- Spec drawings of flats
- Front & back views
- Fabric Samples
- Details e.g. zips
- Measurements
During this CAD module I am going to create 8 X A4 specification sheets of my garment ideas which I designed during Module AD203.
In our first few sessions we looked at the tools that we were going to mostly be using which include:
- Pen tool
- Selection tool
- Path finder
- Layers
- Fill box
- Stroke tool
- Compound path
Illustrator Tools
The pen tool was easy to understand as I had used the tool last year while completing a different module. However, re-learning the pen tool step by step refreshed my memory with the different steps you can take to create shapes for instance compound path. I didn't really had much experience using the compound path tool therefore I was able to grasp a better understanding of the tool and put it into action.
I learnt that a compound path is when shapes interact with each other allowing the user to create a complex shape, therefore an advantage when creating fashion flats as it is fast way of creating shapes.
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| I created two shapes a square and a circle and used the 'compound path' tool! It displays a symmetrical neckline. |
Another tool I found really relevant to me during this module was the 'Stroke Tool'.
The stroke tool allows you to change the different 'weight' of each line e.g. a thin line at 0.75pt or a thick line at 6pt. Therefore when creating fashion flats it is important you have a thicker outline of the garment than the details within the garment. Another advantage of using the stroke tool within my work is the fact that you can add dashes to your work therefore perfect for adding stitching lines to my technical flats.
Overall during our first few CAD sessions we practiced using the pen tool by uploading a croquis template and outlining the silhouette of a dress with the correct proportions. A couple of technical drawings I first created using Adobe Illustrated are displayed below:
I find using Adobe Illustrator really useful when creating technical flats as you are able to generate lots of ideas faster and also change something if your not entirely happy with it shown in the scanned in technical flat above. I simple changed the neckline into a plunging neckline and practiced adding colour to my flat.
I love using Illustrator so much I decided to purchase myself an iMac :) and get Adobe Illustrator added onto my software so I'm able to practice different techniques and use the software more frequently hopefully improving my skills.
8th November 2011
Today I scanned in a technical flat my final Little Black Dress displaying the front and back.
I used Epson scan and scanned in my design and opened it up in Adobe Illustrator CS5.
I then had to open a template which displayed the layout of what our final boards are meant to look like and added our design.
After this, I started to trace around the silhouette of my design using the pen too to make one entire shape. However, to make my flat symmetrical, I only traced around one half of my design and selected the object using the black arrow and copied it. I then pasted the image and reflected it by using the option called 'reflect'. Once I had reflected the design I had to join the anchor points to make the object a whole shape so when filling the garment with colour, the colour doesn't 'spill out'.
To join anchor points, you have to click 'Object' at the top of the screen - 'path' - 'join path'. This will give you a symmetrical, complete shape.
After I had the outline of my final garment I started to add detail for instance stitching.
Putting the skills to the test, I selected the pen tool and created a curved line and then selected the 'stroke tool'. I changed the weight of the stroke tool to 0.5pt as i wanted the detail of the stitching to be very precise and not stand out as much as the other details on the dress.
I then selected the option of making the line a 'dashed line', the original curved line created is then transformed into a line of stitching. As my stitching is twin needling i copied and pasted my original dashed line and adjusted the size slightly. This is much more quicker than creating each individual stitch line and it is much more accurate.
Continuing with adding detail to my technical flat, remembering to use lots of layers for each individual area I started to draw with the pen tool.
I got quite far in creating the corset outlines and adding in the structured symmetrical spike at the top of the garment. I then started to add more detail into the skirt, because my skirt isn't actually going to be symmetrical once I have made it, I'm not sure if I like the skirt unsymmetrical as it doesn't appear very accurate or technical which it needs to be.
Brushes
We also looked at the concept of using brushes within our work. Brushes can be ted for fashion illustrations to make them appear more life like as well as technical flats.
I practiced within class using the different brushes and just experimenting with different weights and sizes etc.
I decided to research more into brushes when I got home so I decided to check out www.youtube.com for brush tutorials which I have linked a couple below:
To create my own brush I decided to follow the second tutorial and create my own brush that represents 'ruching'. I started with the pen tool and drew in a few lines representing this fashion detail, I then selected the role object and dragged it into the brush tool box.
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| Desinging the brush! |
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| Adding the brush! |
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| Ruching on my design! |
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| Upclose of previous image 15th November 2011 Todays lesson we uploaded a previous drawn image of a technical flat and applied most of the skills we had learnt during our CAD sessions. I started off creating the sihoulette of the garment and converting anchor points where the outline had to be more curved like the top of the collar in the photograph below: The image below displays that I have added seams and started to create my pockets. I have added the pocket over the top of the seams by using a white fill colour so it covers the seam behind it. I have created the pocket by using simple shapes e.g. rounded rectangle and altering the size. I have added stitching by 'copying' and selecting 'paste in front' so its in line with the original shape. I have then made the shape slightly smaller and using the stroke tool box transformed it into dashes (2pt by 2pt). |
I am simply going to copy and paste the whole of the pocket so I can use it for the rest of the pockets on the garment so they are all matching.
The image above displays that I have copied and pasted the original pocket. I have increased the size and rotated the pocket to match the technical working drawing.
I started on creating the ruffle on the garment, I created this ruffle by using the pen tool and the stroke tool box. I created simple curves with the pen tool in which I changed the profile of the style of pen used. This allowed me to create a real life like ruffle that I'm really pleased with, I then added in small delicate lines once again changing the profile of the pen tool which enhanced the ruffle.
I then selected 'copy' and 'paste in front' then using the arrow tools I simple moved the ruffle to the right so the drawing was symmetrical.
Starting my final designs
I scanned in my original drawing and started with the pen tool.
I set the scanned in image at a 35% transparency so it was easier to work over the top without the image being to distracting.
Using the pen tool I created the outline making sure it was a stroke width of 2pt. On a different layer I then started to add in the seams as well as the stitch line.
Using the pen tool I created the outline making sure it was a stroke width of 2pt. On a different layer I then started to add in the seams as well as the stitch line.
After completing the front of my second design I then copy and pasted the same outline to then start creating the back of the garment.
To make my design appear more life like and have more of a 3D effect to it I decided to slightly change the profile of the line which I had used to create the soft curves within the garment:
My 3rd design was much more difficult in terms of detail and the amount of layered shapes.
However I scanned in my design once again and changed the transparency to 35%.
I really want the bottom of the dress that displays the overlapped fabric to be really life like and dynamic. So using the skills over the past few months that I have gained I decided to use pathfinder to try and create the outline of the garment with ease.
Effect > Pathfinder > ‘Minus Back’
Hopefully this is going to create a nice shaped outline of my garment…
I was quite disappointed with the overall finish which the pathfinder created as two lines appeared running down the centre of the garment to meet at the bottom. I believe that this problem occurred due to the fact that paths weren’t joined together.
I am going to try and attempt creating this design in another way to try and get the best possible shape and silhouette as possible.
Final Outcomes
SWOT ANALYSIS
Strengths
I think during this project I showed real dedication and enthusiasm which really comes across in my file.
My skills very much improved when I purchased a mac of my own which allowed me to practice and gain more skills at home.
My final 8 A4 specification sheets were overall very successful as the proportions are accurate and therefore professional enough to send off to a factory ready to make.
My work which I created was very clear and easy to interpret.
Weaknesses
To improve my work and bring it in line with industry requirements I would require more detailed annotation for the manufacturer. Introducing texture and tone to the illustrations would of also allowed me to show my skills even further - however our class was told not to add colour as you wouldn't get extra marks.....?
Opportunities
An opportunity which I acted on during this project was to buy a mac with the Adobe Illustrator software - allowing me to practice and practice as well as create CAD flats for my designs in the future.
Strengths
I think during this project I showed real dedication and enthusiasm which really comes across in my file.
My skills very much improved when I purchased a mac of my own which allowed me to practice and gain more skills at home.
My final 8 A4 specification sheets were overall very successful as the proportions are accurate and therefore professional enough to send off to a factory ready to make.
My work which I created was very clear and easy to interpret.
Weaknesses
To improve my work and bring it in line with industry requirements I would require more detailed annotation for the manufacturer. Introducing texture and tone to the illustrations would of also allowed me to show my skills even further - however our class was told not to add colour as you wouldn't get extra marks.....?
Opportunities
An opportunity which I acted on during this project was to buy a mac with the Adobe Illustrator software - allowing me to practice and practice as well as create CAD flats for my designs in the future.
