GarmentCode: Programming Parametric Sewing Patterns

• Published in: ACM transactions on graphics 2023-12, Vol.42 (6), p.1-15, Article 199
• Main Authors: Korosteleva, Maria, Sorkine-Hornung, Olga
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied computing; Artificial intelligence; Arts and humanities; Computer graphics; Computer vision; Computer vision problems; Computer vision representations; Computing methodologies; Graphics file formats; Graphics systems and interfaces; Media arts; Parametric curve and surface models; Shape inference; Shape modeling; Shape representations
• ISSN: 0730-0301; 1557-7368
• DOI: 10.1145/3618351

Garment modeling is an essential task of the global apparel industry and a core part of digital human modeling. Realistic representation of garments with valid sewing patterns is key to their accurate digital simulation and eventual fabrication. However, little-to-no computational tools provide support for bridging the gap between high-level construction goals and low-level editing of pattern geometry, e.g., combining or switching garment elements, semantic editing, or design exploration that maintains the validity of a sewing pattern. We suggest the first DSL for garment modeling - GarmentCode - that applies principles of object-oriented programming to garment construction and allows designing sewing patterns in a hierarchical, component-oriented manner. The programming-based paradigm naturally provides unique advantages of component abstraction, algorithmic manipulation, and free-form design parametrization. We additionally support the construction process by automating typical low-level tasks like placing a dart at a desired location. In our prototype garment configurator, users can manipulate meaningful design parameters and body measurements, while the construction of pattern geometry is handled by garment programs implemented with GarmentCode. Our configurator enables the free exploration of rich design spaces and the creation of garments using interchangeable, parameterized components. We showcase our approach by producing a variety of garment designs and retargeting them to different body shapes using our configurator. The library and garment configurator are available at https://github.com/maria-korosteleva/GarmentCode.