Dieline and 3D Simulation

Note: The Dieline module is an Enterprise Plan feature but can be added as an add-on for Growth Plan users. For more information on all ManageArtworks plans, click here.

How do I create a dieline and simulate it in 3D?

The Dieline module in ManageArtworks allows users to create or edit Key Line Drawings (KLD) or dielines using a comprehensive library of pre-defined templates. Users can customize dimensions—such as width, length, and height—or adjust the appearance of the selected dieline to generate a realistic preview. Once finalized, the dieline can be exported as a PDF for further design work in external applications like Adobe Illustrator or InDesign.

Note on Terminology The terms Key Line Drawing (KLD), Dieline, Diecut, and Structural Design all refer to the same concept. For consistency, we will use the term Dieline throughout this guide.

01. Access the Dieline Module

1. Log in to your ManageArtworks account.
2. From the left main menu, select the Dieline module.

02. Choose a Dieline Template

1. On selecting the Dieline module, a comprehensive list of predefined dielines will be displayed.
2. You can browse and select the desired dieline template using any of the following methods:
   1. Browse by Category
      1. In the left filter panel, select a parent category (for example, Bottles) to view it's subcategories like:
         • All
         • Ceramic Bottles
         • Wine Bottles
         • Water Bottles
         • Glass Bottles
         • Bottle Plastics
      2. Click a subcategory to display matching dieline templates.
      3. From the results, select the template you want to use.
   2. Free Text Search: 
      1. In the search box, type a template name or keyword.
      2. Press Enter or click the search icon to filter results.
      3. From the results, select the template you want to use.

03. Customize and Preview

Upon selecting a dieline template from the library, you will be redirected to the Customization Interface. The available options vary depending on the type of dieline selected.

Note: The dieline editor does not support saving of progress within the interface. To preserve work, users must export the customized dieline before exiting the editor. Navigating away from the editor (e.g., returning to the library) will discard all unsaved changes.

1. Customization Interface

For Folding Cartons

For Non-Carton Categories

2. Rename the Dieline Title

1. Click the pencil (✏️) icon next to the current dieline title.
2. Enter a desired custom name in the text field
3. Press Enter or click outside the text field to apply.

Note: The custom name is for user reference only and does not overwrite the original template in the library. The exported PDF will use the custom name as it's file name.

3. Customize the Dimension or Appearance

Customization options depends on the selected dieline type:

a. For Folding Cartons

You can configure the physical dimensions:

• Length
• Width
• Height

To change the dimension:

1. At the top of the Left panel, click the dimension field you want to change (Length, Width, or Height).
2. Enter the new value in the field.
3. Check the 3D Preview panel (Right Panel) — the model updates immediately to reflect the new dimension.

b. For Non-Carton Categories

Instead of modifying physical dimensions, you can adjust Material Appearance settings:

• Metalness – Controls reflective quality of the surface.
• Roughness – Controls surface texture from glossy to matte.
• Opacity – Controls transparency of the material.

Note: The scope of these settings depends on the dieline type. In some cases, they can be applied to specific parts; in others, they apply to the entire dieline.

Example (Bottles):

For bottle dielines, appearance settings can be applied independently to parts such as:

• Cap
• Label
• Inner
• Cork
• Body

Note: The available parts may vary by dieline type. The list below is for reference only and may differ based on the bottle structure.

To change the appearance setting:

1. In the Middle panel, select the part you want to customize (e.g., Body, Cap, Cork, Inner, Label).
2. Adjust the Metalness, Roughness, or Opacity sliders to achieve the desired look.
3. Check the Right panel — all changes are updated in real time as you adjust the sliders.
4. Repeat the steps for other parts until all required customizations are complete.

04. Export the Dieline

You can export the customized dieline as a PDF.

Steps to Export:

1. Click the Export button at the top-right corner of the Dieline editor.
   
   
    
2. The Export Preview dialog will appear, displaying the following options:
   • Bleed Measurement (mm): This field is prefilled with the default bleed value configured in the Admin module. This field is non-editable at the export stage.
   • Measurement Scale (UOM): The default unit of measurement (e.g., inch or mm or cm) is also pulled from Admin settings. This field is non-editable during export.
     
     Note: To change default bleed value or unit of measurement, refer to the Dieline Parameter Configuration.
3. A preview of the final downloadable dieline is displayed in the dialog for reference.
4. Click Download to save the dieline as a PDF file.