Real-time 3D viewport
Orbit, zoom (scroll or slider), HDRI environments, shadows, and optional grid—ideal for packaging reviews and client sign-off.
Free forever · Browser · WebGL · No account
Free packaging box designerand 3D carton simulator3D Box Studio · in your browser
Free online box mockup generator for folding cartons and mailer-style boxes—realistic PBR materials, HDRI lighting, lid and flap animations, and per-face artwork. Built for designers, e-commerce sellers, and print shops who need a fast 3D packaging preview without CAD or subscriptions.
PBR materialsKraft, carton, foil & more
HDRI lightingStudio-grade reflections
OpeningsLid, split top, door
Cloud share linksSave, edit & send previews
Capabilities
Everything you need for a convincing 3D packaging preview
Whether you call it a 3D box simulator, carton configurator, or structural packaging preview, these tools help you validate scale, readability, and shelf presence before you commit to plates or samples.
Dimensions & units
Set width, height, and depth in millimeters, centimeters, or inches. Scene units convert to centimeters for consistent 3D scale.
PBR material presets
Kraft, white carton, gloss or matte plastic, corrugated, and metallic foil—roughness, clearcoat, and environment response tuned for packaging looks.
Opening mechanisms
Closed view, lid from back, split top flaps (hinge on long or short side), and a swinging door-style left panel—animated open amount.
Per-face artwork & rotation
Upload PNG or JPG per face, rotate in 90° steps, and apply one image to all faces when you need a quick placeholder wrap.
Environment presets
Choose from studio, city, warehouse, sunset, and dawn environments. This is a great way to get feedback on your design.
Cloud save & share links
Use File → Save or Save As to upload your design. Get an editor link for yourself and a separate view-only preview link for clients—artwork and settings included.
View-only client previews
Share a presentation link that opens the studio in read-only mode. Clients can orbit, zoom, adjust lighting, and export PNGs—without changing dimensions, artwork, or saving over your work.
JSON import & export
Download a v1 JSON backup with dimensions, materials, openings, and embedded images—or import a file to restore the full scene offline.
PNG export
Export a high-resolution PNG snapshot of the live viewport for decks, RFQs, and marketing—alongside cloud share links for interactive review.
Record presentation
Record a 15-second video of the viewport with audio, then download the MP4 file. This is a great way to share your 3D packaging simulator with your team or clients.
Product tour
Inside the 3D packaging studio
Below are illustrative screenshots of the interface layout and key workflows. Click any shot to open a full-size lightbox (same viewer as the portfolio—arrow keys to browse, Escape to close). Replace images with real captures from your live studio for even stronger social proof and SEO image search coverage.
Portfolio
Packaging visuals & motion
Stills and short clips we ship to sell structure, print, and motion in one breath—turntable captures for PDPs, board-and-foil looks for pitch decks, and in-app shots that show how teams actually work inside 3D Box Studio. The grid below mixes photos and video; filter when you only want one format.
Curating your own reel? Drop files under public/showcase/images/ or public/showcase/videos/, list them in manifest.json, and use optional layout: "standard", "tall", or "wide" for wider or taller tiles in the grid. Source lives on GitHub.
Workflow
From flat idea to 3D packaging check in minutes
A lightweight workflow for teams who need a believable 3D box mockup without installing heavy CAD packages.
Set structure & board
Choose outer dimensions, material preset, and how the top or door should open for your 3D carton preview.
Drop in artwork
Map prints to faces, rotate to match portrait or landscape panels, and iterate until the 3D box mockup reads clearly on screen.
Save & share
Use File → Save As for editor and view-only preview links, or export a PNG for decks and RFQs. Send clients the preview link for approvals; keep the editor link for yourself.
Guides
Learn 3D box design & simulation
21 practical articles on 3D box makers, free packaging mockup generators, folding carton design, and browser-based previews for designers, sellers, and brand teams.
Pet Product Packaging: 3D Carton Mockups for Treats, Toys & Supplements
Pet brand packaging needs bold shelf presence. Preview treat cartons, supplement boxes, and toy shippers in 3D before committing to pet-category print minimums.
Read guide →Candle & Home Fragrance Packaging: 3D Box Mockups for DTC Brands
Candle makers and home fragrance brands can preview gift-ready carton mockups in 3D—validate label art, box proportions, and unboxing angles before seasonal print runs.
Read guide →Tuck End & Folding Carton Mockups: 3D Preview for Retail Packaging
Preview tuck end boxes and folding cartons in 3D—validate retail packaging proportions, panel artwork, and shelf angles before your converter runs the first proof.
Read guide →
Support
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers about our free 3D box designer, online mockup generator, Pacdora alternative, export options, and how it compares to packaging CAD tools.
What is a 3D box designer or packaging simulator?
A 3D box designer lets you preview how flat packaging artwork and structural choices look on a three-dimensional carton or mailer. A packaging simulator applies realistic lighting and materials so stakeholders can review proportions, openings, and branding before print.
Is 3D Box Studio a free 3D box maker?
Yes. 3D Box Studio is a free 3D box maker and design tool that runs entirely in your browser. There is no paywall for dimensions, materials, openings, per-face artwork, HDRI lighting, cloud save, view-only client preview links, PNG export, or JSON import/export. No account required to start designing.
What is 3D box simulation used for?
3D box simulation helps packaging designers, brand teams, and printers validate scale, graphic placement, and opening behavior before committing to plates or physical samples. It is ideal for client presentations, e-commerce mockups, and internal design reviews—not for engineering production die-lines.
Is this a substitute for Esko, ArtiosCAD, or dedicated packaging CAD?
No. Those platforms engineer production die-lines. This 3D packaging simulator helps you communicate look and feel, camera angles, and rough scale early. Export is a viewport PNG, not a print plate.
How is a 3D box design maker different from a mockup template site?
Template libraries give you fixed box shapes with uploaded artwork. A 3D box design maker like 3D Box Studio lets you adjust width, height, depth, materials, lid and flap openings, and per-face graphics in one interactive viewport—better for custom carton sizes and structural previews.
Does the 3D box simulator work on mobile?
The studio is built for desktop browsers with WebGL. Phones may run it, but the control density is optimized for keyboard and mouse users.
Where is my data stored?
While you work, your design stays in the browser session. When you use File → Save or Save As, images upload to AWS S3 and configuration is stored in a Postgres database. You receive a share link you can reopen or send to others. Nothing is saved to the cloud until you explicitly save.
How do cloud save and share links work?
Use File → Save As to upload your design and create a new share link. Use File → Save (⌘S) to update an existing link without creating a duplicate. File → Open lets you paste a share link or ID to reload a saved design. After saving, use File → Share Preview Link or Copy Preview Link to send clients a separate view-only URL (<code>/preview/…</code>). Editor links use <code>/studio/…</code> and are not exposed in preview mode.
Ready to spin up your carton in 3D?
Open the studio and iterate on materials, openings, and artwork until the packaging story clicks.
Start the 3D packaging simulator