ArahWeave vs Tiler

ArahWeave is textile design software for dobby and jacquard weaving, with fabric simulation based on thread pattern, weave structure, density, yarn composition, and yarn color. It can simulate fabric at actual size and supports double-fabric decomposed editing, thread-pattern generation, automatic long-float correction, and crêpe weave generation. Color tools use CIE Lab-based colorimetry and can simulate overprint, chiné, ikat, seersucker, raised finishes, and wrinkles. The Weft Blanket tool combines samples with different patterns in one file for weaving without stopping the loom. ArahWeave supports major industrial dobby and jacquard loom formats and can save cards ready for weaving. DobbyPro and JacquardPro editions add XML import and export for ERP interfacing. The software runs natively on Linux; the maker also describes Mac support and Windows use through Linux virtualization. The free demo can save images but not ArahWeave projects, while ArahPaint works fully. Personal Edition costs €2,500, paid once; Selvedge Edition costs €3,850, paid once. Both include one year of support and updates.

Tiler creates seamless repeating patterns from artwork you supply. Set a field in millimeters, add SVG artwork, then place motifs by hand or scatter them using controls for count, size, size variation, rotation, mirroring, and spacing. Choose straight, half-drop, half-brick, or mirror repeats. Individual placements can retain their colors or use one ink, with separate opacity controls; backgrounds can be a ground or transparent. Export a true-size SVG tile, a PNG at 72–600 dpi, or a PDF sheet in several page sizes. The SVG stays vector, while the PDF sheet is rasterized at the selected resolution. SVG is the only supported input, so photographs and scans need tracing before import. Tiler runs in a web browser and requires no account. BoxLab says artwork is read, drawn, and written in the browser, not uploaded, and script-capable content is stripped from imported SVGs. It presents the tool for gift wrap, textiles, packaging, stationery, print, prepress, and screen backgrounds.