SHIMA SEIKI: Partnership with CLO Virtual Fashion

Leading computerized flat knitting innovator SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan is partnering with digital garment solutions provider CLO Virtual Fashion of Seoul, South Korea for the integration of technology in garment design and simulation. 
 
Through this partnership, by integrating SHIMA SEIKI’s APEXFiz® 3D design software with CLO’s advanced 3D garment simulation technology, a new workflow that combines the strengths of both companies is enabled—from knitwear planning and design to high-quality product simulation, animation and various other content usage, as well as seamless linkage to the manufacturing process. 
 
Until now, importing material data created in APEXFiz® into CLO consisted of manually loading numerous material layers along with settings and adjustments. In the upcoming versions scheduled for release, APEXFiz® will feature a dedicated export function for CLO, while CLO will enable one-click import functionality with the APEXFiz® Integration Plugin. This enhancement will provide users employing both products with a significantly smoother and more efficient environment. 
 
By expanding creative capability while eliminating traditional barriers between design and production, the collaboration allows users to move from digital concept to knitted output with unprecedented efficiency. Users can now generate accurate, high-quality knit imagery that can take advantage of CLO’s strength in animated production, metaverse applications and even game usage, and furthermore design with the confidence that these digital creations can then be translated into real-world production. 
 
Software integration is set for April, supported by the V-09C update from SHIMA SEIKI in March and the CLO 2026.0 release for enterprise users in April.