Getting Started with PackCAD Mockup

PackCAD Mockup is an online tool that converts flat dielines into realistic 3D packaging mockups. This guide walks you through preparing and uploading files, keyframing folding animations, and exporting 3D models in PackCAD Mockup.

Preparing Files

Prepare Dieline

A dieline is a vector drawing that defines the cut and fold lines of your packaging. In this tutorial, we will use Adobe Illustrator to prepare the dieline for PackCAD Mockup, but any vector editor (such as CorelDRAW, Inkscape, or Affinity) will work. You can follow along with our example Illustrator file: MailerBox.ai

The example file contains several layers: one for the dieline, and additional artwork layers. First, hide all layers except the dieline layer so you can export the dieline by itself. PackCAD Mockup uses the stroke color of lines to determine their type: cut lines should be black (#000000) and fold lines should be red (#ff0000) , blue (#0000ff) , magenta (#ff00ff) , or yellow (#ffff00) . Adjust the stroke colors on your dieline to match these settings if needed. The colors don’t need to be exact — they’re matched with a generous tolerance, so close shades (including CMYK) will work.

Export the dieline as an SVG. Select Use Artboards during export so that the dieline will automatically line up with its artwork once we import everything into PackCAD Mockup.

Most SVG export options will work, the settings shown above produced this SVG file: MailerBox.svg

Prepare Artwork

The interior artwork layer on its own, ready for export.

The exterior artwork layer on its own, ready for export.

Next, export the artwork layers individually as a PNG or JPG. Again, select Use Artboards so that the artwork will align to the dieline once imported into PackCAD Mockup.

PackCAD Mockup supports PNGs with transparency. Export your artwork with transparency if you want the underlying material (e.g. cardboard) to show through:

Export each artwork layer as a separate image. In our example we have two artwork layers, corresponding to the interior and exterior of the mailer box: MailerBox-interior.png and MailerBox-exterior.png

Project Setup

Open PackCAD Mockup on any device and click File > New Project to open a blank project. In the left menu you’ll find Import Dieline, Material & Thickness, and Artwork. Work through each step in order (top to bottom) to set up your project for folding.

Import Dieline

Import the dieline SVG file by dragging it into PackCAD Mockup. The Dieline Inspector will open and walk you through any issues validating your dieline for import. Once successfully imported, you will see your dieline in the 3D view. See Troubleshooting Dieline Import for help resolving common import errors and warnings.

Dielines often fail to import because of small, unintentional gaps where lines should intersect (see below). PackCAD Mockup will highlight these types of errors during import. Click/hover an error or warning to see a zoomed in view:

Material & Thickness

Select Material & Thickness from the left menu and choose a material type and thickness from the presets, or define a custom thickness value. For corrugated cardboard, you can select the Flute Size and Flute Angle (orientation) of the flutes. Use Offset Direction to control how thickness is applied: toward the interior, toward the exterior, or evenly on both sides.

PackCAD Mockup renders corrugated cardboard in 3D, so the flute orientation stays accurate even along the exposed cut edges of your design.

Corrugated cardboard showing the internal orientation of the flutes along the cut edge.

Import Artwork

Select Artwork from the left menu and upload both the exterior and interior artwork files. You should see the print graphics rendered onto the top and bottom side of the dieline visualization. Select to the right of the file thumbnail to optionally mirror your artwork (this may be required for interior artwork).

The exterior artwork will be on the bottom side of the dieline if you left Exterior side face down selected during Import Dieline. Rotate the model to see the bottom (exterior) side.

Folding Simulation

Folding Setup

Select Folding Setup from the left menu, then select the bottom panel of the dieline. This panel will remain pinned to the ground plane during folding:

Keyframe Folding Animation

Click Add Keyframe from the left menu, and then select the creases to fold in this step. Enter a numeric value for the fold angle; the visualization updates in real-time.

Continue adding keyframes until your design is fully folded. Replay the keyframed animation using in the left menu or press the R hotkey. For more details on fold angles, constraints, and advanced keyframe techniques, see the Folding Animation guide.

Export 3D Model

Go to File > Export 3D Model and select your preferred 3D format. The exported 3D model contains your artwork and can be used for proofing, AR/VR previews, or as part of your 3D workflow.

OBJ models can be exported with the Z-axis or Y-axis as the “up” direction (most 3D applications use the convention of Y-axis as “up”). glTF/GLB models default to Y-axis as “up” and units of meters (per the spec).

The HTML export option creates a standalone HTML file with the 3D model embedded inside it. Opening the HTML file in a web browser lets you view and interact with the model. The 3D model is stored directly in the file and is not hosted online.

Example files exported from PackCAD Mockup: MailerBox.gltf MailerBox.glb MailerBox_obj+mtl.zip MailerBox.html Please let us know if you need any additional export options or formats — we are happy to help!

Photorealistic Rendering

PackCAD Mockup also includes a built-in render tool for creating photorealistic path-traced renderings of your packaging. Select Render from the Postprocessing section of the left menu (or File > Render Image...), frame your shot in the live preview, adjust the lighting, and click Render Image.

See the Photorealistic Rendering guide for a full walkthrough of the lighting, camera, and output settings.