CHAPTER 2
VISUAL ASSESSMENT
2.1 - WHAT? HOW? WHY? 🧐
In the first chapter of this training we've already briefly touched upon the assessment form. This list of assessment criteria is used to rate the level of each vendor when it comes to their 3D skills. Secondly, it functions as a checklist for you to determine if the 3D file follows the PVH digital quality standards.
However, it takes some time to completely fill in these assessment sheets if you want to check each criterion in the 3D file. Which might feel like a 'waste of time' if you're in sketch review and the style ends up being cancelled...
... which is how the "Visual Assessment" was born! 👶
This way of reviewing styles is pretty straight-forward and easy, and you don't even need to open the 3D file! You can use this method to review files before sketch review - when there's a realistic chance of updates or cancellations.
Did the style make it through sketch review? ✅
Then we recommend to review the file more in-depth, by filling out the assessment form. In Chapter 7 we will guide you through the criteria of this so-called "File Assessment". But let's start with the "Visual Assessment"! Which means we'll review renders of the 3D style.
"We'll review renders of the 3D style"
Need a refresher? What was a render again? 🤖
Remember the two images above? The image on the left is a screenshot taken in the 3D software, and the image on the right is the exact same hoodie, rendered.
Still not sure what we're talking about & need more information? Go back to Chapter 6 of our Prep School training, for everything you need to know about rendering!
When you review any style from a vendor, make sure you communicate clearly how you reviewed it: based on the render (Visual Assessment) or the actual 3D file (File assessment). This is important to avoid confusion for the vendors. In Chapter 6 we'll come back to this.
💡
2.2 - REVIEWING RENDERS 🕵️♀️
Time for less text and more action: let's start reviewing some of those renders! Below you can see a preview of the reviewing process, which is done on a platform called Stylezone. In Chapter 6 we will give you a full introduction into this platform. For now:
let's dive straight into those renders!
🏄 🚀 👇
In order to accurately review a 3D style based on a rendered image, you need to gain some experience in "how to read a 3D style". So as a first introduction to reviewing renders, we've prepared a few small exercises with different garments.
Each of the exercises below contain a render and some background information about the style, fit and materials. Each style has one small mistake or deficiency.
EXERCISE!
Step 1 🧐
Use the information provided and try to identify what's wrong or missing
Step 2 🏆
Found it? Or not sure yet what you're even looking for?
Step 3 🌈
Use the slider on the right side of the image (drag it with your mouse) to
reveal the 'corrected' version. Try to define the deficiency of each style!
EXERCISE 1
SEERSUCKER CHECK SHIRT
Spring 2020 - Delivery 2
Fit
Fabric
Composition
Color option
Style No
Submission
Regular fit
Seersucker
100% CO
Fiery Red
ACA16DEMY16
SUB 1
EXERCISE 2
ORGANIC COTTON T-SHIRT
Spring 2020 - Delivery 1
Fit
Fabric
Composition
Color option
Style No
Submission
Regular fit
Single Jersey
100% CO
Navy Blue
ACA23DEMY23
SUB 1
EXERCISE 3
HOODED UTILITY PARKA
Spring 2020 - Delivery 2
Fit
Fabric
Composition
Color options
Style No
Submission
Regular fit
Cotton Twill (mix)
58% CO, 42% PES
Olive Green
Salmon
Navy Blue
ACA37DEMY37
SUB 1
EXERCISE 4
ORGANIC COTTON T-SHIRT
Spring 2020 - Delivery 3
Fit
Fabric
Composition
Color option
Style No
Submission
Loose fit
Single Jersey
100% CO
Brick Red
ACA44DEMY44
SUB 1
EXERCISE 5
ORGANIC COTTON T-SHIRT
Spring 2020 - Delivery 3
Fit
Fabric
Composition
Color option
Style No
Submission
Loose fit
Single Jersey
100% CO
Brick Red
ACA44DEMY44
SUB 2
So, how was that? Way different from having a real, tangible garment in your hands to examine, isn't it? Reviewing a 3D garment is a completely different story than reviewing a physical, tangible sample of a garment. It's what we mentioned before:
you need to know "How to read a 3D style?" 🧐
And the answer to this is simple: it comes with experience! The more 3D files & renders you've been analysing, the easier it'll become to spot mistakes & improvement points!
So, back to the exercise we just did! Did you manage to find the little deficiencies of each style in the end, perhaps with the help of the "corrected" render visible beneath the sliders? Hover over the images below to reveal each of the 'mistakes'.
👇 RESULTS! 👇
NO TEXTURES
INSIDE OF FABRIC
SLOPPY NECKTRIM
DRAGLINES
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN COLORWAYS
💡
Wondering why we don't want to have
a different drape between colorways?
1. For coherence in the collection overview
2. In most cases, this is actually caused by an error in the 3D file, which makes the
file impossible to work with ;-)
If you weren't able to identify each deficiency instantly, or needed the help of the 'corrected' image below the slider to find the problem, don't worry! It is almost like learning a new language, but it will definitely become easier the more you practice!
A good way to train your brain when it comes to evaluating the fit and drape of a 3D garment (like the red t-shirt from exercise 4), is to look at photos of real, physical styles.
Notice how the "drape lines" around the armholes of the t-shirt in the photos above are similar to the ones in the renders of the red t-shirt? Looking at photos of real clothes gives you an understanding of which "drape lines" are normal and which are mistakes. Which can be the result of a poor 3D simulation, an inaccurate pattern, or a different problem.
SUMMARY! 📝
🥇 Do a "Visual Assessment" to review styles before sketch review
↳ after sketch review: "File Assessment" (Chapter 7!)
🥈 Next to accepting/rejecting: communicate to your vendor how you assessed
a style: based on the render (visually) or based on the actual 3D file
🥉 Use photos of real garments to gain experience in "how to read a 3D garment"
SOLID FOUNDATION? CHECK! ☑️
With a basic understanding of 3D garments in the pocket, you've just
completed the second chapter of this training! Congrats! 🎈