Computer simulation of plain woven fabric appearance from yarn photographs

TLDR

Plain woven fabric simulation can be performed using raster graphics methods. The study proposes a method to simulate plain woven fabric appearance from still‑camera photographs of yarns and provides a yarn‑shape model for the fabric structure. The method models yarns as flattened, crimped cylinders by transforming circular cross‑sections to ellipses and fitting elastica curves, then resizes processed yarn images according to these mathematical models for simulation. The method can be applied in the textile industry for design and quality control.

Abstract

This article proposes a method for simulating plain woven fabric appearance based on photographs taken by still camera of actual yarns along their lengths. The survey mathematically models the transformation of yarns from a straight circular cylinder to a flattened and crimped form in the fabric structure. The simulation is performed by yarn images that are obtained by image processing techniques and resized according to mathematical models developed by means of the software prepared. Transforming circular yarn cross-section to elliptical one for simulating yarn flattening and modelling the crimped shape of yarn by an elastica curve are both convenient and realistic. The simulation of plain woven fabric can be performed by a method based on raster graphics. This article provides a model for yarn shape in fabric structure as well as a method for simulating plain woven fabric appearance. This method may be used in textile industry for design and quality control.