Using SolidWorks to Draft Buttons
CLO comes with many button presets and like every all the other geometry in a model, it’s possible to change the visual details of the surface and features. It’s also possible to model a custom button within CLO, but this is limited to flat patterning. For shapes that aren’t built up from uniform layers, it’s necessary to draft the shape in another program then save that as an obj file which can be imported and registered in CLO. After that it can be used as easily as the CLO provided presets.
There are many programs that can model solid geometry, but for this project I used the CAD program SolidWorks. The nice thing about working here is that these are the same files that could be used for manufacturing hardware. It’s a nice program to work with because it’s possible to define geometric relations parametrically, and in the case of buttons, make a family of different sizes, while maintaining realistic hole spacing. My Project used two button styles, a brushed antique brass four-hole button in three sizes, and a large plastic button on the jacket. Here, I’m using the program to copy existing styles, but a better use would be designing custom hardware.
Workflow:
Draft in mechanical CAD
SolidWorks makes it possible to draft a button as manufactured. Whether that’s copying existing hardware (like above) or preparing a new design, the model can also be sent to the digital workflow. Adding a design table makes it possible to create a family of objects, e.g. a size range of buttons. CAD is best at this because simple geometric relations can be established immediately. Buttons typically aren’t simply scaled. The height and diameter usually aren’t linked, and the hole spacing is dictated by machine stitch width, so a large button may have large holes, but they can’t have a wide spacing.
Export as GLTF
Directly from Solidworks the model can be exported as GLTF. If there are multiple variations in a design table, they will all be included.
Another option is opening the part in SolidWorks Visualize and exporting directly to obj there, without using Blender.
Import to Blender
If the model doesn’t already have a separate mesh for thread and button body, this can also be corrected in Blender. If they are separated, different textures and colors can be applied to each in CLO. Shank buttons won’t have thread at all.
Export as OBJ
Clo needs an obj format, find this under the export menu in Blender
Register in CLO
Registering buttons in CLO has become quick and easy with the right files. One issue is that the dialog box does not read in a size, it allows scaling in width and thickness. So it’s necessary to know and re-enter these values. Small changes to scale are fine, too, but part of the reason to draft buttons, is that in real life, hole spacing does not scale with the button. Instead it is kept uniform so that the button can be machine attached and the thread shank is narrow. Adding the intended dimension to the file name is helpful.
Left: a gunmetal style in three sizes, rendered as custom metal, silver preset and plastic.
Right: Plastic two hole button in three colors, rendered (L to R) with: skin plastic, and glass settings.
Add to Designs!
Tip: in CLO each button also has a property “thread length”, this controls how far the button floats from the surface of the garment, not the visual appearance of the thread. For jackets and waistbands, it’s often good to set this to 1/8″ (3mm) or more for heavier fabrics. For lighter garments it can be left at the default, zero.
This process isn’t limited to buttons, other hardware and stitches can be modelled and imported registered in CLO or imported to a scene.
