Digitalization -
3D virtual fitting
Oct 14, 2022
Digitalization - 3D virtual fitting
Introduction to:
- digitalizing board
- 3D fit simulation software
* In partnership with Emee Mathew
Introduction to the digitalizing table
After being shown how to use the digitalizing table, we tried operating it ourselves with a pair of shorts. It was a bit of a puzzle to figure out how to lay the garment flat in order to get a pattern outline as accurate as possible. We had to mark some critical points (here, the crotch for example), with pen on masking tape, to mark how far the fabric piece was going when laying flat, without compromising the rest of the shape of the pattern piece. The remaining of the garment was also taped in place. When using the table, it is best to try to use a minimal number of points to maintain accuracy. This can make curves tricky. We also accidentally marked a few points incorrectly when getting familiar with the process, which had us trace the first pattern piece quite a few times. Once digitalized, we were able to import the file to Adobe Illustrator and fix it.
This process can make digitalizing very easy but I am not convinced that it is faster than tracing a pattern, there is a lot of setting us involved and I wonder how long, and prone to error the process could be with more complex pieces. However, when not looking for a perfect pattern replica but a base to work on digitally, this is a wonderful tool!
Introduction to V-stitcher
V- stitcher is a 3D software, digitally stitching garments together from traced patterns. It assembles the model as instructed, and can dress it on an avatar. Many fabric types and textures are available (and customizable). The avatars can also be chosen from a library and altered to the desired mensurations. There is a wide variety of body movements the avatar can do upon request to simulate how the garment interacts with the body. When looking at such a software however, we need to keep in mind that it is does not reflect accurately how a fabric would behave on the body. All fabrics seem to have an unrealistic stretch level when pulled with the cursor, and the avatar do not simulate the soft tissues of a human body but are rather in the software as hard shapes. As a result, it can be tricky to work on such areas as female breasts for example, where the tissues are very soft.
Introduction to V-stitcher
We applied for the free membership to V-stitcher and were delighted to be granted access to the software. Our first use of it was quite interesting. It took us a lot of attempts to assemble this simple pair of shorts properly, and even more to adjust the fit to the avatar's body.
We first obtained a garment the was nowhere near to being sewn correctly. Seams were turning, and the wrong panels were attached together in a way that would be impossible in real life conditions. We decided to use colour blocking in order to identify where the issue came from. After resolving the incorrectly panel attachment, we realized we needed a belt for the shorts to be secured. The belt was very easy to draw on Illustrator, however, we struggled to get it to be attached to the shorts without the body of the avatar in the middle of the shorts. Finally, we found a function to curve the belt around the body while placing the pattern pieces. This resolved the problem and allowed the shorts to sit on the avatar as shorts do.
Once we had figured out how to properly assemble the garment, we reduced the belt length, in order to fit the model accurately...and SUCCESS!
While not exactly representative of real life condition, I believe this is a great program to prototype and research without wasting too much time or fabric. This platform puts in evidence small mistakes, and can certainly save a lot of time, even thought a pattern fully elaborated on V-stitcher will likely need hands-on adjustments before being finalized.