Size Specification for Customized Production Size and 3D Avatar : An Apparel Industry Case Study
Copyright © 2015, The Society of Fashion and Textile Industry
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Fashion industry has tried to adopt the virtual garment technology to reduce the time and effort spent on sample creation. For garment manufacturers to adopt the virtual garment technology as an alternative to sample creation, 3D avatars that meet the needs of each brand should be developed. Virtual garment softwares that are available in the market provide avatars with standardized body models and allow to modify the size by manually entering size specifications. This study proposed a methodology to develop size specifications for 3D avatars as well as brand-customized production sizes. For this, a man's fashion brand which is using virtual garment technology is selected. And the Size Korea database is used to develop size specification based on the customers' body shape. This study developed regression equations on body size specifications, which in turn proposed a regression model to proportionately change size specifications of 3D fitting-models. Based on the each body size calculated by the regression model, a standard model is created, and the skeleton-skin algorithm is applied to the regression model to obtain the results of size changes. Then, the 3D model sizes are tested for size changes as well as measured, which verifies that the regression model reflects body size changes.
Keywords:
size specification, 3D-fitting model, 3D avatar, virtual garment, body measurement1. Introduction
3D virtual garment technology is emerging as a new paradigm of the fashion industry, backed by rapidly evolving computer graphics technology and the apparel CAD program. This 3D technology began to be used as a sales and marketing tool in the virtual world like Second Life. Browzwear developed and commercialized V-stitcher, which enables putting garments on virtual body models for 3D designs(Gerber Technology, 2008). 3D runway designer Opti-tex allows production and image files in 2D and 3D to be sent between designers and production professionals so that they can easily modify these images on screen together in real time(Optitex, 2008). CLO Virtual Fashion INC. developed CLO 3D, which puts 2D apparel patterns on virtual models, and has distributed the software to global fashion manufacturers(CLO Virtual Fashion INC, 2014). As small quantity batch production, global manufacturing and distribution, and fast fashion have become the norm of the fashion industry, virtual garments are replacing physical sample, helping the industry save the time and costs spent on samples.
For garment manufacturers to adopt the virtual garment technology as an alternative to sample creation, 3D avatars that meet the needs of each brand should be developed(Yang & Choi, 2013). Virtual garment softwares that are available in the market provide avatars with standardized body models and allow to modify the size by manually entering size specifications. Studies on 3D avatar modeling for virtual garment simulation(Charlie, 2005; Kim & Park, 2004; Seo & Magnenat-Thalmann, 2004; Allen et al., 2003; Li & Chen, 2009; Baek & Lee, 2012) have been published, but their focus has remained on modeling methods and modification of a standard human body template.
The existing system of apparel size was based on the plan of mass production with little variety, requiring a simplified sizing system. However, as consumers have a need to express their originality and the distribution flows change, the preferred method to produce garments leans more towards the idea of small quantity batch production and mass customization(Choi, 2012). However, the existing researches to set the size of men's wear were created for single garment item(Seong & Park, 2012; Yoon & Suh, 2011). Therefore, a size specification system to create 3D avatar that reflect different body shapes is required.
Each garment manufacturer designs products aiming at its target market, and has production sizes and grading rules that reflect target consumers' body shape. Accordingly, to leverage the virtual garment technology, garment manufacturers need to secure production sizes fitting their target market. Also, size specifications should be provided to modify 3D avatars to fit into the production sizes. However, little research has been conducted on body size analysis that can be used to develop production sizes customized to the target markets of garment manufacturers or body modeling for each size cell.
Thus, this study will select a man's fashion brand and analyze body shapes of the target customers in order to improve the production size system and to propose body size specifications accordingly. Ultimately, this study will propose a methodology to develop size specifications for 3D avatars as well as brand-customized production sizes.
2. Materials and methods
2.1. Research subjects
This researcher first selected a man's fashion brand(Brand A) which is using virtual garment technology in selling/producing their clothes and analyzed ages of the customers who purchased the brand items in 2011. Then, those aged 32 to 65, accounting for more than 1% of the total customers, were chosen as the research subjects. To determine size cells and size specifications of each cell, 3D body measurements of 1,034 men aged 32 to 65, among the 5th Size Korea dataset, were analyzed(Korean Agency for Technology and Standards, 2004).
2.2. Data analysis
As per the man's wear size standards of the Korean Industrial Standards (KS), statures were sectioned by every 5 cm and chest circumferences by every 3 cm; and crosstabulation analysis on two variables were conducted. Sections where 1.5% or more subjects belonged to were identified as high frequency ranges; and the results were compared with the standard size system. Finally, the research proposed a plan to improve the garment production size system.
Customer frequency(%) for age.
Regarding body sizes, factor analysis was conducted to identity representative factors. Among the 3D measurements of men aged 32-65 in the 5th Size Korea dataset, a total of 34 items(13 height items, 16 circumference items, and 5 length items) were analyzed(Table 1). Factors were extracted by principal component analysis(PCA), and determined among those with an eigenvalue of 1.00 or over in accordance with a scree diagram; and the component matrix was vertically rotated by Varimax.
Body measurement
Last, regression analysis was conducted to develop size specifications for each section. For the regression analysis, waist circumferences and statures were entered as independent variables, and the reference sizes as dependent variables This regression analysis considered all the data captured in the high frequency ranges because each size cell has only a limited number of samples, which may produce distorted results if the average is used for calculation.
For statistical analysis, SPSS 18.0 was utilized.
3. Results
3.1. Current size standard
This researcher analyzed the jacket size system of Brand A, and found that the size cell was quoted by every 3cm of chest circumference, 3 cm of waist circumference and 5cm of stature(Table 2). Brand A produces jackets in 11 different sizes, but the drop from chest to waist circumferences remains at a constant 15 cm. This shows the size standard was developed on the basis of chest circumference and stature, not considering the drop.
Size system of classic jacket(chest-waist-stature)
Among the 5th Size Korea dataset, statures and chest circumferences of 1,034 men aged 32~65 were extracted and respectively sectioned by every 5 cm and 3 cm; and crosstabulation analysis on two variables was conducted(Table 3). The shadow areas on the Table 3 are high frequency ranges with the frequency of 1.5% or above. Bold cells on the table are 13 size categories of Brand A, covering 50% of the total. As the table suggests, production sizes of Brand A were different from actual size distribution of the customers. In particular, two sizes of the stature 180 cm section were included although their frequencies were as low as 0.77% and 1.06%.
Result of crosstabulation for aged 32-65
3.2. Improvement of Production Size
To narrow the gap between production size and actual size distribution, the stature sections were adjusted and crosstabulation analyzed. In addition, statures were also divided into 167 cm, 172 cm and 177 cm groups (while maintaining the section size of 5 cm) and crosstabulation analysis was conducted. The results are presented in the Table 4. For the chest size of 103, 106 and 112, the adjusted stature groups of 167, 172, and 177 delivered higher densities to high frequency ranges. Based on the results, 16 sizes were identified, covering 61.90% of the total(Table 5). Although it is better than the previous 50%, the number of production sizes also increased to 16 from 13. Thus, cover efficiency(coverage/number of sizes) meagerly improved from 3.85 to 3.87. What should be noted, however, is that the chest size of 109 came into the size system, which was excluded from the existing production size. Thus, the new size system is expected to improve consumers' rights to size selection and satisfaction as well as garment fitting.
Result of crosstabulation of adjusted stature
Proposed size system of classic jacket
3.3 Selection of key variables
Key variables that affect body shapes were identified and factor analysis was conducted thereon. To set up the variables that determine adult-male body shapes, 1,034 men aged 32~65 were analyzed. As shown Table 6, three factors were found by the factor analysis, and their eigenvalues after Varimax rotation were 1.00 or over, with the variance explained of 75.12%. Factor 1 includes mostly heights, such as axilla height, cervical height, bust height, stature, gluteal fold height and crotch heigh, hence named ‘height factors’. Factor 2 include circumferences, such as bust circumference, thigh circumference, waist circumference and hip circumference, hence named ‘obesity factors’. Factor 3 includes posterior shoulder length, interscye-front, interscye-back, upperarm length and arm length, hence named ‘shoulder factors’.
Rotated component matrix of body measurements
3.4 Development of regression model
As the table suggests, high frequency ranges are widely differed in the number of the frequency from 17 to 76 that is not standardized yet. To develop size specifications of each size cell, regression equations were developed by including all the data belonging to each size cell.
Regression analysis was conducted by having statures and chest circumferences, which are the most representative variables of height factors and obesity factors as independent variables, and size specifications of each body part as dependent variables(Table 7). Although the size system of Brand A is based on stature, chest and waist circumferences, the drop from chest to waist remains at a constant 15 cm. Thus, only stature and chest circumference, without waist circumference, were adopted as independent variables.
Regression equations conducting stature and chest circumference as independent variables
The regression equations did not include a constant in order to quantify changing ratios among body parts in accordance with size changes on the basis of the regression equations. The regression results found that R2, which measures the fitness of linear models, was 1.00 against the dependent variables, meaning that 100% is fit for the sample regression line. Table 6 shows that cervical heights have R2 =1.00, fitting 100% for the sample regression line, and crotch heights have R2 =0.999, fitting 99.9% for the sample regression line.
Against height factors, all regression coefficients indicate positive (+) values, telling that taller bodies increase expected height sizes. Against the chest circumference, axilla height, waist circumference, omphalion height, hip height, gluteal fold height, thigh height, crotch height and calf height indicate negative (−) values, demonstrating heavier people tend to have smaller height factors. This result may be attributable to the fact that when a man becomes heavier, his omphalion, hip and calf points are sagging.
All regression coefficients of obesity factors indicate positive (+) values against chest circumferences, showing that heavier bodies increase expected circumference sizes. All regression coefficients of shoulder factors indicate positive (+) values against stature and chest circumference, telling that taller or heavier bodies increase expected shoulder sizes.
According to the regression model above, size specifications can be calculated by using stature and chest circumference. As the regression model was designed on the basis of bigdata, the size specifications secure stronger reliability, not limited to the average samples of each size cell. The size specifications provide guidelines that can be applied to 3D model modification for each size cell. If pattern grading rule is adopted for calculation to cater the taste of target consumers, they will contribute to improving the fitness of ready-made suits.
3.5 3D fitting-model
The 3D fitting-model is composed of a standard human skeleton structure and a skin surface that is composed of quadrilateral patches. 3D fitting-model is created by the following three steps:
First, create the skeleton and the skin. Then, connect the skeleton and skin so that they move interactively. Finally, apply the weight formula that is developed by the regression analysis so that the skin is moved accordingly. The whole process is conducted in the 3D Studio MaxTM environment.
Following the process, the 3D fitting-model of standard size is developed, and different sizes of 3D fitting-models are created by size modification (Table 8).
Standard and modified sizes of 3D fitting-model
Table 9 presents different body sizes of standard and modified models. The models are saved in the obj format, and measured by Rapidform2006(INUS Technology, Inc Korea). One researcher measured the size five times and calculates the average measurements. As delivered by Table 9, 17 body sizes by regression analysis and 3D model sizes show slight differences of approximately 0.2 cm. The result suggests that the head part accommodates changes in heights, but not detailed sizes of head and face or weight changes. Hence, regardless of chest size, the face and each part are kept in the same shape, resulting 3D modelling different from the actual sizes. When the head shape changes according to sizes, detailed parts including eyes, hair and ears should be changed accordingly. To this end, an algorithm that connects each part of the fact to skeleton and skin should be added. However, this research that focuses on body parts does not consider such detailed part sizes.
Target sizes by regression analysis and 3D model sizes
4. Conclusion
This study selected a man's fashion brand and developed size specification based on the customers' sizes in order to provide basic data for creating 3D models with high fitness. To this end, customers who purchased the brand's item(s) in 2011 were examined, and a group of men aged 32~65 among them that delivered frequencies no lower than 1%, were analyzed. Production size improvement was proposed on the basis of crosstabulation analysis on the body measurements, and regression coefficients of each body size were calculated by regression analysis.
This study developed regression equations on body size specifications, which in turn proposed a regression model to proportionately change size specifications of 3D fitting-models in accordance with representative sizes, i.e. stature and chest circumference. The regression model will enable better accommodating actual body shapes when changing sizes of 3D-fitting models.
Based on the each body size calculated by the regression model, a standard model is created, and the skeleton-skin algorithm is applied to the regression model to obtain the results of size changes. Then, the 3D model sizes are tested for size changes as well as measured, which verifies that the regression model reflects body size changes. This result suggests that body analysis of target customers is an appropriate approach to develop and modify 3D model to be used in actual fashion brands.
The fashion industry at home and abroad has tried to adopt the virtual garment technology to reduce the time and resources spent on sample creation. The methodology developed by this study will serve as a case study of body size analysis to help fashion brands develop suitable sizes for their target markets and develop 3D virtual models. This methodology can be applied to diverse brands and different market situations, and will utilized to develop an accurate size system and 3D models that are needed by garment manufacturers. This study also expects follow-up studies on virtual model development based hereon.
Acknowledgments
This research was supported by the Daegu University Research Grant, 2013.
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