System and method of virtual modeling of thin materials

Abstract

A virtual model capable of simulating physical deformation of at least a portion of a product to be worn on a body. The portion comprises a thin, flexible material, wherein the model comprises a first zone of compression defining two major surfaces, wherein at least one of said major surfaces further comprises a zone of bending.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 550,479, filed Mar. 5, 2004 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 550,490 filed Mar. 5, 2004.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to three-dimensional computer-aided modeling and design of garments to be worn on a body. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Computer simulations of motion, e.g., using FEA, have long been used to model and predict the behavior of systems, particularly dynamic systems. Such systems utilize mathematical formulations to calculate structural volumes under various conditions based on fundamental physical properties. Various methods are known to convert a known physical object into a grid, or mesh, for performing finite element analysis, and various methods are known for calculating interfacial properties, such as stress and strain, at the intersection of two or more modeled physical objects. [0004] Use of computer s...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Such systems typically rely on geometry considerations, and do not take into account basic physical laws.

However, this patent does not provide any disclosure directed to specific product features and how they can be modeled.

The problem remains, therefore, how to model fit of a specific garment features in a virtual environment.

The problem is complicated more when two deformable surfaces are interacted, such as when a soft, deformable garment is in contact with soft, deformable skin.

Finally, there remains a need for a system or method capable of modeling soft, deformable garment features, particularly while worn on a soft deformable body under dynamic conditions that is not overly computer-time intensive; that is, it does not require such time and computing capability as to make it effectively un-usable for routine design tasks.

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