Hye Jun Youn, Serena Xin Wei Sara, and Hiroshi Ishii. 2025. PixBric: Precision Morphological Control of Pre-Stretched Fabrics Through Tessellated Primitive Geometries. In Adjunct Proceedings of the 38th Annual ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology (UIST Adjunct '25). Association for Computing Machinery, New York, NY, USA, Article 155, 1–3. https://doi.org/10.1145/3746058.3758421

Abstract

3D printing patterns onto pre-stretched fabrics has emerged as a promising method for the rapid fabrication of self-shaping textiles. However, the influence of design parameters on morphing behavior remains insufficiently explored, often resulting in heuristic-driven decisions. This study introduces PixBric, a pixel-based textile methodology composed of primitive geometries designed to induce controlled morphing behaviors—such as undulation and bending—and mechanical properties including multistability. By parametrically adjusting geometry, thickness, and inter-pixel spacing, PixBric enables precise morphing outcomes. The framework includes a morphing simulation tool and a design chart linking geometric variables to deformation results. We also propose a streamlined fabrication protocol using biaxial pre-stretching with magnetic framing. These contributions establish a systematic design approach for the functional and interactive deployment of self-shaping textile structures.