In the early stages of the design process, sketch modeling is rapidly shifting into virtual space. VR technology enables designers to work at a 1:1 scale, make real-time adjustments, simulate material reflections, and collaborate seamlessly across global teams.significantly accelerating concept development and feedback cycles.

Yet in the mid-phase, clay models remain irreplaceable. They offer tangible light and surface feedback, allowing designers to accurately assess curvature tension and proportion.especially under natural lighting. For this reason, critical design reviews still favor the physical presence of a clay model over screen-based renderings.

The integration of both technologies is now evident in the hybrid workflows adopted by many studios: initial concepts are developed in VR, exported for CNC milling to create a rough form, and then refined manually in clay for final presentation. This "virtual + physical" pipeline strikes a balance between technical efficiency and sensory evaluation.

Some manufacturers have even gone further, setting up VR and clay modeling workstations side by side.creating a seamless exchange of data and physical movement between digital and physical spaces.