ArahWeave

ArahWeave is textile design software for dobby and jacquard weaving. It simulates fabric at actual size using technical details including thread pattern, weave structure, density, yarn composition and color. Design tools include double-fabric decomposed editing, thread-pattern generation, automatic long-float correction and crêpe weave creation. Colorimetry is based on CIE Lab, and simulation options include overprint, chiné, ikat, seersucker, raised finishes and wrinkles. The Weft Blanket tool combines samples with different patterns in one file so weaving can proceed without stopping the loom. ArahWeave supports major industrial dobby and jacquard loom formats and can save cards ready for weaving; DobbyPro and JacquardPro also offer XML import and export for ERP systems. It runs natively on Linux, supports macOS, and can be used on Windows through Linux virtualization. The demo cannot save ArahWeave projects, though it can save images, and ArahPaint works fully. Personal Edition costs €2,500, paid once; Selvedge Edition costs €3,850, paid once. Both list one year of support and software updates.

ArahWeave brings fabric simulation, weave design and loom-oriented output into one textile CAD tool. The demo is limited for project saving, and edition-specific weave sizes and loom compatibility matter when selecting a package.

ArahWeave suits textile designers working with dobby or jacquard weaving and fabric simulation. Its platform options and loom interfaces may suit users planning work across supported desktop systems and industrial equipment.

ArahWeave is textile CAD software for designing dobby and jacquard woven fabrics. It is best suited to textile designers and mills that need fabric simulation tied to loom production. Its main advantage is the path from technical weave design to loom-oriented output; the right edition depends on the loom and weave dimensions you need.

Overview

ArahWeave centers on woven-fabric construction, not general illustration. It can simulate cloth at actual size using thread pattern, weave structure, density, yarn composition and yarn color, making it a focused choice for designers whose decisions depend on those textile variables. Seamless repeats and colorway tools are supported, but vector editing is not.

The Weft Blanket brings samples with different patterns together in one file for weaving without stopping the loom. The software supports major industrial dobby and jacquard loom formats and can save cards ready for weaving. Those production-oriented capabilities make it more relevant to textile workflows than to users who simply need a pattern-making or image-editing tool.

Key features

Design tools include double-fabric decomposed editing, thread-pattern generation, automatic long-float correction and crêpe weave generation. CIE Lab-based colorimetry and simulations of overprint, chiné, ikat, seersucker, raised finishes and wrinkles give designers textile-specific ways to work with color and surface appearance. This range suits work where weave and finish are central; the absence of vector editing limits its usefulness for vector-art tasks.

DobbyPro and JacquardPro support XML import and export for ERP interfacing. Arahne recommends Dropbox for sharing CAD data and keeping a cloud backup, so that cloud workflow depends on a separate service rather than being part of ArahWeave.

Pricing

The Demo is free. It cannot save ArahWeave projects, though it can save images; ArahPaint works fully. That makes it useful for exploring the software or producing images, but not for saving ongoing ArahWeave work.

Personal Edition costs €2,500, paid once and allows a maximum weave size of 2048 × 2048. It is limited to handloom jacquards from AVL and Digital Weaving Norway; XML technical-data saving is disabled. One year of phone, email and TeamViewer support and one year of software updates are included. This is the relevant paid option for users working with those handloom jacquards, but not for industrial loom interfaces or larger weave dimensions.

Selvedge Edition costs €3,850, paid once, supports a maximum weave size of 1024 × 8192, and is limited to Stäubli JC5, JC6 and JC7 selvedge jacquard looms. TIFF and PNG are supported; XML technical-data saving is disabled. It includes one year of phone, email and TeamViewer support and one year of updates. Choose it for that specific loom family and workflow, not as a general industrial package.

DobbyPro and JacquardPro have custom pricing. Both support weave sizes up to 65000 × 65000, industrial loom interfaces, XML import and export for ERP, and one year of support and updates. DobbyPro targets industrial dobby interfaces; JacquardPro covers industrial jacquard and dobby interfaces. Training runs 2 to 3 days for DobbyPro and 2 to 5 days for JacquardPro. These packages fit production environments needing industrial interfaces and ERP exchange, but require a higher commitment than the smaller, loom-specific editions.

Platforms

ArahWeave is Linux-based and runs natively on Linux or in a virtual machine. Mac support is also described, while Windows use is through Linux virtualized in VMware or VirtualBox. That makes it a viable option across the listed desktop platforms, but Windows users need a virtualization setup rather than a native Windows version. Export formats include PNG, GIF, JPEG, TIFF, BMP, XML and HTML technical data.

Who it's for

ArahWeave is a strong fit for textile designers and mills working with dobby or jacquard weaving, particularly when actual-size fabric simulation, loom-ready cards or ERP exchange are part of the workflow. The Personal and Selvedge editions make sense only when their supported loom types and size limits match the job. Users who need industrial interfaces and large weave dimensions should consider DobbyPro or JacquardPro. Those seeking vector editing, general graphics work or a project-saving free edition should look elsewhere.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Actual-size simulation uses weave, density and yarn data, connecting visual review to textile construction.
• The Weft Blanket combines differently patterned samples for weaving without stopping the loom.
• Industrial editions include loom interfaces and XML exchange for ERP, with substantial supported weave dimensions.
• Paid packages include a year of support and software updates.

Cons

• The demo cannot save ArahWeave projects, limiting its value for sustained work before purchase.
• Personal and Selvedge editions have specific loom restrictions, weave-size caps and disabled XML technical-data saving.
• Windows operation requires Linux virtualization, adding setup compared with a native Windows application.
• There is no vector editing, and Dropbox is a recommended external sharing and backup workflow rather than a built-in cloud service.

Alternatives

For a broader starting point, browse Pattern Design Software. Choose Repper instead if you want a free mobile web app on Android or iOS, or a paid option with a free trial; its mobile edition has simplified exports and image upload is limited to the first two weeks. Raspberry AI Prints & Patterns is a web and API option with 50 one-time free credits and a $49 a month Individual plan for 120 credits per month, suited to readers looking for a credit-based alternative rather than loom-oriented textile CAD.

JUMI PatternMaker is a better fit for free browser-based pattern work when no subscription, sign-up or watermark is wanted; it exports SVG and PNG up to 8000px for personal and commercial use. Loocie Design offers a free beta across desktop, tablet and phone, but its tools may change and files auto-delete after a short time. Seamlessify suits browser-based direct stitching, with unlimited direct stitching and two one-time AI credits after email verification; it does not provide monthly credit refills.

Texloom Studio is a web and extension alternative with 27 free tool pages and 100 starting credits, for users who want a broad set of online tools rather than loom interfaces. Tiler is another free web-based option. Artlandia SymmetryWorks is the alternative to consider for a paid extension available on macOS and Windows.

Verdict

Choose ArahWeave if your work depends on dobby or jacquard fabric design, technical simulation and output that connects to weaving production. The strongest reason to buy is the combination of textile-specific design tools and loom-oriented workflows; the main reason to look elsewhere is that edition restrictions are consequential, the demo cannot save projects, and Windows requires virtualization.