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.

A flat mailer box dieline in Illustrator with a Layers panel, and an arrow pointing to the folded 3D mockup rendered in PackCAD Mockup

Preparing Files

Preparing the Dieline

A dieline is a vector graphic that defines the cut and fold lines of your packaging. In this tutorial, we will use Adobe Illustrator to prepare the dieline, but any vector editor (such as Inkscape or CorelDRAW) will work. You can download the sample Illustrator file here: MailerBox.ai.

Illustrator Layers panel showing three layers — dieline, interior artwork, and exterior artwork — with the mailer box dieline visible on the artboard

The example file contains three layers: one for the dieline, and one each for the interior and exterior artwork. First, hide all layers except the dieline layer, and prepare it for export. Ensure that cut lines are colored black (#000000) and fold lines are red (#ff0000), blue (#0000ff), or magenta (#ff00ff).

Illustrator Export dialog saving MailerBox.svg in SVG format with Use Artboards checked

Export the dieline as an SVG. Select Use Artboards so that the SVG coordinates align with the artboard.

Tip: Always check Use Artboards when exporting from Adobe Illustrator — this ensures the SVG coordinates match the artboard, which is required for artwork alignment later.

Illustrator SVG Options dialog

Most SVG export options will work. The settings shown above were used to produce the file MailerBox.svg.

Prepare Artwork

Illustrator showing the interior artwork layer visible — a dark blue background with mirrored "Fold Your Dielines in 3D" text — with the dieline layer hidden

Hide the dieline layer and make one artwork layer visible. Export it as a PNG or JPG, again, selecting Use Artboards to maintain alignment with the dieline.

Illustrator Export dialog saving MailerBox-interior.png in PNG format with Use Artboards checked

Repeat for each additional artwork layer. For example: MailerBox-interior.png and MailerBox-exterior.png.

Project Setup

Import Dieline

PackCAD Mockup with an imported mailer box dieline rendered flat in 3D, and the Import Dieline panel on the right showing the file dimensions and Exterior side face down toggle

Open PackCAD Mockup and select File > New Project. Import the dieline SVG file and verify that it renders correctly in the 3D viewer. As a validation check, you can select View > Panel Color Mode > Multicolor in order to confirm that the dieline was parsed correctly. Each panel should display a unique color:

PackCAD Mockup with the View menu open showing Panel Color Mode set to Multicolor, and each panel of the dieline displayed in a unique color to verify correct parsing

A common issue with dielines imported into PackCAD Mockup is that the vector lines have small gaps instead of properly intersecting (see example below). This can cause two adjacent panels to be connected when they are not intended to be. If you run into trouble importing, check that your file is set up correctly.

Close-up of a dieline showing a gap where a red fold line does not fully intersect a black cut line, causing adjacent panels to be incorrectly connected

In the Import Dieline panel, there is an option to set the Exterior side face down. In most cases, you will want to have this selected so that the dieline is oriented correctly prior to folding.

Thickness

PackCAD Mockup Thickness panel set to Corrugated Cardboard with A Flute, 0.25 inch thickness, and Offset Direction toward exterior, with the dieline shown with visible corrugated edge detail

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

Import Artwork

PackCAD Mockup Artwork panel with exterior and interior PNG files uploaded, and the flat dieline displaying the blue interior artwork with "Fold Your Dielines in 3D" text

Select Artwork from the left menu and upload both the exterior and interior artwork files. You should see the print graphics rendered onto the front and back side of the dieline visualization.

Folding Simulation

Folding Setup

PackCAD Mockup Folding Setup panel with the bottom panel selected and highlighted in blue on the dieline, showing Bottom Panel set to Panel 5 and Origin set to None selected

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. Optionally, set the origin point of the folded design by selecting a corner of the bottom panel.

Keyframe Folding Animation

PackCAD Mockup showing Folding Keyframe 1 with 8 creases selected at a 90-degree angle, and the 3D view showing the box sides partially folded up from the flat dieline

Click Add Folding 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.

Tip: Select the fold angle field and scroll to adjust the angle.

PackCAD Mockup with five folding keyframes listed in the sidebar and the fully folded mailer box shown in 3D with the lid open, displaying both exterior and interior artwork

Continue adding keyframes until your design is fully folded. Replay the keyframed animation using in the left menu.

Tip: Press the R hotkey to replay the folding animation at any time.

For more details on fold angles, constraints, and advanced keyframe techniques, see the 3D Folding Simulation guide.

Export 3D Model

PackCAD Mockup Export 3D Model dialog with the filename set to MailerBox and format set to GLTF, shown over the folded box in the 3D viewer

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 photorealistic rendering in Blender and other 3D tools.

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.” GLB/glTF models default to Y-axis as “up” and units of meters, as defined in the glTF 2.0 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.glb, MailerBox.gltf, MailerBox_obj+mtl.zip, and MailerBox.html. Please let us know if you need any additional export options or formats — we are happy to help!

Export High-Res PNG

PackCAD Mockup Export PNG dialog with width and height set to 4096 pixels, transparent background enabled, 3D Shadow enabled, DPI set to 300, and a preview of the rendered mailer box on a checkered transparency background

Go to File > Export PNG and set the dimensions of your HD rendering (currently up to 4K is supported, let us know if you need a higher resolution). Additionally, you can render with a transparent background, choose a background color of your choice, toggle the shadow on or off in the 3D rendering, and set the DPI of the exported image.

Example 4K PNG with a transparent background exported from PackCAD Mockup: MailerBoxRendering.png

Help and Support

If you ever need help using PackCAD Mockup, feel free to reach out at support@formfinding.studio. We welcome feedback, feature requests, and bug reports!