Question 1

What's the main difference between PackCAD Mockup and Boxshot or Origami?

Accepted Answer

Boxshot and Origami are two desktop apps from Appsforlife: Origami folds Illustrator dielines with manually defined crease angles, and Boxshot renders the results in staged scenes. PackCAD Mockup covers the same ground in one app: it detects your dieline's cut and crease lines, lets you fold it interactively with a physics-based simulation, and creates photorealistic renderings and 3D exports.

Question 2

Do I need both Boxshot and Origami to make packaging mockups?

Accepted Answer

With Appsforlife's tools, usually yes: Origami handles dieline folding and basic rendering, while Boxshot adds the studio features most mockups call for, like advanced materials and lighting. PackCAD Mockup combines folding, animation, photorealistic rendering, and 3D export in a single app.

Question 3

Does Origami support curved folding?

Accepted Answer

No, Origami's documentation states that crease lines must be straight, and each crease folds rigidly to a fixed angle. PackCAD Mockup's physics-based simulation supports curved folding natively, along with gussets and other complex box closures.

Question 4

Do I need Adobe Illustrator to use Origami?

Accepted Answer

Not strictly, but the workflow leans on it: Origami ships an Illustrator plugin, and other editors like Affinity Designer work through an export-and-refresh loop with special layer and path-name conventions. PackCAD Mockup imports an SVG dieline from any vector editor, using standard cut and crease line styling. See our Illustrator dieline guide for Illustrator-specific tips.

Question 5

When should I use Boxshot or Origami instead of PackCAD Mockup?

Accepted Answer

Reach for Boxshot when you need multi-product scenes, ready-made shapes like bottles and cans, offline desktop work, or a lifetime license. PackCAD Mockup completely replaces Origami's side of the workflow and adds physics-based folding and photorealistic rendering, all in your browser.

Question 6

Can I use PackCAD Mockup with Boxshot?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Fold your dieline in PackCAD Mockup, export it as an OBJ model, and drop it into a Boxshot scene like any other 3D asset. From there you can stage it alongside Boxshot's ready-made shapes.

Question 7

How much do Boxshot and Origami cost?

Accepted Answer

Origami is $349 per user (one-time, with $199/yr for updates after the first year) and Boxshot runs $192/yr or $499 one-time, so the full pipeline costs roughly $541 in year one. For comparison, PackCAD Mockup Pro costs $20–29/mo ($240/yr).

Question 8

Is there a free alternative to Boxshot and Origami?

Accepted Answer

Yes, to start. PackCAD Mockup's free tier has no time limit and lets you upload dielines, fold, animate, apply artwork and materials, and preview watermarked renderings. Watermark-free 4K renderings, 3D exports, and commercial use cost $20–29/mo ($240/yr), compared to roughly $541 for the first year of Boxshot and Origami. Try PackCAD Mockup for free

Capability	PackCAD Mockup	Boxshot + Origami
Runs in your browser — no install	Yes	Desktop apps
Works on Windows, Mac, Linux & tablets	Yes	Windows & Mac only
Complete workflow in one app	Yes	Two separate apps
Upload your own custom dielines	Yes	Yes
Dieline template generator	No	Yes
File setup	Standard dieline colors	Fold angles, path names, layers & styles
Physics-based 3D folding simulation	Yes	No
Curved folding	Yes	No
Pose & keyframe folding animations	Yes	Yes
Realistic materials & thicknesses	Yes	Yes
Print effects (foil, UV, emboss)	Coming soon	Yes
Dieline error checking	Yes	Yes
Photorealistic 3D rendering	Yes	Yes
Multi-product scene composition	Focused on your packaging	Yes
Export 3D models	Yes	Yes
Free to try	Yes	Yes
Price	Free tier; Pro $29/mo or $240/yr	Origami $349 + Boxshot $192/yr

PackCAD Mockup vs Boxshot & Origami

PackCAD Mockup vs Boxshot & Origami, side by side

No special file setup

Folds what other tools can't

Complete workflow in one app

Frequently asked questions

Ready to start folding?