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Fashion · head to head

AVA CAD/CAM vs Shima Seiki

AVA CAD/CAM logo

AVA CAD/CAM

Fashion

Professional CAD/CAM system for apparel manufacturing

From
$180/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Shima Seiki logo

Shima Seiki

Fashion

Knit design and visualization software

From
$250/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: AVA CAD/CAM built for Apple Macs, so a Windows-based studio is not the target platform; Shima Seiki the Internet Archive's capture of Shima Seiki's homepage on 29 December 2020 named five distinct product categories, Knitting Machines, Design System/Software, CAD/CAM Systems, Inkjet Printing Machine, and PLM Solutions, all sold via an Inquiry form with no price figure published.
  • They diverge on capability: AVA CAD/CAM covers Pattern design, Shima Seiki covers Knit design.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which AVA CAD/CAM and Shima Seiki actually diverge.

Attributes where AVA CAD/CAM and Shima Seiki differ
AttributeAVA CAD/CAMShima Seiki
Starting price$180/month$250/month
PlatformsWindows, macOSWindows
Founded19841962

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Fashion).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in AVA CAD/CAM

  • Pattern design
  • Grading
  • Marker creation
  • Nesting optimization
  • CAM integration
  • Production control
  • Manufacturing systems
  • CAM equipment

Only in Shima Seiki

  • Knit design
  • Stitch pattern creation
  • Color selection
  • Machine control
  • Production planning
  • Visualization
  • Shima Seiki machines
  • CAM systems

Both cover

  • User authentication
  • Desktop deployment
  • Windows support
  • English language support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

AVA CAD/CAM

  • Design and colour separation for printed textilesnot Shima Seiki
  • Repeat and surface pattern creationnot Shima Seiki
  • Colourway development for home furnishing and apparel printsnot Shima Seiki
  • Preparing artwork for digital and conventional textile printingnot Shima Seiki
  • Wallcovering and floor covering print designnot Shima Seiki

Shima Seiki

  • Knit designnot AVA CAD/CAM
  • Machine programmingnot AVA CAD/CAM

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

AVA CAD/CAM

  • Built for Apple Macs, so a Windows-based studio is not the target platform
  • Scoped to decorative print for textiles, wallcoverings, flooring and ceramics rather than general CAD
  • Pricing is not published

Shima Seiki

  • The Internet Archive's capture of Shima Seiki's homepage on 29 December 2020 named five distinct product categories, Knitting Machines, Design System/Software, CAD/CAM Systems, Inkjet Printing Machine, and PLM Solutions, all sold via an Inquiry form with no price figure published.

Pricing, plan by plan

AVA CAD/CAM

$180/month
  • Standard$180/month
    • Basic features
  • Professional$350/month
    • Advanced features
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Full solution

Shima Seiki

$250/month
  • Essential$250/month
    • Basic design
    • Standard features
  • Professional$500/month
    • Advanced design
    • Integration
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Full solution

Which should you pick?

Choose AVA CAD/CAM if

  • You need pattern design.
  • You work on Windows, macOS.
  • You also want grading.
AVA CAD/CAM review

Choose Shima Seiki if

  • You need knit design.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want stitch pattern creation.
Shima Seiki review

Questions people ask

Is AVA CAD/CAM or Shima Seiki better?
Neither clearly leads. AVA CAD/CAM starts at $180/month and Shima Seiki at $250/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, AVA CAD/CAM or Shima Seiki?
AVA CAD/CAM starts at $180/month and Shima Seiki at $250/month.
Does AVA CAD/CAM or Shima Seiki run on more platforms?
AVA CAD/CAM runs on Windows, macOS. Shima Seiki runs on Windows.
What is AVA CAD/CAM best used for?
AVA CAD/CAM is most often used for design and colour separation for printed textiles, repeat and surface pattern creation, colourway development for home furnishing and apparel prints, preparing artwork for digital and conventional textile printing. Of those, design and colour separation for printed textiles and repeat and surface pattern creation are not what Shima Seiki is typically brought in for.
What can AVA CAD/CAM do that Shima Seiki cannot?
AVA CAD/CAM covers Pattern design, Grading, Marker creation, Nesting optimization. Shima Seiki covers Knit design, Stitch pattern creation, Color selection, Machine control. Both handle User authentication, Desktop deployment, Windows support, English language support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

AVA CAD/CAM: What industries does AVA CAD/CAM serve?

AVA serves fashion and apparel, home furnishings, wallcoverings, flooring, ceramic tiles, furniture, and rugs and carpets industries with design and production solutions.

Source
AVA CAD/CAM: What design features does AVA CAD/CAM provide?

AVA provides design/edit/repeat capabilities, color separations, colourway management, digital print solutions, 3D design and emboss capabilities, and photorealistic visualization tools for design presentation.

Source
AVA CAD/CAM: How long has AVA CAD/CAM been in business?

AVA CAD/CAM has been providing specialist design and colour software to the decorative printing industry for more than 40 years.

Source
AVA CAD/CAM: Does AVA support design workflows for printed and woven products?

Yes. AVA offers an integrated suite of software modules for both printed and woven design workflows, from initial design through color separation to production.

Source
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