Zweave leverages OptiTex 3D Runway to deliver breakthrough 3D anthropometric capabilities to the Apparel Industry

Boston, MA – September 23rd 2005 -- Zweave, Inc., the leader in Collaborative Product Lifecycle Management (CPLM™) solutions for the consumer products industry, has completed the development of its 3D Fit Studio™ Solution in collaboration with OptiTex USA.

Zweave has received considerable funding from the Department of Defense to research, develop and build web based software to develop 3D solutions that would leverage extensive libraries of 3D body scans and 3D landmarks used in the design of products that fit target populations with increasing demographic diversity. Over a three-year period, Zweave has worked extensively with the Department of Defense pattern makers and anthropologists to develop a leading edge fit analysis workspace. This 3D workspace will increase the visibility and interaction of fit business processes within a broad apparel product lifecycle from fit testing, sizing system development, 3D portfolio and item visualization to web based workspaces.

Zweave’s 3D Fit Studio™ solution integrates with FitCOMM™, the central command for managing fit, and a key module in Zweave’s CPLM™ software portfolio. “3D Fit Studio™ supports collaboration and data management throughout the development lifecycle of products designed to fit a diverse population. This is the first 3D application built to truly support technical design with 3D visualization”, announced Laura McCann, Director of PLM consulting services.  “3D tools on the market today emphasize visualization, fabric drape and silhouette. Our product emphasizes human factors, 3D body scans, landmarks and measurement capabilities that integrate seamlessly with PLM and pattern making”.

“With 3D Fit Studio™, technical designers, designers and pattern makers leveraging our OptiTex Runway™ and PDS™ software can increase their capabilities and address the demand inside of their organizations for a collaborative workspace for managing technical fit activities”, says Yoram Burg, President OptiTex USA.  “Zweave is allowing the Fit activity in apparel organizations to be collaborative by leveraging OptiTex’s capabilities in a web based PLM solution for the first time. Any organization currently deploying a PLM initiative or considering doing so in the future can benefit today from our joint investments and innovations.”

CPLM ™ addresses the top 5 product development challenges of apparel manufacturers: collaboration and accountability between merchandising, design, and sourcing activities; cost reduction of product development activities; reduced cycle times; improved product design, fit and usability and inventory reduction.
 
CPLM™ is a web-based solution and is deployed in a series of incremental implementations to address the unique processes of product development.

OptiTex Runway™ 3D fashion software is a realistic cloth simulation / cloth modeling software system based on accurate CAD patterns and real fabric characteristics.
Using OptiTex 3D Garment Draping and 3D Visualization software system - designers, pattern makers, and retailers can visualize any pattern modifications instantly in full 3D.

OptiTex and Zweave are both independent open solutions that collaborate with third party solutions in PDM, PLM and CAD.

About Zweave

Zweave is a PLM consultancy firm and Systems Integrator delivering breakthrough Anthropometric Collaborative Product Lifecycle Management (CPLM™) Solutions, which address the most significant business challenges of manufacturers of uniforms, apparel, footwear, safety equipment and consumer products. Zweave brings together consumer products industry domain experts, software technology professionals and experienced strategy consultants to deliver high ROI software solutions meeting product development and design needs.

About OptiTex

Founded in 1988, OptiTex specializes in the development of innovative easy-to-operate CAD/CAM solutions for sewn products and other related industries. Its native Microsoft Windows based software packages for digitizing, pattern engineering, grading, marking, advanced automatic nesting, made to measure and draping, are specifically designed to meet the needs of today's manufacturers of industrial fabrics, apparel, upholstery, transportation, composites, home furnishings, and other sewn products. OptiTex's open architecture system comes amply equipped with a multitude of import/export formats, enabling OptiTex users to interface with a wide range of software and hardware. OptiTex also offers the convenient option of purchasing a completely integrated package, including OptiTex software solutions, digitizer, and pen or ink jet plotter. Available in more then 20 languages, OptiTex products are sold and supported around the world through certified distributors and OEMs.

Zweave, Inc. and all Zweave product names and logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of Zweave, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and in other countries.  Names of products from other vendors mentioned in this document may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Except for the historical information contained herein, matters discussed in this news release may constitute forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected.