Design Your First 3D T-Shirt in CLO 3D

Draw, sew, and render a realistic 3D T-shirt from scratch in CLO 3D.

Introduction

30 Second Summary

Every T-shirt you wear started as flat pieces of fabric cut to a pattern. Fashion brands now design and test those patterns digitally, draping them on virtual models before a single thread is cut.

In this project, you will draw your own T-shirt pattern from scratch in CLO 3D, sew the pieces together on a virtual avatar, simulate realistic fabric drape, and render a polished final image.

What You'll Build

Picture rotating around a virtual model wearing a T-shirt you designed from scratch, with realistic wrinkles, fabric texture, and proper fit. That is exactly what you will have by the end of this project.

By the end of this project, you'll have:

A fitted 3D T-shirt simulated on a virtual avatar that you can rotate and inspect from any angle.
The ability to swap fabrics and instantly see how different materials change the garment's drape and appearance.
A rendered image of your T-shirt with realistic lighting and fabric detail, ready for a portfolio or client presentation.
Secret Mission: Create a second colorway with a graphic print and produce a two-look collection shot.

Are there any prerequisites?

No prior experience with CLO 3D or fashion design is needed. This guide walks you through the full setup, including signing up for the 14-day free trial.

A 3-button mouse is recommended for smoother 3D navigation, but you can complete the project with a trackpad.

Before We Start

Before we dive in, let's lock in what you are about to build and why it matters.

Set Up CLO 3D and Meet the Interface

Every garment in CLO 3D starts with the same workspace: a 2D window for drawing flat patterns and a 3D window for seeing them come to life on a virtual body. Before you can design your T-shirt, you need the software installed and running on your Mac.

This step gets CLO 3D up and running. Getting comfortable with the workspace now means you will not waste time hunting for tools later.

In this step, get ready to:

Set up a CLO-SET account and start the 14-day free trial.
Install and launch CLO 3D on your Mac.
Learn the dual-window interface and 3D navigation controls.

Sign up for a CLO account and start the free trial

CLO 3D requires a CLO-SET account to sign in. You will create one and activate a 14-day free trial.

Open your browser and go to clo3d.com/en/plans.
Click Start your 14-day free trial.
Create a CLO-SET account. This is the single login for all CLO services.
Choose the Individual plan and enter your payment information.

Watch your trial dates

The 14-day trial is free. After 14 days, the Individual plan auto-renews at $50/month. Set a calendar reminder to cancel before the trial ends if you do not want to continue.

Once your trial is active, go to clo3d.com/en/clo/download.
Click the Mac download button to download the CLO installer (.dmg file).
Open the .dmg file and drag CLO into your Applications folder.

CLO 3D is now installed. Time to launch it.

Press Cmd+Space (macOS) or the Windows key (Windows) to open your search bar.
Type CLO and press Enter to launch CLO 3D.
Sign in with your CLO-SET credentials when prompted.

CLO 3D opens with the dual-window layout: the 2D Pattern Window on the left and the 3D Garment Window on the right.

CLO 3D not launching?

Make sure you dragged CLO into the Applications folder, not just the Desktop.
If macOS blocks the app, open System Settings, click Privacy & Security, scroll down to Security, and click Open Anyway.
If you see a login error, double-check your CLO-SET email and password at clo3d.com first.
Help me troubleshoot launching CLO 3D on my Mac.

Navigate the workspace

CLO's interface is split into two halves. Each window has a distinct role in the design process.

Look at the left side of your screen. This is the 2D Pattern Window, where you will draw and edit flat pattern pieces.
Look at the right side. This is the 3D Garment Window, where the avatar lives and your garment will be simulated.

How do the 2D and 3D windows work together?

Everything you draw in the 2D window appears on or around the avatar in the 3D window. Changes in one window update the other in real time.

This two-way connection is the foundation of every CLO project. A pattern piece you create in 2D immediately shows up in 3D, and moving a piece in 3D shifts it in 2D.

Navigating the 3D window uses mouse controls. Try each one now to confirm they work.

Right-click and drag inside the 3D Garment Window to orbit around the avatar. You should see the camera rotate around the figure.
Scroll up and down to zoom in and out.
Middle-click and drag to pan across the view.

Using a trackpad?

CLO lists a 3-button mouse as a required input device in its system requirements. A trackpad works for this project, but orbiting and panning are much smoother with a mouse.

If you have a 3-button mouse available, switch to it now. You will thank yourself when positioning pattern pieces later.

Locate the 2D toolbar on the left side of the 2D Pattern Window. This toolbar contains the drawing and sewing tools you will use throughout the project.

Load the default avatar

Your T-shirt needs a body to drape on. CLO uses a virtual avatar as the mannequin for every garment.

Check the 3D Garment Window for a human figure standing in the center.

✔️ I see an avatar in the 3D window

The default avatar is already loaded. You are ready to move on.

ⓧ The 3D window is empty

Press Y on your keyboard to open the Library panel.
In the Library panel, navigate to Avatar.
Select a default avatar (female or male) and double-click to load it.
Confirm the avatar now appears in the 3D Garment Window.

Still no avatar after loading?

Try scrolling to zoom out in the 3D window. The avatar may be loaded but out of view.
Right-click in the 3D window and select Zoom Extents All to centre the view on whatever is in the scene.
Help me load the default avatar in CLO 3D.

Now look at the 2D Pattern Window on the left. Confirm you can see the avatar's shadow outline. This outline shows where the avatar's body is positioned, which helps you place pattern pieces in the next step.

No shadow outline in the 2D window?

Try scrolling to zoom out in the 2D window. The outline may be outside your current view.
Make sure the avatar is loaded in the 3D window first. If the 3D window is empty, load the avatar from the Library by pressing Y.
If the 2D window itself is missing, go to Main Menu, then Display, then Windows, then click 2D Window to toggle it back on.
I can see the avatar in 3D but there is no shadow outline in my 2D Pattern Window. How do I fix this?

Your workspace is ready and you know your way around the interface. Next up, you will draw the pattern pieces that form the building blocks of your T-shirt.

Draw Your T-Shirt Pattern Pieces

CLO 3D is set up and you know your way around the dual-window interface. Now it is time to draw the actual building blocks of your T-shirt.

Pattern pieces are the flat shapes that become 3D clothing once they are sewn together and simulated. Drawing them yourself is the core pattern drafting skill that employers look for, because it teaches you how every 2D shape maps to a part of the body.

In this step, get ready to:

Create the front and back bodice rectangles using the Rectangle Tool.
Create two sleeve rectangles and position them near the arms.
Refine all four pieces with the Edit Pattern Tool to add neckline curves and sleeve cap curves.

Create the front and back bodice using the Rectangle Tool

Every T-shirt starts with two main body pieces: a front bodice and a back bodice. You will draw each one as a rectangle with precise dimensions, then position them around the avatar shadow in the 2D window.

In the 2D toolbar on the left, click and hold the fourth tool to reveal the dropdown menu.
Select Rectangle Tool from the dropdown.
Click once in the 2D window, in front of the avatar shadow, to open the Create Rectangle window.
Set the width to 25 cm and the height to 35 cm.
Click OK to create your front bodice piece.

A rectangle appears in the 2D window. This is your front bodice, the piece that covers the chest of the avatar.

What is a bodice?

A bodice is the upper-body portion of a garment, running from the shoulders down to the waist or hip. Front and back bodice pieces are the foundation of almost every top, dress, and jacket.

Now create the back bodice using the same process.

With the Rectangle Tool still selected, click once in the 2D window behind the avatar shadow.
Set the width to 25 cm and the height to 35 cm.
Click OK to create your back bodice piece.

You should now see two rectangles in your 2D window: one in front of the avatar shadow and one behind it.

Position matters in 2D

The avatar shadow in the 2D window shows you where the avatar's body sits. Placing pattern pieces in front of or behind the shadow tells CLO 3D which side of the body they belong to.

Don't see a rectangle after clicking OK?

Make sure you selected the Rectangle Tool from the dropdown, not the Internal Rectangle Tool. The Internal Rectangle creates shapes inside existing patterns, not new pattern pieces.

If the rectangle appeared but is too small to see, scroll your mouse wheel to zoom in on the 2D window.

Help me find the Rectangle Tool in the 2D toolbar.

Create the sleeves

Sleeves are smaller rectangles that will wrap around the avatar's arms. You need one for each arm.

With the Rectangle Tool still selected, click once in the 2D window near the left arm area of the avatar shadow.
Set the width to 18 cm and the height to 20 cm.
Click OK to create your first sleeve.

A smaller rectangle appears near the left arm. Now create the second sleeve.

Click once in the 2D window near the right arm area of the avatar shadow.
Set the width to 18 cm and the height to 20 cm.
Click OK to create your second sleeve.

You should now see four rectangles in the 2D window: two larger ones for the front and back bodice, and two smaller ones for the sleeves.

Pieces overlapping or hard to see?

If your pieces landed on top of each other, select the Transform Pattern Tool (shortcut: A) and drag each piece to spread them out around the avatar shadow.

Scroll your mouse wheel to zoom in or out, and middle-click and drag to pan around the 2D window.

Help me reposition my pattern pieces in the 2D window.

Refine the shapes with the Edit Pattern Tool

Real T-shirts do not have perfectly square necklines or flat sleeve tops. You need to add curves to make the pieces look and behave like actual garment shapes.

Start by curving the front neckline.

Select the Edit Pattern Tool from the 2D toolbar.
Click on the top edge of your front bodice rectangle to select it.
Right-click the selected edge.
Select Split from the pop-up menu to add points along the neckline area.
In the Split window, choose Uniform Split and enter 3 for the number of segments, then click OK.
Drag the new points downward to create a rounded neckline curve.

The top edge of your front bodice now dips into a gentle curve instead of a straight line.

Why split before dragging?

A rectangle only has four corner points. You cannot curve an edge with only two endpoints. Splitting adds new points between the corners, giving you handles to drag and shape the curve.

Now curve the back neckline the same way, but shallower.

Click on the top edge of your back bodice rectangle.
Right-click the selected edge and select Split from the pop-up menu.
Choose Uniform Split with 3 segments, then click OK.
Drag the new points downward just slightly to create a shallower neck curve than the front.

The back neckline is higher than the front, just like a real T-shirt.

Finally, add sleeve cap curves to both sleeves.

Click on the top edge of your first sleeve rectangle.
Right-click the selected edge and select Split from the pop-up menu.
Choose Uniform Split with 3 segments, then click OK.
Drag the new points upward slightly to create a gentle sleeve cap curve.
Repeat the same split-and-drag process on the top edge of your second sleeve.

What is a sleeve cap?

The sleeve cap is the curved top of a sleeve that fits into the armhole. A slight upward curve helps the sleeve drape naturally over the shoulder instead of bunching up at the seam.

Curves looking jagged or uneven?

If your curve has sharp angles instead of a smooth arc, try holding Shift and clicking to select multiple points, then drag them together for a smoother result.

You can undo any edit with Cmd+Z and try again. The curves do not need to be perfect. You will fine-tune the fit after simulation in a later step.

Help me smooth out my neckline curve in CLO 3D.

Take a moment to look at all four pieces in your 2D window. How many distinct shapes do you count, and can you tell which one is the front versus the back bodice?

You should see four pattern pieces: a front bodice with a deeper neckline curve, a back bodice with a shallower neckline curve, and two sleeves with slight upward curves at the top. They are rough T-shirt shapes ready to be arranged and sewn.

Your pattern pieces are drafted and shaped. Next up, you will arrange them on the 3D avatar and sew them together so they actually form a T-shirt.

Arrange and Sew Your Pattern Pieces

You have four pattern pieces shaped and ready in the 2D window. They look like T-shirt parts on paper, but right now they are just flat shapes with no relationship to the avatar's body.

In this step, you will position those pieces around the avatar in 3D and stitch them together using CLO's sewing tools. This is where flat pattern pieces become a connected garment for the first time.

In this step, get ready to:

Arrange pattern pieces around the avatar in the 3D window.
Sew shoulder and side seams using Segment Sewing.
Sew sleeves to armholes using Free Sewing.

Arrange pattern pieces on the avatar

Your pattern pieces currently exist only as flat 2D shapes. To turn them into a garment, you need to position each piece around the avatar's body in the 3D Garment Window so CLO knows where each piece belongs.

Press A on your keyboard to select the Transform Pattern Tool.
Click the front bodice piece in the 2D window to select it.
In the 3D window, drag the red, green, and blue gizmo arrows to move the front bodice onto the avatar's chest.
Click the back bodice and use the gizmo arrows to position it on the avatar's back.
Click the left sleeve and position it on the avatar's left arm.
Click the right sleeve and position it on the avatar's right arm.
Make sure each piece hovers just outside the avatar's body without intersecting it.

What do the gizmo arrows do?

The red, green, and blue arrows represent the X, Y, and Z axes. Dragging an arrow moves the selected pattern piece along that axis. You can also drag the colored arcs to rotate a piece.

Pieces must hover outside the avatar, not clip through it. If a piece sits inside the body, the simulation will push it outward in an unnatural way.

Orbit around the avatar using right-click + drag. You should see all four pieces surrounding the avatar: front bodice on the chest, back bodice on the back, and one sleeve on each arm.

Pieces not appearing around the avatar?

Make sure you are looking at the 3D Garment Window (right side), not the 2D Pattern Window. The pieces move in 3D when you drag the gizmo arrows.

If a piece seems stuck, check that the Transform Pattern Tool is still active (press A again) and that you have clicked the correct piece to select it.

Still having trouble? Help me position my pattern pieces around the avatar in CLO 3D.

Sew the shoulder and side seams using Segment Sewing

Positioning pieces around the avatar tells CLO where each piece belongs. Sewing tells CLO which edges connect to each other. Without sewing lines, the pieces would just float separately when you simulate.

Segment Sewing is the simplest sewing method. You click one edge, then click the matching edge, and CLO creates the seam. It works best for straight edges like shoulders and sides.

Select Segment Sewing from the 2D toolbar.
In the 2D window, click the left shoulder edge of the front bodice.
Click the corresponding left shoulder edge of the back bodice to create the sewing line.
Check that the directional notches (small arrows on the sewing line) point the same direction on both edges.

You should see a sewing line connecting the two shoulder edges in both the 2D and 3D windows. The directional notches should point in matching directions.

What are directional notches?

Directional notches are the small arrows that appear on sewing lines. They show which direction each edge will be sewn. If the notches on opposite sides point in the same direction, the seam is aligned correctly.

If the notches cross each other, the fabric will twist during simulation. Press ESC to undo and re-click the edges in the correct order.

Sew the right shoulder the same way: click the right shoulder edge of the front bodice, then click the right shoulder edge of the back bodice.
Click the left side edge of the front bodice.
Click the matching left side edge of the back bodice to create the left side seam.
Click the right side edge of the front bodice, then click the right side edge of the back bodice to create the right side seam.

You should now see four sewing lines in the 2D and 3D windows: two shoulders and two sides. All directional notches should point in matching directions.

Sewing lines not showing up?

Make sure Segment Sewing is still the active tool. If you accidentally switched tools, re-select it from the 2D toolbar.

You must click on the edge itself, not on the interior of the pattern piece. Zoom in on the 2D window if the edges are hard to target.

If notches are crossed, press ESC to undo, then click the edges again in the same direction (e.g. both from left to right). Help me fix crossed directional notches on my sewing lines in CLO 3D.

Sew the sleeves using Free Sewing

Sleeves connect to armholes, which curve across multiple segment points. Segment Sewing only works between two single segments. Free Sewing lets you define a start and end point on each edge, so you can sew across segment boundaries.

Why use Free Sewing instead of Segment Sewing?

Segment Sewing connects one full segment to another in two clicks. It is perfect for straight edges like shoulders and sides.

Free Sewing connects a range of points you define yourself, in four clicks. It gives you control when sewing curves or spanning multiple segments, which is exactly what armhole seams require.

Select Free Sewing from the 2D toolbar (it is directly below Segment Sewing).
Click the start point on the left sleeve's top edge (the sleeve cap).
Click the end point on the left sleeve's top edge.
Click the start point on the left armhole edge of the bodice.
Click the end point on the left armhole edge of the bodice to complete the seam.

A sewing line now connects the left sleeve to the left armhole. You should see the line in both the 2D and 3D windows.

Repeat the same four-click process for the right sleeve: click the start point on the right sleeve cap, click the end point, click the start point on the right armhole, click the end point.

Before you move on, what do you expect to see when you orbit around the avatar? Think about how many sewing lines should be visible and where they connect.

Do a slow orbit around the avatar in the 3D window (right-click + drag) to inspect all sewing lines.

You should see six sewing lines total: two shoulder seams, two side seams, and two sleeve-to-armhole seams. All lines should appear in both the 2D and 3D windows with no crossed sewing lines.

Seeing crossed or missing sewing lines?

If a sleeve seam looks twisted, the start and end points may not match up correctly. Undo with Cmd+Z and re-click the four points, making sure start-to-start and end-to-end correspond between the sleeve and armhole.

If a sewing line is missing entirely, zoom into the 2D window and check whether the edge you clicked is the correct one. Edges are easier to target when you zoom in close.

Still stuck? Help me troubleshoot my sewing lines in CLO 3D.

Your pattern pieces are arranged and stitched together. Next up, you will press spacebar to simulate and watch those flat pieces snap into a 3D T-shirt on the avatar for the first time.

Simulate and Fix the Fit

Your pattern pieces are connected at every seam. The front bodice, back bodice, and both sleeves are all stitched together in the 2D and 3D windows.

Now comes the real test. Simulation applies gravity to your flat pattern pieces, pulling them down and together around the avatar.

The first simulation almost always reveals fit problems. Spotting and fixing those problems through the adjust-simulate cycle is a core skill in CLO 3D.

In this step, get ready to:

Run your first simulation and watch flat pattern pieces become a 3D garment.
Diagnose and fix fit issues through the adjust-simulate cycle.
Fine-tune your pattern curves for a clean final fit.

Run your first simulation

CLO's simulation engine pulls your pattern pieces down onto the avatar using gravity. The pieces snap together along your sewing lines and form a 3D garment shape.

Before you press anything, look at your 3D window with the hovering pattern pieces. Do you think they will fall into a perfect T-shirt, or will you spot some fit issues?

Press the spacebar to start simulation.

What does the spacebar do?

The spacebar toggles simulation on and off. You can also click the simulation button in the upper left corner of the 3D toolbar.

This is the single most important shortcut in CLO. Commit it to memory now.

The pattern pieces fall and drape around the avatar under simulated gravity.

Press the spacebar again to stop simulation once the garment has settled.
Orbit around the avatar in the 3D window to inspect the T-shirt from all sides.

You will almost certainly see fit issues. The T-shirt may be too tight, too loose, bunching at the arms, or sitting incorrectly at the neckline.

Why does the first simulation look rough?

This is completely normal. The first simulation shows you the raw result of your pattern dimensions.

Real CLO designers run dozens of simulate-adjust cycles on every garment. The next substep walks you through identifying and fixing the most common fit problems.

Pieces flying off the avatar?

If pattern pieces separate or twist away from the avatar, your sewing lines may have crossed directional notches. Press the spacebar to stop simulation, then go back to your sewing tools and check that the notch arrows on each sewing line point in the same direction on both sides.

Help me fix pattern pieces flying off during simulation.

Adjust pattern pieces to fix fit issues

Now that you know what needs fixing, you will use the adjust-simulate cycle. Make a change in the 2D window, then re-simulate to see the result.

Press the spacebar to stop simulation if it is still running.
Select the Edit Pattern Tool from the 2D toolbar.

If the T-shirt is too tight, select the side edges of your front and back bodice pieces and drag them outward to add width.
If the neckline is too high or too low, click on the neckline curve points and drag them to reposition the curve.
If the sleeves bunch up, adjust the sleeve cap curve or resize the sleeve pieces to better fit the armhole.

After making your adjustments, press the spacebar to re-simulate.
Orbit around the avatar to inspect the fit from all angles.
Repeat this adjust-simulate cycle until the T-shirt drapes naturally with no major bunching or tension.

How many cycles is normal?

There is no set number. Some adjustments land on the first try. Others take three or four iterations.

Each cycle trains your eye for how 2D pattern dimensions translate into 3D fit. This is the skill that separates a beginner from a practiced CLO designer.

Adjustments not sticking after re-simulation?

Make sure you stopped the simulation (press the spacebar) before editing pattern pieces. Edits made while simulation is still running may not apply correctly.

Help me with pattern adjustments not applying in CLO 3D.

Fine-tune with the Edit Pattern Tool

Once the major fit issues are resolved, it is time to smooth out any rough edges. Jagged curves on the neckline, hem, or sleeve caps make the garment look unfinished in simulation.

With the Edit Pattern Tool selected, click on individual points along the neckline, hem, or sleeve cap curves.
Drag points gently to smooth any jagged or angular sections into clean curves.
Hold Shift and click to select multiple points, then drag them together for uniform adjustments.

Before you run the final simulation, take a moment to predict. Do you think your adjustments have fixed the fit issues you saw earlier?

Press the spacebar to run simulation one final time.
Orbit around the avatar to confirm the T-shirt drapes naturally.

The T-shirt should drape on the avatar with no major bunching, twisting, or tension. The neckline, sleeves, and hem should all sit where you expect them.

Still seeing bunching or tension?

Press the spacebar to stop simulation and continue adjusting. Focus on the specific area that looks wrong. If the neckline pulls, widen the neck curve. If a sleeve bunches, enlarge the sleeve cap slightly.

Help me fix remaining fit issues in my CLO 3D T-shirt.

Your T-shirt fits well, but it is still wearing the default digital muslin. In the next step, you will apply a real knit fabric from the CLO library and render a polished, portfolio-ready image.

Apply Fabric and Render Your T-Shirt

Your T-shirt drapes naturally on the avatar and fits the way you want it to. Right now, though, it is still wearing CLO 3D's default digital muslin. That flat grey placeholder makes every garment look the same.

Applying a real fabric transforms your T-shirt from a technical prototype into something that looks like an actual garment. In this step, you will swap the placeholder for a knit fabric, pick a custom color, and render a polished final image.

In this step, get ready to:

Apply a knit jersey fabric from the CLO Library.
Customize the fabric color using the Property Editor.
Render a portfolio-ready image and save your project.

Apply a knit fabric from the CLO Library

A fabric in CLO is more than a visual texture. Each fabric carries physical properties like weight, stretch, and stiffness that change how the garment drapes during simulation.

Open the CLO Library by pressing Y on your keyboard. You can also click the Library button in the upper right of the screen.
Make sure you are on the CLO tab at the top of the Library panel.
Click Fabrics and type jersey in the search bar.
Browse the results and select a knit jersey fabric. Look for a cotton jersey or a cut and sew knit jersey.
Double-click or download the fabric to add it to your project.

What does a CLO Library fabric include?

Each fabric in the library comes with pre-configured physical properties: how heavy the cloth is, how much it stretches, and how stiff it feels. When you apply it and re-simulate, the garment drapes differently than it did with the default muslin.

A knit jersey is a great choice for a T-shirt because it is lightweight and stretchy, just like a real cotton tee.

Select all your pattern pieces in the 2D window by pressing Command + A.
Drag the jersey fabric from the Library panel onto the selected pattern pieces to apply it.
Press the spacebar to re-simulate.

Watch how the T-shirt drapes differently now. The fabric's weight, stretch, and stiffness change the way it falls on the avatar compared to the flat grey muslin.

Fabric not appearing on your T-shirt?

Make sure you selected all pattern pieces before dragging the fabric. Press Command + A in the 2D window to select everything.
Check that you dragged the fabric onto the pattern pieces themselves, not onto an empty area of the 2D window.
Try pressing the spacebar to re-simulate. The fabric texture sometimes only appears after simulation runs.
Help me apply a fabric in CLO 3D.

Change the fabric color

The fabric you applied came with a default color. CLO lets you change the color in real time without re-applying the fabric or re-simulating.

In the Object Browser (left panel), click the Fabric tab.
Select the fabric you just applied.
In the Property Editor (lower left), find the Materials section.
Use the Color Picker to change the T-shirt color to one you like.

The 3D window updates in real time as you adjust the color. Try a few options to find one that feels right.

Color not changing in the 3D window?

Make sure you selected the correct fabric entry in the Fabric tab of the Object Browser. If no fabric is selected, the Property Editor will not show the Materials section.
Help me change fabric color in CLO 3D.

Render a polished final image and save your project

The 3D window shows a real-time preview of your garment, but it is optimized for speed, not for visual quality. Rendering uses V-Ray, a professional rendering engine built into CLO, to produce a photorealistic image with proper lighting, shadows, and fabric detail.

Position your camera in the 3D window to a front or three-quarter view of the avatar. Right-click and drag to orbit, and scroll to zoom.
Go to Render mode, accessible from the toolbar or from the Main Menu.

Before you turn on the render preview, think about what you expect to look different compared to the regular 3D view. What details do you think rendering will add?

Enable Interactive Render to see a real-time rendered preview.

The preview starts grainy and progressively clears up over a few seconds. You should see realistic lighting, soft shadows, and the knit texture of the fabric come through in a way the regular 3D view does not show.

What is V-Ray doing here?

V-Ray traces rays of virtual light as they bounce off the fabric, the avatar's skin, and the environment. This produces photorealistic results: accurate shadows under the sleeves, subtle color variation across folds, and the slightly fuzzy surface of a real knit jersey.

On your M4 MacBook, V-Ray uses Metal GPU acceleration, so the interactive preview should clear up quickly.

Adjust the background, lighting, and camera angle until you are happy with the composition.
Capture a high-quality render image when you are satisfied with the preview.

You now have a rendered image of your T-shirt. The last thing to do is save your entire project so you can come back to it later.

Click Main Menu at the top of the screen.
Click File.
Click Save as.
Select Project to save everything as a .zprj file. This format includes both the garment and the avatar.
Choose a location on your Mac and click Save.

Why save as Project instead of Garment?

CLO has two save formats. .zprj (Project) saves the full scene: your garment, the avatar, and any animation data. .zpac (Garment) saves only the garment without the avatar. For this project, .zprj is the right choice because you want to reopen the exact scene you see now.

Rotate around your avatar one final time. Your T-shirt should display a realistic knit fabric texture with proper drape. You should also have a rendered image saved to your Mac showing the T-shirt on the avatar with realistic lighting and fabric detail.

Render preview still looks grainy or dark?

Give the Interactive Render a few more seconds to clear up. V-Ray renders progressively, so the image starts noisy and sharpens over time.
If the image is too dark, check that the lighting settings in Render mode are not set too low. Try resetting to default lighting.
Help me fix my CLO 3D render.

Secret mission

Create a Two-Colorway Collection Shot

Fashion portfolios never show just one version of a garment. In this bonus challenge, you will create a second colorway of your T-shirt, add a graphic print to the front, and render both versions side by side as a mini collection presentation.

Clean Up Your Resources

This project uses CLO 3D's 14-day free trial, which auto-renews at $50/month unless you cancel before the trial period ends. Decide whether to keep your resources running, pause them to come back later, or delete them entirely.

Cost warning

Your CLO 3D free trial will automatically convert to a paid subscription ($50 USD/month) after 14 days. If you do not plan to continue using CLO 3D, cancel your subscription from your Subscription page on the CLO website before the trial expires to avoid being charged.

Resources you used:

CLO 3D free trial subscription (auto-renews at $50/month after 14 days).
CLO 3D application installed in /Applications on your Mac.
Local project files: two .zprj project files and rendered images saved on your Mac.

Keep everything running

No action needed. Choose this if you are still actively building and want to keep exploring CLO 3D during your free trial.

Your CLO 3D trial remains active. You can open your .zprj project files anytime and continue designing new garments.
Your rendered images and project files stay on your Mac where you saved them.
Remember that your trial will auto-renew at $50/month after 14 days. Set a calendar reminder if you want to decide before then.

Pause - I'll come back to this later

Free up your subscription costs while keeping your project files safe for later.

Cancel your CLO subscription to avoid charges. Sign in to the CLO website, go to your Subscription page, and cancel before your trial expires.
Your .zprj project files and rendered images remain on your Mac even after your subscription lapses. You can reopen them when you resubscribe.
Keep CLO 3D installed in /Applications so you do not need to re-download when you resubscribe.

Delete - I don't want to use this again

Remove all project resources and cancel your subscription to start fresh.

Cancel your CLO subscription. Sign in to the CLO website, go to your Subscription page, and cancel. You will receive a confirmation email from CLO. If you do not receive one within 24 hours, contact CLO support to confirm the cancellation.
Delete your local project files. Move your .zprj files and rendered images to the Trash.
Uninstall CLO 3D. Open your /Applications folder, find CLO 3D, right-click it, and select Move to Trash. Then empty your Trash.

Nice Work!

Nice work! You just designed a realistic 3D T-shirt from scratch in CLO 3D and rendered a portfolio-ready image.

You went from a blank canvas to a finished digital garment, following the same workflow that professional 3D fashion designers use every day.

You've learned how to:

Draw pattern pieces from scratch using the Rectangle Tool and Edit Pattern Tool, then arrange and sew them onto a 3D avatar using Segment Sewing and Free Sewing.
Run simulation to watch flat patterns snap into a fitted 3D garment, then diagnose and fix fit issues through the adjust-simulate cycle.
Apply a realistic knit fabric from the CLO Library, customize its color, and produce a polished rendered image of the finished T-shirt.
Secret Mission: Create a second colorway with a graphic print and produce a two-look collection shot.

Ready to quiz yourself?