# First Project

This walkthrough takes you from an empty window to a FiveM resource you can drop straight into your server. It should take about ten minutes.

::::steps
### Create a project

From the **Home** screen choose **New Project**, give it a name and pick a folder.

:::hint{type="info"}
The tool uses a **self‑contained project folder**. Every file you import is *copied* into the project's `assets/` folder, so moving or renaming your originals later never breaks the project. Your source files are never modified.
:::

Prefer to learn by example? Pick **Explore Sample** on the Home screen instead.


### Add an item

Each garment is an **item**. Add one, then set its basics in the right‑hand editor:

* **Gender** — Male or Female. Items live under the gender toggle in the left panel.
* **Type** — component (a body part like a top or trousers) or prop (hat, glasses, ears…).
* **Drawable type / slot** — e.g. *Top (jbib)*, *Legs (lowr)*, *Undershirt (accs)*, *Hat (p\_head)*. This decides which body slot the garment fills.
* **Number** — the drawable number the item takes in that slot.
* **Name** — a friendly label for you; it doesn't affect the game.


### Import your model & textures

With the item selected, click **Import .ydd / .ytd** and choose your files.

* The `.ydd` becomes the item's **model**.
* Each `.ytd` becomes a **texture variant** (a colour/pattern option), shown as a swatch. Add as many as you like — variant letters (`a`, `b`, `c`…) are assigned in order.
* Need to attach a texture to a specific variant later? Use the **📎** button on that variant row.

The 3D preview updates as soon as the files load.


### Preview on the ped

The centre panel shows your garment on a real freemode ped, wearing your actual textures.

* **Orbit** with the left mouse button, **pan** with Shift+drag, **zoom** with the wheel.
* Open the **⚙ Options** flyout to toggle wireframe, grid, floor, auto‑rotate and textures, switch LOD, and adjust **brightness / ambient** lighting if the model looks dark.
* Change the **base ped components** (skin, hair, other clothing) to see how your garment sits with the rest of an outfit.

See [**3D Preview**](/cloth-tool/about-the-tool/3d-preview) for everything this panel can do.


### Optimize textures (recommended)

Right‑click a texture (or an item) and choose **Optimize**. The tool will:

* resize to the nearest **power‑of‑two** size,
* recompress to the correct **BCn** format for the map type, and
* generate **mipmaps**.

This shrinks your pack and prevents the "not power of two" / "no mipmaps" problems that plague hand‑made packs. See [**Texture Optimization**](/cloth-tool/about-the-tool/texture-optimization).


### Run the Cloth Doctor

Before building, let the **Cloth Doctor** validate the project. It flags missing textures, bad naming, non‑power‑of‑two sizes, duplicate drawable numbers, gender/slot limit overflows and more — with suggested fixes. Clear the reds and you're safe to ship.


### Build

Hit **Build**, set a **collection name** (the add‑on name for your pack) and choose the **FiveM** target. The tool writes a complete resource:

```
your_pack/
├─ stream/
│  ├─ mp_m_freemode_01_koja^jbib_000_u.ydd
│  ├─ mp_m_freemode_01_koja^jbib_diff_000_a_uni.ytd
│  ├─ mp_m_freemode_01_koja.ymt
│  └─ ...
├─ mp_m_freemode_01_koja_shop.meta
├─ fxmanifest.lua
└─ ...
```

* Files are renamed to the exact GTA add‑on convention automatically (including your collection name).
* The `.ymt` and `shop.meta` that make items selectable in‑game are generated for you.
* A ready `fxmanifest.lua` registers everything.
* Drop the folder into your server's `resources`, add it to your `server.cfg`, and start it.

:::hint{type="success"}
That's a full pack, start to finish. From here you can add more items, more variants, or invite your team — see [**Team Collaboration**](/cloth-tool/about-the-tool/team-collaboration).
:::
::::

## Related pages

- [Installation](/cloth-tool/start-here/installation) — Download the tool, connect your account, link GTA V, and start your first project.
- [Start Here](/cloth-tool/start-here) — back to the section overview