The concept of virtual measurement: 3D fabric drapeability

This paper discusses the concept of virtual measurement in textiles and describes the development of a virtual 3D fabric drape measurement system. In this system, a physical based model is used to predict the draping performance, static and dynamic drape of a given fabric sample. Fabric mechanical properties are used for simulating the virtual 3D shape of the fabric samples, which produce a time‐variable deformation of the virtual fabric drape. The 3D fabric drape can be observed under any view angle. An algorithm is developed, applied and integrated into the system for carrying out virtual fabric drape measurements in order to evaluate the drapeability of a given fabric. Important fabric aesthetic attributes such as number of fabric folds, fold variation and depth of fold are presented and implemented together with the drape co‐efficient.