Impact CAD vs VPack
Impact CAD
ardensoftware.com
VPack
erpa.deSide by side
| Figure | Impact CAD | VPack |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | — |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Packaging Design Software | 7.9 (#9) | 7.4 (#20) |
| 2D and 3D design | The product supports packaging design from 2D drafting through 3D visualisation and animation. | The software supports a real-time transition between flat 2D packaging designs and folded 3D designs. |
| Company | Arden Software says it was founded in 1988 and lists its UK head office in Marple, Stockport, United Kingdom. | The maker is ERPA Systeme GmbH, based at Willi-Eichler-Str. 24, 37079 Göttingen, Germany; the opened company pages do not state a founding year. |
| Design tools | Interactive drawing tools provide feedback on rule length, area, weight and waste calculations. | Semi-automated design tools create customized packaging, and standard designs can be parameterized for company requirements. |
| Founded | 1988 | 1983 |
| Headquarters | Arden Software lists its UK head office in Marple, Stockport, United Kingdom. | Göttingen, Germany |
| Integrations | Impact CAD 2026 is listed as compatible with WEBcnx, TOPS, Bobst PowerPack and the Adobe Illustrator plug-in, subject to specified version requirements. | VPack integrates with ERPA’s VKalk server for pricing calculations and online shop links, and with the EDB server for design data exchange. |
| Purpose | Impact is packaging design CAD software for structural design, soft proofing packaging and displays, and manufacturing workflows. | VPack is 3D CAD/CAM software for designing product packaging, displays, folding boxes, and other packaging. |
| Support | Arden offers online technical support, 24/7 self-help resources, telephone support, remote troubleshooting and on-site visits. | ERPA provides a service team by phone and email, and its downloads page describes remote support using TeamViewer. |
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.
VPack
VPack is ERPA Systeme GmbH’s 3D CAD/CAM software for designing product packaging, displays, folding boxes and related packaging. It links flat 2D dielines with folded 3D views in real time. A library contains 1,300 patterns for solid and corrugated board, including FEFCO, ECMA and PHARMA standards. Semi-automated construction and company-specific parameters support customized designs. Importing a product’s 3D model can generate a matching insert cross-section. Analysis covers material consumption, waste, line lengths and other production information. VPack exports interactive 3D PDF and HTML presentations with folding animation. It connects with common high-performance cutters for prototypes and digital short runs, and ERPA says it integrates with VKalk and EDB servers and can provide data to merchandise systems and online shops. Windows 10/11, Mac and Linux are listed; ERPA recommends a premium OpenGL Quadro graphics card for 3D. Pricing requires contacting ERPA.