CLO 3D (often referred to by users as CLO) stands as a premier solution in the world of virtual garment simulation and fashion design. This sophisticated application bridges the gap between 2D CAD patterns and realistic 3D visualization, allowing designers to construct, review, and refine apparel in a digital environment. By simulating the physical properties of fabrics with high precision, the software enables creators to visualize exactly how a garment will drape, stretch, and move on a human form before a single piece of fabric is cut. It serves as a vital tool for reducing physical sampling and accelerating the design lifecycle for apparel professionals.
Key Features
- Real-Time Garment Simulation: Instantly visualizes modifications made to 2D patterns in the 3D window, allowing designers to see how adjustments to fit, length, or silhouette affect the final look without delay.
- CLO AI Studio: A recently updated module that utilizes artificial intelligence to generate high-fidelity textures and graphic placements, streamlining the creative process for material development.
- Seamless Blocking: Enables the design of complex styles by applying different fabric types within a single pattern piece, eliminating the need for unnecessary sewing lines during the conceptual phase.
- Denim Wet Wash Effect: Provides specialized texturing tools that replicate various denim finishing techniques—such as stone wash, enzyme wash, and bleaching—directly on the 3D model.
- Modular Configurator: Offers a vast library of pre-built garment blocks and sewing templates, allowing users to mix and match components like cuffs, collars, and pockets to rapidly prototype new designs.
- Upgraded 3D Pen: Allows users to draw garment lines and silhouettes directly onto the 3D avatar, which the software then automatically converts into flat 2D pattern pieces for further refinement.
Use Cases
Fashion designers and pattern makers utilize this software to create accurate virtual samples, significantly reducing the cost and waste associated with physical prototypes. It is also widely used in academic settings and by independent creators who need to visualize complex textile behaviors and produce high-quality render images for digital portfolios or e-commerce showcases.
By integrating precise pattern construction with photo-realistic rendering, CLO 3D offers a practical alternative to traditional apparel development cycles, compatible with modern systems including Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Version 2025.2.256 — December 2025
- Added a specialized Knit Swatch Editor, allowing for precise design of knit fabrics with adjustable stitch structure and yarn thickness.
- Added a comprehensive Pattern Drafter tool for quickly generating trouser and skirt patterns via text descriptions or image uploads.
- Improved simulation efficiency by implementing GPU acceleration for Soft Body Simulation, resulting in faster and more stable garment fitting.
- Improved application stability during pattern editing within the schematic render view, specifically addressing a reported crash instance.
- Fixed a rendering issue where the final frame of turntable animations would occasionally fail to update in the output properties.
- Fixed a compatibility bug that caused the software to crash when importing USD files with garment simulation data into Unreal Engine.
- Fixed an error where the Auto Scale function did not operate correctly when loading DXF pattern files.
