Rigging & animation · Intermediate
Cloth simulation
Making a mesh fold, drape and flap like real fabric
What is cloth simulation?
Cloth simulation is a physics simulation that makes a mesh behave like fabric, folding, draping and flapping as a character moves or the wind blows. The software treats the mesh as points joined by springs and works out how gravity and collisions pull them each frame.
Think of it like this
Like dropping a bedsheet over a chair: you choose the sheet and where it falls, and gravity and the chair decide the folds.
Where it fits in a 3D project
- Create
- Surface
- Rig
- Animate
- Render
- Export
Animate: Making things move over time.
How cloth simulation works
- 01Model the garment as a mesh with evenly sized faces.
- 02Set fabric properties such as weight, stiffness and stretch.
- 03Mark the body and any props as collision objects.
- 04Play the simulation, adjust the settings, then bake the result.
Cloth simulation vs sculpted folds
| Property | Cloth simulation | Sculpted folds |
|---|---|---|
| Moves | Yes, reacts every frame | No, the folds are fixed |
| Setup | Settings and test runs | Sculpting by hand |
| Best for | Animated clothing, flags and curtains | Statues, game assets and still renders |
Simulate cloth that has to move with a body or the wind, and sculpt folds for stills and assets that never move.
Where cloth simulation is used
- Clothing on animated characters
- Flags, curtains and sails
- Draping a tablecloth or blanket for a still scene
Beginner tip
When cloth pokes through, raise the simulation’s quality steps and give collision objects a little thickness. Fast moves need more steps, or the fabric passes through between checks.
Terms related to cloth simulation
- Rigging & animationPhysics simulationLetting the software work out motion from gravity, forces and collisions
- Rigging & animationRigid body simulationPhysics for solid objects that fall, collide and stack without bending
- Rigging & animationHair and furThousands of thin strands grown on a mesh, then combed and styled
- Rigging & animationParticle systemA tool that sprays and steers many small points for sparks, rain and dust
- ModelingSculptingShaping a dense model with brushes, the way you would push and pull clay
- ModelingTopologyHow the faces and edges of a mesh are laid out and flow across it
Cloth simulation FAQ
Updated October 29, 2026 · Browse all 3D terms