Multi-purpose three-dimensional body form

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to develop a multi-purpose body form that could be used to develop different types of garments by putting body skins with ease on the standard body form. Design/methodology/approach - Free form deformation method was used to generate a virtual model upon the basis of the averaged wire frame. The virtual model was made into a real-life model by a rapid prototyping (RP) process, and then, the standard body form was made by molding the RP. The 3D polygon shell for a body skin got flattened down to 2D patterns and made by a urethane material. Findings - The standard body form developed by using 3D body scan data better represented the characteristics of the body shapes than the previously hand-made ones. In addition, by standardizing the production of the body form itself, it is now possible to make body forms into the standards and be consistent in their qualities. Research limitations/implications - This paper presents the methodology of utilizing 3D body scan data in a garment design, which is possible by incorporating advanced 3D modeling technologies and 3D data of a human body in making body forms. For the mass production of a body skin, it is necessary to develop various special materials simulating soft tissues. Originality/value - The apparel industry can enjoy cost cutting effects by using this multi-purpose body form. A company does not have to spend money in purchasing different sizes and shapes of body forms, let alone saving the spaces to store them once purchased.