Computer Graphics on Clothing DesignComputer Graphics on Clothing Design

Jimmy K.C. LamJimmy K.C. LamThe Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversityThe Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Ref: The Impact of Computer Graphics on Clothing DesignRef: The Impact of Computer Graphics on Clothing Design by Clive Walter , Marks and Sencer, U.K.by Clive Walter , Marks and Sencer, U.K.

AgendaAgenda

IntroductionIntroduction Customer Requirements on GarmentCustomer Requirements on Garment

Historical Development on CAD in Historical Development on CAD in textile/garmenttextile/garment

Modern CAD Garment Design ProcessModern CAD Garment Design Process Advantages on Computer GraphicsAdvantages on Computer Graphics Problems and Technical ChallengesProblems and Technical Challenges ReferenceReference

IntroductionIntroductionCustomer RequirementsCustomer Requirements

What is it that attracts a customer to a garment What is it that attracts a customer to a garment in a store?in a store?

Initial impact will be Initial impact will be colour and the design on colour and the design on the fabricthe fabric, be it the stripe on a shirt, the print on , be it the stripe on a shirt, the print on a blouse, the lace on a slip.a blouse, the lace on a slip.

It gives a It gives a visual impressionvisual impression, like or dislike., like or dislike. Other factors are style, fabric quality, hand feels Other factors are style, fabric quality, hand feels

and price.and price.

IntroductionIntroductionUse of CAD for visual impressionUse of CAD for visual impression

CAD has the ability to simulate these visual CAD has the ability to simulate these visual impressions.impressions.

But how CAD is being used? What changes are But how CAD is being used? What changes are occurring? How will CAD develop?occurring? How will CAD develop?

The answers will emerge from how a garment is The answers will emerge from how a garment is developed from initial design to its planned developed from initial design to its planned production.production.

CAD Historical DevelopmentCAD Historical DevelopmentFabric Design (1)Fabric Design (1)

Earliest application of CAD in fabric production was to replace Earliest application of CAD in fabric production was to replace chains and steels by replays, actuators or electro-mechanical chains and steels by replays, actuators or electro-mechanical devices.devices.

In knitting, the electronic signal is to select and control the In knitting, the electronic signal is to select and control the up/down movement of needles.up/down movement of needles.

In weaving, the electronic signal is to control the up/down In weaving, the electronic signal is to control the up/down movement of warp threads.movement of warp threads.

On CAD systems, the required design can be simulated on a On CAD systems, the required design can be simulated on a grid on a monitor.grid on a monitor.

Each square on the grid is given a colour corresponding to a Each square on the grid is given a colour corresponding to a knitted loop or woven thread.knitted loop or woven thread.

CAD in fabric design (2)CAD in fabric design (2)

Computers are able to give a visual image of Computers are able to give a visual image of the knitted jacquard or a striped or checked the knitted jacquard or a striped or checked fabric.fabric.

Both colour and sequence are easily changed as Both colour and sequence are easily changed as the design process is refined.the design process is refined.

Once completed, the electronic information is Once completed, the electronic information is transferred to control the mechanism of the transferred to control the mechanism of the production machinesproduction machines

CAD Historical DevelopmentCAD Historical DevelopmentClothing Design (1)Clothing Design (1)

CAD in clothing are applied in three areas, namely 1) CAD in clothing are applied in three areas, namely 1) cutting/grading; 2) planning and 3) pattern cutting/grading; 2) planning and 3) pattern modification.modification.

In cutting, the shapes of cardboard pieces are given by In cutting, the shapes of cardboard pieces are given by X and Y co-ordinates by digitiser and entered into X and Y co-ordinates by digitiser and entered into computer.computer.

Grading or how each pattern shape changes to allow Grading or how each pattern shape changes to allow different sizes (says small, medium or large) is different sizes (says small, medium or large) is automatically achieved.automatically achieved.

CAD Historical DevelopmentCAD Historical DevelopmentClothing Design (2)Clothing Design (2)

Planning is how the patterns should be nested in a lay plan to Planning is how the patterns should be nested in a lay plan to ensure maximum usage of fabric.ensure maximum usage of fabric.

Pattern pieces are displayed in minature, can be manipulated, Pattern pieces are displayed in minature, can be manipulated, rotated and fitted together in relation to fabric width.rotated and fitted together in relation to fabric width.

The finished lay plan is passed to the cutter for cutting The finished lay plan is passed to the cutter for cutting operation.operation.

Pattern modification systems have been developed which enable Pattern modification systems have been developed which enable basic pattern shapes to be altered for different style and basic pattern shapes to be altered for different style and construction features.construction features.

Computer technology is used in the whole process from pattern Computer technology is used in the whole process from pattern design to the control of the cutting machine.design to the control of the cutting machine.

Modern CADModern CADGarment Design Process (1)Garment Design Process (1)

Historical CAD processes are focus on production, e.g Historical CAD processes are focus on production, e.g eliminate manual cutting by computer cutter, selecting eliminate manual cutting by computer cutter, selecting needles up/down movement by electronic signal.needles up/down movement by electronic signal.

Modern CAD design process, however, is focus on Modern CAD design process, however, is focus on customer and market requirements and the design process is customer and market requirements and the design process is grouped into FOUR stages:-grouped into FOUR stages:-

1) Design Initiation Stage1) Design Initiation Stage– in which the market place customer’s perceived needs are defined in which the market place customer’s perceived needs are defined

in terms of colour, style and fabric design.in terms of colour, style and fabric design.

Modern CAD Modern CAD Garment Design Process (2)Garment Design Process (2)

2) Design concept stage2) Design concept stage– When many design options are explored and result in design offers When many design options are explored and result in design offers

which satisfy the defined criteria of customer needswhich satisfy the defined criteria of customer needs

3) Design making process3) Design making process– Where design offers are considered, ranges are developed and Where design offers are considered, ranges are developed and

decisions to purchase are made.decisions to purchase are made.

4) Technical design stage4) Technical design stage– Where the design offer is refined to precisely satisfy the fit, Where the design offer is refined to precisely satisfy the fit,

construction, garment performance and production requirementsconstruction, garment performance and production requirements

CAD creates visual imagesCAD creates visual images Computer colour graphic systems provide a powerful Computer colour graphic systems provide a powerful

tools for both the retailer and garment designer tools for both the retailer and garment designer especially for the first two stages (design initiation and especially for the first two stages (design initiation and design concept stages).design concept stages).

They are able to determine colour, simulate fabrics both They are able to determine colour, simulate fabrics both printed and woven, simulate components such as lace printed and woven, simulate components such as lace and embroidery and map these on styles to give a and embroidery and map these on styles to give a realistic representation of drape.realistic representation of drape.

They create a visual image of garment, its colour, fabric They create a visual image of garment, its colour, fabric design and shape, the attributes that initially attract a design and shape, the attributes that initially attract a customer when they enter a storecustomer when they enter a store..

Advantages on Computer GraphicsAdvantages on Computer Graphics

Better communicationBetter communication– Picture is worth thousand words.Picture is worth thousand words.

Greater responsivenessGreater responsiveness– Decisions on garment can be made closer to launch dateDecisions on garment can be made closer to launch date

More design offerMore design offer– Designer is able to explore quickly, inexpensively and Designer is able to explore quickly, inexpensively and

thoroughly the design optionsthoroughly the design options Production innovationProduction innovation Widening the role of garment designWidening the role of garment design

– By responding directly to the market need, garment designers By responding directly to the market need, garment designers are becoming more involved in fabric and component design.are becoming more involved in fabric and component design.

Technical ChallengesTechnical Challenges Remote communicationRemote communication

– Electronic communication of pictures of high resolution with true colour Electronic communication of pictures of high resolution with true colour at high speed and affordable cost, between garment designer and retailer, at high speed and affordable cost, between garment designer and retailer, between garment designer and fabric designer and production sources.between garment designer and fabric designer and production sources.

ConnectivityConnectivity– Transfer of structured design information throughout the Transfer of structured design information throughout the

whole product design and development chainwhole product design and development chain

Colour communicationColour communication– Most important technical aspect. A consistent true colour is, in which the Most important technical aspect. A consistent true colour is, in which the

colour seen on different monitors and printers, responding to the same colour seen on different monitors and printers, responding to the same colour co-ordinates, is the same both within a system and between colour co-ordinates, is the same both within a system and between systemssystems

QuestionsQuestions

What are the traditional roles of CAD process What are the traditional roles of CAD process in textile and garment?in textile and garment?

What are the new roles of CAD process in What are the new roles of CAD process in garment design? garment design?

What are the limitations of CAD process in What are the limitations of CAD process in textile and garment design?textile and garment design?