This software developed by IIT alumni can automatically turn flat fabrics into 3D images on models. Here's how

Indian Institute of Technology Madras-incubated start-up TRI3D has developed apparel visualisation technology capable of converting flat images of garments like sarees and fabrics into beautiful photorealistic 3D images on models, mannequins and creative representations. TRI3D's digital cataloguing software called FAB3D can drape on models, tabletop styles, ghost mannequins and more. "This is a quick, simple, and economical solution to a cataloguing problem," says Sumanth Alwala, co-founder TRI3D, who graduated from IIT Madras in 2013. Sumanth runs TRI3D along with Nitish Reddy Parvatham, who is an alumnus of IIT Bombay.

The software can act as a substitute for conventional model photoshoots and is convenient even for small boutique designers and weavers who don't have access to or can't afford photoshoots. Images generated by the software are acceptable on most of the e-commerce websites. "In simple words, a picture of a flat piece of a saree/fabric is automatically draped onto a model with unchallenged realism, by the power of technology. The photo could also be one of an unstitched fabric and our software will not only 'stitch' the fabric but also visualise it as a saree/finished garment draped onto a model, in a variety of poses, thereby realising the potential of the fabric. The painstaking task of arranging a day-long photoshoot with models having to constantly change in and out of sarees is easily bypassed. The desired image is generated in a matter of minutes, without any compromise. The quality of the generated image is on par if not superior to the images taken by a photoshoot. They are acceptable on e-commerce websites like Amazon, Flipkart, etc and also the users can put it up on their own websites. What we have done is made it easier, affordable and the process quicker," explains Sumanth.

TRI3D's software has helped sellers upload more than 20,000 products in the last three months and more than 60,000 products in the last year, most of them being sarees. "In light of the current Coronavirus pandemic situation, the e-commerce business is expected to rise further, with more people preferring to shop online over walk-in retail stores. It thus becomes imperative for businesses to open up online channels. But one of the main barriers for this channel would be to generate images of garments to be uploaded to e-commerce websites. TRI3D here becomes an invaluable tool, providing efficient solutions for this cataloguing process. It will help them to set up their e-commerce business seamlessly," adds Sumanth.

The software is currently being used not just by retailers, but also wholesalers, and manufacturers, B2B distributors, and even handloom weavers directly in some cases. They currently have more than 150 active customers from all over India, and a lot of them being from remote towns in India like Kanjeevaram, Tiruppur, Salem, Coimbatore, Mangalagiri, Chirala, Pochapally, Ilkal, Mysore, Nasik, Banaras, Chanderi, etc., apart from metro cities.