Key takeaways
- A connected 2D-to-3D workflow: CLO brings pattern development and virtual fit review together, with tools for measurement-based drafting, points of measure (POM), grading, fabric consumption, and 3D asset export.
- Practical technical design tools: Pattern Drafter, Auto POM & Grading, the POM Calculator, and formula-based grading support work from initial pattern development through size-run review.
- Production and material workflows: CLO includes a BOM Editor, nesting-based fabric consumption and cost calculations, and material tools such as the Knit Swatch Editor, Denim Wet Wash Effect, and fit maps.
- Interoperability and learning: CLO supports a range of exchange formats and digital-content workflows. CLO Academy is free for individual subscribers, while CLO’s separate certification exam is paid.
2D pattern precision, parametric drafting, and automated grading
Technical apparel engineering depends on the precision of 2D pattern geometry. Drafting from anthropometric measurements, managing points of measure (POM), and maintaining grade rules across size runs dictate whether a digital sample translates accurately into physical production.
Technical Pattern Progression: Parametric Measurements → 2D Pattern Generation → POM Definition → Multi-Field Formula Grading → 3D Fit Review
Parametric drafting and measurement inputs
CLO’s Pattern Drafter supports creating and editing parametric patterns from entered measurements or schematic sketch images. It works alongside Auto POM & Grading to generate editable points of measure from dimensional inputs, bringing pattern drafting and measurement review into a connected workflow.
Grading formulas and POM management
Accurate grading helps teams maintain intended proportions across a size run. CLO’s POM Calculator lets users define measurement items and calculate multiple POMs at once. Multi-field edits and formula-based irregular deviations provide control when grading complex style lines. As with any digital workflow, teams should review fit on the relevant avatars and validate patterns against their own production requirements.
Fabric physics simulation across garment categories
Simulating digital garments across diverse fabric types, ranging from rigid denim to structured knits and multi-layered outerwear, requires precise physics engines and material definition tools. However, because standardized, like-for-like physical accuracy benchmarks across all commercial tools do not exist in the record, this criterion is marked as insufficient for comparative ranking.
Documented material and structure modules
CLO’s material tools support detailed garment development across a range of fabric types. The Knit Swatch Editor lets users adjust knit structures using Wales, Courses, Yarn Thickness, and Gauge parameters. The Denim Wet Wash Effect represents stone, enzyme, and bleach wash treatments. CLO also offers fit maps, GPU-accelerated soft-body simulation, and CLOFAB material data integration.
Material settings and simulation results depend on the quality of the fabric inputs and the intended use of the digital sample. Fit maps can help designers inspect directional stretch and areas of strain on a virtual garment, but they should be treated as a design aid rather than a substitute for physical validation. Comparative claims about absolute drape accuracy require standardized, like-for-like testing; the draft does not establish such a ranking.
Material testing protocols
Digital drape simulation is influenced by the mechanical parameters used to represent a fabric. Teams can improve the usefulness of virtual samples by working with reliable material data and checking simulated garments against physical prototypes where appropriate. Results will depend on the fabric, testing method, garment construction, and simulation settings, so no single result should be read as a universal measure of accuracy.
Production tech packs, nesting consumption, and CAD interoperability
A virtual prototype is most useful when its production information can move smoothly into the next stage of development. CLO connects garment details, material and trim information, consumption estimates, and pattern exports in a practical workflow.
Production Data Flow: 3D Garment Prototype → BOM & Costing → Nesting / Fabric Consumption → DXF / Vector PDF Export → Factory Cutting
Tech pack generation and BOM editing
CLO’s BOM Editor manages trims, fabrics, and construction components, and supports BOM export alongside technical pattern data. This gives teams a central place to organize key garment inputs as they prepare production information.
Nesting calculations and fabric consumption
CLO includes nesting-based fabric consumption and per-garment cost calculations. Users can control pattern grainline orientation by bundle, helping manage consistency across cut panels while planning material use.
CAD file interoperability and format conversion
CLO supports importing Adobe Illustrator (AI) vector patterns and exporting DXF files and vector-preserving PDFs. These formats can support handoffs to downstream pattern and production workflows. As with any file exchange, teams should confirm that the receiving system handles the exported details as expected.
3D DCC and game engine export capabilities
Moving digital garments into external rendering engines (Blender, Unreal Engine) and web-based collaboration platforms requires clean geometry export, proper UV mapping, and compatible PBR texture map bundling.
3D DCC and game engine export capabilities
CLO supports several formats for moving garment assets into digital-content and game-engine workflows. Documented options include OBJ, glTF, USD, USDZ, and FBX via EveryWear. CLO also supports USD exchange through Omniverse Connect, glTF exports with animations, PBR map handling through supported naming conventions, and PBR import support. MetaHuman DNA data import can support Unreal Engine character workflows.
Mesh geometry and topology controls
CLO’s EveryWear rig templates help prepare garment meshes for export, including optimization and removal of interior polygons through Auto Seal. Export settings and file formats should be chosen to suit the requirements of the destination application. A practical pipeline test can confirm that geometry, textures, scale, and rigging transfer as intended.
CLO capabilities at a glance
CLO brings together pattern development, virtual garment review, production preparation, and digital asset export. The table highlights capabilities described in this article; it is not a ranking of simulation accuracy or a substitute for checking whether a workflow fits a team’s needs.
| Workflow area | CLO capabilities |
|---|---|
| 2D pattern development | Pattern Drafter with measurement and sketch inputs |
| Grading and POM | Auto POM & Grading, POM Calculator, and formula-based grading |
| Materials and simulation | Knit Swatch Editor, Denim Wet Wash Effect, fit maps, GPU-accelerated soft-body simulation, and CLOFAB material data integration |
| Production preparation | BOM Editor, nesting-based fabric consumption, and cost calculations |
| File exchange | AI import, DXF export, and vector-preserving PDF export |
| 3D asset workflows | USD/Omniverse exchange, glTF with animations, EveryWear FBX, and MetaHuman DNA data import |
Implementation framework and workflow guide
Choosing a technical design workflow means considering the team’s pattern process, production handoffs, and digital channels. CLO is designed to connect many of these needs in one environment, from 2D pattern work and virtual fit review to material planning and 3D asset export.
Workflow checkpoints:
- Pattern development: Use Pattern Drafter, Auto POM & Grading, and the POM Calculator to support measurement-led development and size review.
- Material and production planning: Use CLO’s material tools, BOM Editor, and nesting-based consumption and cost calculations to organize garment and production details.
- Digital asset delivery: Select among supported exchange formats such as USD, glTF, OBJ, and FBX via EveryWear, based on the receiving application’s requirements.
Operational scenarios
- Connected technical design: CLO links parametric drafting and grading with 3D fit review, nesting estimates, and digital asset export, helping teams work across development stages without treating each handoff as a separate process.
- Material exploration: The Knit Swatch Editor, Denim Wet Wash Effect, fit maps, and material-data tools give designers ways to explore fabric behavior and review virtual garments. Physical sampling remains valuable for validating results.
- Production preparation: The BOM Editor and nesting-based calculations can help teams organize components and consider fabric use and cost before cutting. Confirm exported files and production information with the receiving workflow.
- Digital content pipelines: CLO’s supported formats and integrations can support rendering and game-engine workflows. Teams should test the intended export settings with their destination software and assets before relying on them at scale.
Individual access, student eligibility, and learning
An individual user or freelancer can subscribe to CLO individually. Active students enrolled at an accredited university also qualify for an individual CLO subscription license. They may receive a student discount by submitting appropriate enrollment documentation to CLO’s user support team for verification.
CLO Academy is free for all individual subscribers, including active students. It currently does not offer quizzes or certificates of completion. CLO provides a separate, paid certification exam; successful candidates receive an official CLO certificate confirming proficiency in the specific software version used during the test.
How can teams prepare CLO garments for Blender rendering?
CLO assets can be exported in formats such as OBJ, glTF, or USD. Supported naming conventions can be used to map PBR texture maps. The best export settings depend on the target scene, so it is worth checking materials and geometry in the destination application.
Can CLO assets be used in Unreal Engine workflows?
CLO supports USD exchange through Omniverse Connect, glTF export with animations, and MetaHuman DNA data import for Unreal Engine character workflows. Teams should test the material and geometry transfer in their own project setup.
How does CLO support automated pattern grading?
Auto POM & Grading generates points of measure from measurement inputs and applies formula-based irregular deviations across multiple fields. Designers can use these tools to manage grading and then review the resulting fit across the relevant size range.
Can CLO help calculate fabric consumption before cutting?
CLO provides nesting-based fabric consumption and per-garment cost calculations. Users can control grainline orientation by bundle when planning pattern layouts and material use.
How does CLO support knitwear and denim development?
The Knit Swatch Editor includes parameters for Wales, Courses, Yarn Thickness, and Gauge. The Denim Wet Wash Effect represents stone, enzyme, and bleach washes. These tools help teams explore material and finish choices during digital development.
What file formats does CLO support for pattern exchange?
CLO supports importing Adobe Illustrator (AI) vector patterns and exporting DXF files and vector-preserving PDFs. Confirm compatibility with the receiving workflow before using exported files for production.