CLO 3D vs SDS-ONE APEX4

CLO 3D is fashion design software for designing garments and visualizing how they drape. In Simulation mode, users edit patterns in a 2D window while arranging garments or poses in 3D. Print Layout mode places patterns on prints, calculates fabric consumption, and creates layouts for printing. The software includes a V-Ray renderer; GPU-accelerated V-Ray rendering through Metal is supported on Apple Silicon Macs starting with CLO v2025.0. In the 2026.0 Pattern Information window, users can inspect pattern details and switch between revisions. CLO supports importing and exporting FBX and OBJ files, and DXF-AAMA pattern files. Its API allows customized features through plugins registered from DLL or DYLIB files. CLO runs on Windows and macOS, with listed minimum requirements of Windows 11 64-bit or macOS Sonoma 14, 16 GB memory, and 10 GB SSD space. The Individual plan costs $50 a month or $450 a year; student pricing is $25 a month or $225 a year. A 14-day trial is listed, but there is no free plan.

SDS-ONE APEX4 is SHIMA SEIKI’s all-in-one design system, combining dedicated hardware and software for textile, apparel, and industrial product development. It provides planning, design, colorway creation, realistic fabric simulation, and high-definition 3D virtual sampling. Textile tools cover flat knitting, circular knitting, printing, and weaving. Pattern CAD supports knitwear, apparel, and industrial designs, while knitting-machine programming includes shaping and WHOLEGARMENT production. The system can scan and simulate real yarn, and virtual samples can reduce the need for physical sample-making. An Auto-suggest function generates colorways and designs automatically. SHIMA SEIKI describes links across planning, design, production, and sales promotion among yarn spinners, brands, and manufacturers. Listed industries include fashion, sports and outdoors, healthcare, footwear and accessories, home furnishings, automotive, aeronautical, and industrial materials. APEX4 runs on Windows, including Windows 11. For units numbered 60001 or higher, updating to Windows 11 version 24H2 may deactivate Windows licensing.