What does it do?
IC3D Suite is a real-time photorealistic 3D visualiser for printed packaging and special effects, with “desktop simplicity”. This sort of program is typically used to assess the visual impact of finished packaging products, either individually or in a simulated on-shelf environment.
It works alongside Adobe Illustrator with bi-directional links, taking 2D artwork and assembling it or mapping it onto 3D shapes. Image-based lighting techniques borrowed from the games industry give real-time photorealistic rendering of printed objects.
The application uses a growing library of predefined, but user-editable, packaging object templates that the artwork is mapped to. These include flexibles (bags, pouches and packets), folding boxboard cartons, POS stands, labels, glass and plastic bottles, tins, and shrink packaging for holding multipacks together (covering cylindrical shapes now, with dynamic irregular shapes due within weeks).
It can handle white ink undercoats and special colours and will also simulate spot varnish, foiling, embossing, lenticular printing and holograms. While the models can be integrated into 3D shelves with realistic lighting plus 2D photographic backdrops, IC3D can’t generate a complete 3D store interior. However, its models can be exported to other 3D packages that can.
When was it launched and what markets is it aimed at?
The initial launch was at Print 13 Chicago last October, where it headed the ‘Must See ’Ems’ awards. The UK market launch was earlier this month.
It is primarily aimed at creative agencies, brand owners, creative designers, packaging reprographics companies and also packaging convertors and printers with their own studios.
How does it differ from other packages?
According to Creative Edge co-founder Nick Gilmore, “IC3D Suite is the only real-time, open, 3D packaging visualisation, ideation and design tool in one complete single application.”
What platforms, programs and formats is it compatible with?
It runs on 64-bit Macs or Windows PCs. It’s a standalone program, plus a plug-in for bi-directional linking to Adobe Illustrator CS6 or CC. Pack shapes can be imported to supplement the standard library.
Rendered still images can be exported as PDF or high-res TIFF or JPEG files. Animations can be exported in MOV format. 3D files can be exported in Collada DAE interchange format. It can also export STL format for 3D printers.
So far there’s no way of exporting for 3D viewers, but Gilmore says that the interactive 3D WebGL format for browsers will be adopted once this is fully implemented by Microsoft in Explorer (currently it needs a plug-in).
What’s its USP?
Gilmore says: “There simply isn’t anybody else we know of who has a complete 3D ideation/design solution that is so easy and fast. We have patented the real-time auto- mesh mapping function, which enables artwork to be slid over complex 3D objects without needing to use UVW mapping via third-party applications.”
The speed of the real-time rendering is also notable.
How easy is it to use?
“Based on beta site experience and first- user feedback, any competent creative/Adobe Illustrator user can learn and use IC3D Suite easily in one day,” says Gilmore.
What training and support is offered?
This will be largely up to the dealer, but both onsite and online training is available. Creative Edge also offers online video tutorials and webinars.
What is the sales target? How many are installed?
The global target for first year sales is £1.8m. The first beta site has been running since October, at Bemis Graphics in Oshkosh, WI, in the US. Bemis is a large flexible packaging corporation, offering complete graphic design and prepress solutions.
SPECIFICATIONS
Platforms Mac OS X and Windows
Price £7,950 plus SMA, (software maintenance agreement, which will be set by the dealer)
Contact Creative Edge Software 07795 298787 www.creativeedge software.com
ALTERNATIVES
Esko visualisation modules
You’d need several modules of Esko’s packaging visualisation suite to match the all-in-one functionality of IC3D. Studio Designer is an Illustrator plug-in that works bi-directionally to take flat artwork and assemble it into live 3D shapes, with imported CAD files or models if relevant. It’s also available as a module in ArtPro and PackEdge. Optional separate Studio Toolkit applications create 3D models for cartons, labels or containers. Studio Visualiser is a photorealistic renderer. Store Visualiser can integrate the models into complete store environments with photographic and 3D elements.
Platforms Various
Price Studio Designer plug-in: about £1,100; Studio Toolkits are about £1,600 each for cartons and labels, and about £6,300 for shrink sleeves; Studio Visualiser: about £4,500; Store Visualiser: about £17,300
Contact Esko 0121 667 4200 www.esko.com
FFEI RealVue 3D Packager
RealVue 3D Packager is a low-cost 3D visualiser that can assemble folding boxboard cartons and bottle labels (but not flexible packs) and present them as 3D rendered objects that can be exported for customer comment and approval. It takes live 2D artwork from Illustrator and can also import 2D DXF or PDF files, or 3D VRML and IGES formats. It can be used alongside FFEI’s RealPro Toolkit set of packaging design plug-ins for Illustrator and Photoshop. It exports dedicated PVU format files as well as 3D PDF, PNG/JPEG and image sequences. A standalone PVU viewer application is available as a free download. This can play animations as well as allowing interactive 3D viewing. Users can add annotations.
Platforms Mac OS X and Windows
Price £1,330
Contact FFEI 01442 213440 www.ffei.co.uk
USER REVIEW
“IC3D Suite allows us to offer our customers photo-realistic virtual packaging in 3D format. It gives us more flexibility relating to surface finishes, clear windows and package contents that are very common in our business – our expectations have been exceeded”
Brenda Abraham Creative services manager, Bemis Graphics, Oshkosh, US
