3D Body Scanning: Towards Shared Protocols for Data Collection

Currently, there are no public, universal or easily applied protocols for capturing body scan data, which may result in discrepancies in the captured scan data; a series issue in a scientific field. This paper presents a step-by-step process that forms the basic procedure for capturing, storing, processing, and using body scan data based on that currently used at The University of Manchester. Here, the entire scan capturing protocol is explained from recruitment through to the scan process itself and final following up on the participant post-scanning. This process has allowed the Apparel Design Engineering cluster within the School of Materials to increase the repeatability, accuracy, and professionalism of their work in 3D Body Scan research, with the intention to disseminate this protocol throughout research and industry.