A novel apparel surface flattening algorithm

Purpose In the trend of individuation and customization, more rapid and flexible clothing pattern production systems are required. Many studies about the system have been done into producing paper pattern automatically for sewing. The purpose of this paper is to propose a novel three‐dimensional intelligent pattern‐making algorithm. Design/methodology/approach Body features are referenced for crack designing, the concept of functional dividing is proposed on the triangled upper body surface based on Gauss Curvature. A new surface flattening algorithm based on body features (SFABF) is put forward. Robert Hooke Law and Young's modulus are referenced for energy model (EMRY) setting up to define and calculate the edge length variation of triangle. Basing on EMRY, another optimizing surface flattening algorithm (OSFA) is designed to optimize SFABF so as to minimize the accumulated energy. Findings Shape variation accumulation of flattened pattern can be reduced a lot when the cracks are distributed along functional dividing lines. The points with the largest Gauss Curvature as Bust Point have played a great role in shape variation reduction. Because of textiles' flexibility shape variation need not be reduced to zero. Comparing with the related methods this research is more practical. Originality/value To this study, SFABF and OSFA are novel methods to improve practicality. The proposed concept of functional dividing is value to the shape variation reduction from surface flattening.