Evrim Buyukaslan, Simona Jevsnik and Fatma Kalaoglu
The purpose of this paper is to compare real fabric drape images and virtual fabric drape images created by a commercial software. To achieve an in-depth comparison, actual and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to compare real fabric drape images and virtual fabric drape images created by a commercial software. To achieve an in-depth comparison, actual and virtual drape shape properties were considered under three categories: drape area, number of nodes and shape of folds. The results of this research are expected to be useful to improve the reality and accuracy of fabric and garment.
Design/methodology/approach
Five different fabrics were selected for this study. Fabrics’ mechanical properties were tested by fabric assurance for simple testing method, while drape properties were measured by a Cusick drape meter. A commercial garment simulation was used to generate virtual fabric drapes. Real fabric drape images and virtual fabric drape images were analyzed by an image analysis software and results were used to calculate drape properties. Regression analysis was performed to compare real fabric drape and virtual fabric drape properties.
Findings
Differences between real fabric drape and virtual fabric drape were stated clearly. Simulation software was found to be insufficient to reflect drape area. However, simulations were quite successful corresponding to the number of nodes. Only one simulation had +2 nodes than its actual counterpart. This study showed that area and node shape representations of simulation software should be improved while node numbers are sufficiently represented.
Research limitations/implications
There are alternative 3D garment simulation software available to the fashion business. All these companies are working on to improve their simulation reality and accuracy. Some of them are also offering various equipment to measure the fabric properties. In this study, Optitex 3D Suite was selected as the simulation software due to several reasons as explained in this paper. However, other simulation programs might also be employed to perform virtual fabric drapes. Furthermore, in this study, the drape images of five woven fabrics were compared. The fabric selection was done according to a pre-test and consequently similar fabrics were determined to be the subject of the study. However, the more the number of the fabrics, the better the comparison and eventually the better the assessment of simulation success. Therefore, it is prospected to test more fabrics with versatile fabric properties for further studies.
Originality/value
Drape shape was observed from three perspectives: drape area, node numbers, and node shapes. Dealing the problem from these perspectives provided an in-depth comparison of real and virtual drapes. In this study, standard deviation of peak angles was used to explain node distribution that is new to the literature to the authors’ knowledge.
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Evrim Buyukaslan, Fatma Baytar and Fatma Kalaoglu
Virtual garment fit will be an important determinant for the online purchase decision of consumers in the near future. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop a…
Abstract
Purpose
Virtual garment fit will be an important determinant for the online purchase decision of consumers in the near future. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop a conceptual model to explore the factors that might impact consumers’ virtual garment fit satisfactions (VFS).
Design/methodology/approach
Virtual body satisfaction (VBS), acceptance of the virtual try-on technology and virtual fabric properties were examined as factors that would potentially impact consumers’ VFS. Forty-five women, from 18 to 35 years old, were recruited for the study. Participants were scanned by using a 3D body scanner and their scans were used for virtual try-on. Seven circular skirts with different fabric properties were created by using a commercial 3D simulation software. Participants evaluated the fit of these virtual skirts on their own virtual bodies. Participants’ VFSs and their correlations with VBSs, acceptance of virtual try-on technology and virtual fabric properties were analyzed by Pearson’s correlation test.
Findings
Participants’ VBSs at hips were correlated fairly good with their VFSs (r = 0.50, N = 180, p < 0.01) and their acceptance of virtual try-on technology was weakly correlated to VFSs (r = 0.24, N = 180, p < 0.01). However, no significant correlation was found between virtual fabric properties and participants’ VFSs.
Research limitations/implications
This study did not examine the ideal beauty notion, which may affect consumers’ expectations about how the garments should fit on them. Another limitation was the use of a single skirt design as a stimulus.
Originality/value
Studies that explore virtual garment fit often measure the garment ease or the virtual fabric tension and ignore consumer perspective, which is essential for online purchase decision. This study is unique as it prioritizes consumers’ perspectives.