Impact CAD vs Packaging Workbench
Impact CAD
ardensoftware.comPackaging Workbench
github.comSide by side
| Figure | Impact CAD | Packaging Workbench |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | — |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 0 |
| Spec score · Packaging Design Software | 7.9 (#9) | 7.0 (#21) |
| Purpose | Impact is packaging design CAD software for structural design, soft proofing packaging and displays, and manufacturing workflows. | Packaging is a FreeCAD workbench for parametric cardboard box design and 2D dieline generation. |
| Support | Arden offers online technical support, 24/7 self-help resources, telephone support, remote troubleshooting and on-site visits. | The repository invites pull requests and describes contribution conventions; it does not specify a customer support channel. |
Plans
In their own words
Impact CAD
Impact CAD is Arden Software’s packaging design system for structural work, proofing and manufacturing workflows. It covers 2D drafting through 3D visualisation and animation, with interactive drawing, reusable parametric and resizable packaging designs, drag-and-drop components, layout and nesting, graphics handling, dieline editing and import, and preflight checks. Designers can create virtual 3D samples and animated prototypes for customer review, then produce physical samples through compatible plotters and sample makers. The software imports and exports formats including PDF, Adobe Illustrator, DWG and DXF. Impact 2026 adds machine-learning Design Similarity for ranking related designs and manufacturing layouts, native Python scripting, and 629 standards plus more than 1,000 combinations in its V120 Standards Library. It supports SQL Server and Oracle for 2026; MySQL is no longer supported. Windows 11 is recommended. Pricing is on request, and Arden offers a free demo request.
Packaging Workbench
Packaging Workbench has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.