3-dX, a new member of the DeskPack family for Adobe Creative Suite 2.0, generates 3D visuals for use in packaging design.

Although it won't be launched until summer, Esko will demonstrate it via technical previews at Ipex.

Esko marketing director Jan De Roeck said the package is part of the firm's long-term strategy to integrate structural design with graphics.

"The workflows have, until now, been two separate tracks, done by different people and disconnected," De Roeck said.

"This plug-in will make life a lot easier for packaging designers by taking away the complexities of thinking in 3D. You get immediate 3D feedback of the design and constant, interactive 3D viewing just as if you were holding the packaging in your hands," he said.

- Meanwhile, Esko-Graphics is also planning to show two Cyrel digital imagers at Ipex, including its new, entry-level CDI Spark 2120 for flexo plates for tags and labels. Visit: www.esko.com