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Packaging Workbench
What it is
Packaging Workbench is a free FreeCAD workbench for parametric cardboard box design and flat dieline creation. It requires FreeCAD 1.0 or later and supports FEFCO box types 0201, 0301, and 0713. Changing dimensions such as length, width, height, or thickness regenerates the box geometry, which shows flaps open at 90 degrees. For production drawings, the workbench creates a 2D dieline with separate Cut, Crease, and Perforation layers. Dielines can be exported to DXF through FreeCAD, and package metadata also lists SVG export. The project says it relies on FreeCAD core modules and has no external dependencies. It is licensed under LGPL-2.1-or-later and is described as an open-source alternative to commercial packaging CAD software. Installation involves downloading or cloning the repository and placing it in FreeCAD's Mod directory. Addon Manager installation is planned once the workbench is published. The project links to a GitHub issue tracker for bug reports and invites contributions. It supports Linux, macOS, and Windows.
For and against
For
- Free to use.
- Supports three FEFCO box types.
- Regenerates geometry when dimensions change.
- Creates dielines with separate production layers.
- No external dependencies are listed.
Against
- Requires FreeCAD 1.0 or later.
- Addon Manager installation is not yet available.
- Installation requires placing files in FreeCAD's Mod directory.
The verdict
Packaging Workbench provides parametric box geometry and layered dielines within FreeCAD, with DXF and SVG export listed. Users should note the FreeCAD version requirement and the repository-based installation process.
Who it suits
Packaging Workbench may suit FreeCAD users who design cardboard boxes and need editable dielines for supported FEFCO types. It is also presented as an open-source alternative to commercial packaging CAD software.
On the record
- 3D design
- Its box geometry is parametric, and changing dimensions such as length, width, and height rebuilds the box automatically.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- 3D geometry
- The workbench creates parametric 3D geometry with flaps opened at 90 degrees.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Addon Manager
- The README says Addon Manager installation will be available once the workbench is published.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Box types
- The workbench supports FEFCO 0201, 0301, and 0713 box types.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Dependencies
- The README says it uses only FreeCAD core modules and has no external dependencies.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Dielines
- It generates flat 2D dielines with separate Cut, Crease, and Perforation layers.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- DXF export
- Dielines can be exported to DXF through FreeCAD.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Export
- Dielines can be exported to DXF through FreeCAD's native importer; package metadata also lists SVG export.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- FreeCAD requirement
- The workbench is for FreeCAD 1.0 or later.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The README describes manual installation by copying or linking the workbench into FreeCAD's Mod directory and restarting FreeCAD.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The README describes it as an open-source alternative to commercial cardboard packaging CAD software.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- License
- The project is licensed under LGPL-2.1-or-later.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Parametric editing
- Changing dimensions such as Length, Width, Height, or Thickness regenerates the box.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Product
- Packaging is a FreeCAD 1.0+ workbench for parametric cardboard box design to FEFCO standards.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Packaging is a FreeCAD workbench for parametric cardboard box design and 2D dieline generation.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- The repository invites pull requests and describes contribution conventions; it does not specify a customer support channel.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Support and issue reporting
- The package metadata links to the project's GitHub issue tracker for bug reports.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Supported box types
- It supports FEFCO 0201, 0301, and 0713 box types.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
