An Overview of Modeling Yarn’s 3D Geometric Configuration

Modeling the 3D geometric configuration of yarn is the base of building the 3D fabric structure. The surfaces of the yarns are modeled by many facets. To improve the efficiency of modeling, 3D yarn is usually designed by Bezier curve, spline curve or B-spline curve on the principle of Computer Graphics. The paper reviews different 3D modeling methods for single yarn from the view of cross-section and central line. Some improvements for a better visual effect such as inserting twist and hairiness are illustrated as well. Based on the single yarn, the folded yarn and some fancy yarns can also be modeled in 3D space as long as the cross-sections of the control sections of the component single yarn are determined. Applications of the various 3D yarns are demonstrated. The advantages and the drawbacks of various methods are explained and compared as well. Comparatively speaking, modeling technology based on spline curve is more convenient and flexible, perhaps it is the most popular tool since it is capable of designing different kinds of yarns mentioned above and gets the maximum support from the different developing platforms such as OpenGL, 3DS-MAX, Solid Works CAD, etc.