Los Angeles–based apparel software and equipment maker Tukatech has introduced a new Enterprise Edition of its Tuka3D to make the 3-D computer-aided design software accessible to more apparel makers.

“We know there are companies who want to adopt virtual sample-making programs like Tuka3D that just don’t have the capital,” said Ram Sareen, founder and chief executive officer of Tukatech Inc., in a statement. “I’ve always believed that companies of all sizes should have the same access to advanced technology.”

Tuka3D EE includes modules of Tuka3D for virtual sample-making; Tukacloud, the Web-based collaboration and communication platform; and Tukadesign Enterprise Edition, which is used to prepare and adjust patterns for 3-D sample-making. Like Tukatech’s other software, Tuka3D, comes with one year of unlimited training, implementation and consulting.

In the past, Tukatech packaged the Tuka3D system with a module of Tukadesign Professional Edition, Tukacloud, custom virtual models and animations, and unlimited training, etc. This package will now be offered as Tuka3D Professional Edition.

Built on Autodesk’s 3D Studio Max animation program, Tuka3D users can use real-time motion simulation for presentation and analysis. Both the Enterprise Edition and the Professional Edition come with a database of 3-D virtual fit models that includes “hundreds of models represent[ing] dozens of brands and bodies that range from tiny infants to plus-size adults,” which “are animated to walk, run, sit, reach, pose, climb or any other motion that would be performed during a live sample fitting.”

Tukatech has developed virtual models for companies such as Adrianna Papell, Lilly Pulitzer, Levi Strauss & Co. and Lucky Brand.

“Many brands in the UK and USA allowed us to measure, photograph and even scan their fit models so Tukatech could make the replica models,” said Arshad Sattar, managing director of Sri Lanka manufacturer Timex, which produces the Avirate brand. “We use 3-D virtual sample development for brands like Avirate, Maggy London, Polo Ralph Lauren and Marks & Spencer.”

Sattar said when the company first began using Tuka3D, brands were reluctant to approve 3-D samples.

Seven years later, “we found the real value was that we were able to do our internal approvals virtually, then make only one sample to send out for approval. More than 95 percent of our first samples got approved by the buyer,” he said.

According to Tukatech, virtual sample-making has helped one of its customers reduce product-development time from 90 days to 7 days. Another has seen its first-sample acceptance rate rise from about 93 percent to 99.8 percent, according to Sareen.

The product-development process has become globalized with members of the supply chain often communicating across countries and continents. Tukatech’s Tukacloud allows everyone involved in the development process to virtually “be in the same room,” Sareen said. “Everyone sees the same thing,” he said. “The designers and approvers do not need any systems, software, training or even to get familiar with the technology. They can just log in and see the samples, which is much quicker than waiting for FedEx and doesn’t clog servers like email [does].”

For more information, visit www.tukatech.com.