The present invention in general relates to fashion photography; and in particular, to an automatic adjustable mannequin with contours based on the dimensions of the subject wearing the fashion being photographed.
Computer-generated imagery (CGI) is the application of computer graphics to create or contribute to images in art, printed media, video games, films, television programs, shorts, commercials, videos, and simulators. The visual scenes may be dynamic or static and may be two-dimensional (2D), though the term “CGI” is most commonly used to refer to three-dimensional (3D) computer graphics used for creating scenes or special effects in films and television.
An example of the use of CGI is the introduction realistic looking cars into real world live action scenes.
A common technique employed by the retail and fashion industries is to retouch or place items of clothing on existing model photography. However, this technique has varying degrees of success because the newly photographed cloths do not hang the same on a body-form, mannequin, or stand in model. These differences in how the fabric drapes make the final composite not visually believable. A company called Splashlight, LLC has created a set of “master” model images that all work with the same body-form mannequin. In the process used by Splashlight clothes are photographed on a body-form as shown in
Thus, there continues to be need for improved techniques for generating fashion photographs.
An automated adjustable mannequin is provided. The automated adjustable mannequin includes a body with a torso, a set of adjustment dials that adjust contours, measurements, and dimensions of the body; and a set of servo motors for automatic adjustment of the set of adjustment dials that are driven by three dimensional (3D) data.
A system for fashion photography is provided. The system includes an automated adjustable mannequin as described above, a photographic stage or photographic booth that generates three dimensional (3D) data of a subject, and a computer with a storage medium.
A process is provided for producing computer generated fashion model clothing displays. The process includes obtaining three dimensional (3D) body scan data of a live subject, and providing the 3D body scan data to an automated adjustable mannequin as described above. Subsequently, articles of clothing are photographed on the adjusted mannequin, and the photographed articles of clothing are combined with images of the live subject using computer generated imagery.
The subject matter that is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
The present invention has utility as an automated adjustable mannequin that may be used as a platform for producing computer generated fashion model clothing displays. The clothing displays may be static photographs or video. Embodiments of the inventive mannequin combine manually adjustable dress forms currently used by seamstresses and clothing designers with three dimensional scanning and photographic technologies. In a specific inventive embodiment, actual body scan data of a living model may be used to automatically adjust the shape or contours of a dress form in real time to match the size and dimensions of a previously photographed model. In a specific inventive embodiment automated adjustments to the mannequin may be made at a rate of one frame at a time or 30 frames per second, where the body-form adapts to changes in the underlying model's movements.
It is to be understood that in instances where a range of values are provided herein, that the range is intended to encompass not only the end point values of the range, but also intermediate values of the range as explicitly being included within the range and varying by the last significant figure of the range. By way of example, a recited range of from 1 to 4 is intended to include 1-2, 1-3, 2-4, 3-4, and 1-4.
Referring now to the figures,
Because of the limited amount of adjustability of the “cyvatar” the original 3D capture data of the model is not required to be high resolution. Keeping capture resolution just slightly higher than the resolution of the form can be adjusted to allow for very fast processing of the photogrammetry. This opens up a very large selection of original model shots as the time/cost of processing into a body-form isn't an issue.
In a specific inventive embodiment, a seamstress or tailor may keep dimensional profiles of clients on file in order to make custom fit clothing for their clients. For example, a unique identification number may be assigned to each client that may be entered into a controlling device or computer to reconfigure the automated adjustable mannequin to fit the contours and measurements of the client as stored in a database. In a specific inventive embodiment client measurement data for controlling an automated adjustable mannequin may be on a remote server or in the cloud so that a client may order custom clothing from a tailor or seamstress anywhere in the world who has a cyvatar.
At a seamstress or tailor quality level a standard three sided mirror could be outfitted with cell phone cameras to obtain a personal 3D shape accurately enough for a simple dress-form. For example, if a person wanted to rent a tuxedo they would send their “cyvatar” file and the tux would fit you right out of the box. Based on body type and age the model could be auto updated with very little new information such as height and weight. This provides the ability to have an accurate personalized 3D model to try on cloths from online retailers. Even though today users have the ability to adjust some sliders on an online avatar, this is nowhere as accurate as a personal 3D scan. Furthermore, the online avatar also relies on the end user to have an accurate body image.
In a further example, no retailer would use a body-form with twenty five adjustments to photograph a blouse with the number of possible combinations that represents. However with the inventive cyvatar system, the body-form automatically reconfigures itself and then triggers the camera while automatically cycling through all the possible combinations and automatically naming the files as the files are downloaded. This would allow a website to generate unique photos for all their fashions specifically tailored to the viewer. If the user allows website cookies to be stored on their device or a unique login is provided to the website that would allow a user to have a personalized batch of catalog images to preload in the background. In addition, each outfit could have a different pose original from the model to go with it. The difference for the retail store's photographer is now automated so the large number of combinations would not be an extra burden. While there are now more files to handle but would provide a better end user experience.
Photographic stages with synchronized camera arrays that may be used in the image capture process for 3D extraction for use with the automated adjustable mannequin. In the embodiments of the inventive process, live subjects are positioned inside a photographic volumetric capture stage. Volumetric video or volumetric filmmaking is a video technique that captures a three-dimensional space, such as a location or performance. Volumetric videography acquires data that can be viewed on flat screens as well as using 3D displays and virtual reality (VR) goggles. Volumetric videography combines the visual quality of photography with the immersion and interactivity of spatialized content to create 3D models.
In practice a model is photographed in a skin tone, strapless bikini on a photogrammetry volumetric capture stage. The stage includes a group of capture devices generating footage of the subject from multiple angles. These capture devices may be still photography, video, infra-red (IR), stereo, or laser based (LIDAR). LIDAR scanning describes a survey method that uses laser-sampled points densely packed to scan static objects into a point cloud. Point clouds are distinct data point samples of three-dimensional space on the external surface of an object with position and color, which create a high fidelity representation of the real world with a huge amount of data. LIDAR requires physical scanners and produces enormous amounts of data. Any combination of these capture methods may be used.
Ideally the stage used in embodiments of the invention is setup for simultaneous volumetric capture and traditional fashion photography. The two systems may be synchronized or slightly off sync. One system capturing multiple angles with “flat” lighting to be used in the creation of a 3D object from the model. The other system capturing the footage with fashion lighting that will later be used as the master source for compositing new photography onto the model. The synchronization between the two systems may be accomplished by offsetting the two systems by a fraction of a second. The photographer illuminates the model using traditional beauty lighting, and the photographer would direct and photograph the model under this light in the standard way with a single camera. This camera may be fixed to a stand or be handheld, video, or stills. The original lighting style, position, and fixture intensities would be recorded for later duplication. This would work best as a fixed set-up that isn't changed between models. Keeping the camera lighting consistent will later make the composite process easier by only needing one lighting setup while photographing the new products. At the same time the set would contain a number of devices or cameras to capture volumetric data. The devices may be still, stereo, IR, laser, video or any other type of recording device. If needed these volumetric cameras may be triggered by the image camera but just a beat off allowing the image lighting to dissipate and a secondary flat lighting to be used for capture.
By way of example, a fashion photographer pushes the button on their camera and triggers light flashes that diminish in 1/1000th of a second. The shutter of the camera may take 1/250th of a second to close at which time the array of camera is triggered and in turn, triggers a secondary set of flat even lighting. This flat lighting may be flash or constant lighting that was on all the time but over powered by the fashion camera flashes. The resultant effect appears to be a single moment in time but is actually two or more different photo methods appearing to capture the model in the same moment in time. When just the right pose and expression of the model are selected from the shoot the corresponding volumetric camera array data is grouped with it.
The volumetric camera array data is used to build a very detailed 3D object of the original model. The volumetric data may be used to CNC a body-form to the exact life-size shape of the corresponding human model in that pose. Clothing may be placed on this body-form and re-photographed using the original fashion camera lighting and camera position. The resulting images can be 100% seamlessly and convincingly retouched onto the original model's beauty photo. If other angles are desired the 3D object can be skinned with the high resolution original captures the 3D object was made from. This may be done using standard photogrammetry software. The skinned object (virtual model) is turned, rolled, and scaled to match the new angle photograph of the outfit.
In a specific inventive embodiment only a low resolution 3D object is created using photogrammetry. The scene would only need to be captured with enough resolution to inform the basic shape of the subject, and additional resolution is not needed. The lower resolution greatly speeds up the process and lowers the equipment cost for production. This cruder 3D model may be used to drive the shape of an automated adjustable mannequin (cyvater) as previously described. The inventive automated adjustable mannequin (cyvater) is automatically adjusted by the informed data of the real world model's volumetric scan.
In a specific inventive embodiment, the automated adjustable mannequin (cyvater) may be driven by video volumetric data. The video volumetric data is a movie file made up of hundreds of individual volumetric scans (24-30 per second of playback). The video volumetric data is synchronized frame by frame to the adjustable body-form of the automated adjustable mannequin as shown in
In a specific inventive embodiment, a motion control gimbal is combined with a body-form of the automated adjustable mannequin as shown in
In the method describe, a motion control camera 24 tracks live footage of a model, while at the same time 3D data is captured. Typically, for a female model, the model should have her hair up and be in a body suit or under garments. It is noted that the model may need to wear a green body suit if a hair down look is desired. The 3D data is used to shape a body-form of the automated adjustable mannequin. The 3D data is also used to position a gimbal the body-form is connected to. A motion control camera re-films the body-form gimbal with the same lighting and camera movements as the original footage of the model. When combined with camera clips of the real model that can be endlessly redressed and exported as new footage. The sample motion may be as simple as walking on a treadmill to give the outfit motion while the camera comes around to see the outfit at all angles.
It is further noted that the body form of the inventive automated adjustable mannequin may be used to cycle through different body types while photographing cloths. The transforming shape may then trigger the camera so that only a single button press is needed to show all body types within that garment's size range.
In specific inventive embodiments, the motion control information and the body-form information may also be used not only to composite physical clothing onto existing photography but may also serve to inform virtual or 3D clothing onto the original model or a 3D figure thereof. A high-dynamic-range imaging (HDRI) lighting map may be collected at the same time as the original model shoot along with the 3D data and the camera photography then all of the techniques already described may be mixed and matched. The technique can be further expanded to include accurate compositing of 3D clothing on real models. As is known in the video game world, human motion capture is often used to establish realistic character movement. With this technique a series of real outfits/costumes may be captured that could be applied to the virtual character. An HDRI lighting map could be collected at the same time as the original model shoot along with the 3D data and the camera photography, and subsequently all of the techniques already described can be mixed and matched. The HRDI lighting map allows 3D assets to be lit in the computer exactly matching the original environment.
In some inventive embodiments, a simple green screen is used when the mannequin is being photographed. The resulting images can be associated with their master model pose and automatically be roughly composited together. This extra step allows the art director to look through the images as if he was looking at a live action contact sheet. By way of example, a set of 100 master model poses are captured and converted to mannequin data, then every new outfit automatically runs through those 100 poses and is automatically composited with the original. As a result, even at a low preview resolution this makes it much easier to pick a pose that best displays the garment. Owing to the speed of process, there is practically little reason not to shoot every item in every body configuration of the possible poses.
In still other inventive embodiments, the fashion style lighting used by the original model photographer could be on a track system with x,y,z coordinates. This position could be recorded as well as the different values set at each light. A matching track system would be installed at the wardrobe photographer's location and like the mannequin, could automatically reconfigure matching the lighting of the master model shots. In practice the wardrobe “photographer” is not needed and is replaced by dressers who changed out the mannequin clothing and pressed the photo GO button.
As a person skilled in the art will recognize from the previous detailed description and from the figures and claims, modifications and changes can be made to the preferred embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope of this invention defined in the following claims.
This application claims priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/898,660 filed 11 Sep. 2019, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/US2020/050322 | 9/11/2020 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62898660 | Sep 2019 | US |