California Polytechnic University – Pomona

Students in the Apparel Merchandising & Management (AMM) Department will soon be way ahead of the curve due to the acquisition of special fashion design software that can be used with the Department’s TC2 body scanner.  The Optitex 2D and 3D CAD/CAM Fashion Design Software system will be incorporated into the AMM program’s high tech apparel courses said Dr. Senanayake who is in charge of the apparel mass customization teaching/research lab.  "This system has the following features that will be used for both teaching and faculty research."

 

In addition to industry standard pattern design, grading, marker making and made-to-measure computer aided design (CAD), the system contains a 3D virtual reality suite. The latter includes tools for cloth simulation and modeling, enabling selected fabrics to be draped over and fitted to a 3D mannequin that features adjustable body measurements. The system contains pre-designed mannequins based on a range of body types, which 

can be adjusted.  It also provides the capability to create a personal avatar with the aid of the body scanner.

 

Without physically making a garment to fit on the person, students will be able to make 2D patterns and electronically fit garments onto an avatar. In addition, they can add the fabric parameters and attributes (type, weight, construction, color, design, etc.) and visualize how the garment will fit on a person, when they are standing still and when they move.  With these capabilities it is possible to create virtual runway shows. 

 

While this technology is in the early stages of deployment in the product development studios of leading apparel companies, Dr. Senanayake considers that this will be an important technology for developing and marketing apparel products in the future.  For product development, it will reduce the time to market and reduce material waste by eliminating production and physical shipment of multiple sample iterations.  Designs can be produced, shared with customers or suppliers around the world and altered in real time.  The technology will also improve product quality through precise virtual fitting.  Ultimately, he believes that consumers will be able to use this technology to obtain a personal 3D animated model (avatar) created with a real face, skin color etc, based on a body scan.