Esko has launched a set of tools for 3D packaging design called Esko Studio 16, part of the Esko Software Platform 16.
Chris Stowe, Esko’s product manager for 3D solutions, says, “Unlike other solutions, designers and prepress operators don’t have to leave their design tool of choice. They are able to make very advanced 3D design actions within Illustrator – a platform they are very familiar with. For 10 years, Studio has been helping trade shops, converters and brands offer their customers a faster route to market for product design – and it continues to be the worlds’ most powerful and popular packaging 3D design and store visualisation tool.
“It eliminates the need for physical mock ups and reduces the approval process via instant online collaboration. Ultimately this means the time from design to production is much faster and cost effective. Creating test versions, new promotions and product variations can be designed and visualized at the touch of a button.
“The benefits of Studio encourage designers to experiment with different ideas and allow prepress operators to do quality checks on graphics positioning, reverse print and other production critical elements.
“Users can quickly check finishing effects, create realistic visuals, see more details in pack shots and speed up the production of pack shots.”
Esko cites the new features of Studio 16:
The ability to create 3D compositions 50 per cent faster from new user tools such as snap to align while moving, vertical collision edge and detection, and a nudge tool for fast manipulation
Fast artwork application in scenes, so designers can apply different artwork to the same structures in product line ups and multi-product combinations
Studio 16 includes tools to select materials and apply print effects. Users can quickly check finishing effects by using a switch to turn on and off – and compare – finishing, to see how finishing effects apply and perform in isolation
Fast creation of realistic visuals, with the ability to add and adjust realistic floor shadows and light source angles
A faster way to create and output very high-resolution pack shots by adding automated scripting in Adobe Illustrator with new export options. The software can to display barcodes; pricing and other metadata associated with each of the imported products. Even fine text is legible, and poster-sized images can be created. These are particularly helpful for artwork repurposing such as marketing and campaign use – creating product images even before a single package is produced
Software aids packaging design
