Impact CAD vs Packmage CAD
Impact CAD
ardensoftware.comPackmage CAD
packmage.comSide by side
| Figure | Impact CAD | Packmage CAD |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | $4.17/mo |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 4 |
| Spec score · Packaging Design Software | 7.9 (#9) | 7.8 (#14) |
| 3D proofing | Users can create virtual 3D samples and animated prototypes to share with customers. | The product includes 3D virtual proofing and can turn a self-drawn structure diagram into 3D. |
| Company history | Arden Software says it was founded in 1988. | The company profile says Packmage Technology was formally established in Hong Kong in January 2005 for ERP research and development in the printing industry. |
| Founded | 1988 | 2005 |
| Headquarters | Arden Software lists its UK head office in Marple, Stockport, United Kingdom. | Hong Kong |
| Purpose | Impact is packaging design CAD software for structural design, soft proofing packaging and displays, and manufacturing workflows. | Packmage CAD is Windows packaging design software for professional structural engineers and packaging designers. |
| Support | Arden offers online technical support, 24/7 self-help resources, telephone support, remote troubleshooting and on-site visits. | The maker lists support by email and phone from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday (GMT+08:00). |
Plans
Packmage CAD
- Trial FreeFree
- Yearly One Template$50 a year
- Yearly Full License$360 a year
- Monthly Full License$3,930 a month
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.
Packmage CAD
Packmage CAD has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.