Understanding 3D Avatars Body, Fit, and Sizing
TAAS INC. by Nina Nikolic
March 25, 2021
Digital Avatars
Digital avatars for fashion were unexplored topics just a year or so ago. Today, there is much talk about 3D avatars and their purpose and benefit for fashion brands. The inherent benefits range from initial clothing development to marketing and e-commerce. Still, are we there yet?
3D avatars for fashion have diverse options for use, and it is vital to understand your requirements and the end-use of a 3D avatar. For the fashion industry, prevalent uses are:
Design visualization for faster collection finish and design decisions
Seasonal line presentation and merchandising
Marketing and virtual showrooms
Virtual Runways
3D Avatars General Classification
Parametric avatars- They are digital replicas of the proportional human body. The system allows the avatar's body measurements and shape adjustment.
Digital fit avatars as a digital replica of physical fit forms (a.k.a dress form, mannequin, dummy). Physical mannequins traditionally used for garment engineering and draping are available in digital format. This option enables accurate 3D fit and styling checks.
Scanned body avatars- The availability of various scanning techniques empowers the creation of digital avatars. From laser-based 3D/4D scanning platforms, turntable scanning devices, and handheld scanners to mobile scanning solutions, body scanning technologies are becoming more prominent as a 3D digital solution for apparel fit.
Modeled 3D avatar. Generally created with various 3D modeling systems or a combination of scanned bodies and modeling. Modeled 3D avatars can be made as beautiful visuals for marketing, virtual runways, and other visual presentation essentials. 3D avatars generated by modeling are not suitable for fitting purposes.
3D Avatars for Design Visualization
Most 3D garment simulation systems have a default avatar that designers can use to simulate garments, change design features, and add or remove some aspects of the garment. The ability to instantly visualize the garment's look, length, and overall drape has manifold benefits. The notable advantage is the faster creation of seasonal collections and a more efficient design decision process.
A 3D avatar is a unique digital equivalent of a physical body proportion. It enables designers to determine desired garment lengths and sleeve length variations, review and change seam placements, and decide on detailed embellishments, logo placements, and colorways.
This eliminates the need for a physical sample at the early development stages to determine the garment's length or styling.
Digital Avatars for Fit and Sizing
Digital avatars for 3D fit and sizing analysis are the closest digital replica of the live fit model's body or physical dress form (mannequin/dummy) utilized for garment draping. For example, the Optitex 3D garment simulation system has parametric avatars that allow users to create various size-specific digital avatars and size-set avatars per fashion brands’ or retailers' requirements.
3D avatars' body measurements are recorded, ensuring consistency in sizing when developing new styles. These digital avatars make 3D fit analysis efficient and accurate while eliminating the sampling cost in the early stages of product development.
For fit purposes, avatars can be animated to fit positions to test garment draping and tension behavior when the body moves to extreme positions. This option makes it possible to digitally try and resolve fit issues early in the garment engineering process, thus saving time to arrive at the well-fitted approved production sample.
Another source for 3D digital fit is the well-known Alvaforms (dress forms/mannequins) by Alvanon. The digital dress forms enable users to update the traditional manual draping and fitting with accuracy equivalent to the digital format.
Some 3D-fit avatars are generic in look and not necessarily suitable for marketing purposes. However, with some modifications, digital fit avatars could serve the visual presentational purpose.
3D Avatars for Marketing and Virtual Showrooms
3D digital avatars for marketing purposes generally have a free range. They are not necessarily accurate, realistic bodies to fit on and might not be ideal for a precise 3D fit. Instead, those avatars are modeled in 3D to resemble the ideal human model for visual presentations and marketing. 3D-modeled avatars can be animated and offered in a wide variety of poses.
Numerous e-commerce 3D asset integration platforms are promising a perfect garment fit, with the option of having an ideal fit for per-customer customized avatars. Many 3D body scan technologies can easily capture individual bodies in many positions. When supported by other 3D systems, it can be a great selling tool for e-commerce.
The future of e-commerce is AR/VR (augmented and virtual reality). It is great for customer engagement purposes, but entertainment can only go so far.
On the other hand, Fit Analytics (recently acquired by Snap) is a platform that captures customer data related to size and fit. Its proprietary machine-learning algorithm allows a "fit persona” and delivers fit and size recommendations based on their measurements, fit preferences, and purchase history.
3D avatars for the virtual runway are free reign for 3D artists. Realistic 3D avatars are created and animated for virtual fashion shows. With available 3D technologies, great possibilities exist to generate excellent and realistic digital avatars.
Modeled digital avatars have excellent flexibility for various animated poses and natural and synchronized body and garment movements. Coupled with implementing the custom camera views, lighting, and background, the virtual fashion show presents a polished, fun, and highly artistic 3D digital clothing presentation. The quality of the virtual runway can range from basic (available with some 3D clothing simulation systems) to highly sophisticated digital production with an overall realistic feel and look.
To summarize, the use of digital avatars offers several benefits for both designers and retailers, such as:
Quickly visualizing and iterating on designs: With a 3D avatar, designers can see how a garment will look on various body types without creating physical samples. This innovative process can save significant time and money throughout the design process.
Getting feedback from customers: Designers can use 3D avatars to create interactive virtual showrooms where customers can try on clothes and provide feedback. This feedback can be used to improve the design of the garments before they are released to the market.
Creating personalized marketing campaigns: 3D avatars can be used to create customized marketing campaigns that target specific customer demographics. For example, a fashion brand could create a virtual fashion show that features 3D avatars that look like its target customers.
For retailers, 3D avatars can be used to:
Improve the online shopping experience: With 3D avatars, customers can see how clothes will look on them before they buy them. The new way of virtual shopping helps reduce the number of returns, which saves retailers money.
Create more engaging marketing campaigns: 3D avatars can be used to create more engaging marketing campaigns that capture the attention of potential customers. For example, a retailer could create a virtual fashion show that features 3D avatars that walk down the runway wearing the retailer's clothes.
The story related to the use of digital avatars is still evolving. So let's see what the future brings.
Transform your business, and make it more efficient and sustainable with our 3D digital product development process.
Sign up for our technology news!
TAAS INC.
Technology Advanced Apparel Service
