3D Body Scanning

The COVID-19 pandemic has paused all our lives. Everything around seems to be on hold, but
we can’t stop living. No matter what, the show must go on. All thanks to the online stores that
helped us during the lockdown. With online stores for almost everything 
While people are unable to visit showrooms, they are purchasing their dresses online. Indeed, it
is an excellent solution to the problem, but it is hard to say if the clothes they have ordered will
fit them right. If it doesn’t, then they have to follow the return process which is again a lengthy
process as the customers have to wait for their proper fitted dress. 
On the other side, the return process is also costly for retailers as it includes labor, shipping, and
inventory expenses. Consumers are 50% more likely to return their online purchases due to
incorrect fitting. To eliminate these issues, body-scanning technology has come into existence.  

1. Introduction

3D body scanning was introduced almost 30 years ago and was firstly introduced in the movie
Terminator 2 in 1991 when only computer graphics were not acceptable and there was a need
for reality.

What is 3D Body Scanning Technology?  

The body scanning technique uses infrared depth sensing and imaging technology to generate a
silhouette of the body shape and an extensive list of body measurements. The generated data
can be used for pattern creation, garment draping simulation, and 3D body tracking. With this
technique, consumers can upload their size metrics and find clothes that fit them perfectly.  
The potential impact of 3D body scanners is way beyond just the shopping experience. If there
is widespread adoption of 3D body scanning technology, then there will be a massive shift in the
global apparel market as well. The apparel market will move heavily online, generate increased
revenue and margins for online retailers.  

2. Development of 3D Body Scanning Technology

In the apparel industry, fit is given utmost importance. And this was recognized when a team of
astronauts had to cancel their spacewalk planned by NASA as a woman could not find a perfect
fit spacesuit. Hence, change in movements of body especially during special missions in
spacesuits, military clothing, sportswear and firefighter clothing have extreme postures and fit
matters a lot in this condition. Because of this, it is the sole job of the designer to also add
movement data into patterns while designing performance garments. And that is why
measurements are considered as fundamentals for clothing producers as well as buyers.
2.1 First 3D Scanner:
The earliest scanner was developed by CAESAR (Civilian American & European Surface
Anthropometry Research Project). It was a very complex scanner weighing about 450kg and
costing around US$350,000. This scanner is considered as complex as it took various scans for
lighting scheme, coloring scheme, landmark detection scheme, and many more and it took
about a week to collaborate all the scans together and get the final scan.
2.2 Portable Scanner:
Somewhere around 2000 a German based company ViaLux Germany produced BodyLux
Scanner which was portable and comparatively cheaper. It is a combination of Micromirror
projection and phase encoded photography. And one of the major advantages over complex
scanners was it almost took 50 sec to give the final output scans and also doesn’t require special
clothing. And also it was beneficial as it only weighs somewhere around 35kg and costs upto
US$22,000. Also, it helped in calculations related to tailoring.

2.3 Further Development

Further development in 3D body scanners was brought up by Artec3D ( hand held scanners ).
With Booth type (static) scanners, sometimes it was difficult to measure parts especially
for pressure garments. So it helped in measuring different body parts for Pressure garments.
But these types of scanners are still new in the market.Major disadvantage of both booth types
as well as handheld scanners is that they require professionals and scanning is carried out at
certain controlled conditions. MirrorSize.com has a free download app which gives a 3D avatar
in seconds and it can be used for virtual try-on. Hence, there are a lot of low cost consumer
devices like webcams, mobile phones which can be used to scan the body and create a 3D
avatar of yourself.

Now further attempts have been made to scan the body without using scanning devices. In one
of the recent research papers by Molyboga and Makeev (2018) , they tried using 2D content of a
human body from a single image of clothed persons. After applying filters and detectors to
selected body parts of 2D contours, the 3D model is subsequently generated and gives out the
measurements.

3. Types of 3D Body Scanning:

3D body scanning can be carried out in basic three ways:

1. Light based System

a. Shadow Scanning
b. White Light Scanning System
c. Light Emitting Diodes

2. Laser based System

3. Microwave based System

3.1.a Shadow Scanning System-

Companies- LASS (Loughborough Anthropometric Shadow Scanning), SYMCAD by Telemat

Advantage: there is no effect due to skin color. It only requires a Camera, desk-lamp, pencil and
a board with a grid. There is a screen faced by a camera illuminated by a halogen desk lamp. It
can be turned 360°and also has an automated computerized 3D measurement system based on
a triangulation system.

3.1.b White Light Scanning System

Companies– (TC)², Wicks and Wilson Limited.

It has a CCD which is linked to a computer which detects the body and deformed light strip is
formed. An output is given from each view and has to be collaborated together to get the final
output. Each view is combined with the exact view of another for exact orientation while
collaborating. Final output is generated after processing it with filtering, smoothing,
compressing, etc.

3.1.c Light Emitting Diodes

Companies– Hamamatsu

In this process, light is reflected from one object and collected in a detector lens. It uses
InfraRed Light Emitting Diodes to obtain data. It gives the widest dispersion of the measurement
values and thus larger circumference measurements can also be produced using the method.

3.2. Laser Based System

Companies– CyberWare, Human Solution, Vitronic, etc.

In this system various scan heads are placed and there is projection of laser lights on the body.
And these projections are reflected into cameras located in scan heads. One of the advantages
of this system is that it gives color coded landmarks for data extraction by using RGB color
values. It is also called a Non contact optical laser scanning system. It is highly versatile and
manufactured as a portable tool for accurate scientific application. Among all of the above
companies, Vitrus by Vitronic was the most advanced which automatically calculated body
dimensions.

3.3 Microwave Based Study

Companies– Intellifit

It was developed by Pacific Northwest National Lab for the US Department of Energy for various
materials and it was also tried for apparel and was found out to be successful. It rotates in 360°
and gives the final output in less than 10 seconds and results in a high resolution 3D image and
hence considered as one of the advanced systems from all of the above.
4. Advantages of 3D Body Scanning Technology

a. Speed– Scanning is much faster than that of the traditional measurement tapes.
b. Accurate– As there is a reduction in many body movements, there are less chances
of error and hence more accurate than that of traditional one.
c. Ease to tailor– Tailor can easily extract any measurement as there are infinite no. of
measurements available and at any time.
d. Ease to consumer– In future, it will be very easy for consumers to produce
custom-fit garments once they have all their measurements after scanning.

Benefits of 3D Body Scanning technology 

● Buying more and returning less 
3D body scanners ease online shopping for consumers who look for perfect fit dressing. The
machines in the technology will accurately display how the clothes will fit the consumer’s body
and will also predict wrong sizes. Hence, the consumer will have positive feedback about the
retailer and will have a successful shopping experience. The data collected will also help the
designers to figure out how the wearer’s body looks.  
● Consumers will have a positive attitude towards their body image 
Finding a dress that fits perfectly can make anyone’s day. With better-fitted clothing, the
consumer will become a more confident person. With 3D body scanners, consumers will not
only get perfectly fitted clothes but also help them purchase clothes online that will look good
on them. Hence, these body scanners will help them to feel more positive about themselves.  
● Positive impact on the environment 
When consumers return their ill-fitted clothes, it accounts for 5 billion pounds of waste every
year. But, with fashion 3D integration, people can see what clothes will look better on them and
then but it. Trying before buying will significantly reduce the number of returns and in turn,
reduce the amount of waste generated.  

5. Disadvantages of 3D Body Scanning Technology

a. Obstruction– Hair can obstruct the measurements of the neck and shoulder. And
different reflections can be produced due to differences in hair color.
b. Effect due to apparels– Reflections may vary due to apparels’ fol. But this is not a
disadvantage in Microwave system. There is no effect due to apparel in such
systems.
c. Invisibility of parts– Many parts are not visible by vision devices such as top of the
shoulder, top of neck, crotch, etc.
d. Cost– More sophisticated the system, the more cost is. Hence this system are more
costly than manual measurements system
e. This system requires physical landmarks or pre-marked landmarks.

6. Application in Apparel
6.1. Anthropometric size surveys-
For various size surveys to avoid errors, data is gathered using such technologies. Examples of
such surveys are CAESAR (Civilian American & European Surface Anthropometry Research
Project), SizeUK, SizeUSA, Sizekorea, SizeMexico and many more.

National Sizing Survey of India/INDIAsize project | NIFT

The Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India has sanctioned INDIAsize project to develop standard
body sizes for Indian apparel sector to address the prevailing disparities and inconsistencies in
provided fits. The project will entail gathering anthropometric data pan India from more than
25000 (Twenty-Five Thousand) male and female persons between the age group of 15 years and
65 years using human safe 3D whole body scanning technology. The created body size chart will
help national and international retailers and manufacturers to produce goods which are best
suited for Indian body types and create a balance between demand and supply of well fitted
garments.
Apart from apparel, the findings of the study will have ramifications across various sectors such
as automotive, aerospace, fitness & sport, art, computer gaming, etc. where the insights from
this data can produce ergonomically designed products which are well suited for the Indian
population.

6.2. Mass customization strategies-

Some of the strategies to target audience, attract customers and earn profit were made using
such technologies. Some of the examples are

a. Levi Strauss- It provided customers an opportunity to be scanned and have a pair of

jeans made. (Lajoie,1999)
b. LANDS’ END- It introduced MY VIRTUAL MODEL TOUR 2000- world’s first scanning
truck. It gave opportunity to scan themselves and get accurate measurements and
shop custom fit garments from LANDS’ END catalog (Bobbin, 2001)
6.3. Custom clothing
3D body scanning is the ideal way to upgrade and modernize custom clothing creation.

● Accurate measurements – Automated processes put an end to human errors, while at

the same time multiplying the amount of available data.
● No need for multiple fittings – With more accuracy and more data, the odds of requiring
more changes are highly reduced.
● Faster process – As measurements are done in only 3 seconds, your customers don’t
need to wait for tailors to manually measure their body figures.

6.4. Ready-to-wear apparel

Standardization has never been so customized.

● Healthier production forecasting – By utilizing body shape data about target consumers,
you can enhance size grading and adapt your production accordingly.
● Reduce return rates – With better standard sizes, return rates due to misfits can be
decreased.
● Worry-free online shopping – Customers that know their exact size will be more likely to
shop online without having to order several sizes and returning what doesn’t fit.
6.5. Retail and e-commerce
Existing clothing and sizes can be integrated into the Scanatic™ SizeRec Service.

● Optimal recommendations – Your shoppers will receive intelligent, personalized product

recommendations based on their body shape and size.
● LiveAvatar engine – 3D body scans can be turned into advanced, rigged avatars that
users can move around and put in different poses for more realism.
● Interactive shopping and virtual fittings – Customers can try clothes on without the
hassle thanks to their 3D avatar. It’s also possible to add a 3D product configuration.
6.3. Fit and shape evaluation
Many sizing systems have been developed to provide suggestions to improve the apparel
companies for fit. Various studies like mass customization business process, 3D scanning, fit
preferences according to the body shape, measurement data are being carried out.

Not only advancement in sizing and fit but also contributed to developing related technology
like FFIT (Female Figure Identification Technique) software. This software uses body scan
measurement data to classify nine distinct body shapes (Hourglass, Bottom Hourglass, Top
hourglass, Spoon, Rectangle, Diamond, Oval, Triangle and Inverted Triangle) using only six
measurements (bust, waist, hip, high hip, stomach and abdomen). Including men in shape
classification and complicated 3D shape definitions are some of the research being done yet.
(Simmons, 2002)

Also conversion of 3D patterns into 2D pattern development is a TC² software launched in 2004.
Automatic conversion of 3D garments into 2D patterns and can be imported to CAD systems in
the format Drawing Interchange File (DXB).

6.4. Virtual modeling and online fit analysis

Once the body is scanned, a 3D avatar can be developed enabling visualization using various
softwares like Optitex, PAD, Browwear, Tukatech, etc. And on these avatars 2D patterns can be
set which demonstrate the drape of fabric. Virtual try-on is quite advanced nowadays and
appears where the garment won’t fit. Though there is a lot of advancement in virtual tryon but
physical testing sessions have more value than that of the created avatar.

Future of 3D Body Scanners 

Levi Strauss CEO Chip Bergh said at the CNBC Evolve that, 

“Sizes will go out the window 10 years from now. Everyone can do their own body scan on a
camera.”

Laser technology will play a prominent role in custom sizing and orders. The laser will help to
manufacture jeans at distribution centers rather than the centralized manufacturing
facilities. Hence, easing the process of custom orders. The laser technology in the 3D body
scanning will transform the supply chain over time as it is possible to push the finishing pair of
jeans closer to the market. 

Integration & Integrity

Excellent products and high-quality technologies really can and should transform the existing
retail industry, which at this point:

● Avoids changing the customer journey at their stores like a plague. The “century-old”
established process should not be changed in any way, the retailers believe.
● In the majority of cases, the industry forbids and denies introduction of body
scanning, as it supposedly takes too much of the customer’s precious time — retail
considers body scanning an obscure and “complicated” process (just remember the
difficulties in making a transition to full-scale OMNI-channel communication).
● Today, 22 retail chains are on the verge of bankruptcy. Several fashion companies
went bankrupt last year. I forecast, that dozens of others will succumb in the next five
to seven years. Stagnation, crisis management and optimization are close to
incompatible with pivots and radical innovations. Think about ‘The Innovator’s
Dilemma’.

● The complexity of the supply chain and global retail chain organization complicates
the bottom-up data operations to such an extent that the majority of manufacturers
proceed practically by touch, relying on the weighted average size stats, sales and
return figures. For this reason, the talk of wide-spread use of customers’ virtual
scanning data is, if not wrong, then at least premature.
● The retail industry doesn’t know the sizes of its garments. Even relying on size charts
based on the item’s 4-6 basic parameters, the chain has to deal with the garments
 that were shipped, and which are often distorted in the process of low-quality
production.
But based on these factors, we could speculate that the promise of using body scanning
technologies is relevant today for the e-commerce and data providers, but not for the
brick-and-mortar retailers.

Traditional vs Digital Fashion

It’s no secret that any technology seeks to get the business of large companies. And so there’s
no wonder that even body scanning technology, which is excessively complicated for the current
business processes, is still being targeted to the global traditional fashion companies.

Nonetheless, the problems with these companies’ level of flexibility, and the demands raised by
such technology speak to the contrary. The immediate future of fashion belongs to the nimble
fashion startups that are capable of adopting technologies day-to-day, not year-to-year.

In fact, fast fashion is being replaced by the new era, characterized by

changing consumption models, changes in the chain of foundational business processes
and changes in the balance of quantity and quality (and not just the fabrics and fabrication).

Accordingly, it would be wrong to speak of the renewal of traditional retail or traditional mass
production’s renewal through 3D body scanning, because we are currently seeing the birth of a
new fashion business, where traditional retail will have no seat at the table. After a thousand
years of “traditional” approach, it might be time for it to retire.
Final Word 
As we know 3D body scanning was developed almost 30 years ago and over the time it has
developed and found its way in many industries.3D body scanners inculcate positive changes in
the fashion industry. With 3D technology, the apparel industry can develop new tools to design
various types of apparel with perfect fitting. Brands are now realizing the true value of 3D
technology with the invention of solutions, tools, and services. The fashion industry workflows
will also change faster over the coming months and years. While there are these advantages of
3D Body Scan Technology, there is also a risk involved with it. It is the risk of privacy that is
compromised and with the help of technology, we can make it a critical factor to safeguard the
consumer’s personal information.