Laser-Cut ArcSin Dress Is Wearable Math

Using sewing simulation, 3D modeling and laser-cutting [Nancy Yi Liang] makes custom dresses that fit like a glove. Her project documentation walks us through all the steps from the first sketch to the final garment.

After sketching the design on paper, the design process moves into the digital domain, where an accurate 3D model of the wearer is required. [Nancy] created hers with Make Human, a free software that creates to-size avatars of humans from tape-measured parameters. Using the professional garment modeling software MarvelousDesigner (which offers a 30 day trial version), she then created the actual layout. The software allows her to design the cutting patterns, and then also drapes the fabric around the human model in a 3D garment simulation to check the fit. The result are the cutting patterns and a 3D model of the garment.

Through creative use of the online graph calculator Desmos, [Nancy] put together a mathematical design-pattern from inverse sinus functions, which she later mapped onto the previously exported 3D garment model in Blender. With everything aligned nicely, the cutting patterns could be prepared for laser-cutting in Inkscape. She got the shapes laser-cut from black and white fabric in her local makerspace, and after sewing the pieces together, [Nancy] could try on her creation. It’s great to see digital manufacturing techniques being used creatively in garment manufacturing. Check out the video below, where she presents her ArcSin dress!

Thanks to [Simon] for the tip!

25 thoughts on “Laser-Cut ArcSin Dress Is Wearable Math

      1. Hi, I’m the designer of the dress. There’s quite a few bespoke men’s shirt companies, not so many for women. Designing for women is harder and the styles are more varied, so I understand why.

  1. There is a researcher at NASA (sorry I can’t remember her name at the moment) who actually did do all the maths for close fitting space suits to ensure they were not going to restrict moment.

    1. Thanks! I think my next project might be a shirt. Still made for women though. You can make your own! I just started sewing not so long ago, and most of the software I used are free.

  2. Fit like a glove, huh? Didn’t it just get discussed here lately, about spun clothing.
    Hang, it’s a woman’s garment, not underwear. Seems that there is an additional layer of modeling to get the flow and grace of good design, not stiff ‘3D’ graphics. Go for it.

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