Computer aided design for needlecraft

Abstract

A research on the development of Computer Aided Design (CAD) in the fashion industry was carried out through various reading material. The CAD program 'Autoplanner' was obtained from the software industry "Prosoft". This software program was installed on a 386 SX machine. Several difficulties arose, during the installation, loading and experimentation of this program. These difficulties were surmounted through consultation and experimentation. An important tool for the successful operation of this program was the installation of the simulation software program of a maths co-processor chip. The whole system was used altogether to obtain general observations and evaluations regarding the program's efficiency for school use. Moreover an experiment was carried out to obtain an improved hardcopy, by capturing the display of the screen and converting it to any WINDOWS applications. Finally a field testing of some of the CAD program functions was carried out with a Form I class, at Zejtun Junior Lyceum. The school's computers required the installation of the simulation program of a maths co-processor chip, since the school's computers ( 486 SX machines) were not supplied with it. The use of the digitiser was not possible in the field testing because secondary schools are not equipped with them. In spite of these difficulties it is possible to use CAD programs in secondary schools.