Feature based 3D garment design through 2D sketches

This paper presents a new approach for intuitively modeling a three-dimensional (3D) garment around a 3D human model by two-dimensional (2D) sketches input. Our approach is feature based-every human model has pre-defined features, and the constructed garments are related to the features on human models. Firstly, a feature template for creating a customized 3D garment is defined according to the features on a human model; secondly, the profiles of the 3D garment are specified through 2D sketches; finally, a smooth mesh surface interpolating the specified profiles is constructed by a modified variational subdivision scheme. The resulting mesh surface can be cut and flattened into 2D patterns to be manufactured. Our approach provides a 3D design tool to create garment patterns directly in the 3D space through 2D strokes, which is a characteristic not available in other computer aided garment design systems. The constructed garment patterns are related to the features on a human model, so the patterns can be regenerated automatically when creating the same style of garment for other human models. Our technique can greatly improve the efficiency and the quality of pattern making in the garment industry. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.