Packaging Workbench
Packaging Workbench is a free FreeCAD add-on for designing cardboard boxes parametrically and producing flat dielines.
What Packaging Workbench is
Packaging Workbench is a free FreeCAD add-on for designing cardboard boxes parametrically and producing flat dielines. It requires FreeCAD 1.0 or later and supports FEFCO box types 0201, 0301, and 0713. Adjusting dimensions such as length, width, height, or thickness regenerates the box, whose 3D geometry shows the flaps at 90 degrees. For flat designs, the workbench creates 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 uses FreeCAD core modules and has no external dependencies. It supports Linux, macOS, and Windows and is licensed under LGPL-2.1-or-later. 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 presents itself as an open-source alternative to commercial packaging CAD software and links to a GitHub issue tracker for bug reports.
Good
- Free to use on Linux, macOS, and Windows
- Supports three FEFCO box types
- Dimension changes regenerate the box
- Creates dielines with separate production layers
- No external dependencies, according to the project
Watch out
- Requires FreeCAD 1.0 or later
- Addon Manager installation is not yet available
- Installation requires placing files in FreeCAD's Mod directory
Who it suits
It suits packaging designers and FreeCAD users who need parametric cardboard box designs and dielines. It may also appeal to those seeking an open-source alternative to commercial packaging CAD software.
Verdict
Packaging Workbench combines parametric box modeling with flat dieline generation in FreeCAD. Check that your FreeCAD version meets the requirement and that manual installation suits your setup.
The facts
Each one read from Packaging Workbench's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- 3D design
- Its box geometry is parametric, and changing dimensions such as length, width, and height rebuilds the box automatically.checked 7 Oct 2026
- 3D geometry
- The workbench creates parametric 3D geometry with flaps opened at 90 degrees.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Addon Manager
- The README says Addon Manager installation will be available once the workbench is published.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Box types
- The workbench supports FEFCO 0201, 0301, and 0713 box types.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Dependencies
- The README says it uses only FreeCAD core modules and has no external dependencies.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Dielines
- It generates flat 2D dielines with separate Cut, Crease, and Perforation layers.checked 7 Oct 2026
- DXF export
- Dielines can be exported to DXF through FreeCAD.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Export
- Dielines can be exported to DXF through FreeCAD's native importer; package metadata also lists SVG export.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The README describes manual installation by copying or linking the workbench into FreeCAD's Mod directory and restarting FreeCAD.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The README describes it as an open-source alternative to commercial cardboard packaging CAD software.checked 7 Oct 2026
- License
- The project is licensed under LGPL-2.1-or-later.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Parametric editing
- Changing dimensions such as Length, Width, Height, or Thickness regenerates the box.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Product
- Packaging is a FreeCAD 1.0+ workbench for parametric cardboard box design to FEFCO standards.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Packaging is a FreeCAD workbench for parametric cardboard box design and 2D dieline generation.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- The repository invites pull requests and describes contribution conventions; it does not specify a customer support channel.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Support and issue reporting
- The package metadata links to the project's GitHub issue tracker for bug reports.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Supported box types
- It supports FEFCO 0201, 0301, and 0713 box types.checked 7 Oct 2026
Money
- FreeCAD requirement
- The workbench is for FreeCAD 1.0 or later.checked 7 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Platforms
- The README gives manual installation locations for Windows, Linux, and macOS.checked 4 Oct 2026
Alternatives to Packaging Workbench
- 1
ZebraDesigner
Free planAndroidiOSWebWindows8.2$345 one-time - 2
MarkMagic
WebAPILinuxmacOS7.4From $2,585 a year - 3
BarTender
AndroidiOSWebAPI7.2From $199 a year - 4
Packdroid
AndroidiOSWebAPI6.7From $9 a month - 5
Packly
Free planWeb6.7From €379 a year - 6
EngView Packaging Suite
WebAPImacOSWindows6.6