Off-Avatar 3D Pen Drawing

Marvelous Designer 2025.1 introduces the long-requested ability to draw clothing directly in the 3D window. Using the 3D Pen (Avatar) tool, artists can sketch curves on the avatar’s surface, in empty 3D space, or along a plane, and then convert those curves into editable 2D patterns. According to the official manual, these patterns can be refined in the 2D view like any other drafted garment piece. The feature closes a persistent gap between freehand exploration and structured pattern creation.

Keep Topology after Autofitting

The Auto-Fitting tool, explained in the support documentation, now includes an option to preserve garment topology. In earlier versions, autofitting could distort or rebuild a mesh when adapting clothing to avatars of different proportions. With the new setting enabled, the quad structure remains intact, which avoids unnecessary retopology work when adjusting garments for variations in avatar size.

Pattern Drafter (Beta)

Another headline addition is the Pattern Drafter, marked as Beta. Available from the 2D menu, the tool generates a shirt pattern from user inputs such as body measurements, descriptive keywords, or flat sketches. The official guide describes three display modes: General for a complete list of measurement points, Simple for the most common dimensions, and Custom for user-defined sets. Measurements can be entered manually or by circumference. An extension called AI Pattern Drafter makes it possible to generate drafts from either text prompts or uploaded schematic sketches. At present, this functionality is limited to T-shirts, but outputs are stored with a selectable history for iteration.

Softbody for Custom Avatars

Softbody simulation, previously restricted to default avatars, can now be applied to custom avatars. As documented in the Avatar Properties manual, this expansion allows imported rigs or meshes to benefit from the same softbody physics, broadening the scope of cloth-to-avatar interaction.

Denim Wet Wash

The update also introduces a denim-specific material effect. The Denim Wet Wash tool provides parameters for wash strength, direction, and masking, and supports the blending of multiple washes. This makes it possible to create realistic denim wear and fading directly inside Marvelous Designer, reducing the need to move back and forth between external texturing applications.

AI Pose Generator (Beta)

A second Beta tool, the AI Pose Generator, enables automatic avatar posing through prompts or reference images. As outlined in the official instructions, users can specify descriptive keywords, including gender markers, randomise prompts, or upload full-body reference photos. The system outputs poses as .pos files ready for use in simulation. CLO warns that the service may be temporarily suspended for improvements, reflecting its Beta status.

Additional Improvements

Version 2025.1 also refines everyday workflows. Zipper style customisation is expanded, and internal lines and shapes can now be grouped for better organisation. A mirror paste function for trims accelerates symmetrical editing. The new Blend Print with Fabric option produces more natural interaction between print textures and cloth. Avatars can now display a wireframe overlay for more precise alignment, and garments can be saved selectively rather than exporting entire scenes. A new AI Studio panel is listed but not explained further in the vendor’s documentation.

Bug Fixes

Two technical issues were corrected in this release. Spiral shapes now generate correctly when using inches as the unit, and decimal inputs are once again accepted in regions where the operating system uses a comma as the decimal separator.

Pricing, Supported Systems, and File Compatibility

Marvelous Designer 2025.1 is available on a subscription basis only, with personal licences priced at around 39 US dollars per month or about 280 dollars per year. Enterprise licences are significantly higher and are tailored for studio use. A discounted student licence is offered as a one-time purchase for 99 dollars. The software supports modern 64-bit operating systems: Windows 10 version 1903 or later, including Windows 11, and macOS Monterey (macOS 12) or newer, with support for Apple Silicon Macs but not for older systems such as Mojave.

The application imports and exports common 3D file formats. Supported options include OBJ, FBX—with the limitation that only joints imported as FBX can be exported in the same format—Alembic, and Universal Scene Description (USD). These formats ensure compatibility with other major DCC tools such as Maya, 3ds Max, and Unreal Engine.

Reminder for Production Use

Pattern Drafter and AI Pose Generator are both designated as Beta and should be handled with caution. As with any newly introduced function, professionals are advised to test stability and usability thoroughly before integrating them into production workflows.

The post Marvelous Designer 2025.1: Draw, Wash, Repeat first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Bela Beier.

MetaHumans have never been easier to dress. Hologress has officially released the public beta for its MetaTailor Unreal Engine Bridge plugin, promising true single-click transfer of both MetaHumans and fitted clothing between Unreal Engine 5.6 and MetaTailor. If your pipeline includes wardrobe changes, this may be the plugin that finally stops the FBX shuffling.

MetaTailor, a 3D clothing solution aimed at making virtual wardrobe fitting as simple as possible, already works with a wide variety of avatars and retail clothing assets. The new Bridge plugin, now in open beta, brings this automation directly into Unreal workflows—minus the manual export and import headaches.

How It Works: Send, Fit, Return

Start in Unreal Engine 5.6 by selecting your MetaHuman and hitting “Send to MT.” This exports the avatar into MetaTailor, baking down materials for compatibility. Inside MetaTailor, users can auto-fit clothing (including most retail 3D assets) with automatic layer sorting and skin weighting. The plugin also supports sculpting tweaks and attaching accessories directly in MetaTailor.

Once everything fits, a single click on either “Send Outfit to Unreal” or “Send Avatar to Unreal” sends the results straight back to Unreal. No manual file handling, no hair-pulling required.

Who Gets In: Beta Terms and Pricing

The Bridge is available as a public beta for Windows users with a free MetaTailor account, but slots are limited—so registration is mandatory. The free version includes up to 10 FBX exports per month, and access to the plugin for testing. A Pro subscription, priced at $35 per month or $336 per year, removes export limits and unlocks more advanced features. MetaTailor itself is available on a rental-only basis, with no perpetual license option in sight.

Compatibility and Integration Notes

As of now, the Bridge plugin is tested only on Unreal Engine 5.6. According to Hologress, a similar MetaTailor integration is already available for Reallusion’s Character Creator (Pro required). A Unity Bridge plugin is “coming soon,” so Unity shops will have to wait a little longer before jumping on the one-click clothing bandwagon.

Good News for Pipeline Artists (with the Usual Caveat)

For pipeline artists, technical directors, riggers, and anyone stuck manually dressing digital actors, the MetaTailor Bridge plugin is a welcome bit of automation. The click-based round-trip replaces tedious export/import cycles, layer management, and skin-weighting with something resembling simplicity. Of course, this is a beta. As with any early-stage tool, users should rigorously test stability and output quality before deploying it in a production environment.

The post MetaTailor’s One-Click Dress-Up: Unreal Engine Bridge Plugin Arrives in Public Beta first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Bela Beier.