# 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

On the **Home** screen choose **New project**. Give it a **Project name**, pick a **Location** and, if your server runs GTA V Enhanced, change the **Target game** (new projects start on **Legacy**). Click **Create project**.

:::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.
:::

Already have a FiveM clothing resource? Use **Import a FiveM resource (folder / .zip)…** on Home instead, and the whole pack becomes a new project. See [Importing](/cloth-tool/about-the-tool/importing).


### Add an item

Each garment is an **item**. Click **Add item** in the item list, then set its basics on the **Properties** tab of the item editor on the right:

* **Gender** — Male or Female. The **Male**, **Female** and **Both** filters sit at the top of the item list.
* **Cloth 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 order 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** above the item list and choose your `.ydd` and `.ytd` files. You can also drag them onto the window.

* The `.ydd` becomes the item's **model**.
* Each texture becomes a **texture variant** (a colour/pattern option) on the **Textures** tab, lettered `a`, `b`, `c`… in order.
* To add more later, use the **+** button (**Add texture variant from a file**) on the **Textures** tab.

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.

:::frame{caption="The 3D preview with Viewport options open."}
![The 3D preview showing a garment on the freemode ped, with the Viewport options panel open on the Lighting tab](https://pub-57d6558d0e204696b4cdeee5d172e561.r2.dev/cloth-tool/media/viewport.277bc269f9.webp)
:::

* **Orbit** with the left mouse button, **pan** with the middle or right button (or Shift+drag), **zoom** with the wheel.
* If the model looks dark, open **Options — lighting and scene** on the preview bar and move **Time of day**, or pick a preset under **Jump to**.
* Open **Appearance** on the preview bar to change the ped's body, skin tone and the other clothes it wears, and see how your garment sits with the rest of an outfit.
* Turn on an animation (the person icon) to check the garment while the ped walks or runs.

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


### Optimize textures (recommended, Premium)

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

* resizes to the nearest **power‑of‑two** size,
* recompresses to the right **BCn** format, and
* generates **mipmaps** — and never makes a file bigger.

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


### Clear the problems

The checks run while you work. Items with a problem carry an icon in the item list; the item's **Findings** tab says what is wrong and offers a **Fix**, and the **Problems** panel (`Ctrl+Shift+M`) lists every finding in the pack. The build will not start while an error stands, so fix it or ignore it on purpose. See [**Validation**](/cloth-tool/about-the-tool/validation).

:::frame{caption="The Problems panel lists every finding in the project."}
![The Problems panel listing errors, warnings and notes with the item, check and location of each](https://pub-57d6558d0e204696b4cdeee5d172e561.r2.dev/cloth-tool/features/problems-panel.83734fc330.webp)
:::


### Build

:::frame{caption="The Build project window."}
![The Build project window with Output, GTA V edition, Build type, Output folder and Collection name](https://pub-57d6558d0e204696b4cdeee5d172e561.r2.dev/cloth-tool/media/build-panel.04797236e8.webp)
:::

Click **Build project** in the top bar. Choose **FiveM** under **Output**, the **GTA V EDITION**, **Add-on** as the build type, an **Output folder** and a **COLLECTION NAME** (the add‑on name for your pack), then click **Build and package**. The tool writes a complete resource:

```
koja/
├─ stream/
│  ├─ mp_m_freemode_01_koja/
│  │  └─ jbib/
│  │     ├─ 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_creaturemetadata_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, plus the creature metadata that makes high heels and hoodie hairs work.
* A ready `fxmanifest.lua` registers everything.
* Drop the folder into your server's `resources`, add `ensure koja` to your `server.cfg`, and restart.

The free plan includes **8 builds in total**; Premium builds without limit. See [**Building**](/cloth-tool/about-the-tool/building).

:::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.
- [Building](/cloth-tool/about-the-tool/building) — every build option.
- [Start Here](/cloth-tool/start-here) — back to the section overview