Artioscad Tutorial

To master Esko , the industry standard for packaging structural design, you should follow a structured learning path ranging from basic 2D drafting to advanced 3D prototyping. 1. Getting Started: The Interface and Setup

Before drawing, you must configure your project environment to ensure technical accuracy for manufacturing. Mimaki Global Project Initialization

: Create a new project and input client data (name, order number) to ensure all designs are indexed in the central database. Unit and Board Selection : Set your units to millimeters or inches and select a Board Type

(e.g., corrugated, folding carton). The software uses these specs to calculate material thickness and fold allowances. Layer Management artioscad tutorial

: Organize your workspace using layers. Standard layers include "Main Design" for cut lines and "Dimensions" for technical annotations. 2. Core 2D Drafting Techniques Design starts with a flat layout, often called a dieline.

Printing 1:1 (Plotting)

  1. Go to File > Print.
  2. Select your plotter (e.g., Kongsberg, Zünd, or HP Designjet).
  3. Crucially: Set Scale to 1:1. Uncheck "Fit to Page."
  4. Select "Line Style Mapping" – This tells the plotter: Cut lines go to Knife tool, Crease lines go to Creasing wheel.

Step 2: Drawing the Base Rectangle

We need a base that is 200mm x 150mm.

  1. Select the Rectangle Tool (Icon looks like a square).
  2. Click once on the workspace. A dialog box appears.
  3. Enter Width: 200, Height: 150.
  4. Click OK. Do not click and drag; always use the dialog box for accuracy.

Step 5: Adding Glue Tabs (The "Flip" Trick)

To make the corners lock, we need tabs. Select one side of the outer rectangle. Use the Dynamic Navigator (a wheel that appears) to add a tab. In a full tutorial, we would use the "Flange" tool, but for now, manually draw a 20mm tab on one side using the Line tool (Snap to ends, type 20, rotate 90°). To master Esko , the industry standard for

The Problem

You use the "0427" style. The bottom locks, but the flaps overlap badly in 3D.

Community / Third‑party

  • Packaging CAD forums – discussions on die‑lines
  • Lynda / LinkedIn Learning – sometimes has packaging CAD courses

Part 4: The "Magic" of Parametric Design

One of the most powerful features ArtiosCAD offers is Parametric Constraints. This is often the hardest concept for beginners, but this tutorial will simplify it.

If you draw a rectangle, it is just four lines. If you draw a rectangle with constraints, you tell the software: "This line must always be parallel to the opposite line, and the distance between them is 300mm." Printing 1:1 (Plotting)

How to add constraints:

  1. Draw a line.
  2. Right-click the line > Constraints > Fixed Length.
  3. Right-click again > Constraints > Horizontal.

Now, even if you delete surrounding geometry, that line remains true. Pro Tip: Always constrain the base panel of your box first.

Step 7 – 3D folding

  • Tools > Fold Manager → assign folding angles (e.g., +90°, -90°).
  • Click Fold → 3D view appears. Rotate with middle mouse button.
  • Check for collisions or incorrect overlaps.

Part 5: 3D Visualization

One of ArtiosCAD's biggest strengths is real-time 3D folding.

  1. Once your 2D design is finished, go to the Design menu.
  2. Select 3D Fold.
  3. ArtiosCAD will attempt to automatically fold the design based on the crease lines.
  4. If the software asks for guidance, you may need to define the "Fold Sequence" (e.g., "Fold Flap A over Panel B").
  5. Rotate the model with your mouse to inspect the fit and structure.

Why do this? It prevents costly errors. You can see if a tuck flap is too short or if the structure collapses before you print a single sample.