Key Takeaways
- Digital garment simulation lets apparel teams review garment shape, fit, and drape on digital avatars before making a physical sample.
- CLO brings 2D patternmaking and 3D garment simulation into one design workflow, with tools for pattern editing, measurement, grading, fit maps, and fabric nesting.
- The CLO zFab Kit combines a cutter, draper, and scanner to capture fabric properties and create digital material data.
- CLO’s fit maps help users inspect garment tightness and fabric stretch in simulated garments. The results depend on the garment, avatar, and fabric data used.
- CLO is the garment design and simulation application; CLO-SET supports file sharing, collaboration, and review workflows.
- CLO supports pattern import and export workflows that include DXF, Adobe Illustrator (AI), and PDF formats.
Virtual Fabric Physics and Simulation Foundations
A digital garment is shaped by its pattern, the avatar it is fitted to, and the physical properties assigned to its fabric. CLO simulates how sewn pattern pieces drape on an avatar, giving designers a way to review silhouette and fit while developing a garment. The simulation can inform design decisions, but it is not a substitute for evaluating the physical fabric or testing a finished garment where those checks are needed.
Pattern Geometry + Avatar + Fabric Properties -> 3D Garment Simulation -> Virtual Fit Review
CLO combines 2D patterns, avatars, and fabric settings in a garment-design workflow. Fabric information can be entered or developed for use in the simulation. For teams digitizing physical materials, the CLO zFab Kit includes a zFab Cutter, zFab Draper, and zFab Scanner. The kit supports capture of fabric physical properties and visual material data for digital use.
CLO provides fit maps for reviewing garment tightness and strain maps for inspecting fabric stretch in a simulated garment. These visualizations reflect the fabric settings and simulation conditions; they should be treated as design-review information, not as a guarantee of real-world comfort or performance. CLO also provides tools for fabric and garment construction workflows, including knit settings and Lacing and Gluing functions for connecting garment components.
Production-Oriented Pattern Development and Fit Simulation
Virtual sampling can link pattern development with a 3D view of the garment. A designer or pattern maker can adjust pattern pieces, simulate the garment on an avatar, and review how the change affects the fit and silhouette.
CLO’s pattern-development workflow includes tools for:
- 2D Pattern Creation and Editing: Create and modify pattern pieces in the 2D workspace.
- Measurement and POM: Define and review Points of Measure and garment measurements.
- Grading: Add and edit size grading on pattern pieces.
- Fit Review: Use fit maps and strain maps to inspect tightness and stretch in the simulated garment.
- Nesting: Arrange pattern pieces in a fabric layout and review estimated fabric consumption.
- BOM Export: Export garment-associated information using CLO’s BOM (XML) export workflow.
The specific pattern and production tools available depend on the workflow and data in a project. Measurement, grading, and virtual fitting can help teams assess changes across sizes, while nesting offers a way to review pattern layout and material use. These tools support development decisions; they do not by themselves validate factory tolerances or final production outcomes.
CLO and CLO-SET: Design and Collaboration Workflows
A digital apparel process may involve garment authoring, file exchange, and collaboration with colleagues or external reviewers. CLO and CLO-SET serve different roles in that process.
CLO supports pattern import and export workflows that include DXF and Adobe Illustrator (AI)/PDF formats. The exact import or export options depend on the selected format and operation. These options let teams bring pattern data into CLO or share pattern information in supported formats.
Pattern Files (DXF / AI / PDF) <-> CLO Design and Simulation <-> CLO-SET Collaboration and Review
- CLO: Desktop software for garment design, 2D patternmaking, 3D simulation, measurement, and virtual sampling.
- CLO-SET: A separate platform used to organize, share, and review digital product-development materials and 3D samples with collaborators.
CLO-SET can complement CLO by providing a place for teams to share and review work. The products have distinct functions: CLO is used to create and simulate garments, while CLO-SET supports collaboration around digital assets and development work.
CLO Virtual Fashion also develops Marvelous Designer, a sibling application with a different primary focus. Marvelous Designer is oriented toward animation, gaming, VFX, and other computer-graphics workflows. CLO focuses on fashion design and apparel development. Their related garment-simulation foundations do not make the applications interchangeable; the appropriate workflow depends on the intended work.
Sustainable Manufacturing and Physical Sampling Boundaries
Virtual sampling gives apparel teams a way to review a garment digitally before cutting fabric for a sample. It may help teams identify pattern, proportion, or fit questions earlier in development and can reduce the need for some physical iterations. The amount of change depends on the product, materials, development process, and how the digital review is used; it should not be assumed to deliver a fixed reduction in samples, cost, or environmental impact.
- Physical Sampling Workflow: 2D Design → Sample → Fit Review → Pattern Revision → Further Sample or Approval → Production
- Virtual Sampling Workflow: Pattern Design → 3D Simulation → Virtual Fit Review → Pattern Refinement → Physical Checks as Needed → Production
Virtual review works alongside physical quality control rather than replacing it. Simulation can help teams inspect pattern geometry, proportion, drape, tightness, and stretch in a digital garment. Physical checks may still be important for tactile hand-feel, construction, material behavior, and factory tolerances. Teams should decide which of those questions can be assessed digitally and which require a physical garment or material test.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the distinction between CLO and CLO-SET?
CLO is desktop software for garment design, 2D patternmaking, and 3D simulation. CLO-SET is a separate platform for organizing, sharing, and reviewing digital product-development materials. They support different parts of a workflow.
How does CLO support virtual fit review?
CLO simulates sewn pattern pieces on a digital avatar using the garment and fabric settings in the project. Fit maps can help users inspect garment tightness, while strain maps show fabric stretch in the simulated garment. These visualizations are useful for review, but they do not replace physical tests where required.
Which pattern file formats can be used with CLO?
CLO documentation describes workflows for importing DXF and Adobe Illustrator (AI)/PDF patterns, as well as exporting patterns to PDF. Available options vary by format and operation.
What does CLO’s nesting workflow do?
Nesting arranges pattern pieces in a fabric layout and calculates layout information such as fabric consumption. It supports planning and review; actual material use can vary with production conditions.
What equipment is included in the CLO zFab Kit?
The CLO zFab Kit includes the zFab Cutter, zFab Draper, and zFab Scanner. The kit is designed to capture physical fabric properties and visual material data for digital workflows.
Can 3D garment simulation reduce physical sample use?
It can help teams review design and fit questions before making a sample, which may reduce some physical iterations. Outcomes vary by product and workflow, and physical samples or material checks may still be needed.
Can eligible students get a discount on an Individual subscription?
Eligible students can receive the student discount on an Individual subscription, but enrollment alone does not apply it automatically. Students must verify eligibility during checkout. Students with a registered school email domain can verify using their school email. If they do not have a school email or their school domain is not registered, they can submit enrollment documents for manual review. Students may create their CLO account using a personal email; the email used for student verification does not need to match the account email.
Is CLO Academy included with an Individual subscription?
CLO Academy access is included at no additional cost for active Individual subscribers, including Student subscribers. CLO Academy provides learning resources. CLO Verified is separate: it is a paid skills assessment, not a course or subscription benefit. Candidates who pass receive an official CLO certificate verifying proficiency in the software version used during the assessment. The assessment and certificate are not included in the subscription.