into one single marker file you will save some money by not having to pay a minimum printing charge. Providing multiple markers in different files is a time consuming process for the printing service company and material wise they waist paper advancing the machine every time they print and cut a marker therefore seeing a bill for one or two thousand dollars for printing services is not a surprise especially if you have 20 markers with 20 yards each that is about 400 yards of paper equal to 4 rolls of 100 yards consumption plus printing charges 400 yards of paper printing times 5 dollars per yard if no more added all together and you end up with a bill for 2000 dollars if not more.
In summation, printing patterns can be expensive but having to pay for repairs and maintenance of a state of the art plotting machine is extremely more expensive. Over all, you will save thousands of dollars by following these five simply printing pattern steps pay just for what you need only and do not overspend your money by buying a printing factory if you will only print a couple of patterns per week or in a month.
About the Author
Occupation: Designer/ Prod. Pattern Making Consultant. Leading Technical designer, Alejandro Esparza owner of www.smartpatternmaking.com has provided for over 22 years, Apparel clothing line Services for many top companies of our time in Los Angeles CA USA
The article above is free for republishing. Copy the article in plain text form and paste directly into a web page.
Publisher Terms of Service
You must not remove "Article Source: www.smartpatternmaking.com " from any article that you choose to publish
You must respect the copyright of the author whose articles you wish to publish. This includes but is not limited to 1. Resource Box, 2. Any links provided by the author.
You must not change, edit, or reword any part of any article not written by you.
You must agree to keep hyperlinks "live" so that users can click on said link and be taken to its destination.
You agree to never use any articles obtained from smartpatternmaking.com in any form of spam or unsolicited mail.
You agree to not publish any articles on sites that contain hate, racist, warez, porn, or any other illegal material.
You agree to never sell any article obtained from our website directory without written consent from the author. This includes selling articles individually or in a compilation.
Thursday, July 4, 2013
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