PatternSmith

Textile print designing tool

Avantages :

It works well on 2D designs and is user friendly. I've enjoyed using it so far. It gives great detailing on patterns.

Inconvénients :

The only con I've found is that is crashes alot.

Happy with the overall experience but would love more features, shortcuts, & customization.

Commentaires : The company I am currently with has been using this software for quite a while and I understand that it is a very important piece to our business. I am happy to see a new update is coming out and would love to see the what's new.

Avantages :

I enjoy the short learning curve and ease of use the most.I have taught others on how to use it and they quickly picked it up. The manual is also very informative, and the tool tips are a good touch.

Inconvénients :

I would like it more if there were more ways to customize and set automatized features. It would also be great if the user can upload a photo and has it be seen through the "pattern window".

Frustrating. Clunky.

Inconvénients :

1. needs to handle more curve types 2. needs better tools for thinning points on lines 3. needs better control over curve directions 4. needs better selection tools, or at least crossing vs enclosed box (like acad, or rhino) 5. needs higher resolution/ deeper zoom 6. needs better tools for defining pattern orientation for cloth grain. 7. needs better tools for labelling/numbering patterns 8. some auto-nesting would be good. 9. need control over how many points are included in lines when importing dxf files at various scales. 10. needs easier join command 11. the list could go on and on.... and on. sorry.

Patternsmith

Commentaires : It has, and continues to be functional enough to produce our designs, but basic enough to use easily.

Avantages :

It's basic functionality, ease of use, the fact we are not forced to pay for un-necessary upgrades when the software does everything we need it to. We enjoyed being part of the bug reporting users back when it was released, and was impressed with the speed of bug fixing. As sail and cover makers, the basic 2D design capabilities have served our needs for nearly 20 years, and continue to do so.

Inconvénients :

The fact that every time we bought a new computer, we had to ask for a .tlf code. (Not a big hassle really, but thought I should write something!)

good experience no major set backs with the software.

Avantages :

clean look not to much "useless" menus. the new ad-ons and tweaks help out making this software more user friendly.

Inconvénients :

the thing i like the least is that if i make some patterns and copy them in another file and want to edit i have to edit everywhere the copy is.. i am used to software that is parametric and i think that this would be a great feature to add to your software.

I am to the point of drawing everything in autocad and importing it.

Commentaires : Not much. It drives the cutting table so we have to use it. We would never choose to use it.

Avantages :

It drives my CBC cutting table, and the company that installed the table helped immensely with training on the software during installation.

Inconvénients :

Lack of shortcuts. Lack of a command line. Too much reliance on button toolbars in general. No common line cutting, and additional charges for nesting functionality.

Frustrating

Avantages :

I rarely ever,need to upgrade because the upgrades don't work very well.

Inconvénients :

Constant crashing when I try to delete empty tables. Our table has issues with bezier lines. The way seam allowances reverse randomly when modifying a pattern. Extra points that are difficult to see because I can't zoom in far enough. When grouped objects are copied, the copy automatically becomes grouped with the original. The minimize and maximize icons are offset and difficult to use. Can't drag to scale. The height and width dimensions are flipped in the attribute box....

Customer support has been fantastic. I often get quick answers to the problems I face.

Commentaires : I am able to get daily desired information about patterns to our manufacturers and some customers. The basic information I need is very easy to acquire.

Avantages :

Pretty easy to get used to. I was able to self teach myself half of the functions of the software. I use it on a daily basis and can easily get the information I need without much effort.

Inconvénients :

Not as many options as other software. I use a Lectra Software which has a lot more flexibility and can use a wider range of pattern files, and is much more compatible with the companies we work with.

My thoughts? Not sure what u mean.

Commentaires : Overall been a bit frustrated. I wish the software was more geared to apparel or could exchange with outside files.

Avantages :

It’s pretty comprehensive and the fact that you guys continue to update.

Inconvénients :

It’s a closed system. Does not work well with other files. I also wish you guys had a thorough training manual or video tutorials.

Wish we had auto-nest function. Seems awkward to use. Hate scroll to zoom. Need help index.

Commentaires : Need it to operate the cutting machine.

Avantages :

Seems pretty reliable in general. Rarely gives us trouble and Autometrix is good about remote help, but wish there was more on-line tutorials or training available. Very possible that we don't know all the functionality and proper use of commands.

Inconvénients :

Wish we had auto-nest function. Seems awkward to use. Hate scroll to zoom. Need help index. wish there was more on-line tutorials or training available. Very possible that we don't know all the functionality and proper use of commands.

A fairly trouble-free software package. It works well for our needs.

Commentaires : Without it, all patterns would be cut by hand with extraordinary waste and inaccuracy. This software removes all doubt if we keep control of our pattern files correctly (version control).

Avantages :

Accuracy of pattern details. More or less anything can be designed with this software as long as you take the time to learn how to use it. I draft all the patterns for our company and it took me a few years to get efficient at it.

Inconvénients :

Licensing can be problematic. At times it wants us to relicense the product for no obvious reason and the workers on the floor are unable to perform this action. Often hours of work time are lost while they wait for me to relicense the software.

The software is amazing the way it makes the machine mark data and make circles on material.

Avantages :

Our company has been using the "PatternSmith" software since 1999 to manufacture aircraft components made from textiles. Its use has improved our productivity 10 fold at least. One operator at our company states, "The software has made my work easy by making the cutting machine so easy to use. It performs so many functions previously performed manually using a measuring scale, marking pen, and scissors. It marks the stitch lines on the fabric used to sew the webbing to the fabric on large and small nets. It also marks small holes on fabric for the laser guided snap installer to aim at and cuts large holes in fabric 3" to 4" in diameter. It can even cut 12 foot long shapes in a very short time. I would recommend it to any company using scissors to repeatedly cut fabric."

Inconvénients :

The software has continuously improved in the last 16 years making the cutting table perform its function even better. The only real concern we have is the vacuum pump is too noisy.

Been a user for over 10 years and have found the software very easy to use and quite helpful.

Commentaires : Workflow optimization.

Avantages :

The software is pretty easy to pick up and learn to use. It is powerful enough to allow us to design all of our products in and light enough to allow a very quick workflow.

Inconvénients :

The software is prone to a few bugs, mostly consisting of the program crashing without warning. A few other bugs such as line connector not always working and objects overlapping when nesting with a box perimeter.

Good Software

Commentaires : While the software can be frustrating at times, it does work and the customer service is excellent!

Avantages :

Once you spend a little time with the software, the workflow is easy to understand.

Inconvénients :

Sometime the software seems to be buggy and it's not always the same function. I have found that restarting the computer can sometimes clear up these types of issues.

We been able to design hundreds of successful products using Pattern Smith only.

Commentaires : We have been able to design 99% of the products that the company offer.

Avantages :

I have been in the design department for 17 years and I can tell you that: 1 . Pattern Smith is reliable; this program does not have bugs found in other programs. 2. It is very easy to use compared to other software. 3. 100% compatible with autometrix cutting machines. For our company it is the best choice. No complains so far. Our company has depended on pattern smith for 20 years. Our products are great and very competitive.

I've been involved in purchasing or recommending Autometrix at 5 locations.

Avantages :

Easy to use and powerful. We can edit patterns easily and produce patterns for cutting within a few minutes.

Inconvénients :

There are a few bugs that need fixing, and the software crashes frequently. There has not been a new release in quite a few years.

It has been a very positive experience

Avantages :

There are a few things I like about this software, It is very user friendly for the most part and the support is amazing

Inconvénients :

I would think the only thing that I'm not happy with is the lack of ease of ability to convert all of the pattern pieces with only one adjustment

I've used Accumark for many years and transitioning to PatternSmith was fairly easy.

Commentaires : It is easy to use.

Avantages :

What I like most is how easy it is to use. Having already used competitor's programs at other employers I found transitioning to PatternSmith was fairly easy to learn. The system is clean and straight to the point.

Inconvénients :

There are a few glitches but the one I dislike the most is the seam end tool is not consistent. If you need the cut edges to mirror each other it is best to convert the seams to elements.

The new version is great.

Avantages :

PatternSmith 8.2 so way easier to use than the old version. Easy to create or import patterns.

Inconvénients :

Still a little buggy and crashes sometimes but recovers well without any loss of data.

PatternSmith

Commentaires : We use it daily. Overall it works well. We do run into glitches that we feel shouldn't happen, but PatternSmith seems open to working on them.

Avantages :

This is user friendly, offers many options.

Inconvénients :

Unfortunately there are random glitches. The base computer requirements have changed since the release.

Frustrating at times, but overall a decent software.

Commentaires : Quick nesting of parts.

Avantages :

Importing of DXF files allow for a quick cut line identification. Nesting of parts is quick and easy.

Inconvénients :

Software continually has a "Not Responding" message that causes me start over if I'm not constantly saving data. Nesting of angled parts is sometimes frustrating when using the arrow keys to nest. For example, if I want the parts to go down and to the left, then the part may go down to the bottom, but it will slide up the adjacent angled when going to the left.

Easy to Use

Commentaires : The software was very easy to use and the technical support was amazing as well.

Avantages :

Very easy to use, user-friendly. Great Help documents.

Inconvénients :

I don't have anything negative to say about this software.

It is a decent software. I wish there was a class offered I could send employee's to to learn it.

Commentaires : It allows me to run the table. It is relatively easy to import images, all though it doesn't like ovals.

Avantages :

Relativly similar to other drawing software. I like the book is relatively easy to follow along in explanations.

Inconvénients :

No class's offered. The fact that I cant create different table widths, in the same fill. I wonder if there is a way to have pop up tutorials when you are in process of doing things, (IE- "To snap line do.......").

Makes my work/day fun!

Commentaires : Cost!
But where it shines is when it's combined with CAD SHOT, in an industry like ours where patterns constantly changes it was hugely beneficial!

Avantages :

User friendly Easy to organize the cuts/files Nice to have PatternSmith8 interface like a CAD software.

Inconvénients :

Crashes many, many times a day Only one (1) color for info lines Can't control the cut directions of the cutting machine

Experience so far has been relatively painless after the learning curve

Commentaires : Helps us nest efficiently, we are able to try different iterations quickly and easily, our hands are less tired from using scissors!

Avantages :

Simple, easy to use interface. Nesting is pretty easy. I like using the trace feature to import patterns via photos.

Inconvénients :

It has been crashing more frequently on me lately. It doesn't tell me exactly why it crashes, but seems to happen when I am working with patterns that have a lot of points or bezier curves.