a.1 Pattern Making

I. Pattern‑Making Overview and Basic Workflow

The pattern‑making workflow in Style3D Studio is similar to traditional CAD pattern making, with the added capability of real‑time 3D preview. The overall pattern‑making process can be summarized in the following steps:
  1. Create pattern pieces: Draw garment pattern pieces (front, back, sleeve, collar, etc.) in the 2D Window with the Pen Tool or Rectangle Tool. DXF files can also be imported.
  2. Edit pattern shape: Adjust pattern outlines and internal lines with tools such as Edit Pattern and Edit Curve to precisely control the pattern.
  3. Add structural details: Add structural elements including darts, pleats and notches to achieve 3D garment shaping.
  4. Sew pattern pieces: Use the Sew Tool to join corresponding edges of pattern pieces and build a complete garment structure.
  5. Simulate and adjust: Run simulation in the 3D Window to check garment results. Return to the 2D Window to revise patterns as needed.
  6. Refine details: Add top‑stitching, fabrics and accessories to achieve the final look.
�Tip: The core principle of pattern‑making is from rough to fine. Quickly build the overall structure with basic shapes, check the result in 3D preview after sewing, then go back to 2D to refine the pattern step by step.

II. Interface Overview

The main interface of Style3D Studio features the 2D Window on the left and the 3D Window on the right. Pattern‑making is primarily performed in the 2D Window, whereas the 3D Window provides real‑time preview.
The top toolbar serves as the core operation area for pattern‑making and contains the following key functional modules:
Main Functional Modules
Main Functions
Select/Move
Select and move pattern
Edit Pattern
Edit points and lines on patterns
Edit Curve
Adjust curve shapes
Pen
Draw pattern pieces and internal lines
Rectangle/Oval
Quickly generate basic shapes
Dart
Insert dart structures
Pleat
Create pleat structures
Edit Sewing/Segment Sewing/Free Sewing
Define sewing relationships between patterns
Baste Sewing
Temporarily fix points

III. Drawing Pattern Pieces

Drawing pattern pieces is the first step of pattern‑making. Style3D provides a variety of drawing tools, among which the Pen Tool and Rectangle Tool are the most frequently used.

3.1 Pen Tool

Operation Path: Home ▶ Pen
The Pen Tool is the most flexible drawing tool for creating pattern pieces of arbitrary shapes. It can also draw internal lines and inner graphics on existing patterns.
Steps to draw a pattern piece:
  • Click multiple points sequentially on the blank area of the 2D Window
  • A pattern piece will be automatically generated once the points form a closed shape
  • While drawing, hold Ctrl and click to insert curve points
  • Hold Shift to draw lines horizontally, vertically or at a 45‑degree angle
  • Right‑click to create a fixed‑length segment along the current direction
  • Press Delete or Ctrl+Z to remove the last‑drawn point step by step
  • Press Esc to exit the current drawing operation
▼ Drawing pattern pieces with the Pen Tool：
Drawing Internal Lines:
Click multiple points sequentially inside the pattern piece to create polyline segments. Click the starting point to generate a closed inner shape; double‑click to create an open internal line. Internal lines are widely used to mark dart positions, fold lines, pocket placements and so on.
▼ Drawing Internal Lines：
▼ Hold Shift to draw lines at fixed angles：
�Tip: When drawing the front pattern of a T‑shirt, it is recommended to sketch a rough rectangular outline first, then adjust the arcs for the neckline and armhole with the Edit Curve Tool.

3.2 Rectangle / Oval

Operation Path: Home ▶ Rectangle / Ellipse
Ideal for quickly creating regular‑shaped pattern pieces such as pockets, belts and patches.
  • Drag with left mouse button: create rectangles or ellipses
  • Hold Shift and drag: create squares or perfect circles
  • Right‑click while dragging: open the pop‑up window for entering exact dimensions
�Tip: For pocket patterns, it is most efficient to create the base shape with the Rectangle Tool, then adjust rounded corners using the Edit Curve Tool.

IV. Edit Pattern

4.1 Edit Pattern Tool

Operation Path: Home ▶ Edit Pattern
The Edit Pattern tool is used to precisely adjust pattern shapes and is one of the most‑frequently‑used tools in pattern‑making.
  • Select points and lines on pattern pieces (supports both internal lines and outer outlines)
  • Drag to reposition points and lines
  • Right‑click while moving to input exact offset distance for precise positioning
  • Operations are available in both the 2D and 3D Windows
  • Right‑click points or lines to access additional functions
▼ Edit Pattern Operations：
⚠️ Note: The Edit Pattern tool can select points and edges of internal lines and outer outlines. Points and edges of reference lines can only be selected under the Trace Outline function. Only Trace Outline supports selecting, deleting or converting reference lines; no other tools can operate on them.

4.2 Edit Curve

Operation Path: Home ▶ Edit Curve
The Edit Curve tool adjusts curved shapes for pattern outlines and internal lines. It is widely used for sections requiring smooth transitions, such as neckline arcs, armhole arcs and hem arcs.
  • Select the curve points to be modified
  • Drag control handles to adjust curve curvature
  • Add or delete curve control points
  • Adjust curve smoothness
�Tip: When editing the neckline curve, add several key curve points on the neckline first, then drag handles to get a smooth neckline arc.

V. Sewing Operations

Sewing is the key step to connect separate pattern pieces into a complete garment. Style3D offers multiple sewing methods for different scenarios.
Preparations before sewing:
  • Make sure all pattern pieces to be sewn are fully drawn
  • Roughly position pattern pieces onto corresponding areas of the avatar in the 3D Window
  • Matching sewing edges should have roughly equal lengths (unless a gathering effect is intended)

5.1 Segment Sewing

Operation Path: Home ▶ Segment Sewing
Segment Sewing is the basic sewing method for joining two line segments together.
  • Activate the Segment Sewing tool
  • Click the sewing edge on the first pattern piece
  • Click the matching sewing edge on the second pattern piece
  • Sewing lines are automatically created between the two edges
  • Sewing direction is determined by your click position: the starting point is the vertex closer to where you click
⚠️ Common issue: If sewing lines cross in the 3D preview after sewing, the edges are sewn in reverse direction. Right‑click, select Edit Sewing → Reverse Sewing Direction to fix it.

5.2 Edit Sewing

Operation Path: Home ▶ Edit Sewing
The Edit Sewing tool adjusts existing sewing lines:
  • Drag to change the start and end points of sewing connections
  • Adjust sewing line type, fold angle and elasticity in the Property Editor
  • Select the sewing line, then press Del key or right‑click to delete the sewing connection

VI. Dart

Operation Path: Home ▶ Rectangle drop‑down menu ▶ Dart
Operating Steps:
  • Activate the Dart tool
  • Click the position on the pattern outline where the dart will be inserted
  • A dialogue box pops up for dart parameter setup:
  • Depth: Dart depth (distance from dart point to finished edge)
  • Width: Opening width of the dart
  • Smooth Edge: Check to edit the arc of the seam edge where the dart sits
  • Sew: Check to automatically generate sewing lines for the dart
  • Sew Direction: Adjust sewing orientation
  • Confirm, and the dart structure will be generated on the pattern automatically
Edit Dart: Select the dart, right‑click → Edit Dart to reset parameters
Delete Dart: Select the dart, right‑click → Delete Dart to restore the original pattern shape
�Tip: Sharp dart points are a common issue. If sharp corners appear at dart points, refer to the official tutorial for optimization:https://www.style3d.com/market/college/curriculumcenter/video/269

VII. Pleats

Pleats are another key 3‑D shaping technique. Fabric is folded to create rich garment effects. Style3D supports multiple pleat structures.
Operation Path: Home ▶ Pleat
▼ Pleat Tool Interface：

7.1 Steps to Insert Pleats

  1. Activate the Pleat tool
  2. Click to set the start point on the finished edge
  3. Click to set the end point on the finished edge
  4. Select the side where pleats will be added
  5. The Add Pleats settings window pops up
  6. Configure parameters and confirm
▼ Add Pleats Settings Window：

7.2 Detailed Pleat‑Parameter Explanation

Kind (Pleat Sewing Mode):
• Full Pleat: Fully sewn and secured from pleat top to pleat base. The entire pleat section cannot open and lies flat against the garment piece.
• Half Open Pleat: The upper segment is sewn to hold the pleat shape; the middle‑lower section opens naturally. Fixed at the top, hanging freely at the bottom.
• Center Pleat: The middle section is sewn and secured, with top and bottom ends opening naturally.
Type (Pleat Folding Mode):
• Knife Pleat: Folds in one single direction, all pleat edges neatly oriented to one side
• Inverted Box Pleat: Folds inward on both sides; flat surface with pleats hidden on the inside
• Outer Box Pleat: Folds outward on both sides with a central bulge; pleats are visible on the garment front
▼ Examples of fold‑angle effects：

7.3 editing and deleting pleats

Two ways of editing pleats:
  • Select the moving/editing plate/pleat tool to select pleats, right-click "edit pleats", and the editing window will pop up to modify parameters.
  • Modify parameters directly in the attribute editing window after selecting the pleat
▼ Right-click to edit pleats:
Difference between Cancel Pleat vs Delete Pleat:
• Cancel Pleat: Disables the pleat object, yet keeps the finished‑edge and internal‑line data generated by the pleat structure.
• Delete Pleat: Removes the full pleat structure including internal lines and sewing lines, restoring the pattern piece to its original state.

VIII. Other Commonly‑Used Tools

8.1 Welt Tool

Operation Path: Assets ▶ Welt / Edit Welt
The Welt tool quickly generates welts (e.g. pocket welts) on pattern pieces with no additional sewing required.
  • Click sequentially the start point and end point of the welt in either 2D or 3D view
  • A welt is automatically created at the target location
  • Supported shapes: Round, Flatten, Round table
  • The tip‑closing length is adjustable (default value: 1 mm)
▼ Welt Tool Operation：

8.2 Avatar Measurement & Tape

Operation Path: Home ▶ Edit Avatar Measure ▶ Avatar Circumference Tape / Avatar Segment Tape / Attach Garment to Tape
The avatar tape tool adds tape lines onto the avatar surface. It enables finished edges or internal lines of pattern pieces to snap to tape positions during simulation, which is highly useful for form‑fitting garments.
  • Avatar Circumference Tape: Click three points to create a circumference tape on the avatar
  • Avatar Segment Tape: Click two points on the avatar to generate a segment tape
  • Attach Garment to Tape: Snap pattern edges to tape positions
▼Circumference Tape：
▼ Attach to Avatar Tape：
Submit Feedback
Next
a.2 Grading