Source: Pakistan Textile Journal
1. Introduction
In earlier days most of the 3-D scanning techniques are used
as industrial applications such as automotive and mechanical. These techniques
are highly accurate for static objects but not suitable for capturing human subjects
because of body movements and underwear reflectance. Now a days textile centres
and research centres are focused on 3D Body scanning system for an apparel
industry by scanning the human bodies. Which is the combination of body scanner
and measurement extraction software. The emerging applications of these
technology includes apparel sales, sizing survey, fit evaluation etc., and
other applications like medical, virtual reality, ergonomics etc.
2. Body Scanning Technology
Body scanning is a core technology developed globally for apparel
mass customization and other apparel applications for more than decade. The
system dedicated to body scanning has taken advantage of different
depth-sensing techniques. The structure including
- Light triangulation
- Phase measurement profilometry
- Moir fringes
- Infrared position-sensitive detectors and
- Stereo-photogrammetry.
The Body Scanner is similar to a dressing room in structure and
utilizes laser technology to generate the exact dimensions of the human body.
The 3D Body scanner consists of four columns each including two CCD cameras
plus one class 1 eye-safe laser. The units are fixed onto the floor. The
scanning time requires only 8 seconds from top to bottom of the human body. For
this purpose, the customer has to steps into the body scanner and removes all
clothing, with the exception of his undergarments or tight sportswear such as Lycra
or aerobic gear is worn during scanning.
The data collected during the scanning process-97
measurements (few of those are needed to manufacture a suit or a lady's costume)
are sent directly to a computer program, which is a part of the body scanning system.
But scanning on its own cannot produce a finished item of clothing the key is
the software solution, the means by which the garment is configured. With the
assistance of an experienced sales person, the customer chooses a cut and a
fabric and discusses his or her individual wishes.
A computer program is on hand to help the customer keep track
of the vast number of possibilities and choices that are available in the
retailers, the consumer can get an accurate idea of how the finished suit or costume
will look by comparing all the different details (colour, fit, style etc) to
generate a realistic 3D representation of the customer is called 'Digital Twin'
of the person scanned.
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Full Article
Originally
published in Pakistan Textile Journal: April 2009
