Gent (Belgium), March 17, 2008 – EskoArtwork, the global market leader in innovative design, pre-production, collaboration and finishing solutions for the packaging, commercial printing and sign and display industry, announces the introduction of Studio, a plug-in environment for Adobe Illustrator that brings interactive 3D packaging design to the familiar Adobe Illustrator software. EskoArtwork is also introducing Studio Toolkits, a collection of supporting simplified structural design solutions.

"In packaging design, the world is certainly not a flat place and there is a clear demand for more 3D capabilities as communicating with a 3D design greatly benefits the turn-around time of the design process. Very often existing 3D tools are too complicated and simply not suited for a packaging design workflow," explains Kris Van Bael, Product Manager 3D and Visualization, EskoArtwork. "EskoArtwork introduces the perfect solutions to solve these issues. Studio and the supporting Studio Toolkits are closely integrated with Adobe Illustrator and come equipped with built-in EskoArtwork packaging knowledge. Studio reduces the need for multiple costly mock-ups, helps to spot design-errors faster and takes away the guesswork from 2D flats."

Studio is the next incarnation of the award winning DeskPack 3-dX concept. Thanks to the new Studio toolkits, Studio offers a complete solution for both folding carton, corrugated and flexible packaging. As the central 'hub' of a graphic design solution it offers a 3D viewing environment for instantly seeing the artwork applied onto the package. To make the design process even easier, Studio offers packaging-savvy navigation, alignment tools and artwork distribution tools. Studio allows designers to send their ideas to clients for review and approval by creating a dynamic 3D PDF file compatible with the free Adobe Reader.

Together with Studio, EskoArtwork is introducing Studio Toolkits, a new line of structural design tools, to supply the packaging shapes for Studio. At drupa, the first two versions of Studio Toolkit will be demonstrated:

•    Studio Toolkit for Flexibles: This unique flexible packaging design application allows a designer to build realistic structural models of common flexible packaging types in a matter of minutes. The first version of Studio Toolkit for Flexibles supports pillow bags, gusseted bags and rectangular stand-up pouches.

•    Studio Toolkit for Boxes: A plug-in for Adobe Illustrator. With this toolkit, designers create box shapes that can be decorated and folded right inside Adobe Illustrator. Alternatively, designers can take an existing technical drawing and fold it into a 3D representation of a box.

"Studio integrates perfectly with other EskoArtwork software, most notably with structural design files from ArtiosCAD and Score!," adds Van Bael. "Studio also integrates smoothly with DeskPack plug-ins and the new Dynamic Content application. For ultra-realistic virtual mock-ups showing varnishes,  metallic inks, embossing or other special effects, Visualizer accepts and further enhances packaging designs from Studio and the Studio Toolkits."

Frank Adegeest, Director Packaging Design Software Product Group comments: "We have noticed an increasing need to evaluate the impact of various packaging designs, comparing flexible versus rigid packaging formats, considering regional differences etc.   Environmental issues, specific regional brand requirements or other have forced brand owners to look for alternative packaging solutions.  Up until now there was no easy solution to rapidly explore design intent on alternative shapes. Using Studio combined with Studio Toolkits, designers are able to instantly view and evaluate a range of packaging format alternatives.  In the development of Studio, EskoArtwork has bundled all its packaging expertise and made it available to the packaging designers platform of choice - Adobe Illustrator – providing a series of new and powerful tools. Listening to our first series of users in the packaging design market, these tools will grow to become the new standard and will dramatically improve efficiency and productivity."

Studio and the Studio Toolkit will be demonstrated at drupa creating, in a matter of minutes, exceptional 3D visuals of boxes and bags. Studio and the Studio Toolkit for Flexibles will be released and for sale at drupa; Studio Toolkit for Boxes will become available shortly thereafter.