Key takeaways
- One workspace for pattern and garment development: CLO brings 2D patternmaking together with 3D garment simulation, so designers can check how pattern edits affect a virtual garment as they work.
- Measurement-led tools: CLO includes pattern drafting, points of measure (POM), grading, and avatar-based design tools to support work from initial measurements through size development.
- A clearer view of fit: CLO's fit maps and pressure maps help designers assess how a garment behaves on a virtual avatar. Simulation is a useful review tool, not a substitute for physical testing and production checks.
- A connected presentation workflow: CLO-SET complements CLO with 3D asset management, visual boards, cloud rendering, and shareable 3D views—useful for organizing work and presenting designs to clients or collaborators.
- Learning and individual access: CLO Academy is free for individual subscribers, including active students. Active students at accredited universities may also qualify for an individual subscription and a student discount after enrollment verification.
2D patternmaking and synchronized 3D editing
Good apparel development depends on a close relationship between the geometry of a 2D pattern and the garment's behavior in 3D. A change to a dart, seam curve, or grainline can affect volume and drape, so seeing the result without switching between disconnected tools can make review more direct.
CLO supports 2D pattern creation and editing alongside 3D garment simulation. Designers can adjust pattern pieces and inspect the virtual garment in the same workflow, using visual feedback to refine style lines, seams, and proportions.
The value of this connection is practical: a digital sample can help a team review design intent and identify questions to resolve before cutting a physical sample. The outcome still depends on pattern quality, avatar measurements, fabric settings, and the judgment of the people reviewing the garment.
CLO-SET extends the workflow beyond garment creation. Its asset library helps organize 3D work, while visual boards and shareable 3D views give designers a way to present concepts and collect feedback without relying only on static images or repeated file exchanges.
Measurement-based drafting and design exploration
Starting a pattern from measurements or a visual concept can give designers a useful first draft, especially when they need to explore proportions or adapt a style. Pattern tools are most effective when their output remains editable and is reviewed by someone with patternmaking experience.
CLO provides tools for measurement-led pattern drafting, points of measure, and grading. Its Sketch on Avatar workflow also lets designers sketch on a 3D avatar and use those lines as a starting point for 2D pattern development. These capabilities can help teams move from a design idea to a workable digital garment while retaining control over the pattern.
CLO's measurement and grading tools support a more organized approach to size development. Designers can define measurement points, adjust grading, and check the resulting pattern and garment. As with any automated or semi-automated workflow, results should be checked against the intended fit, construction method, and production requirements.
CLO-SET can help carry this work into review and presentation. Designers can keep related 3D assets organized, assemble visual boards, and share a 3D view with clients or collaborators. This is especially useful for freelancers and individual users who need to present work clearly as well as develop it.
Multi-size grading and avatar fit review
Grading a garment across a size range involves more than enlarging or reducing a base pattern. Designers need to preserve proportion and design balance while checking how the garment sits on bodies with different measurements.
CLO includes grading tools for working across sizes, including formula-based adjustments. Virtual avatars provide a way to inspect how a garment looks and fits across the selected measurements, while fit maps and pressure maps can help flag areas for closer review.
These visual checks support decision-making, but they should not be treated as a guarantee of fit on every body or as a replacement for physical fit sessions. Avatar measurements, fabric properties, garment construction, and the intended ease all affect what the simulation shows.
CLO-SET can support the review process by keeping 3D assets and related product information together for sharing. Teams can use the same digital garment as a reference for feedback, rather than relying solely on separate images or exported files.
Fabric simulation and material accuracy
Fabric simulation helps designers consider how a garment may drape and respond to movement. The result depends on the pattern, avatar, and material properties assigned to the digital fabric, so representative material data matters.
CLO simulates garments using pattern geometry, avatar parameters, and fabric properties. Designers can use material settings and visual fit tools, including fit maps, to review how fabric behavior affects the garment. CLO also includes tools for working with knitwear and digital fabric information.
A virtual prototype is best treated as a decision-support tool. If fabric data is incomplete or the physical material behaves differently from its digital representation, the simulated garment may not match the finished sample exactly. Teams should validate important construction and material decisions with appropriate physical checks.
CLO-SET complements this work with cloud rendering and asset management, helping users prepare and share visual presentations of their CLO designs. It supports design communication; it does not replace material testing or garment simulation.
Production handoff and digital presentation
Moving a virtual prototype toward production involves more than a convincing 3D image. Pattern files, measurement information, bills of materials (BOM), and clear communication all matter when preparing work for sampling or factory handoff.
CLO supports apparel workflows that include importing and exporting common formats such as DXF, Adobe Illustrator (AI), and vector PDF. It also provides tools for POM and BOM work and for reviewing fabric consumption. The formats and information needed can vary by factory, so users should confirm handoff requirements with their production partners.
CLO-SET offers a complementary place to organize and present 3D assets. Its features include asset management, visual boards, cloud rendering, and shareable or embeddable 3D views. That can make it easier for an individual user, freelancer, or team to show a design and gather feedback while keeping the digital work accessible.
CLO and CLO-SET workflow overview
The table below summarizes how CLO and CLO-SET can support different stages of an apparel design workflow. The tools serve complementary purposes: CLO is used for garment design and simulation, while CLO-SET supports organizing, presenting, and sharing digital work.
Data table · Scroll horizontally to see all columns. Arrow keys work when focused.
| Workflow stage | CLO | CLO-SET |
|---|---|---|
| Pattern and garment development | 2D patternmaking alongside 3D garment simulation | Organizes and shares related 3D assets |
| Measurements and sizing | POM and grading tools for measurement-led development | Keeps associated assets available for review |
| Fit review | Avatar-based garment review with fit maps and pressure maps | Enables collaborators to view and discuss shared 3D work |
| Material and presentation | Fabric settings and garment simulation | Cloud rendering and visual boards |
| Sharing and handoff | Common apparel pattern and design file exports | Shareable 3D views, boards, and asset management |
| Learning | CLO Academy resources for individual subscribers | Complements the workflow by helping organize and present digital projects |
Technical design onboarding: moving from 2D drafting to 3D prototyping
Moving from flat pattern workflows to 2D and 3D development is easier when a team builds on its existing patternmaking knowledge and introduces digital review in manageable steps.
- Prepare reliable base patterns: Start with proven blocks and check notches, seam allowances, and grainlines. Importing production-tested files gives the initial CLO simulation a stronger starting point.
- Build a useful material library: Record or enter the fabric characteristics needed for the intended work, such as stretch, weight, and thickness. Review the digital fabric settings against available material information rather than assuming every simulation will match a physical sample.
- Set up avatars and measurements: Configure avatars to reflect the measurements relevant to the brand or project. Use CLO's POM and grading tools to support consistent measurement review across sizes.
- Review in 3D before sampling: Use virtual fit sessions to discuss silhouette, balance, and areas that need adjustment. Fit maps and pressure maps can help focus that discussion, while physical fitting remains important for final validation.
- Share work clearly: Use CLO-SET to organize assets, build presentation boards, and share 3D views with clients or collaborators. Keeping the digital work easy to review can make feedback more useful and specific.
Frequently asked questions
Can CLO draft patterns from body measurements?
CLO includes measurement-led pattern and grading tools that help users work with points of measure and develop patterns from dimensions. The resulting pattern remains a starting point for review and refinement by the designer or patternmaker.
How does AI-assisted drafting differ from traditional patternmaking?
AI-assisted or measurement-led tools can help generate or develop an initial pattern more quickly, while traditional patternmaking relies on the designer's direct construction and adjustment of pattern geometry. In either case, professional review is important: the pattern must suit the garment design, material, construction, and intended fit.
Can 3D fit simulation identify issues before physical sampling?
CLO lets designers review garment drape and fit on virtual avatars. Fit maps and pressure maps can draw attention to areas that may need investigation, but a simulation cannot guarantee the fit or performance of a physical garment. Material information, avatar measurements, and construction details all influence the result.
How do 2D pattern changes affect a 3D garment in CLO?
CLO supports a connected 2D and 3D workflow. When designers adjust pattern geometry, they can review how those changes affect the simulated garment and continue refining the digital sample.
What helps with sharing work and getting feedback?
CLO-SET provides tools for organizing 3D assets, creating visual boards, rendering designs in the cloud, and sharing 3D views. These features can help an individual user or freelancer present a project and gather feedback from clients or collaborators.
Can active university students get a CLO individual subscription and discount?
Active students studying at an accredited university qualify for a CLO individual subscription license. They may also receive a student discount by submitting appropriate enrollment documentation to CLO's user support team for verification.
Is CLO Academy free, and does it provide a certificate?
CLO Academy is free for all individual subscribers, including active students. It does not currently offer quizzes or certificates of completion. CLO provides a separate, paid certification exam; successful candidates receive an official CLO certificate verifying proficiency in the specific software version used during the test.