IMPROVING GARMENT DESIGN PROCESSES WITH 3D CAD TOOLS

Abstract

The invention relates to three computer implemented methods, wherein the computer implemented methods allow for a faster and more intuitive garment design process. The improved garment design process is achieved using CAD tools.

Claims

1. Computer implemented method, with program code being stored on a machine readable medium or embodied as an electromagnetic wave, for generating at least one 2D pattern of a garment to be fabricated, the computer implemented method comprising: visualizing a relaxed 3D CAD model of a first garment in a virtual 3D environment with a graphical user interface configured to receive user input, wherein the relaxed 3D CAD model is placed on an avatar placed into the virtual 3D environment based on avatar user input provided via the graphical user interface; altering the relaxed 3D CAD model by changing at least one parameter parametrizing the relaxed 3D CAD model based on user input provided via the graphical user interface, the alteration providing an altered 3D CAD model; generating the at least one 2D pattern so as to conform to at least a part of the altered 3D CAD model; providing a modified 3D CAD model by reassembling the generated at least one 2D pattern on the avatar; determining an updated relaxed 3D CAD model using the modified 3D CAD model, wherein the updated relaxed 3D CAD model is placed on the avatar, the updated relaxed 3D CAD model representing the garment to be fabricated; and visualizing the updated relaxed 3D CAD model of the garment to be fabricated in the virtual 3D environment.

2. Computer implemented method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one parameter to be changed relates to sleeve length, sleeve radius, chest circumference, waist measurement, torso length or neck opening of the first garment.

3. Computer implemented method, with program code being stored on a machine readable medium or embodied as an electromagnetic wave, for generating at least one 2D pattern of a garment to be fabricated, the computer implemented method comprising visualizing a relaxed 3D CAD model of a first garment in a virtual 3D environment with a graphical user interface configured to receive user input, wherein the relaxed 3D CAD model is placed on an avatar placed into the virtual 3D environment based on avatar user input provided via the graphical user interface; defining a position and orientation of a 2D plane in the virtual 3D environment relative to the relaxed 3D CAD model based on user input provided via the graphical user interface: projecting the relaxed 3D CAD model onto the 2D plane, thereby obtaining a projected garment model; altering the projected garment model by changing at least one seam and/or at least one edge of the first garment in the projected garment model and/or by adding at least one seam and/or at least one edge of the first garment in the projected garment model and/or by removing at least one seam in the projected garment model, wherein the alteration is based on user input provided via the graphical user interface, the alteration providing a geometrically altered projected garment model; back projecting the geometrically altered projected garment model onto the relaxed 3D CAD model, the back projection providing an altered 3D CAD model; generating the at least one 2D pattern based on the altered 3D CAD model, wherein the generated at least one 2D pattern conforms to at least a part of the altered 3D CAD model; providing a modified 3D CAD model by reassembling the generated at least one 2D pattern on the avatar; determining an updated relaxed 3D CAD model using the modified 3D CAD model, wherein the updated relaxed 3D CAD model is placed on the avatar, the updated relaxed 3D CAD model representing the garment to be fabricated; and visualizing the updated relaxed 3D CAD model of the garment to be fabricated in the virtual 3D environment.

4. Computer implemented method according to claim 3, wherein the changed at least one seam and/or the added at least one seam and/or the removed at least one seam is embodied as a plain seam, French seam, flat or abutted seam, or lapped seam.

5. Computer implemented method according to claim 3, wherein the changed at least one edge of the first garment and/or added at least one edge of the first garment is embodied as a hem or as a finish.

6. Computer implemented method according to claim 3, wherein a position of the changed at least one seam and/or at least one edge of the first garment and/or a position of the added at least one seam and/or at least one edge of the first garment is described by a Bezier curve or by a polyline, wherein at least one control point of the Bezier curve is based on control point user input provided via the graphical user interface.

7. Computer implemented method, with program code being stored on a machine readable medium or embodied as an electromagnetic wave, for generating at least one 2D pattern of a garment to be fabricated, the computer implemented method comprising: visualizing a relaxed 3D CAD model of a first garment in a virtual 3D environment with a graphical user interface configured to receive user input, wherein the relaxed 3D CAD model is placed on an avatar placed into the virtual 3D environment based on avatar user input provided via the graphical user interface; defining a position and orientation of a 2D plane in the virtual 3D environment relative to the relaxed 3D CAD model based on user input provided via the graphical user interface; projecting the relaxed 3D CAD model onto the 2D plane, thereby obtaining a projected garment model; altering the projected garment model by adding at least one print and/or at least one embellishment onto at least a part of the projected garment model, wherein the adding of the at least one print and/or at least one embellishment is based on user input, the alteration providing an additively altered projected garment model; back projecting the additively altered projected garment model onto the relaxed 3D CAD model, the back projection providing an altered 3D CAD model; generating the at least one 2D pattern based on the altered 3D CAD model, wherein the generated at least one 2D pattern conforms to at least a part of the altered 3D CAD model; providing a modified 3D CAD model by reassembling the generated at least one 2D pattern on the avatar; determining an updated relaxed 3D CAD model using the modified 3D CAD model, wherein the updated relaxed 3D CAD model is placed on the avatar, the updated relaxed 3D CAD model representing the garment to be fabricated; and visualizing the updated relaxed 3D CAD model of the garment to be fabricated in the virtual 3D environment.

8. Computer implemented method according to claim 1, further comprising selecting the at least a part of the altered 3D CAD model based on selection user input provided via the graphical user interface, the selection user input comprising selection information relating to the altered 3D CAD model; the generating of the at least one 2D pattern provides only those 2D patterns relating to the at least a part of the altered 3D CAD model determined based on the selection user input.

9. Computer implemented method according to claim 1, wherein the determination of the updated relaxed 3D CAD model is at least based on: the modified 3D CAD model, the avatar, fabric information about at least one mechanical property of at least one fabric of the first garment, and gravity, wherein the direction in which gravity acts is provided to the 3D virtual environment via gravity user input provided via the graphical user interface; and solving a set of equations describing the mechanics of garments, wherein the modified 3D CAD model is an initial state for the set of equations, the solving providing a mechanical evolution and a rest state 3D CAD model at the end of the mechanical evolution, the rest state 3D CAD model characterized in that all physical forces acting on the rest state 3D CAD model are in static equilibrium, the rest state 3D CAD model being the updated relaxed 3D CAD model, wherein the set of equations takes into account at least the fabric information, gravity and geometrical constraints imposed by the avatar on the mechanically evolving modified 3D CAD model and contact forces between the mechanically evolving modified 3D CAD model and the avatar.

10. Computer implemented method according to claim 9, wherein the set of equations is provided by a finite element method acting on the modified 3D CAD model, the finite element method taking into account at least the fabric information, gravity and the avatar.

11. Computer implemented method according to claim 1, wherein the avatar is embodied as a mannequin.

12. Computer implemented method according to claim 3, wherein the projecting of the relaxed 3D CAD model onto the 2D plane is carried out using a parallel projection, wherein the direction to which the projection is parallel is determined based on projection direction user input provided via the graphical user interface, or the projecting is carried out using a central projection, wherein a center of projection is determined based on projection center user input provided via the graphical user interface, wherein for parallel projection each point of the 2D plane is associated to a parallel projection line and for central projection each point of the 2D plane is associated to a central projection line.

13. Computer implemented method according to claim 12, wherein the projecting comprises using for a point of the 2D plane the associated parallel projection line and/or the associated central projection line, and mapping a first point of the relaxed 3D CAD model intersecting the associated parallel projection line and/or the associated central projection line onto the point of the 2D plane, wherein the first point is determined looking along the associated parallel projection line and/or central projection line towards the 2D plane.

14. Computer implemented method according to claim 12, wherein the back projecting is an inverse operation to the projecting, the back projecting comprising using for a point of the 2D plane the associated parallel projection line and/or the associated central projection line, and mapping the point onto a last point of the relaxed 3D CAD model intersecting the associated parallel projection line and/or the associated central projection line, wherein the last point is determined looking along the associated parallel projection line and/or central projection line away from the 2D plane.

15. Computer implemented method according to claim 7, wherein the at least one embellishment comprises distressing at least one fabric and/or adding embroidery.

16. Computer implemented method according to claim 7, wherein the added at least one print and/or at least one embellishment is taken into account by the set of equations, wherein the additive alterations change the mechanical behavior of at least the part of the altered 3D CAD model corresponding to the additively altered at least a part of the projected garment model.

17. Computer implemented method according to claim 1, wherein the reassembling comprises resewing functionality.

18. Computer implemented method according to claim 1, wherein the altering of the first garment and the generating of the at least one 2D pattern is carried out simultaneously.

Description

[0047] The inventive system is described below in more detail purely by way of example with the aid of concrete exemplary embodiments illustrated schematically in the drawings, further advantages of the invention also being examined. Identical elements are labelled with the same reference numerals in the figures. In detail:

[0048] FIG. 1 shows a schematic and illustrative depiction of a t-shirt with short sleeves and corresponding 2D patterns;

[0049] FIG. 2 shows a schematic and illustrative depiction of a t-shirt with longer sleeves and corresponding 2D patterns;

[0050] FIG. 3 shows a schematic and illustrative depiction of a t-shirt with short sleeves and a projection of the t-shirt onto a 2D projection plane;

[0051] FIG. 4 shows a schematic and illustrative depiction of a human avatar dressed with a t-shirt;

[0052] FIG. 5 shows a schematic and illustrative depiction of a t-shirt with short sleeves with added patterns;

[0053] FIG. 6 shows a schematic and illustrative depiction of a computing unit and a display providing a graphical user interface;

[0054] FIG. 7 shows a schematic and illustrative depiction of the prior art garment design process; and

[0055] FIG. 8 shows a schematic and illustrative depiction of a selective generation of 2D patterns.

[0056] FIG. 1 shows a schematic and illustrative depiction of a t-shirt 1a with short sleeves and corresponding 2D patterns 2a,2b,2c,2d. The t-shirt 1a with short sleeves and the corresponding 2D patterns 2a,2b,2c,2d are displayed in a virtual 3D environment provided by e.g. a computing unit and an associated display. The t-shirt 1a with short sleeves is in a rest state, i.e. all physical forces acting on the t-shirt 1a with short sleeves are in static equilibrium. An exemplary physical force acting on the t-shirt 1a with short sleeves is gravity, wherein the direction in which gravity acts in the virtual 3D environment may be provided by a user to a computer program stored on the computing unit and providing the virtual 3D environment. The user of the computer program is able to interact with the t-shirt 1a with short sleeves via the graphical user interface. The user may decide to lengthen a sleeve of the t-shirt 1a with short sleeves. Via the graphical user interface, the user may provide an instruction 3a to the computer program to lengthen the sleeve.

[0057] FIG. 2 shows a t-shirt 1b with long sleeves in a rest state obtaining by altering the t-shirt 1a with short sleeves. The garment design process, in FIGS. 1 and 2 embodied as a t-shirt design process, proceeds directly in the virtual 3D environment. A designer alters a short-sleeve t-shirt 1a directly in the virtual 3D environment, for example by issuing a command 3a to lengthen the sleeves by a certain amount. Besides sleeve length alterations, any other alterations may be carried out by the designer, alterations for example relating to sleeve radius, chest circumference, waist measurement, torso length, neck opening etc. Alterations may be directly done in the virtual 3D environment, providing an altered t-shirt. The computer program generates 2D patterns 4a,4b,4c,4d corresponding to the altered t-shirt. The 2D patterns 4a,4b,4c,4d are then reassembled in 3D by the computer program, the reassembling providing a modified t-shirt. The modified t-shirt is typically not in static equilibrium. After lengthening a sleeve, for example, the additional mass of each longer sleeve exerts a force on the respective seam between the torso of the modified t-shirt and each longer sleeve. The computer program providing the virtual 3D environment comprises garment simulation routines which—upon receiving the modified t-shirt as input, for example—solve a set of mechanical equations describing garment physics with the modified t-shirt as initial input until an updated t-shirt 1b with long sleeves in rest state is determined, all physical forces acting on the updated t-shirt 1b with long sleeves being in static equilibrium. The 2D patterns 4a,4b,4c,4d allow the updated t-shirt 1b with long sleeves to be fabricated.

[0058] FIG. 3 shows a schematic and illustrative depiction of a t-shirt 1a with short sleeves and a projection 6 of the t-shirt 1a onto a 2D projection plane 3b chosen by a user of the computer program providing the virtual 3D environment.

[0059] In FIG. 3, the 2D projection plane 3b is placed behind the t-shirt 1a with short sleeves. Projecting may be embodied as a central projection or as a parallel projection, for example. The projected t-shirt 5 corresponds to a view of the t-shirt 1a with short sleeves from the back. By placing the 2D projection plane 3b at different positions and orientations with respect to the t-shirt 1a with short sleeves, a garment designer is able to obtain different projections of the t-shirt 1a with short sleeves. The garment designer is able to directly interact with the projected t-shirt 5 by e.g. changing a seam and/or removing a seam and/or adding a seam to the projected t-shirt 5. The accordingly altered projected t-shirt 5 is projected back on the t-shirt 1a with short sleeves, wherein the projecting back is done along the same rays as used for the projecting 6 in the opposite direction, providing an altered t-shirt with short sleeves.

[0060] FIG. 4 shows a schematic and illustrative depiction of a human avatar 7 dressed with a t-shirt 8. The avatar 7 as shown in FIG. 4 is virtual, i.e. both the avatar 7 and the avatar 7 dressed with the t-shirt 8 are provided in the virtual 3D environment. The avatar 7 and the dressing of the avatar may be incorporated into a garment design process, wherein parts of the design process are for example embodied in FIGS. 1 and 2. A t-shirt in rest state is placed on the avatar 7. Subsequently it is altered by the garment designer, the alteration providing an altered t-shirt. 2D patterns corresponding to the altered t-shirt are then generated and reassembled, the reassembling providing a modified t-shirt. The modified t-shirt, being placed on the avatar 7, is provided to a garment simulation routine. The garment simulation routine takes into account geometric constraints imposed by the avatar 7 on the shape of the t-shirt as well as forces, for example friction forces, between the t-shirt and the avatar 7 for determination of a t-shirt 8 at rest using at least the modified t-shirt as input.

[0061] FIG. 5 shows a schematic and illustrative depiction of a t-shirt 1a with short sleeves and a projection 6 of the t-shirt 1a onto a 2D projection plane 3b chosen by a user of the computer program providing the virtual 3D environment. In FIG. 3, the 2D projection plane 3b is placed behind the t-shirt 1a with short sleeves. Projecting may be embodied as a central projection or as a parallel projection, for example. The projected t-shirt 5 corresponds to a view of the t-shirt 1a with short sleeves from the back. An additive pattern 9 is added to the projected t-shirt 5 with short sleeves based on user input 3c provided via the graphical user interface. Besides added patterns, embellishments such as embroidery can be added to a garment as well based on user input. After adding prints 9 and/or embellishments onto the projected t-shirt 5, a back projecting as in FIG. 3 translates these changes into changes of the t-shirt 1a itself. The added prints and/or embroidery may change the mechanical behavior of the fabric constituting the altered t-shirt.

[0062] FIG. 6 shows a schematic and illustrative depiction of a computing unit 10 and a display 11 providing the graphical user interface 12. The computer program providing the virtual 3D environment and the garment simulation routine may be stored on the computing unit. The graphical user interface 12 via which a garment designer may design a garment uses the display 11 associated to the computing unit 10.

[0063] FIG. 7 shows a schematic and illustrative depiction of the prior art garment design process. A garment designer draws in 2D different perspectives of a proposed garment. A pattern maker creates 2D patterns 14 which can be sewn together to create the proposed garment. A sample maker then produces a physical garment which can be placed 16 onto a physical avatar 13, for example. If the garment designer is not satisfied with the look of the physical garment 15 on the physical avatar 13, modifications 17 to the 2D patterns 14 are made. The entire process is iterative in nature and laborious.

[0064] FIG. 8 shows a schematic and illustrative depiction of a selective generation of 2D patterns. The garment designer provides an instruction 3a via the graphical user interface to the computer program to lengthen the sleeves of a t-shirt 1a with short sleeves, for example. The lengthening provides an altered t-shirt. The garment designer may provide a further instruction 3d via the graphical user interface, wherein the further instruction 3d creates a selection region 18 in the virtual 3D environment. The 2D pattern generation carried out based on the altered t-shirt obtained after lengthening the sleeves only generates those 2D patterns 4d which correspond to parts of the altered t-shirt in the created selection region 18. The selection region may be created both before and after alteration of the t-shirt.

[0065] Although the invention is illustrated above, partly with reference to some preferred embodiments, it must be understood that numerous modifications and combinations of different features of the embodiments can be made. All these modifications lie within the scope of the appended claims.