One of the paramount concerns for both manufacturers and customers in the apparel industry is achieving proper garment fitting. Accurate measurements are fundamental to this goal, and traditionally, measuring tapes were used to gather these measurements. However, the accuracy of such measurements could often be inconsistent.
Enter 3D body-scanning technology, a game-changer for the apparel industry. This three-dimensional technology offers tremendous potential, particularly for customization and mass customization strategies. Body-scanning technology, which originated in the 1990s, has been harnessed by the apparel industry to create custom-fitted clothing for individual customers. It is increasingly evident that 3D technology is the future of the apparel industry.
3D technology revolves around the process of body scanning. Customers can be scanned within seconds, providing them with accurate measurements for selecting the right-sized garments. This not only enhances the shopping experience but also allows brands to better understand their customers' sizes, reducing the costs associated with returned deliveries. The technology employs a white light scanner that captures precise body measurements in three dimensions, generating a comprehensive list of exact measurements. One of its significant benefits is the collection of body dimension data for statistical size studies and for improving the fit of garments.
Initially, 3D technology was primarily used for visualizing designs on avatars. However, in its early stages, there was often a disconnect between the envisioned designs and the actual fit on a human model. Technological limitations hindered its ability to accurately assess garment fit. Nevertheless, today's 3D technology has evolved to address these challenges effectively. It offers economic advantages by reducing returns and gaining a competitive edge in the market. Retailers are increasingly adopting 3D technology to impress customers and boost sales.
This technology is particularly well-suited for various types of clothing, including ready-to-wear garments, close-fitting sportswear, medically tailored garments, lingerie designs, and online shopping platforms. Its ability to improve garment fit and enhance the shopping experience makes it a valuable asset in the apparel industry's quest to meet customer expectations and thrive in the modern market.
The most superior 3D applications available in the market unite the patterns with particular fabric properties and stitching lines to imitate the fall of the fabric in reality. The 3D body scanning machines take in account the measurement as precisely as possible and then these measurements are used to accurately predict the ease and tightness of a garment. The fitting is re-checked via a 2D pattern-making machine and final alterations are made to the paper patterns. Without the 3D technology, the manual adjustments made to the paper patterns can be tedious. The modern 3D applications include mechanical functions designed to lessen recurring tasks and allow trained technical designers to adjust patterns in a matter of minutes.
Several international companies are undertaking efforts to verify complete size sets via 3D technology. It is unfeasible to check the sizes of all the garments manually, but 3D technology has solved this crisis. Without 3D technology, companies often simply check a pattern in a size. This does not always translate into good fit across the board. Inspecting the patterns in all sizes is vital, as it has a direct bearing on the fit and quality of the garment, and consequently the consumer's assessment of the brand. 3D technology offers a pragmatic, easily accessible solution to the historically arduous task of full-size range fit checking.
With 3D technology, the time required to manufacture the product has also reduced. Proper communication between the designers, vendors, customers and manufacturers has resulted in smooth sale process. Many designers are now at ease with this technology and find it convenient to make rapid design decisions on how a garment looks in different colours, with different sizes of motifs and logos, and in different fabrics.
Through the computer-aided design (CAD) pattern-making, the companies can also reduce carbon footprint. With some companies checking the complete size range of a garment virtually, fewer samples have to be cut and sewn. Reducing the millions of samples companies manufacture reduces the energy used for shipping and transport as well as the amount of chemicals used for preparing, washing, dying, and treating fabric, and results in less waste from each operation in that process.
As the result of developments in computers, graphic technology and ease of use, 3D technology has benefitted a lot. Originally, the 3D technology required supercomputers, which were costly. Today, with developments of faster laptops the cost has reduced significantly. The graphic technology has improved a lot since 1990's and now the vector-based technology and drawings are clearer. These drawings are even clearer than the handmade sketches of artists. Today, 3D technology is no longer confined to the field of engineering or science. The trends in fashion industry change with a blink. It is required to employ the 3D technology to come up with fresh designs within days or hours.
Some retailers and brands still prefer to employ human fit models and when these models are flown to contractor locations for on-site fit sessions, the expenses borne are sky-rocketing. 3D technology reduces the cost instantly by reducing the number of samples and creating on the spot customized designs.
Companies in the USA, Israel, and France etc. are coming with 3D fashion software solutions. A programme has been developed that allows the designers to evaluate how a garment will fit on a person by using virtual models. Another programme allows designers to create 3D animated storyboards from their designs to complete with virtual models, photos, audio, and video.
As a matter of fact, the influence of 3D body scanning in apparel world is truly incalculable. On the plus side, several companies are adopting the technology to brave the competition and provide better outfits to the customers.
References:
1. Sallyaitken.com
2. Just-style.com
3. Lectra.com
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