US Flexible packaging specialist, Osiopack of Anaheim, CA, has recently installed the iC3D packaging design software developed by Creative Edge Software.
Supplied by iC3D reseller CGS Publishing Technologies, the solution was chosen by Osiopack for its fast, accurate visualization of shrink distortion. The company has since found iC3D features such as Shape Modeller and iC3D Opsis highly useful.
“When you’re working in shrink film almost exclusively, the ability to accurately visualize pre-distorted artwork is essential for identifying any issues. I was immediately impressed by the ease and speed of the iC3D undistort technology in simulating the effects of distortion and enabling ‘correction’ of artwork,” says Tony McCash, graphics manager at Osiopack.
When mapping to a shrink surface, iC3D pre-distorts artwork so it appears normal when the package or prototype is constructed. The software then allows the pre-distorted artwork to be exported back into Illustrator for final output and production. According to McCash, the decision to invest in iC3D was made on the basis of this capability alone.
Visual communication: A critical element
With a broad client base spanning the food, beverage and pharmaceutical sectors, Osiopack was founded in 1996 to provide rotogravure-printed flexible packaging materials, primarily shrink sleeves, bar wraps and stand-up pouches. As deadlines continually shorten and products diversify, visual communication is a critical element in maintaining quality and matching it in all aspects of service, according to McCash. Adding to the challenge is the fact that among Osiopack clients there is no such thing as a standard product shape.
“The advanced 3D shape modeling capabilities of iC3D are a benefit I hadn’t even hoped for,” says McCash. “The ability to create custom shapes, and in particular non-cylindrical bottles, has rapidly become an indispensable tool. iC3D also allows for importing of many 3D formats, which has enabled me to simulate all different sorts of bottles and packs I couldn’t even get close to before. With every Osiopack client introducing unique bottles and continually designing products to be ahead of the trend, we’re future-proofed for whatever shape innovations are to come.”
iC3D’s Shape Modeller feature has been developed to enable any packaging shape, no matter how complex, to be created quickly and easily, and visualized in real-time. STL, OBJ or DAE/Collada files can be imported, and 3D models can be edited selectively; displacement mapping also makes it straightforward to add distortions to the surface of the model – to create embossing or debossing, for example.
Enhanced user experience
Osiopack found that the iC3D Opsis cloud-based viewing platform has further enhanced the user experience of mockups produced. Opsis can be accessed via any web browser on a desktop, laptop like a , tablet or smartphone to allow simultaneous viewing and collaboration by multiple stakeholders. For Osiopack, this means that McCash can share the preparation of artwork with clients in real-time, enabling them to watch the distortion process as it happens and in 360 degrees.
“Since switching to iC3D, clients have been very pleased with the quick turnaround times for proofing artwork, but probably the most enthusiastic feedback has been in relation to Opsis,” McCash says.
