From early virtual garment simulation to interactive fashion design

Virtual garment design and simulation involves a combination of a large range of techniques, involving mechanical simulation, collision detection, and user interface techniques for creating garments. Here, we perform an extensive review of the evolution of these techniques made in the last decade to bring virtual garments to the reach of computer applications not only aimed at graphics, but also at CAD techniques for the garment industry. As a result of the advances in the developments of virtual garment simulation technologies, we then detail a framework which fits the needs of the garment industry of virtual garment design and prototyping, concentrating on interactive design, simulation and visualization features. The framework integrates innovative tools aimed towards efficiency and quality in the process of garment design and prototyping, taking advantage of state-of-the-art algorithms from the field of mechanical simulation, animation and rendering. q 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.