The 3D prototyping of garment pattern pieces on a virtual model. Illustration by permission of Lectra (c)
Pattern grading - 1 Grading Pattern grading is used to reproduce a pattern in other sizes. This is usually done once a design sample is accepted and a customer places an order in a range of sizes. CADCAM grading software is faster than manual grading and is also more consistent and accurate. However, the results still rely on the skill of the grading technician and the input of the data. Records are kept of the grade rule numbers and positions for each style by means of simple diagrams as shown. Any pattern adapted from the block can also be graded by the same method. However, few patterns are as simple as the block shape. This means that new grade rules have to be calculated by the grader and these rules added to the grade rule library.