C.a.o.

C.a.o. (Conception assistée par ordinateur; Computer Aided Concept). Different from D.a. (Dessin assisté par ordinateur; Computer Aided Design), which simulates products in the form of images, C.a.o. conceives a product by taking in account its morphologic limits and the techniques of production. This technology made its appearance in the mid 1960s, and was applied to cutting and paper patterns, and was improved in the early 1970s on textile structure. A computer transforms the data provided (measurements, model, and fabric) into a standard paper pattern on which fabric is then cut with a laser and later sewn. It is therefore possible to create custom-made prototypes in a very short time. C.a.o. provides also an archive which facilitates the work of designers. The system was created by the Alsatian company Vestra.