An interactive graphic and process controlled system for composing and sampling loom constrained designs

The traditional method of designing textiles is a procedure of filling-in patterns of squares on graph paper to achieve (1) a representation of the finished fabric as well as (for the major classification of looms) (2) a specification of how to set up the loom and (3) how to control its moving parts. For large designs, the traditional method of painting the graph paper is time consuming. An analysis of the loom shows that an enormous design potential exists that remains unactualized. Therefore, a system to permit designers to explore vast numbers of new designs, guided by their own aesthetic judgement, has been developed. This system called LILLY is an implementation of the technique described in reference 1. In addition to the display of the weaves on a CRT, the system permits the sampling of the design on a loom in real time.