Virtual 3D garment draping as a service

Abstract

This research details a collaborative project jointly funded by Numerion Software and a Future Fashion Factory innovation challenge grant. The aim was to develop a pioneering, virtual 3D garment draping, cloud-hosted service that was fit for fashion industry needs and could be leveraged with ease. A focus group, consisting of leading fashion designers, brands, manufacturers, educationalists and fashion students, was sent a link to Numerion’s initial prototype together with a questionnaire. This asked participants how the software could be developed; how valuable the proposed service would be, exactly how would individual designers, brands and educationalists use the service; how they would prefer to interact with it and how would it integrate with their current workflow, etc. The data were used to improve and develop the prototype with the intention to trial this in real time with the focus group. The outcomes identified the challenges facing the fashion industry as they seek to embrace live 3D simulation. This influenced the development work required to address any concerns around functionality and frictionless operability to the software as well as to identify a solid path to commercialization for a 3D garment draping service.