A lot of programmers might think web designers are pretty much useless, because they can draw pretty pictures on a screen instead of working with actual files. But nowadays, the best software for clothing design has been democratized somewhat. With a few clicks, you can bring your images to life and make them real.
1. Adobe Illustrator
Though not technically a fashion design tool, Adobe Illustrator remains popular in design schools. It gives students a strong introduction to vector graphics software.
This kind of software uses math and geometry to create high-definition illustrations. It doesn’t work in a drag-and-drop or click-and-draw method as some simpler drawing programs do. Some video game designers also use this type of software!
Because so many design students use this program, you can find thousands of helpful tutorials online. This will get you started figuring out how to use this generic program for clothing design.
Plus, you get a great discount as a student! If you’re not a student, AI still costs way less than many specialized fashion programs. You can purchase a monthly subscription for just $20.99.
2. Browzwear
Browzwear focuses on cutting-edge 3D clothing design. Using 3D design has many benefits, including the ability to test the fit of a design before production. This Singapore-based design company leads the way in design trends.
The company offers several different software packages, including VStitcher and Lotta. Lotta focuses more on the basics of concept design. VStitcher gives you a more comprehensive ability to craft concepts, use true-motion fit, and even draft sewing patterns!
The downside to this awesome software is that it isn’t practical for a single user. You can get a free demo of this software, but you have to request a quote for pricing. Typically, large companies buy this program and select a certain number of users, paying more for every additional user.
3. C-Design Fashion
C-Design Fashion simplifies the lifecycle of your clothing production. It helps you share and disperse the design as part of the product creation process.
This program offers a centralized way to share information about your designs, such as sizing charts. It also allows you to create artistic variations such as color schemes. Plus, it offers easy ways to upload your digital designs from other software such as Adobe Illustrator.
Better yet, this software can work in both a small and large business setting. It offers realistic pricing plans starting as low as $49/month!
4. CLO 3D
CLO 3D provides an intuitive, interactive 3D CAD solution for garment design. It also offers key features like 2D sewing pattern creation. Its main focus lies in the realm of 3D, though, giving you a wide range of options for sizing, color schemes, and styles.
You can perform fancy 3D design tricks like adding folds and layers to a 3D design or making it look like the garment is in motion!
This product does offer a 30-day free trial to give you a chance to determine if it suits your needs. After that, it costs $50/month.
5. Corel Draw
Corel Draw gives you an alternative to Adobe Illustrator. If you just need a strong graphic design tool, you may want to consider this software! It offers a variety of apps and a full software suite. The suite covers everything from vector illustration to collaboration, photo editing, and typography.
Depending on the products you select, this option may cost less than AI. The program also offers advanced design tools you won’t find elsewhere, as well as a community of artistic users to collaborate with!
As you can see, some of these features have more relevance to fashion design than others, but you can select from a variety of pricing models. The illustration software costs $249 a year.
6. Digital Fashion Pro
The cool thing that sets Digital Fashion Pro apart from the crowd is that it teaches you fashion design basics. It offers a starter course and a starter kit for learning fashion design. It even has features designed to help you launch your own clothing business!
And, of course, it includes many design and illustration tools as well. You can use this software to create 2D sketches using many helpful shaping,s typing, and color tools. The program also contains customizable clothing templates and pose-able models to help you zero in on just the right design.
The latest version has three levels available for purchase, from the individual user model at $399 to the advanced industry edition at $824. You do have to purchase the software and wait for it to ship to you before downloading it to your computer.
7. EFI OPTITEX
Optitex offers a wide range of software options, including a 3D design tool that uses Adobe Illustrator. It also provides a sewing pattern drafting program.
Finally, it includes business-related tools such as a fabric manager. This kind of software helps both large and small business owners keep track of everything!
This program has a unique partnership with Adobe Illustrator. It also specializes in sportswear and logo design.
You can request a free demo from the company to see if this software will work for you. However, you have to request a quote before you can find any pricing info on this software!
8. Fusion 360
Fusion 360 has advanced 3D design and modeling capabilities. This program is not tailored specifically to the fashion world, but it does enable you to master incredible 3D tools!
Much of the fashion world focuses on 3D models these days. Because of that, you may prefer to invest in this software and use it to create clothing designs.
Using this software, you can create sketches, direct models, surface models, and freeform models. You can also create simulations and collaboratively share data, among many other features!
You can get a free trial of Fusion 360. To purchase this software, you can choose to pay a monthly fee of $60 or an annual fee of $347.
9. Marvelous Designer
Marvelous Designer provides a range of design tools, but it focuses on fabric simulation. Its other features include 2D design and pattern drafting.
If you want 3D designs that look like characters who just stepped out of a high-quality video game, give this software a try! Your designs will look so real you will feel like you can reach into the computer screen and touch the material’s texture.
The program also includes a range of modeling and animating options. On top of that, you can easily add fancy trim and detailing for the clothing designs!
You can download a 30-day free trial on the website or purchase a license for $490.
10. Pattern Smith
Pattern Smith, unsurprisingly, specializes in design sewing patterns. This 2D CAD drafting program offers advanced tools to help you create digital pattern pieces for any kind of garment.
The design features in this program help you draft, digitize, and edit sewing patterns. The program comes with sewing-specific abilities such as inserting notches, darts, and tucks in a pattern.
The good news is that you can download a free 30-day trial of this cool sewing program. The bad news is that it costs $1,000 per year! Unless you have a wildly successful home business, you may not want to commit to that level of investment as a small business owner.
11. Smart Designer
SmartDesigner is a Korean-based fashion design CAD program that offers 3D and 2D garment sketches. It also offers industry-specific features like draping or creating woven fabric vs knit fabric apparel.
Like most comprehensive design tools, this product also offers tools for making 2D sewing patterns out of your design concepts.
While this innovative program has an up-and-coming appeal, it also looks like it is in the early stages of development. For example, you have to contact the program creator to get info on pricing!
12. Tailornova
Tailornova provides advanced 3D fashion design tools. It is web-based instead of downloadable software. This enables lots of cloud sharing options and makes some features more accessible from many devices or locations.
This program features concept design, pattern making, and fabric selection tools to help you turn your garment idea into a real product!
Besides its design tools, it focuses on providing custom-fit options so you can create clothing for people of all shapes and sizes.
You can do a dry run with a free trial version or commit to $29/month for the full package!
13. TUKA 3D
TUKA is a pretty big deal in the fashion design world. This company offers three software packages, one focusing on 3D design, one on pattern making, and one textile and print design. Each software has advanced features specifically tailored to garment design.
TUKA also offers business-oriented features focused on product creation and marketing.
TukaCAD especially has a great reputation s a sewing pattern design software! This popular software choice also comes with a huge community of users who share and sell their designs in the TUKA marketplace as an added resource.
You have to purchase this software on a subscription basis, starting as low as $20/month for some features.
14. Virtuality
Part of C-Design’s fashion brand, Virtuality. Fashion provides apps to help you create fashion designs in a modern, streamlined way. The apps cover everything from 2D pattern design to advanced 3D Hi-Res simulations. Perhaps the most appealing part of this package, though, is the virtual showroom that helps you design your own online store!
That said, this isn’t strictly a concept design tool. It allows you to upload and edit a design using pretty advanced features, but it isn’t meant for design creation.
For pricing on this product, you have to submit a request for a quote through the website.
Conclusion
Whether you’re brand new to the world of clothes design or just starting to get into it, you’ve probably thought about all the software you need to make great designs. From Photoshop to specialized projects like sewing patterns, there are loads of programs out there, but if you’re looking for the best software for clothing design there are some super simple tools for whipping up beautiful designs. Today I’m sharing my list of the best software that allows you to create great designs in minutes. The top five programs that I recommend are listed below.