The Cutting Table/Software & workflow
Software & workflow
Pattern CAD, file formats and getting a pattern to production.
L14 · Software & workflow · 6 minAI and Pattern Making in 2026: What Works and What Doesn'tA realistic look at AI sewing pattern making software: where automation helps with conversion and sizing, and why drafting a fitted pattern is still hard.
L14 · Software & workflow · 7 minCAD in Fashion: What It's Used For, From Patterns to MarkersCAD in fashion explained: flats, textile CAD, 2D pattern CAD, 3D sampling, markers and PLM, who uses each, and where small teams should start.
L14 · Software & workflow · 6 minCLO3D for Beginners: The First Week With Real PatternsHow to use CLO3D for beginners, the practical way. A seven-day plan built on real imported patterns instead of drafting from scratch, with goals for each day.
L14 · Software & workflow · 6 minCLO3D vs Marvelous Designer: Which One for Garment Patterns?CLO3D vs Marvelous Designer for sewing patterns. Same cloth engine, different targets. How they compare on pattern accuracy, production output and licensing.
L14 · Software & workflow · 7 minDigital Pattern Making: A Practical Guide for 2026Digital pattern making in practice: drafting in CAD, digitizing paper, converting PDFs, the tools and formats, skills to learn and hybrid workflows.
L14 · Software & workflow · 6 minHow to Send Patterns to a Factory: Files, Formats and ChecksPattern files for a manufacturer, packaged properly. DXF AAMA, a reference PDF, the size set, file naming and the checks to run before you press send.
L14 · Software & workflow · 6 minOpen-Source Tools for Pattern MakersPattern making software open source options that do real work: Seamly2D, Valentina, FreeSewing, Inkscape, LibreCAD and ezdxf - and how to chain them together.
L14 · Software & workflow · 7 minPLT/HPGL Pattern Files: What They Are and How They Differ From DXFPLT/HPGL pattern files explained: the plotter language, why PLT has no pieces or layers, how it differs from DXF AAMA, and PLT to DXF pattern conversion.
L14 · Software & workflow · 7 minSewing Pattern File Formats: PDF, DXF, PLT, SVG, AI and MorePattern file formats compared: PDF, DXF AAMA/ASTM, PLT/HPGL, SVG, AI, native CAD and scans. What each is for, what it keeps, how to convert.
L14 · Software & workflow · 7 minSVG Sewing Patterns: When Vector Web Graphics Make SenseWhen to convert a PDF pattern to SVG: Inkscape, craft cutters and web previews, keeping the scale exact, and why SVG does not replace DXF in CAD.
L14 · Software & workflow · 7 minTech Packs and Pattern Files: What Your Factory Needs From YouTech pack guide for a clothing brand: flats, BOM, measurement and grading specs, construction notes, and the pattern files a factory expects.
L14 · Software & workflow · 8 minWhat Makes a Pattern Production-Ready?A production ready pattern is accurate, fully marked, labelled, graded and delivered as clean DXF. The checks small brands should run before a factory sees it.