3D Body Scanning

Even after the basic training, it is difficult for an average salesperson to come up with the exact measurements. It is here that the 3D technology proves to be a boon. The development of three-dimensional body-scanning technology has immense potential for use in the apparel industry, particularly for customization or mass customization strategies to be employed.

3D Body scanning is a technology that produces a 3D model through scanning. An individual stands in the view of the scanner, while it captures his body image and produces 3D images within seconds. The scanner uses a series of light sensors to produce a 3D image. Images are captured in 360 degrees within a short period of time along with body measurements and human body surface. This data is archived or further processed according to the requirement.

3D body scanning and digitized images are used in mass customization of apparel, where the consumer is measured three-dimensionally, and through the digitized image seen on the computer screen, he can choose a garment with a style that goes with his choice.

The technology of three-dimensional body scanning is used in diversified fields. A renowned application of this scanning process is in the field of custom-tailoring. People are of various sizes and shapes. This created a problem with the fitting. Manufacturers needed more accurate information to produce perfect fitting garments. Customizing garments to correctly fit the consumer depends on the availability of a comprehensive set of measurements. Progression in the field of Information Technology comes to the aid of retailers and manufacturers through the procedure of 3D Body Scanning. In this process, individual measurements can be obtained more accurately and quickly. The 3D scanned data contains standardized tailoring measurements like chest size, body size, circumference, and also complete 3-D data of the individual. This new technology is changing aspects of the apparel industry.

History of 3D Body Scanning

The 1990’s idea of body scanning machines has been incorporated by the apparel industry to come up with right-sized customized clothing for different customers.

Initially, 3D technology was used only to envision designs. In the beginning, when the system was not evolved much, the envisioned designs on an avatar had hardly any connection to the actual built of the model. The technology was simply not advanced enough initially to assess the fit of the garment on the model. Nevertheless, today the 3D technology includes devices to encounter the challenges the apparel industry face. The economic advantages include fewer returns and it also helps in killing the competition. This technology is considered more practical today and several stores are using 3D technology to impress the customers and increase sales.

It is a fast, accurate and easy process. It includes a scanner and measurement extraction software. The scanner extracts hundreds of images of the individual and the software automatically extracts thousands of measurements. The consumers’ measurements are taken through the scanner digitally and a digital twin is created by the computer on the screen. Based on this image on the screen, the computer confines all the measurements that match almost with the consumers actual, individual measurements.

A 3D model is created by digitizing the surface of the individual. The scanner generates a number of 3D images of the consumer. Each image is a partial 3D model exhibiting a single view of the consumers’ structure. To create a 360-degree image of the consumer number of images are taken and all images are aligned in a proper format and one final 3D image is created. Once the image is created, the measurement extraction software installed in the computer takes hundreds of individual measurements from head to toe. This data is then forwarded to the manufacturer who uses his creativeness and creates the garment in a very short time with the exact measurements that match the consumer. This technology is suited for ready-to-wear clothes, close-fitted garments in sports or workouts, garments that need to be used for medical purposes, lingerie designs and for internet shopping.

The most superior 3D applications available in the market unite the patterns with particular fabric properties and stitching lines to imitate the fall of the fabric in reality. The 3D body scanning machines take into account the measurement as precisely as possible and then these measurements are used to accurately predict the ease and tightness of a garment. The fitting is re-checked via a 2D pattern-making machine and final alterations are made to the paper patterns. Without the 3D technology, the manual adjustments made to the paper patterns can be tedious. The modern 3D applications include mechanical functions designed to lessen recurring tasks and allow trained technical designers to adjust patterns in a matter of minutes.

Several international companies are undertaking efforts to verify complete size sets via 3D technology. It is unfeasible to check the sizes of all the garments manually, but 3D technology has solved this crisis. Without 3D technology, companies often simply check a pattern in a size. This does not always translate into a good fit across the board. Inspecting the patterns in all sizes is vital, as it has a direct bearing on the fit and quality of the garment, and consequently the consumer’s assessment of the brand. 3D technology offers a pragmatic, easily accessible solution to the historically arduous task of full-size range fit checking.

With 3D technology, the time required to manufacture the product has also been reduced. Proper communication between the designers, vendors, customers and manufacturers has resulted in a smooth sale process. Many designers are now at ease with this technology and find it convenient to make rapid design decisions on how a garment looks in different colours, with different sizes of motifs and logos, and in different fabrics.

Through computer-aided design (CAD) pattern-making, the companies can also reduce their carbon footprint. With some companies checking the complete size range of a garment virtually, fewer samples have to be cut and sewn. Reducing the millions of samples companies manufacture reduces the energy used for shipping and transport as well as the number of chemicals used for preparing, washing, drying, and treating fabric, and results in less waste from each operation in that process.

As the result of developments in computers, graphic technology and ease of use, 3D technology has benefitted a lot. Originally, the 3D technology required supercomputers, which were costly. Today, with the development of faster laptops the cost has reduced significantly. Graphic technology has improved a lot since the 1990s and now the vector-based technology and drawings are clearer. These drawings are even clearer than the handmade sketches of artists. Today, 3D technology is no longer confined to the field of engineering or science. The trends in the fashion industry change with a blink. It is required to employ 3D technology to come up with fresh designs within days or hours.

Types of 3D Body Scanning

Laser 3D Body Scanning

This technology consists of using laser rays to project into the human body. Light sensors capture the measurements. A laser beam scans the consumer’s body in a fraction of a second. It is contact-free and does not have any health hazards. The scanner uses low power microwaves to illuminate the human body. These waves easily penetrate the clothing and reach the person’s body. To avoid offensiveness of the light beam only eye-safe lasers are used. The computer software then analyzes the high-resolution pictures of the human body and decides the exact tailoring measurements for that individual. Within seconds, hundreds of measurements are taken from head to toe to create the exact 3D data. The scan takes hundreds of individual measurements, despite only a few will be used when tailoring the garment.

Procedure

Laser scanning technology consists of using lasers to project onto the human body one or more thin and sharp stripes. Simultaneously, light sensors acquire the scene and by applying simple geometrical rules the surface of the human body is measured. To assure the inoffensiveness of the light beam, only eye-safe lasers are used. Special optical systems and mirrors are used for the generation of stripes from a single laser light beam. The laser scanner unit, which is composed of the laser, the optical system and the light sensor, is moved across the human body to digitize the surface.

The type of movement and the number of employed units can vary depending on the human body part to be measured.

For example, the full-body scanner of Vitronic1 (Figure 5 left) consists of three scanner units that move vertically synchronously along three pillars.
A second example is the head scanner of Cyberware2 (Figure 5 centre). In this case, a unique scanner unit moves in a circle around the head of a person.
As the last example is shown the foot scanner of Vorum Research Corp.3: the scanner is composed of three units, which moves horizontally, two laterally and one from the bottom (Figure 5 right).

Disadvantages

The high costs for the production of hardware components for the laser scanning technology have to be considered a disadvantage.
Additionally to the laser, the light sensor and the optical system, also precise electric motors have to be used for the displacement of the scanner units. Moreover, the complete scanning system has to be calibrated so that the geometrical disposition of all the elements can be determined exactly.
Another disadvantage of this method is the time required for the digitization of large surfaces. There is no problem with the measurement of extremities like feet and hands since these body parts can be kept immobile for some seconds. But, in the case of the measurements of the head or full body, it is practically impossible to stay immobile for several seconds. Uncontrolled movements as breathing or muscle contraction can generate errors.

White-light 3D Body Scanning

This system uses a white light-based scanner and measurement extraction software. Hundreds of images are captured and automatically accurate measurements are extracted through the software.

A series of light fringes are projected into the individual whose measurements need to be taken. 3D information is acquired by analyzing the deformation that the projected light reflects after touching the consumer’s body. An integrated camera captures the series of images and exhibits the series of deformation in the reflected light. The projection and image formation takes only a few seconds. From these images the measurements of the surface of the object, that is the consumers’ measurements are obtained.

Instead of moving the scanner unit, a light pattern(usually in form of stripes) is projected onto the human body (Figure 6 left). A light sensor (e.g. a digital camera) acquires the scene.
The scanning device is composed usually of a pattern projector and a light sensor (Figure 6 centre). More complex systems use two or three light sensors. The measurement process is similar to the method of laser scanning: stripes on the surface are measured singularly by using triangulation.
Usually, binary coding systems (Figure 6 right) are used to determine the origin of the single stripes; for the increment of the resolution, the projected stripes are additionally shifted.

Different patterns are employed by the different manufactures. Figure 7 give some examples of possible variations of the Classic binary code.

What is the difference between white light body scanning and Laser scanning?

The white light body scanning method is superior to laser technology in a way that data capture happens in a very short time period and also digitization of the entire surface parts are made possible.

The major difference to laser scanning is that the acquisition happens in a very short time and that it results in the digitization of entire surface parts. Everything happens in a short time period (mostly under one second) so that human bodies can be digitized without problems: the uncontrolled movements of the person are not a problem.

However, the field of measurement of such scanning devices is limited, e.g. Capturor of InSpeck4 (Figure above) can measure surfaces with maximal size of half part of the human body (e.g. upper torso). To measure large parts of the human body (e.g. entire head, full-body) multiple scanning devices are required.

Disadvantages

This procedure has the disadvantage, that multiple units cannot be used simultaneously since they interfere with each other’s light patterns projections. Practically, this means, that multiple types of equipment have to be used serially. This implies again an extension of the acquisition time.

The disposition and the number of employed sensors and projectors can vary depending on the human body part to be measured. For example, the face scanner of Breuckmann5 (Figure 8 left) consists of one projector and two cameras that acquire both sides of the face of a person.
A second example is the face scanner of IVB Jena6 (Figure 8 centre). In this case, a mirror system is employed to project the light pattern from five directions by using a single projector; five cameras acquire the different scenes.
As the last example is shown the full-body scanner of InSpeck4 (Figure 8 right): the scanner is composed of three pillars, each having two units, each composed of a camera and a projector.

Combination of Modelling and Image Processing

In this process, 3D measurements are not used, but 2D images are used to extract and generate 3D information. Three images of the person, two from the front and one from the side in acquired, and measurements are calculated based on the body silhouette. They produced computer models that are very realistic. The big advantage of combining image processing and modelling techniques is that it is less expensive when compared to the other two ways of processing. Two examples are described to explain this technique:

The 2D full-body scanner Contour of Human-Solutions (Figure 9 left), the first example, three images of a person are acquired (two from the front and one from the side). By using the symmetry of the human body, the most important sizes of the body are computed with sufficient accuracy from the silhouettes of the body. The extracted body sizes are used, in this specific example, for the production of made-to-measure dresses.

The face modeller FaceGen of Singular Inversions8 (Figure 9 right), the second example shows the possibility to generate extremely realistic face models by using only two images of the person (from the front and from the side). The 3D computer model is generated manually with the help of user-friendly software tools. In this case, a real measurement of the human face is not performed. However, the produced 3D computer models are extremely photorealistic and completely adequate for applications as, for example, animation and computer games.

Other Active Sensors

In recent years, new technologies based on active sensors have been applied also for the measurement of the surface of the human body. A very interesting product resulted by applying cylindrical holographic imaging technology onto the human body, allowing to perform a whole-body scan while the person remains fully clothed.

In this case, the active sensor uses non-harmful, ultrahigh-frequency radio waves to obtain accurate body measurements. A millimetre-wave array/transceiver illuminates the human body with extremely low-powered millimetre waves. The radiation penetrates clothing and reflects off the body. The reflected signals are collected by the array/transceiver and analyzed by an image processing computer.

The company Intellifit Corporation translated this technology into a complete solution to extract 3D human body measurements for custom fit applications. Intelligent System (Fig. 10 left) is composed of the 3D scanner based on the millimetre-waves technology and the accompanying software. The scanning process works in the following way: a person steps inside the Intellifit cabin without undressing, the “L” shaped millimeter-waves transceiver swings around and over the person to acquire the required data. The entire scanning process lasts about 10 seconds and the collected data consists of about 200’000 points on the surface of the human body. Out of the measurements, automatic algorithms determine about 200 characteristic body sizes of the human body with an accuracy of about 6mm.
A second technology based on other active sensors is also exploited for the measurement of the external surface of the human body. In this case, 3D cameras employ special CMOS sensors where each pixel measures the distance to the imaged surface part. Different manufactures are present in the market.
3D camera of CSEM10

These cameras are based on the phase-measuring time-of-flight (TOF) principle. A light source (in this case, an array of emitting diodes) emits a near-infrared wavefront that is intensity-modulated. The light is reflected by the scene and imaged by an optical lens onto the dedicated 3D sensor. Depending on the distance of the target, the captured image is delayed in phase compared to the originally emitted light wave. Measuring the phase delay, the distances of the complete scene can be determined. The result of the acquisition is a depth map of the scene. The core of such cameras is the CMOS sensor.

In fact, the 3D measurement method based on TOF is integrated into the CMOS sensor. Each pixel of the sensor is constructed to measure the phase difference between the emitted light source and the captured returning light. The result is real-time 3D images of the recorded scene. The actual CMOS technology limits the sensor size to about 25K pixels. For this reason, to time, these sensors can be exploited only for few applications regarding the human body, as for example in security (surveillance) or automotive(recognition of pedestrians).

Digital Tape Measurements

As the last technology available for the digital measurement of the human body, has to be mentioned a simple but effective method: electronic tape measurement. The method combines classical human body measurement and digital technology. The measurement process is completely similar to classical tape measurement, where lengths are measured by a tape at different key-location of the human body(chest, waist, sleeve, etc.). The tape device records electronically the measured distances.

3D Body Scan Accuracy

The basic output of a 3D body scanner is a point cloud. A high-resolution scanner produces a more dense point cloud than a low-resolution scanner. High resolution is typically needed if the fingers have to be accurately represented, for instance, for individualized glove design.

3D whole-body scanners available on the market provide scanning accuracy of up to 5 mm according to the manufacturers, example:

VITUS scanners of up to 1 mm,
TC² of up to 3 mm, or Size Stream 3D body scanner of up to 5 mm.
Multiscanner systems (3dMD scanner) or hand-held scanners (Artec Group scanners)

The reported accuracy may be much better down to a fraction of a millimetre. Nevertheless, these numbers refer to the geometry size, fitting the small view area of such scanners. The actual accuracy of the final 3D scan of the body consisting of the multiple single frames that have to be brought into a common coordinate system and aligned is generally much better. The quality of such spatial alignment strongly depends on the abundance of the geometric features of the scanned object.

VITUS SCANNER

TC²SCANNER

ARTECSCANNER

Furthermore, the accuracy can be compromised when scanning dark or reflective surfaces or in adverse lighting conditions leading to higher scattering of the point cloud. Incomplete surfaces and scanning artefacts are also often the case especially when scanning complex geometries such as a human body. In narrow spaces such as armpits and crouch the body parts shade each other against the scanner beam, and consequently, prevent some surface area to be scanned. On one hand, this phenomenon can be prevented by setting a posture with legs and arms spread wider than in a standing straight posture, which should minimize body part shading.

Shape analysis

The point clouds can be converted to a 3D digital copy of a human with colour and shading effects often called an avatar. The points are connected to triangles (also called a mesh), and this mesh is often reduced to the most essential triangles to cover the information of the shape (Fig. 5àpoint cloud (left), triangulated mesh (middle), and Gouraud shaded (right) head scan.). This means the nose, for instance, has more triangles to cover the shape, than the forehead. These avatars are often used in software for virtual fitting.

Figure 5

Figure 6

The shape of the human head or body can be quantified using principal component analysis (PCA). Generally, the first principal component is related to stature, the second to weight/body mass, and the third is related to relative arm/leg length. However, also posture components may emerge from the PCA, for instance, the amount of lordosis in the back. (Fig.6à Model changes for a principal component related to body mass.)

Application of 3D Scanning in Apparel and Fashion Industry

Virtual Try-On

The so-called virtual-try-on solutions have gained importance in the last few years in different areas of the fashion industry. Virtual-try-on solutions simulate digitally the behavior of textiles onto the human body. In this way, they allow a virtual probe of cloth items onto digital human body models. 3D cloth simulation engines are employed to determine precisely how the cloth item will behave on the digital body model. The figure below shows an example of such solutions from Assyst-Bullmer.

The different parts of the textile defining a piece of cloth are described as 2D patterns (as is the case for usual CAD solutions employed in cloth manufacturing processes). For each part are specified all the required characteristics of textile, such as for example thickness or elasticity. The different parts are then placed in a 3D environment around a digital human body model and stitched together. The 3D cloth simulation engine will then determine the behaviour of the so formed cloth item over the human body model.

Various virtual-try-on solutions are available on the market. Modern and sophisticated solutions, as for example from OptiTexLtd Israel (Figure beside), allow to import of data from 3D scanning systems and simulate different poses of the human body model. Some of them allow additionally import motion information from previously recorded data. In this case, the behaviour of the textile is simulated dynamically.

In the case of virtual-try-on of eyewear, the benefits are manifolds for both customers and optical stores.

àFrom the point of view of the client: the unique high tech buying experience, the quick and easy way to select frames, the time saved on frame pre-selection, the possibility to share the frame selection with family and friends, the ability to see himself with new frames without lenses, the fast virtual try-on of new collections, and the private selection by Internet without obligation or embarrassment.

àFrom the point of view of the optical store: the augmented attractiveness of the store due to a unique purchasing experience, the reduced number of rejected frames due to accurate measurement, the saving on a stock by holding less frame inventory, the extended availability of a large collection of frames due to the virtual inventory, and the optician time saved by obtaining pre-selection of frames by the client.

Virtual makeover

Virtual makeover solutions deal with the virtual styling persons in the area of the face, by changing or adding virtually make-up, haircuts or accessories. The figures below show examples in hairdressing (by Stellure) and the Figures above show examples in accessorising (by Visionix). In both examples, the appeal of the human face is changed virtually by adding digitally to a digitized 3D human face, haircuts or glasses.

Size Surveying

Recently, human body size surveys have become a complete necessity.

All institutions and companies working on ergonomics are expecting information for practical immediate exploitation.

In fact, it had been realized that anthropometric data could improve the quality of product design and usability, workstation and workplace planning, and even labourer safety in certain environments. In the fashion industry, this information is used to tailor the size and shape of cloth items to the stature and body form of the actual population.

3D data required by size surveying: standard (legs, arms apart), standing and sitting postures, foot and hand.

National surveys have been initiated in the past in UK (SizeUK, 11’000 subjects scanned, 130 body measurements for each subject), in the USA (SizeUSA), but recently also in Sweden and in France. The standard posture used in all surveys features the legs and arms slightly apart of the human body, elbows and hand joints slightly bent. This allows an automatic determination of the important anthropometric measures of the human body (ISO7250). The most recent size surveys (Sweden and France) have added additional sitting and standing postures. New surveys launched in China also added the 3D measurement of hands and feet.

3D data required by size surveying: standard (legs, arms apart), standing different body sizes.

Anthropometric Mannequins

The anthropometric dummies represent exactly the conformations present in the population and assure that apparel collections are tailored to today’s customer stature and form. The figure below shows some examples of anthropometric mannequins. Different variations exist in the market regarding the form (fix mannequins, fully articulated), as well as regarding the employed materials. In some cases, special materials simulate the behaviour of soft tissue. 3D scanning technology can also be applied for the production of personalized mannequins. In this case, the anthropometric mannequin is built with regard to the measured sizes of a real person.

The most recent application of anthropometric mannequins resulted from the combination with virtual-try-on solutions. Virtual-try-on solutions are usually proposing fully parametrized general human body models, as for example from OptiTex(Figure below left). In this case, the user can modify the digital body model by changing different parameters. By introducing real anthropometric data, these models can be transformed into virtual anthropometric mannequins (Figure below right, from IFTH), offering the same advantages as the real anthropometric mannequins but in a virtual environment.

Made to Measure

Application of 3D Body Scanning in Retail and Visual Merchandizing

3D body scanning via AR/VR redefines the online and in-store experience. As brands increasingly deploy 3D scanning for virtual try-on, these kinds of smart garments will support greater personalization and the future of “augmented commerce.”

Augmented Reality (AR) Catalogue

Augmented reality is turning marketing materials into 3D experiences: Maggy London, for example, worked with Code & Craft to create an AR catalogue for mobile. Created using 3D scanning and Apple’s ARKit, users put a mobile phone up to items in the catalogue and could view them as realistic, virtual 3D products.

3D scanning and AR are also reinventing the fitting room at home and in-store
TopShop has used in-store AR mirrors so customers don’t need to get physically undressed to try on clothes, while Uniqlo’s Magic Mirrors (right) let customers see how apparel they try on in-store looks in different colour options.
Neiman Marcus has introduced similar technology in some of its stores, partnering with MemoMi Labs to install 58 of the company’s Digital Mirrors in 37 locations in 2017.

Neiman Marcus has expanded the technology footprint in its stores since then. In 2019, the company unveiled its first Manhattan location in Hudson Yards, and with it a vision of what a tech-enabled retail experience of the future might look like. Technological innovations featured in the 188,000 square-foot location include:

Over 60 screens that broadcast promotional messages and real-time content across the store
Memory Makeover mirrors that let shoppers record beauty demonstrations and makeup tutorials to be texted or emailed to them for future reference
A smart fitting room experience powered by AlertTech that allows customers to customize their lighting, communicate with store associates check out directly from the fitting room.
A voice-controlled customer service platform by Theatro that uses artificial intelligence to help optimize associates’ time on the floor.

In footwear, the AR-powered Converse Sampler app

It allows users to select any shoe from the Converse catalogue and see how it will look just by pointing their phone at their feet.

Virtual try-on is a piece of Amazon’s fashion plans, as well: a few months after its 2017 acquisition of 3D scanning startup Body Labs, the e-commerce giant applied for a patent for a “blended reality system” to create an AR mirror for at-home try-on. The patent was granted in January 2018. If commercialized, Amazon’s mirror invention could place users in virtual clothes and in virtual settings, allowing them to see what a dress would look like on the gala floor, or see a new swimsuit at the beach before completing a purchase.

Smart Leggins using 3D Body Scanning Technology

Thanks to 3D scanning technology, our clothes can even help us buy more clothes. For example, LikeAGlove has developed smart leggings that measure users’ figures and use the data to point them to specific styles and brands of pants that will fit them best.

Current Scenario of 3D Body Scanning

The ultimate goal of this technological innovation is to provide the customer with appropriate information and guide them in selecting the right apparel with a perfect fit. 3D scanning is still in its early stages of development, and its awareness among retailers and manufacturers as well as its application in the apparel industry is very minimal.

The cost involved in the process of body scanning is way too expensive to be utilized by consumers with an average income. This 3D process is not well integrated with the computer systems, thus making it seldom for the consumers to choose a design all by themselves. They have to rely on a professional designer to use the body data and alter the design pattern and create a customized garment that best fits the individual consumer. This again makes the body scanning process a complex matter and all the more expensive. Therefore a need for an affordable, and user-friendly body scanning system is required.

An important aspect of automation in garment manufacturing is related to the emerging 3D whole-body scanners in the market. 3D body scanners make a digital copy of the outside of the human body. This digital copy or body scan can be combined with clothing patterns to provide made-to-measure garments. The individually adapted digitized clothing patterns can be further processed, for instance, by automated grading and cutting.

This 3D body scanning technology may prove to be useful in reducing the number of returns in clothing webshops. There is currently a no good alternative for physically fitting garments in a retail store. Most webshops ask for the garment size, but the customer often has no cue on which size fits best, in particular, because of vanity sizing (a marketing tool used by several clothing manufacturers to adjust the size indicated in the garment to the desire of the customer). Several companies offer to send several clothing sizes to the customer so that they can be fitted at home, but this is an expensive and unsustainable method. Uploading the 3D scan data of the customer over the internet to the manufacturer or retailer may provide the opportunity of virtual fitting to determine the best fitting size or even to make made-to-measure garments. These options are currently investigated in the Dutch national project “fitting garments over the internet.

Conclusion

3D whole-body scanning enables the generation of an accurate digital copy of the outside of a human being for increasingly lower costs. The 3D scans can be imported into dedicated software that allows for the determination of the virtual fit of garments.

The face validity is good, but there is a need for more detailed validation of the models that are employed, in particular the simulation of material properties. The increased use of 3D scanners leads to large databases of different user populations. These databases can be employed to optimize sizing systems of garments so that a maximum part of the user population can find a fitting garment that comes in a minimal number of garment sizes.

Most 3D scanners are used in clothing settings to derive 1D body dimensions, such as hip circumference, so that manual measures become obsolete. However, it is good to realize that manual measures differ systematically from scan-derived measures and that the real potential of 3D scanners lies in the processing of human shapes. PCA offers a nice technique to evaluate the differences between humans in a certain population. Also, the principal components can be used in the design process.

Several organizations (ISO, NATO, IEEE) have started expert groups to establish standards on 3D body scanning and scan processing. These groups generally consist of a mixture of clothing scientists, IT experts, and anthropometrics. A realistic scenario for future clothing shopping may be that a customer uploads his/her 3D scan to the webshop of the retailer and gets a 3D view of the selected garment on his body. Tools may be available to change the design or materials according to customers’ desires. When satisfied, the customer may proceed to the payment section and receive a made-to-measure or selected garment at home.

References

https://www.fibre2fashion.com/industry-article/2980/a-glimpse-of-3-d-body-scanning-technology-in-the-apparel-industry
http://www.vitronic.com
http://www.cyberware.com
http://www.vorum.com
https://www.fibre2fashion.com/industry-article/7060/3d-body-scanners-virtual-trials-for-real-comfort
http://www.assyst-bullmer.com
http://www.optitex.com
http://www.stellure.com
https://www.verdict.co.uk/3d-body-scanning-fashion-future/
http://www.ifth.org
http://www.bodymetrics.com
https://www.cbinsights.com/research/fashion-tech-future-trends/

Aryan Rathore

Aryan Rathore is a fashion technology graduate with a strong foundation in textile and apparel production, spanning both theoretical knowledge and hands-on industry experience. He is driven by a deep commitment to innovation, imagination, and creative problem-solving—qualities that shape his approach to learning and execution.

His exposure to the textile value chain includes spinning, weaving, dyeing, finishing, inspection, and quality control, gained through professional training at leading organizations such as OCM Mills and Raymond. His academic journey is complemented by strategic project work in fashion retail and supply chain environments.

Aryan is also a published contributor, having authored numerous articles focused on textile processes, apparel manufacturing, and fashion technology—bringing clarity and insight to complex industry topics.

History of 3D Body Scanning