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3D Training — The Set Up & Handoff — Shorts & Skirts

Owners: Elena Dumitru & Klara Barisic


Last Updated: May 7, 2026


Purpose

This training is designed to teach you the complete 3D master setup and handoff process specifically for the Shorts & Skirts category.

You will build on the general 3D artboard workflow you already know, and learn how to adapt it for bottom garments. In particular, you will practice how to:

  • Migrate and update panel artwork correctly

  • Replace symbols while keeping registration consistent

  • Organize layers so the file is easy to read and update

  • Prepare the final master so it is ready for handoff to the 2D team (Ryan Beckman)

By the end of this training, you should understand how to maintain consistency across all product categories while still respecting the unique construction details of shorts and skirts, such as different panel structures and bindings.

When this process is followed, it leads to:

  • Accurate master builds for Bottoms (SHORTS_SKIRT category)

  • A smooth, predictable handoff to downstream teams

  • Ongoing protection of Locker’s signature quality standards

Within the larger 3Ds phase, this master setup is the critical first step. Ownership of this step sits with Elena and Klara, so you will be learning the approach they use to keep every Shorts & Skirts master aligned with team standards.

Master Type

Total Training Time

Approximately 14–16 minutes of training time, designed for quick reference & fast onboarding.


 

MASTER Migration Step up & 3D Handoff


Overview

This section walks through the complete migration setup for the Shorts & Skirt 3D master and explains why each step matters.

You will begin in Google Drive, working from the Signature, Locker, Uniforms, and Status style 0000 folders. For this example, the base garment is style 2002 shorts. The master file is versioned from 3.0 to 4.0.1 beta so you can track changes over time and clearly separate working files from previous approved versions.

First, update the date and client information boxes. This ensures anyone opening the file later can immediately see when the master was prepared and which client or program it applies to. Next, duplicate the four fabric base styles and rename them to 2002 through 2005. This creates a structured set of related styles that can be managed consistently while still allowing for fabric or construction variations.

You will then rebuild the 3D cut-and-sew panel layers. As you do this, incorporate any known fixes, such as correcting fold lines. This step is important because accurate panel construction and fold behavior will directly affect how the uniform looks in both digital previews and final production.

After rebuilding the panels, perform a quality control (QC) walkthrough. During QC, confirm that layer names are clear, symbols are organized correctly, panel edges align, and all style and client labels are accurate. A careful QC pass reduces the risk of errors later in the process and makes the handoff smoother for downstream teammates.

Once the master is verified, move the file into the “Ready for Dan” folder and update the tracker status. This signals that the 3D exports are prepared for review and that no further setup work is needed at this stage. Viewers are not expected to take additional action beyond following this documented workflow, which keeps the process predictable and easy to repeat for future shorts and skirt masters.


STEP-by-STep guide

1. Identify the setup type and locate the correct master folder 0:00

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  • This training covers the shorts/skirt portion of the master.

  • First determine which workflow you are doing:

    • Migration setup: an existing style is being versioned up.

    • From scratch setup: a brand-new style is being built from the base master.

  • For this walkthrough, the example is a migration for style 2002 (shorts).


2. Find the style folder and choose the correct base master 1:00

  • In Google Drive, navigate to:

    • Master Design Folder → Signature → Locker → Uniforms → Status → Style 0.0.0

  • Inside the style folder, use the V0 master folder structure.

  • The available masters are organized by product type, including:

    • Bottom Pants

    • Bottom Short/Skirt

    • Top Jackets

    • Top Jerseys

    • Top Reversibles

  • For this project, use the bottom short/skirt master.

  • If this were a brand-new style, you would copy the correct master into the style folder and start from there.


3. Version up the master and confirm the previous version 2:20

  • Go to the player line and style folder for the style being worked on.

  • In the example, the previous version was V3.0, so the new file becomes V4.0.

  • Check the live folder to confirm the last completed version before versioning up.

  • Naming should follow the existing structure:

    • Style number

    • Gender

    • Line type

    • Style name

    • Dark/light side designation

    • Version number


4. Update the master file metadata 4:49

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  • Open the master file and update the core metadata first.

  • Change the following:

    • Date to the current date

    • Version ID date to the current date format used in the file

    • Version number to the new version

  • In this example, the file is updated to 4.0.1 because it is still in beta and not ready for release.

  • Also update the client information box date to match.


5. Duplicate the client info and size boxes for each fabric/style output 6:22

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  • Check the tracker and style sheet to identify how many fabric outputs are needed.

  • In the example, there are 4 fabrics, so the setup needs 4 client information boxes and 4 size boxes.

  • Duplicate the symbols the required number of times.

  • Rename them to match the style/fabric sequence:

    • 2002

    • 2003

    • 2004

    • 2005

  • Sort by name after renaming so everything stays organized.


6. Update the product naming in the client info boxes 9:09

generated-image-at-00:09:09

  • Use the Product Pricing Sheet to pull the full product name.

  • Edit the product name inside the symbol so it matches the style and fabric.

  • Remove or simplify unnecessary text when needed:

    • Interlock is not always called out

    • Remove parentheses and replace them with a vertical bar when needed

    • Keep the style name readable and within the box

  • Make sure each fabric version has the correct product name and style number.


7. Update the care instruction symbols for all fabric versions 13:18

generated-image-at-00:13:18

  • Go to the Care Instruction symbol in the Symbols panel.

  • Duplicate it for each fabric version.

  • Update the style numbers inside the care instruction symbol:

    • 2002

    • 2003

    • 2004

    • 2005

  • Sort by name again after editing so the symbol list stays in order.


8. Build the 3D panel symbols from the production layer 19:32

  • Each size has multiple symbols stacked in groups:

    • Base

    • Sew

    • Cut

  • For shorts, there are additional right/left panel considerations.

  • Start with the largest size as the base size.

  • In the production layer, extract the needed panels:

    • Front

    • Back

    • Pocket

  • Some panels can be reused across sizes if they do not change.


9. Clear appearance and paste panels into the base symbol 23:16

  • Select all panels and clear appearance.

  • Copy the panels into the correct symbol structure.

  • Paste them into the Base symbol first.

  • Keep the panels inside the correct layer structure so they remain visible and editable.

  • Unite the shapes one by one in Pathfinder so the cut stroke behaves correctly.


10. Align the panels and separate base, sew, and cut versions 25:13

generated-image-at-00:25:13

  • Align each panel to 0,0 as needed.

  • For each panel type:

    • Copy the base geometry

    • Paste it into the Sew symbol

    • Paste it into the Cut symbol

  • Remove the sew line from the cut version when necessary.

  • Make sure the cut stroke sits on the outside so the final output displays correctly.


11. Remove fold lines where the fabric will show through 30:04

  • For areas that fold and expose the printed fabric, the sew line should not show through.

  • In the sew symbol:

    • Add anchor points on both sides of the fold line

    • Drag the points from the sew line to the cut line

    • Add and delete a middle anchor point to remove the visible line

  • This is especially important for folded shorts and top areas where the design is visible after folding.


12. Rebuild the artboard layout and panel organization 32:29

generated-image-at-00:32:29

  • After the symbols are built, organize the artboards and panel layout.

  • Remove any panels that are not needed.

  • If the layout needs scaling, scale all related pieces together.

  • Arrange the right and left leg pieces, then the pockets.

  • Reflect and duplicate pieces as needed so the layout matches the final structure.


13. Rename layers and match the master’s naming convention 37:36

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  • Rename the final artboard or placeholder areas as needed.

  • Use the correct naming convention for the master structure.

  • Typical structure includes:

    • Right leg

    • Left leg

    • Front/back panels

    • Right pocket

    • Left pocket

  • The goal is to match the master’s expected layer and symbol organization so future updates are easy.


14. Replace symbols across the setup and run a QC check 41:19

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  • Once the structure is in place, copy and paste the full label/panel structure into the new version.

  • Replace symbols where needed rather than rebuilding everything manually.

  • Update cut-to-sew or sew-to-cut symbol references as required.

  • Do a full QC walkthrough:

    • Check naming

    • Check symbol placement

    • Check panel orientation

    • Check that all required versions are present


15. Save, move to Ready for Dan, and update the tracker 46:06

generated-image-at-00:46:06

  • Save the completed file.

  • Move it to the appropriate folder:

    • Version Up folder if applicable

    • Ready for Dan once it is complete

  • Take a screenshot/export of the panels for Dan.

  • Post the handoff in the Master Team Slack channel under Dan’s handoff thread.

  • Update the tracker status for the style to mark the setup complete.

  • Then move on to the next style or process step.


 
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