3D Sampling to Virtual Showroom: A Complete Workflow for Digital Fit Review and Buyer Approvals
Learn how to transition from 3D garment simulation and digital fit validation to remote review sign-offs and interactive virtual showrooms without sewing early physical prototypes.
Key takeaways
- Fit review in context: CLO brings 2D patterns, fabric properties, avatars, and garment simulation together to support review of fit and drape.
- Fabric-informed analysis: CLO's Fabric-Aware Strain Maps use fabric physical properties to determine and apply maximum wearable strain for fit checking.
- Connected collaboration: CLO-SET is a separate platform for collaboration, review, presentation, and product-development workflows alongside CLO.
- Virtual sampling, thoughtfully applied: Digital garment review can inform development decisions, but teams should decide which physical samples and checks their own process requires.
- Purpose-built sibling products: CLO is oriented to fashion and apparel product development; Marvelous Designer is geared toward digital garments for animation and games.
Review fit and drape in CLO
A strong digital-sampling workflow starts with the garment: its 2D pattern, fabric properties, avatar, and intended fit. CLO brings these elements into a 3D environment so designers can review fit and drape, make design decisions, and develop virtual samples as part of the apparel process.
CLO's Fabric-Aware Strain Maps use fabric physical properties to determine and apply maximum wearable strain for fit checking. They add a fabric-informed view to the review, alongside the garment's silhouette and drape. Digital simulation can support earlier decisions, but it should not be presented as proof that every physical sample or approval step can be skipped. Teams should decide which checks their materials, product requirements, and production process call for.
Keep the product roles clear
CLO is a professional 3D fashion design and garment-development application for creating and editing 2D patterns and simulating garments on avatars with fabric physics. CLO-SET is a separate collaboration and product-development platform that can be used with CLO for review, collaboration, and presentation.
CLO and Marvelous Designer are sibling products that share garment-simulation technology but serve different workflows. CLO is oriented to fashion and apparel product development; Marvelous Designer is oriented to digital garments for animation, games, VFX, and CG.
Bring collaboration into the development workflow
After a digital sample is ready for review, CLO-SET can support collaboration around the product and its 3D asset. Keeping the review and related product information within a shared workflow can help teams communicate garment intent across design and product development.
A practical workflow is straightforward:
- Develop the garment in CLO: Work with the 2D pattern, fabric properties, and avatar as part of the 3D garment process.
- Review the digital sample: Consider fit, drape, silhouette, and Fabric-Aware Strain Map information when deciding what to revise.
- Collaborate through CLO-SET: Use the separate platform for review, collaboration, presentation, and product-development work alongside CLO.
- Record the next decision: Make clear which design questions are resolved digitally and which still need another form of validation.
Prepare digital assets for presentation
Approved digital garment assets can support presentation as well as product development. CLO provides visualization and rendering capabilities, and CLO-SET can be used for presentation workflows. The important step is to make sure the asset and its accompanying product information reflect the version the team has approved.
Keep the description of the asset precise. A digital visualization communicates the garment's design and appearance; it should not be represented as evidence of physical qualities or approvals that have not been assessed.
Maintain useful information through handoffs
CLO supports pattern and garment workflows alongside production-oriented data formats such as DXF, AI, and PDF. CLO-SET can support product-development work with information managed alongside the 3D garment. This gives teams a foundation for connecting design and product information across stages of work.
The handoff still depends on the process each team has agreed to use. Confirm the required files, specifications, and approvals with the receiving team, and identify the correct garment version. Avoid assuming that every downstream system or partner automatically receives every piece of information.
A considered path from digital sample to approval
- Create and simulate in CLO: Develop the garment through its pattern and 3D simulation workflow.
- Review before the next step: Use visual garment review and Fabric-Aware Strain Maps to inform design decisions.
- Decide what needs further validation: Set physical sampling and other checks according to product and production requirements rather than assuming digital review replaces them.
- Collaborate with CLO-SET: Use CLO-SET as the separate platform for review, collaboration, presentation, and product-development workflows.
- Prepare a clear handoff: Confirm the approved version and the files or information needed by the next team.
Frequently asked questions
What does CLO support in a digital fit-review workflow?
CLO supports 2D pattern creation and editing, garment simulation on avatars using fabric physics, and review of garment fit and drape. Its Fabric-Aware Strain Maps use fabric physical properties to determine and apply maximum wearable strain for fit checking.
Can digital sampling eliminate every physical sample?
Do not assume that it can. CLO supports virtual sampling and digital review, but teams should determine which physical samples and checks are required by their own product and production process.
What is CLO-SET's role?
CLO-SET is a separate collaboration and product-development platform. It can be used with CLO for review, collaboration, and presentation workflows.
How are CLO and Marvelous Designer related?
They are sibling products that share garment-simulation technology but serve different workflows. CLO is oriented to fashion and apparel product development, while Marvelous Designer is oriented to digital garments for animation, games, VFX, and CG.
Can CLO connect garment development with production information?
CLO supports pattern and garment workflows alongside production-oriented formats such as DXF, AI, and PDF. Confirm the exact files and information required for each receiving workflow.
Explore CLO for digital garment development
Learn how CLO supports fashion design, garment simulation, and virtual sampling, with CLO-SET available for collaboration and presentation workflows.
