A method for increasing 3D body scanning’s precision: Gryphon and consecutive scanning

Abstract

The fashion industry cannot use 3 D Body Scanning to create custom garment patterns because its measurements fail to meet ISO 20685:2010’s tolerances. To advance 3 D Body Scanning’s precision, we present Gryphon: an algorithm that removes the two most extreme measurements from five body scans; removing potentially erroneous data. We assess Gryphon’s precision against current industry practice, determine if consecutive and non-consecutive data capture influences precision, and determine 3 D Body Scanning’s inherent imprecision inherent. We analyse 97 participants over 121 industry-standard measurements for consecutive and non-consecutive data-capture through MANOVA statistical analysis. Under current industry practice, only one measurement meets ISO 20685. However, under Gryphon and consecutive scanning, 97.5% of measurements meet ISO 20685. We also prove that the body’s in-scan movement does not affect reliability. Ultimately, we offer the fashion industry, ergonomists, and practitioners an accessible method to increase 3 D Body Scanning’s precision at a level unavailable under previous methods.

Practitioner Summary: Ergonomists need precise data, yet we prove 0% of 3 D Body Scanning’s measurements meet ISO 20685’s tolerances. Our analysis of 97 participants scans, shows consecutive scanning is necessary to achieve data suitable for anthropometric applications. We develop the Gryphon process with consecutive scanning, making 97.3% of measurements meet ISO 20685.

Abbreviations: ISO: International Organisation for Standards; Three Dimensional: 3D; MANOVA: Multivariate analysis of variance

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• 3D body scanning
• precision
• measurement
• anthropometrics
• reliability

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 ISO 8559 and ISO 13402 are apparel specific so provide focus in this area. ISO 7250 neglects the Hip and has no way to understand significance of measurement in application as ISO 13402 allows with regard to sizing.

2 Bangladeshi, Pakistani, or Indian are currently captured together as ‘Asian’.

3 Unknown Waist-To-Height ratios occur due to necessary measurements only available on non-consecutively scanned participants.

4 Measurement importance to garment development is denoted through a subscript number following measurements referenced within this paper. A full list of measurements categorised by importance to garment development is provided within the Appendix.

5 To cite Gryphon in your work, please reference this paper.

6 Manual measurement’s precision is ANSUR’s tolerances (Gordon, Churchill, et al. 1989; Paquette, Gordon, and Bradtmiller 2009). Exceeding ANSUR is exceeding manual methods.

7 118 of 121 measurements required for garment development meet ANSUR’s tolerances