Reference guide
Packaging suite
Parametric models for every major packaging type, sized in millimetres, with exact artwork mapping and dielines.
What it is
A parametric model for each packaging type and box style. Each one is sized in millimetres, maps flat artwork exactly onto its print surfaces with bleed and safe areas, and gives a dieline for board styles. These models are the shape source for product ads. A brand's photos or files then supply the label.
Everything lives in packaging/. Read packaging/CONVENTIONS.md first, which is the contract every model follows, then packaging/README.md for how to build.
How big it is
The catalog manifest lists 311 types. The built library on main holds 309.
| Family | Built types | Engine |
|---|---|---|
| Round rigid | 77 | Spun profile: jars, bottles, cans, tins, tubes |
| Flexible | 64 | Puffed film: pouches, sachets, bags, mailers |
| Lofted | 48 | Lofted cross-sections: oval and square bottles, squeeze tubes, tins, jugs |
| Closures | 38 | Caps, pumps, sprayers, droppers, seals |
| Corrugated | 29 | FEFCO families: shippers, mailers, trays |
| Cartons | 27 | Folding cartons with a fold and dieline engine |
| Other | 19 | Bags, blister cards, pulp trays, tags, sleeves |
| Rigid boxes | 7 | Set-up boxes with wrap and board thickness |
What every type shares
- Measured or typed dimensions.
- Exact print surfaces: cylindrical, conical, planar or panel mapping.
- Dieline export for board styles.
- Named materials.
- Open and closed states where they apply.
How it is built
Models are FreeCAD scripts built headless.
| Piece | Purpose |
|---|---|
packaging/pkgkit/ | The shared toolkit |
packaging/catalog/manifest.json | Every type, its owner and what it must cover |
packaging/catalog/example/can.py | The reference type |
packaging/build.sh | Builds models. build.sh all --variants builds everything; build.sh coverage shows what is done, missing, failing or stale |
packaging/out/ | Built output, one folder per type |
Who builds what
Two agents work in parallel in their own worktrees and merge into the packaging branch often.
| Agent | Branch | Families |
|---|---|---|
| Claude | packaging-claude | Round, closures, lofted, flexible |
| Codex | packaging-codex | Cartons, corrugated, rigid boxes, other |
Changing the manifest needs the owner's approval.
Using a model in Ad Shots
The Packaging tab lists the models. Drop one on the ad set, then open "Artwork and dieline" from the inspector to place artwork. See The workspace.
Open question
Whether food-service packaging (cups, clamshells, takeout boxes) is formally in scope was left open in the handoff. Several such types have since been built.
Updated 2026-11-14. Built 2026-11-15.