This paper describes a retrieval system of an apparel material database by CID (Composite Impression Degree), composed of several kinds of impression degree of textile material. One property of textile materials is expressed in Japanese using the term ‘Fuai’1 in Japan. However because ‘Fuai’ is expressed by specialized term, its meaning cannot be understood, except by textile experts. A retrieval interface for an apparel material database system has therefore been designed with retrieval words that have been selected from impression terms used in daily life, so that it is possible to retrieve a target material using neither a technical term nor a term like ‘Fuai’.
The attribute data of the database include the results of expert evaluations of the materials using the impression terms. Therefore the retrieval engine is able to search the database for the user's target material using CID calculated from the results of the evaluation. On the other hand, since each CID has been estimated by a linear model composed of some of the material’s components, the system administrator has come to be able to mechanically update the apparel material database.
To examine the utility of the retrieval algorithm, the prototype system, which retrieved a database in which data on 1,300 kinds of material were recorded, was evaluated. As a result, its utility was confirmed.
