For many the dream of being a fashion designer remains just that, but this new app for the HTC Vive could give you a taste that life and even make a little money off of it.
Thread Studio is a new app that’s powered by Shopify, an e-commerce platform dedicated to helping brands sell goods. It was created in-house by a team of five. This isn’t just the latest stab at a VR shopping experience, though. Thread Studio lets you import designs into its software and then place them on items of clothing.
https://youtu.be/1yUk_pRDDU0
That’s not necessarily a new concept, but the app capitalizes on VR by essentially giving users their own design studio. Using position tracked controllers, designers can position mannequins in different poses in a range of environments, bring up menus that let you quick cycle through different clothing colors and other options, and even use a virtual camera to take pictures as if you were in charge of your own photoshoot. You’ll also be able to dress your model with other props.
Once you’re finished with your designs you can print them off via Printful and sell them using Shopify’s own services. You can only design t-shirts for now, though your logos will appear on other items in the virtual environment, you just can’t print them off.
Retailers are starting to take notice of VR, but Shopify’s unique approach actually seems pretty shrewd. If you get content creators making there goods with your software from the start, then in theory they’ll stay with you through the entire line from production to the bit that actually matters to Shopify, the selling. At the very least, it’s a more imaginative idea than simply showing 3D renders of products in virtual storefronts.
Thread Store is available to download now for the HTC Vive. It’s also planned to launch on the Oculus Rift when the kit’s Touch controllers launch later on in the year.
