Towards virtual prototyping of complex-shaped multi-layered apparel

Cloth virtual prototyping has recently become a topic of increasing interest both in computer graphics and computer aided design for industrial fabric or apparel production. Aiming at an accurate garment shape simulation, this paper presents a physics-based system for virtual cloth design and simulation specifically conceived for design purpose and targeted to clothing industry. This environment should allow the designer/modelist to validate her/his style and design options through the analysis of garment virtual prototypes and simulation results in order to reduce the number and role of physical prototypes. To this end, it has been defined a complete physics-based model for complex apparel incorporating aspects related to garment shape and structure (e.g., 2D profiles of basic patterns and multi-layered parts), mechanical/physical properties of fabric and multi-layered parts, and design and manufacturing processes (e.g., ironing, starching). The garment physic-based model has been developed upon the particle-based model embedded in constrained Newtonian dynamics and collision management. The system has been validated within European and national projects simulating several female and male garments with different levels of design complexities and directly provided from involved clothing companies.