Body shape analysis using three-dimensional body scanning technology

by 1970- Simmons, Karla Kristin

SIMMONS, KARLA PEAVY. Body Shape Analysis Using Three-Dimensional Body Scanning Technology. (Under the direction of Dr. Cynthia L. Istook and Dr. Trevor Little, co-chairs.) Clothing fit is a major cause of frustration for consumers today. The current sizing systems for women in the US are based on a study that is over 6 decades old. The greater influence of ethnic diversity along with changes in lifestyles since the 1940s is making our bodies look differently. New technology is allowing the rapid and accurate ability to determine the true shape of human bodies through 3D body scanning. No attempts have been made to study body shapes and sizes using the 3D body scanner until this pilot study. A computer program was developed to derive a numerical difference in body measurements between those of the subjects and those defined by all current and past sizing standards demonstrating that the current sizing system is insufficient. Three methods were developed in the Best Fit software to ascertain the sufficiency of the standards: percentage difference, tolerance difference, and weighted tolerance difference. Even though the CS215-58 was the most chosen standard for the best fit in the percentage difference, 30% of the measures in that standard deviated more than 5% from the subject’s measurements. For the tolerance difference, the ASTM5586-95 was the most chosen standard and had an average of 14 measurements (out of 23) that were out-of-tolerance as compared to the subject’s measurements. For the weighted tolerance difference, the ASTM 5586-95 (women over 55) database was the most chosen. If each of the 23 measurements for a subject were out-of-tolerance to the most severe amount, then the subject would get a score of 69. This study had an average score of 20 for weighted tolerance. A new shape identification software was developed through the computer program of Visual Basic Pro called FFIT (Female Figure Identification Technique) for Apparel. Nine shape categories were identified: “hourglass”, “oval”, “triangle”, “inverted triangle”, “rectangle”, “spoon”, “diamond”, ”bottom hourglass”, and “top hourglass”. The bust, waist, hip, stomach, and abdomen circumferences were used in combination to describe each shape. The Bottom Hourglass was the shape identified most frequently (40%), followed by the Hourglass (21.6%), Spoon (17%), Rectangle (15.8%), Oval (3.6%), and Triangle (1.8%).