Shima Seiki has published an interesting new piece on its wearware platform, the Japanese company’s go-to site for shaping the future of the fashion and apparel industry. This time, Shima takes a deep dive into the world of rendering. “You’ve probably heard the term often when working with 3D computer graphics - but do you know how it works and what it means? Many people use it somewhat vaguely, “Shima says.

“In this article, we’ll break down the importance of rendering in the fashion industry, from the basics to more advanced, practical insights. Whether you’re already working with 3DCG or just thinking about getting started, this guide is for you.”

Rendering has become a cornerstone of digital fashion development, enabling designers to transform complex numerical data into highly realistic images and videos. Within 3D computer graphics, rendering calculates light, colour, texture and shadow to visualise garments in a way that closely mirrors physical reality. As the fashion industry continues to adopt digital workflows, rendering plays an increasingly critical role in design, development and communication.

Among the various rendering methods available, ray tracing has emerged as the dominant technique in fashion. By simulating the physical behaviour of light, ray tracing produces highly photorealistic results, accurately depicting shadows, reflections and transparent materials. This capability allows brands and designers to present fabrics and garments with convincing depth and surface detail, making it particularly valuable for visual merchandising, presentations and virtual sampling.

A range of ray tracing engines are now widely used across fashion 3D workflows, each offering different strengths depending on application and speed. These tools are commonly integrated into leading garment design platforms, supporting the industry’s drive towards faster and more realistic digital prototyping. In parallel, real-time rendering engines originally developed for gaming are gaining traction, offering immediate visual feedback without lengthy processing times.

However, while ray tracing excels in many areas, knitwear has long posed a challenge. The complex loop structures, surface undulations and natural yarn fuzz characteristic of knitted fabrics are difficult to reproduce using conventional texture mapping techniques. To address this limitation, 3D loop simulation has emerged as a breakthrough technology for knitwear visualisation.

3D loop simulation takes a fundamentally different approach by physically calculating each individual knit loop in three-dimensional space. Rather than applying a flat texture to a garment surface, the system effectively recreates the knitting process itself within the computer. This allows stitch structures, fabric distortion and edge details to be rendered with a level of accuracy comparable to real knitted products.

The technology also enables realistic representation of yarn characteristics. By using data derived from actual yarns, the simulation reproduces natural fuzz and fibre behaviour automatically, without the need for extensive manual adjustment. Different yarns can be assigned to individual colour areas, ensuring that visual effects appear only where they would in a real garment.

Together, ray tracing and 3D loop simulation demonstrate how rendering technologies are reshaping digital fashion design. Ray tracing delivers lifelike lighting and material expression, while 3D loop simulation provides the structural fidelity required for knitwear. By applying these tools selectively, fashion companies can enhance product development, reduce reliance on physical samples and strengthen digital communication across the value chain.

As digitalisation continues to gather pace, a deeper understanding of rendering technologies is becoming essential for maintaining competitiveness. With innovations such as real-time ray tracing and advanced knit simulation now available, the fashion industry is better equipped than ever to design, develop and present products in a fully digital environment.

Read the full article on Shima Seiki’s wearware website:

Rendering Technology - The Complete Picture: Pioneering the Future of Fashion

www.shimaseiki.com