Virtual Fashion Technology

Virtual Product Presentation [VPP] is using the multi dimensional OptiTex system to create customized industrial patterns and market them directly to the public using the custom avatar imagery that was created in the product development process. [note: Second Life Fashion Designers - here's your chance to make your fashion garments a reality in the real world] VPP is a service bureau specializing in the development of patterns and virtual sampling.This company illustrates a perfect example of what is possible for a company using the OptiTex multi dimensional product development application.

Here is a link to a flash that illustrates how all virtual samples are “stitched” and draped in 3D from real 2D patterns. This animation is actually part of the pattern development process and can also be used for marketing and promotion of the product as is being done for promotion of industrial pattern development by VPP.
If you click on the 3D PatternMaking page and keep clicking “next” you will be able to see the following pattern development steps:

Step One:  you send them a sketch or a painting of the fashion item you would like developed along with body measurements.

Step Two: from this information they will create a 3D virtual mannequin form.

Step Three: they will make a 2D flat pattern and show you the pattern in 3D on your customized virtual mannequin form.

Step Four and Five: They will send you the illustration of how your 2D pattern drapes on to your customized 3D virtual mannequin form.

Step Six: When you receive the customized 3D virtual mannequin form with your garment – you give your comments and sketch any modifications and adjustments you would like to have completed on the pattern and return the form.

Step Seven [front], Step Eight [back]: VPP makes adjustments to the 2D flat pattern and sends you the 3D virtual mannequin form with the modified garment on it for your final approval.

Step Nine: Completed pattern is sent to you.

Garments are not the only product that can be created with the OptiTex multi dimensional product development application. Look at these images of handbags created at VPP…

Here is a link to another handbag. Are they totally amazing? Think about the premarketing possibilities by having the product images available instantly on a 360 degree rotation.

Speaking about having product images available instantly on a 360 degree rotation – this is a very cost cutting and quick response aspect of having an integrated multi dimensional product development application like OptiTex. The product images can be used to pre-market the product or can easily be used for customized try-on’s if the product is being retailed online via a personalized fashion avatar similar to what BrandMe is now offering.

The garments that are currently prepared for the personalized virtual model try-ons have to be photographed in a rotational views and the images need to be prepared by a graphic designer. Backgrounds have to be removed, this takes time and adds additional costs. These steps would be eliminated with an integrated multi dimensional product development application. One system could be used for product development and image/animation development for promotion, advertising and online marketing.

I wrote about this subject before in the Part II: MVM - 3D Virtual Product Development Workflow post.

Accordiong to Louise Guay (Founding President of My Virtual Model), it’s also all about simulation, visualization and prediction. A more cost effective workflow process will justify a return on the initial investment because right now it costs $300.00 to create 3D garments from an existing garment. It would be far more cost effective and easier to produce and justify if a 3D asset is created “before” the actual garment was produced instead if after as it primarily is currently created.

Once the real product is created it’s very difficult to justify it – but if you start with 3D at the beginning then you simulate – you visualize – and you anticipate its potential for sales at the collection level, you will effectively reduce costs. You would start by designing and developing your product virtually and then test the market with a virtual collection.

Here are some examples of VPP rotational views that are used to market a product but keep in mind – once the 2D pattern is in the system, full 360 rotational views are easy to generate.

VPP example one
VPP example two
VPP example three
VPP example four
VPP example five
VPP example six
VPP example seven

VPP also has a section on their company Web site that features the work of Young Designers. Here is a link to a page that will show you their profile, their collections and a slideshow of their virtual work.

This is the VPP Philosophy for Young Designers:

“With many years of experience in starting up and exploiting self-owned brands, as well as producing clothing lines for international brands, VPP’s founders now aim to put their experience into service for young designers.

VPP wants to invest in talent by (partially) realizing clothing lines as a virtual 3D portfolio. This as well as guiding young designers step by step on their way to the market/industry. By testing designs/ideas for industrial feasibility, meanwhile trying to preserve as much as possible from the initial design, the obstacles a young stylist encounters can be reduced to a minimum. With that, the threshold for possible financiers can be taken away.”

VPP is offers a free opportunity for young fashion designers. Virtual Product Presentation makes Virtual Collection’s  for Young designers to give them an opportunity to present themselves to the industry.

They create the 3D virtual customized 3D virtual mannequin form with the fashion garment to use for professional Web portfolio presentation. If the 2D flat pattern is requested for a sewing patterns to make the real sample, it is available for a cost.
If you are interested – send them your contact information.

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