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The Virtual and Digital World of Textiles and Apparel

Cynthia L. Istook, Ph.D., Associate Professor

This issue of JTATM focuses on the newer technologies to impact the textile and apparel industries, namely virtual and digital technologies. The influence of these technologies can be felt at every level of the supply chain, from concept to the consumer. Fibers, yarns, fabrics, and products can be digitally created, visualized and analyzed virtually, and production decisions made, without ever turning on any machine other than a computer.

Lisa Parrillo-Chapman (left), Lecturer;
Cindy Istook (center), Associate Professor;
Traci May-Plumlee (right), Assistant Professor

The tremendous upheaval that has occurred throughout the textile complex has forced us to scramble for newer or better ways to conduct business. Since every aspect of our industry ultimately has some impact on the consumer, we have come to realize that we must find ways to serve them at least as well, if not better, than foreign competition can. What is our differential advantage? Proximity to the marketplace….. This allows us to hear what the customer wants and respond to it quickly, if we have the procedures in place to do so.

Optitex 2-D to 3-D visualization technology.

A wide variety of virtual and digital technologies have been developed to enable speed to the marketplace. Some of these technologies allow product to be designed and communicated in a digital format up to the point of product prototype, reducing the product development cycle by months and the man-hours by thousands. Other digital technologies enable faster product design by reducing the amount of effort required to visualize the new product. And still other digital technologies allow quick customization of products that will better meet the needs of consumers.

D-Three 3-D to 2-D design technology.

Three-dimensional body scanning enables the capture, management, and communication of consumer body measurement data. CAD systems allow the design of product in 1D or 3D digital formats for design, visualization, and evaluation of products. Digital Printing technologies support the rapid development of prototype product, as well as customized product. Three-dimensional technologies enable visualization of a textile product as it might actually be used, incorporating the “drape” of the textile substrate and the “fit” of the product as it is shaped around a “body” (human or otherwise).

Optitex Runway Designer. The figure on the left demonstrates a garment that fits well; the one on the right demonstrates the need for a larger size garment.

While some of these technologies are still in developmental stages, their ultimate potential benefit to the industry is limitless. Many have already impacted the industry by increasing our speed to the marketplace, as well as reducing product development costs significantly. North Carolina State University and the College of Textiles have worked in every area impacted by virtual and digital technologies, and will continue to do so, until potential no longer exists. We are committed to the research and development of products and procedures that will enable the textile complex to remain competitive in a volatile marketplace. This includes sharing our knowledge with industry so that new technologies can be used most effectively.