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Fashion · head to head

AVA CAD/CAM vs CLO 3D

AVA CAD/CAM logo

AVA CAD/CAM

Fashion

Professional CAD/CAM system for apparel manufacturing

From
$180/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
CLO 3D logo

CLO 3D

Fashion

True-to-life garment visualization in 3D

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only CLO 3D has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: AVA CAD/CAM built for Apple Macs, so a Windows-based studio is not the target platform; CLO 3D specific pricing amounts not displayed for Student and Individual plans - must select 'Get Started' to view
  • They diverge on capability: AVA CAD/CAM covers Pattern design, CLO 3D covers 3D garment visualization.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which AVA CAD/CAM and CLO 3D actually diverge.

Attributes where AVA CAD/CAM and CLO 3D differ
AttributeAVA CAD/CAMCLO 3D
Starting price$180/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, macOSWindows, Mac
Founded19842009

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Fashion).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in AVA CAD/CAM

  • Pattern design
  • Grading
  • Marker creation
  • Nesting optimization
  • CAM integration
  • Production control
  • Manufacturing systems
  • CAM equipment

Only in CLO 3D

  • 3D garment visualization
  • True-to-life fabric simulation
  • 2D pattern design
  • Avatar creation & customization
  • Virtual fitting
  • Rendering & animation
  • Colorway management
  • Trim library

Both cover

  • User authentication
  • Desktop deployment

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

AVA CAD/CAM

  • Design and colour separation for printed textilesnot CLO 3D
  • Repeat and surface pattern creationnot CLO 3D
  • Colourway development for home furnishing and apparel printsnot CLO 3D
  • Preparing artwork for digital and conventional textile printingnot CLO 3D
  • Wallcovering and floor covering print designnot CLO 3D

CLO 3D

  • 3D garment designnot AVA CAD/CAM
  • Virtual prototypingnot AVA CAD/CAM
  • Digital samplingnot AVA CAD/CAM
  • Fashion visualizationnot AVA CAD/CAM
  • E-commerce contentnot AVA CAD/CAM

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

AVA CAD/CAM

  • Built for Apple Macs, so a Windows-based studio is not the target platform
  • Scoped to decorative print for textiles, wallcoverings, flooring and ceramics rather than general CAD
  • Pricing is not published

CLO 3D

  • Specific pricing amounts not displayed for Student and Individual plans - must select 'Get Started' to view
  • Enterprise and Academic plans require contacting sales

Pricing, plan by plan

AVA CAD/CAM

$180/month
  • Standard$180/month
    • Basic features
  • Professional$350/month
    • Advanced features
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Full solution

CLO 3D

Free
  • Free TrialFree
    • 14 free days
    • No payment details required
    • Full CLO access
  • Student$null/month
    • Requires verified student status
    • Monthly and yearly billing available
    • Yearly option saves 25%
  • Individual$null/month
    • For hobbyists, freelancers, self-employed, single-person companies
    • Monthly and yearly options available
  • Enterprise$null/month
    • Custom pricing
    • All-in-one solution
    • Premium support, training, and specialized services

Which should you pick?

Choose AVA CAD/CAM if

  • You need pattern design.
  • You work on Windows, macOS.
  • You also want grading.
AVA CAD/CAM review

Choose CLO 3D if

  • You need 3d garment visualization.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Mac.
  • You also want true-to-life fabric simulation.
CLO 3D review

Questions people ask

Is AVA CAD/CAM or CLO 3D better?
Neither clearly leads. AVA CAD/CAM starts at $180/month and CLO 3D at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, AVA CAD/CAM or CLO 3D?
CLO 3D has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $180/month for AVA CAD/CAM and Free for CLO 3D.
Does AVA CAD/CAM or CLO 3D run on more platforms?
AVA CAD/CAM runs on Windows, macOS. CLO 3D runs on Windows, Mac.
Can I use CLO 3D for free?
Yes. CLO 3D has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. AVA CAD/CAM starts at $180/month.
What is AVA CAD/CAM best used for?
AVA CAD/CAM is most often used for design and colour separation for printed textiles, repeat and surface pattern creation, colourway development for home furnishing and apparel prints, preparing artwork for digital and conventional textile printing. Of those, design and colour separation for printed textiles and repeat and surface pattern creation are not what CLO 3D is typically brought in for.
What can AVA CAD/CAM do that CLO 3D cannot?
AVA CAD/CAM covers Pattern design, Grading, Marker creation, Nesting optimization. CLO 3D covers 3D garment visualization, True-to-life fabric simulation, 2D pattern design, Avatar creation & customization. Both handle User authentication, Desktop deployment.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

AVA CAD/CAM: What industries does AVA CAD/CAM serve?

AVA serves fashion and apparel, home furnishings, wallcoverings, flooring, ceramic tiles, furniture, and rugs and carpets industries with design and production solutions.

Source
CLO 3D: Is there a free trial for CLO 3D?

Yes, CLO 3D offers 14 free days to start using the software with no payment details required upfront.

Source
AVA CAD/CAM: What design features does AVA CAD/CAM provide?

AVA provides design/edit/repeat capabilities, color separations, colourway management, digital print solutions, 3D design and emboss capabilities, and photorealistic visualization tools for design presentation.

Source
CLO 3D: Does CLO 3D offer a student plan?

Yes, CLO 3D offers a Student plan for verified students with monthly billing available. A yearly option saves 25% compared to monthly billing, though specific prices are not shown on the pricing page.

Source
AVA CAD/CAM: How long has AVA CAD/CAM been in business?

AVA CAD/CAM has been providing specialist design and colour software to the decorative printing industry for more than 40 years.

Source
CLO 3D: What is included in CLO 3D plans?

All CLO 3D subscription tiers provide access to online tutorials, CLO manuals, community forums, and customer service. Enterprise and Academic plans add premium support, training, and specialized services.

Source
AVA CAD/CAM: Does AVA support design workflows for printed and woven products?

Yes. AVA offers an integrated suite of software modules for both printed and woven design workflows, from initial design through color separation to production.

Source
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