Cynthia L. Istook

3D body scanning systems with application to the apparel industry

The ability to customise garments for fit is directly tied to the availability of a comprehensive, accurate set of measurements. To obtain accurate physical measurements, a basic knowledge and set of skills are required that are not often found in the average salesperson at a retail clothing outlet. The development of three‐dimensional body‐scanning technologies may have significant potential for use in the apparel industry, particularly for customisation or mass customisation strategies to be employed. The purpose of this study was to review all the 3D body scanning systems currently available and to determine the underlying principles that allow these systems to work. Specifications of each system were compared in order to provide some direction for further research into the integration of these systems with current apparel CAD pattern design or pattern generation technologies.

Body measurement techniques

With the use of 3D body scanners, body measurement techniques can be non‐contact, instant, and accurate. However, how each scanner establishes landmarks and takes the measurements should be established so that standardization of the data capture can be realized. The purpose of this study was to compare body‐scanning measurement extraction methods and terminology with traditional anthropometric methods. A total of 21 measurements were chosen as being critical to the design of well‐fitting garments. Current body scanners were analyzed for availability of information, willingness of company cooperation, and relevance to applications in the apparel industry. On each of the 21 measurements, standard measurement procedure was identified for three different scanners: [TC]2, Cyberware, and SYMCAD. Of the 21 measures in the study, [TC]2 was the scanner that had the most measures identified for the study and also had the capability of producing many more with specific application for apparel.

Enabling mass customization: computer‐driven alteration methods

Manufacturers have been struggling to meet the wants and needs of their customers without sacrificing the efficiencies and profits gained through mass production. Fortunately, developments in information technology have increased the probability of mass customization being adopted as an acceptable business paradigm. Almost every CAD system used in apparel patternmaking has some method that would enable mass customization through automatic alteration of patterns based on individual measurements. Although each has created an interface somewhat differently from all of the others, most have a number of preparatory activities in common that will allow “automatic” alterations to occur. This article outlines the activities involved in setting up CAD systems to automatically customize garments for fit.

Comparison of body shape between USA and Korean women

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to compare body shape between USA and Korean women. It aims to analyze the distribution and proportion of body shapes of two countries and compare the differences of body shape according to age.Design/methodology/approach – SizeUSA and SizeKorea measurement data were evaluated using the Female Figure Identification Technique for apparel system developed at North Carolina State University. Once the samples were defined by shape, comparisons were made of the distribution according to age and country through statistical analysis.Findings – The paper finds that the largest shape category was the rectangle shape in both countries, but the distribution within each shape category for Korean women was different from that of USA women. More body shape categories were found in the USA women than in Korean women. In addition, most body shape categories had different body proportions when comparing the USA women and Korean women. The USA women had the higher measurements in the ...

Body scanning: The effects of subject respiration and foot positioning on the data integrity of scanned measurements

Describes research designed to examine the effects of subject positioning on the accuracy of body scan data. A body measurement system developed by the Textile Clothing Technology Corporation was used to acquire two scans from each of 72 subjects. The subjects were instructed to continue to breathe normally and stand with their feet shoulder‐width apart. The two scans were compared and statistical analysis was performed to determine the precision of the results and whether this lack of standardization affected the data. Physical measurements were also obtained from each subject and served as a basis for comparison to the scanned measurements. Since physical measurements are the current accepted “true value”, these measurements determined the level of accuracy of scanned data. Three separate scans of 72 different subjects were taken at various levels of breathing and at various foot positions to determine the effect of the variables. This study certainly indicates that respiration and foot placement has a significant effect on body scan data. It was established that the scan data rendered by the software does have precision, but lacks accuracy when compared against physical measurements. This may be owing to the inaccuracies of the physical measurement process or to differences in measurement location between the anthropometrist and the 3D measurement extraction software. Information detailing the level of accuracy and precision that can be obtained with scanning software and how respiration and subject positioning can affect the data are included.

Confronting stereotypes: apparel fit preferences of Mexican‐American women

Purpose – This study aims to investigate the apparel fit preferences of Mexican‐American women between the ages of 18 and 25 years old from the Southwestern USA. The study also seeks to analyze the effect of body shape perception, body mass index, and clothing size on apparel fit preferences.Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected in an online survey using an original fit preference assessment scale. Sampling was restricted in terms of gender, age, subculture, and geography to control for the variability that exists in apparel preferences and the Hispanic market due to these factors. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to describe the samples fit preferences for casual pants, tops, skirts, and dresses and to determine whether physical body characteristics impact these preferences.Findings – Overall, young Mexican‐American women preferred semi‐fitted apparel across all garment categories studied. Physical body characteristics tended to impact on the samples preferences for close an...

Study of optimum parameters for Chinese female underwire bra size system by 3D virtual anthropometric measurement

Abstract The aim of this paper is to explore the optimum parameters for Chinese female underwire bra size system. Raw data was collected for 275 subjects using a 3D scanner, and 108 measurement values were extracted by reverse engineering software Polyworks. Analysis of data was conducted by integrating the entropy weight method and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) methods. It was determined that the value of breast breadth (straight distance from inner most point to outer most point on the breast) should be added to the pivotal parameters and compared to previous research to classify the breast shape and to create a totally new size system for the underwire bra. This information can provide the value width for the pattern maker and help in choosing the right sized & shaped wire for the underwire bra. When compared to former research, more breast shapes were defined than when only the depth width ratio and under-bust girth were used as parameters.

Three-dimensional (3D) technologies for apparel and textile design

Abstract: This chapter provides an overview of the technologies used for 3D apparel CAD systems. The apparel industry can benefit immensely from the development of integrated 3D CAD systems, in which body models play a critical role. While significant advancements have been made in computer technologies and approaches that improve 3D modeling, research continues in the development of more realistic and mechanically accurate models. Completed models may be integrated with 3D garment design and visualization and 3D fabric modeling systems to create a truly interactive 3D product development and marketing tool.

Acquiring Accurate Body Measurements on a Smartphone from Supplied Colored Garments for Online Apparel Purchasing Platforms and E-Retailers

Return rates for e-retail fashion companies are significantly higher than in-store sales. Twenty to fifty percent of online clothing sales are returned. Apparel retailers are haunted by returns based on sizing issues, with

A Method to Create Body Sizing Systems

62.4 billion in returns attributed to poor choices by the consumer in the USA. However, over the next ten years online sales are predicted to double, compounding the problem exponentially. Garment sizing and knowing your correct size for a particular garment or brand while online shopping is part of the problem. It is the combinations of body measurements that determine sizing and sizing labels in clothing not usually one measurement. Most consumers don’t know their body measurements when attempting to determine the size of a garment that they would like to purchase when shopping online and can have significant difficulty attempting to take their own measurements. This can lead to frustration and an incomplete sale or shopping cart abandonment. Many customers even resort buying a garment in two or more sizes and return the ones that do not fit, as they do not want to waste their time trying to determine which would be a perfect size. This adds to cost and waste affecting profitability. By the time these garments are returned to the vendor or manufacture they are out of season and usually not resalable at the original price because of the time lag and subsequent repackaging problems. This research focuses on creating a fast-personal garment apparatus, system, and method for measuring body dimensions extracted from two-dimensional (2D) images captured by a consumer. Measurements of the individual are taken from captured pictures or photographs from their smart phones while wearing one or more coded dimensioning garments that have markings at specific locations that can be aligned with characteristic body features and key measurement areas. Computer vision is used to track these markings and extract key body dimensions. TensorFlow, a machine learning software application, is incorporated for object detection can be used to recognize colors and patterns on the garment allowing the garment to act as a measurement device for the body. The extracted dimensions could further used to predict additional body information such as; size growth and fit information, for example with fitness apps and workout appeal, or simply predicting children’s wear and maternity wear needs as the body grows.