This year, 2010, the Textile Clothing Technology Corporation, the US think tank for the garment industry mounted a booth at SPESA in Atlanta (the yearly trade show) that showcased where we are in state of the art computer based digital programs, including draping animation.

We are actively keeping track of progress in this area and will bring you the latest for desktop computers.  Read through the list here and just imagine the future!  P.S. There is one more animated draping program that we are tracking coming out of South Korea, supposedly ready very soon and workable for non-industrial applications -- will let you know.

SPESA EXPO 2010 features an all new COOL ZONE v2.0 presented by [TC]². This special exhibit highlights current and future technologies that support a totally digital fashion and sewn products lifecycle and supply chain. The following is a summary of vendors and exhibits that are part of the Cool Zone, Booth 5749.

[TC]²
 demo stations networked with two NX-16 3D body scanners show automatic body measurement and high resolution avatar creation (including face texturing from photo) from the body scan. This output is used live in virtual fashion, animation, weight-loss visualization, and other applications on large screen displays. An avatar engine (on the web) demonstrates similar functionalities using measurement input instead of a body scan. Virtual Fashion applications are shown on Web enabled smart phones. One of the virtual fashion visualizations is for custom jeans and various jean styles on a personal avatar, with links to online providers for ordering custom jeans from 3D body scans. 

[TC]²’s VDresser solution demonstrates a low-cost tool to implement 3D garment content for virtual fashion applications.

SizeUSA [TC]²’s comprehensive sizing study of the U.S. population provides current measurements on sizing and shapes of today’s adult consumer. The SizeUSA survey includes body measurement data on over 10,000 men and women, ages 18 to 65+.  [TC]² is demonstrating the use of SizeUSA data as a resource for analysis of existing size ranges and development of size guidelines for new products and markets. This demonstration highlights the analysis of body shape characteristics through the generation and comparison of avatars that represent key body measurements for graded size ranges.

Digital Printing In the Cool Zone, [TC]² is creating tote bags that are printed utilizing pigment based nanocolorant inks, heat set with AIT’s 7300 rotary heat transfer machine, cut using Gerber’s single-ply DCS 3600 cutting system, sewn on the show floor made of fabric from Carr Textiles, webbing from Lea & Sachs, using Schmetz needles and A&E thread.

Advanced Innovative Technologies and its predecessor companies have been manufacturing flat bed (platen) and rotary drum heat transfer printing machines for conventional sublimation printing for over 30 years. In late 1995, the predecessor company, Astechnologies, sold the first rotary drum printing machine used in commercial digital dye-sublimation fabric printing. Since 2001, AIT has continued the tradition of introducing innovative new heat transfer machinery for digital dye-sublimation and dye fixation of textiles.
AIT is supplying the AIT 7300 Series Rotary Heat Transfer Machine for the digital printing demonstration.

ContourVision is specifically designed for printed textiles and industrial fabrics; using powerful software and a line scanning vision system configured with the DCS3600, the system automatically cuts complex graphics, shapes, and contours straight from a printed roll of material without a pre-developed cut file.

GERBERcutter® DCS3600 The DCS3600 conveyorized GERBERcutter system is the ideal cutter for manufacturers and suppliers in the Apparel, Composites, Technical Textiles, Furniture, Carpeting, and Matting industries. The combination of speed, cut-window flexibility, and cutting-edge vision technology has created the ultimate products for enhanced productivity.

Browzwear V-Stitcher allows patternmakers and designers to turn ideas from 2D sketches and patterns into 3D virtual garments.

Human Solutions NA
iSize combines International Body Data with Online Analysis to Optimize Fit and Size charts for Markets Worldwide.
Sizing systems are often designed with little or no knowledge of the target market's physical characteristics. Even when data is available, it is difficult to use and not comparable with data from other sources. iSize normalizes all data into one easy-to-use database, with statistical tools to optimize sizing charts for maximum capture of virtually any market. Decide whether local sizing systems will payoff, or how to optimize one set to cover all markets based on up-to-date data, not reactive sales records. 

Vidya by Assyst: Rapid Pattern Prototyping with Virtual 3D fitting.
Vidya is the latest tool that allows 2D patterns to be virtually draped on a 3D avatar. Instantly intuit drape and stretch, evaluate seam and color alignment, and try pattern adjustments without a single stitch or pin.

Lawson is a global provider of software and services. With the Lawson for Fashion solution all of its software components and services together are pulled together into a solution for fashion companies. The company is better able to serve its clients’ needs, whether they are a brand owner, manufacturer or private brand retailer. Lawson for Fashion connects business processes from product concept through to the customer helping to:
• Gain tighter control of margins, products and supply chain relationships.
• Keep more of the revenue brought in – with tools to help improve efficiency and combat chargebacks.
• Become more agile and speed product time-to-market.

Lectra will showcase its integrated technology solutions that automate, streamline and accelerate product design, development and manufacturing processes for industries using soft materials.

OptiTex develops innovative, user-friendly 2D and 3D CAD solutions for all cut-fabric and fashion-related industries. OptiTex's solutions are designed to facilitate collaboration among partners throughout the manufacturing process. The company is also active in e-commerce, providing online sales tools to promote branding and customer loyalty.
OptiTex’s latest application, OptiTex 3D Virtual Clothing, allows retailers and online shopping sites to model their fashion online with a full 3D catalog that allows to visualize the full garment collection on a 3D model. The try it on demo was created for customers to visualize what they can do with their own clothing lines.
OptiTex’s 3D Runway Designer 10 has new customizable features and options, allowing designers the freedom to change textures, materials, colors and stitches or add logos on screen without using a single piece of fabric. The garment can then be seen “in action” on OptiTex's dynamic 3D models, all of which are fully adjustable to reflect any body-type. 3D Runway Designer software promotes international collaboration in the fashion world by providing a program in diverse languages.

PAD System will demonstrate apparel production tools for:
    •    Improved productivity to pattern creation and grading process
    •    Mass customization made easy with powerful interactivity. Pieces in all sizes can be modified by entering new measurement specifications.
    •    Pattern customization made possible for any given client by specifying personal measurements.
    •    Unique Plan View feature offering an intuitive user interface
    •    Compatible with a wide range of Hardware Equipment, Plotters, Digitizers & Robotized Cutters via standard formats.

Tukatech will be presenting the complete process of virtually “trying on” a garment with a digital version of a subject’s body. The avatar generated by taking a [TC]²  scan will be brought into e-fit Simulator and a garment will be draped with motion.  Then, the completed garment and the avatar will be displayed in a web browser using Tukatech’s 3D viewer.