Key Takeaway
- CLO’s Strain Map Fabric Mode calculates a wearable stretch limit from each fabric’s physical properties, helping teams review material-specific stretch during fit checks.
- CLO provides four garment Fit Maps: Strain Map for garment stretch, Stress Map for stress along the fabric grain per unit area, Fit Map for garment tightness, and Pressure Map for pressure exerted on the avatar.
- CLO supports 2D pattern editing alongside 3D garment simulation and high-resolution rendering. CLO-SET can complement that work with tools for sharing and reviewing digital garments.
During fabric approval, swapping a heavy twill for a lightweight jersey can change how an existing pattern behaves on the body, making fit review an important part of the process. CLO supports this review with garment Fit Maps, including a Strain Map Fabric Mode that applies a wearable stretch limit based on each fabric’s physical properties. CLO is designed for fashion and apparel development; its sibling product Marvelous Designer is primarily used for animation and gaming. CLO-SET is a separate platform that can complement CLO with digital garment review and collaboration.
Strain Limits in CLO Fit Maps
Evaluating multiple candidate textiles on the same base pattern requires diagnostic tools that account for how each material actually behaves under tension. CLO provides four distinct garment Fit Maps for this review stage: the Strain Map displays garment stretch as a percentage, the Stress Map shows stress along the fabric grain per unit area, the Fit Map indicates garment tightness, and the Pressure Map shows garment pressure on the avatar.
In Strain Map Fabric Mode, CLO calculates a wearable stretch limit from each material’s physical properties and applies that threshold to the 3D view; the limit can also be adjusted manually. CLO also includes a Fitting (Accurate Fabric) simulation mode designed to display a more precise garment simulation and represent fabric elasticity more realistically. These Fit Maps and material controls are design aids for reviewing simulated garments, not guarantees of physical fit or comfort. Results depend on the accuracy of the fabric inputs and how you test the garment.
3D Apparel Simulation Tools
For a practical comparison, consider how CLO and other apparel platforms approach fabric simulation, 3D garment review, and visual output. Capabilities and workflows vary, so the most relevant comparison is how each tool handles the materials and review tasks your team needs.
| Software | Fabric Simulation | 3D Garment Review & Editing | Visual Output |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLO | Simulates garment fit and drape using patterns, avatars, and fabric properties; Fit Maps include fabric-specific stretch limits in Strain Map Fabric Mode. | Supports 2D pattern creation and editing alongside 3D simulation; 2D adjustments sync with the 3D window, while editing a 2D pattern during active simulation stops the simulation. | Includes integrated V-Ray rendering for high-resolution, photorealistic garment visualization. CLO-SET complements this workflow with digital garment sharing, review, and collaboration. |
| Browzwear VStitcher | Provides 3D fabric and garment simulation for apparel design workflows. | Provides tools for 3D garment review and editing; check its current documentation for the controls relevant to your workflow. | Includes rendering tools; output and workflow details depend on the application setup. |
| Style3D Studio | Provides 3D cloth simulation for apparel workflows. | Includes tools for viewing and editing garments in 3D; check current documentation for the specific review controls you need. | Includes 3D rendering tools; output and workflow details depend on the application setup. |
For CLO’s current Fit Map definitions, see its Garment Fit Maps guide and Strain Map guide. For CLO-SET, see the official platform site.
In day-to-day pattern and fit work in CLO, you draft and modify shapes in the 2D window while viewing the 3D garment simulation alongside it. Adjustments in the 2D window synchronize with the 3D window. Editing a 2D pattern stops an active simulation, so run simulation again to review the updated fit and drape. Once the garment has settled, generate high-resolution renders for design and production review. CLO-SET can support sharing and reviewing digital garment content with collaborators as part of a broader product-development workflow.
Reading the CLO Strain Map
During a fit review, CLO’s Strain Map displays garment stretch as a percentage. Selecting a point on the simulated 3D garment displays detailed values for that location. In Fabric Mode, the map uses the selected fabric’s stretch limit; in Global Mode, it uses the same scale across fabrics to show how much a pattern has stretched from its original 2D shape. See CLO’s Strain Map guide for details.
You can switch modes depending on the question your team is trying to answer:
- Fabric Mode uses the selected fabric’s wearable stretch limit, calculated from its physical properties and adjustable manually.
- Global Mode uses the same Strain Map scale for every fabric, showing how much a pattern has stretched from its original 2D shape regardless of fabric type.
Material data quality matters during approval. CLO’s Help Center states that fabrics in the CLO Library and fabrics created with the Fabric Kit have about 90% accuracy, though accuracy may differ when a fabric’s physical properties are modified. This is CLO’s stated estimate, not a guarantee of physical fit or comfort. See the virtual fabric accuracy FAQ for its qualifications.
FAQ
How does CLO help review fit changes on a 3D garment during fabric approval?
CLO simulates fit and drape using patterns, avatars, and fabric properties. Fit Maps provide different views of the simulated garment, and Strain Map Fabric Mode applies a stretch limit based on the fabric’s physical properties. Selecting a point on the 3D garment displays detailed values for that location. CLO also includes a Fitting (Accurate Fabric) simulation mode designed to represent fabric elasticity more realistically.
Does the CLO Strain Map use a single scale for every fabric?
CLO offers two modes. Fabric Mode uses the selected fabric’s stretch limit, which is calculated from its physical properties and can be adjusted manually. Global Mode uses the same Strain Map scale for every fabric to show how much a pattern has stretched from its original shape, regardless of fabric type.
How accurate are the digital fabrics used in CLO fit simulations?
CLO’s Help Center states that fabrics in the CLO Library and fabrics created with the Fabric Kit have about 90% accuracy, though accuracy may differ when a fabric’s physical properties are modified. Simulation results also depend on how the garment is tested, so Fit Maps and material controls are design aids rather than guarantees of physical fit or comfort. See CLO’s virtual fabric accuracy FAQ.
Do active university students qualify for a CLO individual subscription and student discount?
Active students enrolled at accredited universities qualify for a CLO individual subscription and can receive a student discount after submitting appropriate enrollment documentation to the CLO user support team and having it verified. See CLO’s student discount information for current requirements.
Is CLO Academy free, and does it provide quizzes or certificates?
CLO Academy is 100% free for all individual subscribers, including active student subscribers. It does not currently offer quizzes or certificates of completion. Academy learning access is separate from CLO Verified, which is a separate, paid certification exam. Candidates who pass CLO Verified receive an official CLO certificate verifying proficiency in the software version tested. See the official CLO Academy FAQ and CLO Verified details.
How does Marvelous Designer relate to CLO?
Marvelous Designer is CLO’s sibling product, primarily used for animation and gaming, while CLO is optimized for fashion and apparel development. The products share core technology but serve different workflows. See CLO’s product comparison.