2020 – What a Year It Was…

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2020 helped Optitex find new ways to grow, new ways to shine – and new ways to be there for one another.

2020 was all about change, about adapting, and about making the transition to the digital space, easier. To support its user community as they made the move to remote working, throughout 2020, Optitex continued to develop and deliver exciting new tools and knowledge-transfer sessions to ease customers’ digital transformation journey.

Here’s a look back on the main highlights of the past year, where despite its many challenges, Optitex continued to put its customers and innovation – first.

COMPANY UPDATE: FOG ACQUISITION

In April 2020, Optitex proudly announced its acquisition by FOG Software Group (FOG), a division of Constellation Software, Inc. [TSX: CSU]. Following the acquisition, Optitex continued to operate as an independent company within FOG, and reverted 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. “This acquisition provides significant added-value to Optitex, its customers and partners. While retaining the independence of business operations, we reinforce our strong commitment to innovative product development,” said Amir Lehr, CEO of Optitex.

Read the press release.

NEW PRODUCTS & RELEASES

Optitex O/19.6 – Enhanced PDS 2D/3D

In March 2020, Optitex released an exciting new version of its innovative Pattern Design Software (PDS) that combines robust 2D design and true-to-life 3D visualization, all on a single platform.

Key Benefits:

• Comprehensive fabric management
• Fast simulation and easy detection of fit problems
• Consistent rendering of avatars and fabrics

Learn more: https://optitex.com/products/2d-and-3d-cad-software/

Enhanced O/Cloud Platform

Optitex’s innovative O/Cloud efficiently manages the end-to-end development process by sharing the 3D digital workplace with teams, vendors and partners – all in a high-quality digital 3D environment.

Key Benefits

• All design and development files in a single digital workspace
• Easily and seamlessly collaborate with all team members, vendors and partners
• Fast and easy 3D asset sharing, with all files in a central location, for reliable, always-accessible storage for all your style data
• Fully control permissions and be confident that only relevant supply chain members can access your data

New and Improved Optitex 3D Design for Illustrator (previously 3DDI)

Optitex 3D Design for Illustrator brings your artwork to life, where the user can generate colorways and prints, and immediately view the designs in 3D – directly from Adobe Illustrator.

Key Benefits

• Compatible with Mac and Windows
• Unrivaled high-quality rendering
• Easily adjustable 3D lighting to showcase your garments
• Wide selection of fabric textures, accessories, and trims

Learn more: https://optitex.com/products/3d-design-for-illustrator/

TECH PARTNERSHIPS & COLLABORATION

Daz3D

In July 2020, Optitex announced its integration with Daz3D, a renowned 3D character and avatar software suite, and digital marketplace. This new partnership provides Optitex 3D users with access to Daz3D’s 5 million smart-content assets, including state-of-the-art 3D characters.

Learn more: https://optitex.com/optitex-partners-with-daz-3d/

YKK

In May 2020, Optitex signed a partnership agreement with YKK Group, one of the world’s leading zipper manufacturers. Optitex’s customers can now easily access and embed YKK 3D objects from its rich library of fastening products into their 3D models, and enjoy the visual standards and rendering precision of YKK objects.

Learn more: https://optitex.com/optitex-partners-with-top-zipper-manufacturer-ykk/

ByondXR

In November 2020, Optitex and ByondXR, a provider of virtual showrooms for brands and retailers, partnered to present their solutions to create innovative digital and virtual range reviews for buyers and brand owners using 3D assets with videos, mood boards, and trend boards.

Learn more: Setting the Stage: How to build your range review & digital showroom with Optitex & ByondXR (ENG)

First Insight

In November 2020, Optitex and First Insight, a leading global platform for enabling data-driven decision making and predictive analytics, combined their company’s expertise to illustrate how to effectively use 3D assets with predictive analytics.

Special thanks valued Optitex and First Insight customer, Marks & Spencer, one of the UK’s largest and most iconic retailers, who shared their experience on leveraging First Insight’s digital product testing solution with Optitex’s 3D CAD software.

The results? A greater understanding of M&S customers, accelerated time to market, increased support of their digital workflows, building sustainable sampling processes, and reducing material waste.

Link: Predicting the future with 3D & First Insight (ENG)

Centric Software

Centric Software, one of the world’s leading providers of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, has been an Optitex partner since 2017.

In 2020, Optitex and Centric Software joined forces and held several webinars on the topic of go-to-market optimization, leveraging the power of Optitex’s PDS 2D/3D integrated design software and Centric’s PLM solution.

Fashion Enter

In February 2020, Optitex proudly announced its partnership with Fashion Enter Ltd., a UK training and technical skills development center for the fashion and textile industry, who implemented Optitex 3D digital solutions into their course curriculum.

Learn more: https://optitex.com/fashion-enter-closes-uks-skills-gap-with-efi-optitex-3d/

NEW SERVICES TAKE CENTER STAGE

During 2020, Optitex introduced a host of new services to better support its customers’ remote working, with virtual educational and operational support tools – and more! Optitex extensive services offering helps customers expand their knowledge base. From solution adoption and training, to implementation and product support, Optitex dedicated 2020 to 100% customer care, anywhere, and at any time, across all global regions, and time zones.

E-LEARNING PLATFORM

As 2020 came to a close, Optitex launched its new e-Learning Platform, with a rich selection of 60 online courses covering 2D, 3D, Marker, and more, including certification.

Learn more: https://learn.optitex.com/index/

3D Studio Services

In March 2020, Optitex proudly launched its 3D Studio Services, to help customers enjoy the many benefits of photorealistic material creation, scanned avatar solutions, 3D modeling, analysis, and more. Seamlessly integrated into Optitex’s CAD solution, with 3D Studio Services, a skilled team of 3D tech artists and designers work with customers at every stage of the design process, including 3D consulting analysis and solution building, mentoring, training, and implementation.

Learn more: https://optitex.com/services/#3d_studio

WEBINARS

With the surge in remote working, and many customers’ teams dispersed around the globe, throughout 2020, Optitex hosted a number of educational webinars to help customers learn about new Optitex tools and technologies.

RETHINKING & UPSKILLING FASHION WITH OPTITEX PARTNER, FASHION ENTER

Deep dive into advanced technologies that power fashion manufacturing, and leverage speed and flexibility into micro-factory processes. Learn now 3D design and prototyping can boost the development and production of capsule collections.

Learn more: Fashion manufacturing rethought (English), Fashion up-skilled (English).

FASHION MUST GO ON: 2D/3D DESIGN & PLM WITH OPTITEX PARTNER, CENTRIC SOFTWARE

How to harness the power of integrated 2D/3D design and PLM to accelerate project turnaround, and time-to-market. Webinar hosted by Optitex and valued partner, Centric Software.

SPRING WEBINAR SERIES

How to transition from a robust 2D pattern to an accurate 3D asset that’s a perfect fit. An info-packed webinar to learn about the many benefits of Optitex 3D, and the advantages of remote tools to power your end-to-end digital workflows.

Learn more: Digital Onboarding: The value of an integrated digital design workflow – from 2D to 3D (English), The benefits of digital 3D range planning: Unlocking the power of 3D (English), Digital Onboarding: Il valore della progettazione digitale integrata (Italian), Mai Dire Mai: cambia il tuo CAD attuale e passa a Optitex (Italian),  Ne jamais dire jamais: changer votre système de CAO, adopter Optitex (French)

F/W WEBINAR SERIES

This series of webinars goes into depth on the advantages and limitations of using 3D in the fashion industry. Several tools are presented to better understand the implications of using 3D within a company. The F/W webinar series presents the different types of avatars, predictive analysis, presentation of 3D models in a virtual showroom, cost analysis and remote collaboration.

1. ALL ABOUT AVATARS

Deep dive into the differences between various types of avatars – parametric, scanned, and 3D-modeled, and about how they’re deployed for fit sessions, marketing, and more.

Learn more: All about Avatars (English)

2. 3D & PREDICTIVE ANALYTICS WITH OPTITEX PARTNER, FIRST INSIGHT

How to quickly generate 3D print and color variations with Optitex 3D Design for Illustrator, and how to effectively use 3D assets with predictive analytics.

Learn more: Predicting the future with 3D & First Insight (English)

3. 3D AND VIRTUAL RANGE REVIEW & DIGITAL SHOWROOM, WITH OPTITEX PARTNER, BYONDXR

How to create exquisite digital and virtual range reviews for buyers and retailers using your 3D assets with videos, mood boards, and trend boards.

Learn more: Setting the Stage: How to build your range review & digital showroom with Optitex & ByondXR (English)

4. REMOTE COLLABORATION

How to effectively (and seamlessly!) communicate 3D assets, digitally and seamlessly, and collaborate online with tech designers and vendors.

Learn more: Remote collaboration… all in 3D: Discover the new O/Cloud platform (English)

5. EARLY COSTING ANALYSIS… MADE SIMPLE

How to quickly and easily analyze early costing with Optitex 3D tools, PDS 2D Report Writer, and Grade.

Learn more: Early costing analysis made simple (English)

EVENTS

Fashion Tech Event

In September 2020, Optitex participated in the 3D Tech Festival, hosted by Motif and Alvanon. This exciting and informative 3D digital design industry event brought together more than 20 digital transformation specialists, experts, and industry forerunners.

Optitex was proud to welcome two of its valued customers, Darren Jacobs, Managing Director, Carmel Clothing, UK, guest presenter, and Alex Snyder, CEO, AMS Atelier, USA, as guest panelist, at this prestigious event.

Learn more: https://motif.org/event/3d-tech-festival-2020/

PI APPAREL ONLINE & SUPPLY CHAIN 2020

In November 2020, Optitex proudly welcomed Teresa Ayling, Digital Product Development Manager, Marks & Spencer, valued Optitex customer, as a guest speaker at PI Apparel New York, one of the fashion industry’s foremost global events. During the event, Teresa presented, “The Art of the Possible: Unleashing the Power of 3D Digital Design,” illustrating the advantages of implementing digital software solutions into M&S’s day-to-day processes, citing its many benefits, including faster decision-making, reduced costs, better fit for their customers, and shorter lead times.

Learn more: https://optitex.wistia.com/medias/r4bhis1y36 

Acknowledgements

Optitex thanks to its long time and valued customers around the globe, Rapha Cycling, Macron, Faurecia, Parmamoda, AMS Atelier, Carmel Clothing, Marks & Spencer, Clothier Design, EB Atelier Ltd., and Fashion Enter Ltd., for their unwavering commitment and collaboration, and its more than 20,000 followers on social networks.

Optitex thanks all its clients for their continued support, and wish all an exceptional 2021.