Los Angeles-based Tukatech recently introduced the ‘feel factor value’ to fabrics based on a mathematical calculation using bend and surface friction values in all warp, weft and shear directions. The feature helps in 3D product design as customers can quickly relate fabric feel without having to wait for a physical sample that can delay the development process.

A ‘fabric feel factor’ is a number that someone may be able to learn and associate in their mind when imagining what the fabric will feel like. The relational value comparison is based on many fabrics familiar to users.

For example, most apparel people know from experience how soft a fine silk scarf feels and know that raw denim or burlap is rough. A number can be assigned to fabrics that will convey to the mind the feel factor of the fabric. If the softest fabric was a 10 on a scale of 1 to 10 and the roughest was a 1, then other fabrics fall in between.

This determination from most used fabrics now can be classified with reference number for each and a feel factor for new fabric will help the design community to ‘digitally feel’ the fabric while they can see the drape and movement of fabric in TUKA3D. These values can then be tabulated and the mean for each fabric taken and assigned to that fabric.