Case study · 03
3D Box Studio
Convincing packaging previews without CAD.
3D Box Studio is a free packaging mockup tool for designers, e-commerce sellers, and print shops. Set dimensions, PBR materials, lid/flap openings, and per-face artwork in a real-time WebGL viewport — then export PNG, record a short presentation, or share editor and view-only cloud links.
The problem
Teams need a believable 3D carton preview before plates and samples. Full packaging CAD is overkill for early reviews; static mockup templates can’t flex custom sizes or openings.
The approach
A browser WebGL studio (React Three Fiber + three.js) with no signup wall for core design, plus optional Neon/S3 cloud save for editor and client preview links.
What it does
Capabilities worth calling out.
01
Real-time 3D viewport
Orbit, zoom, HDRI environments, shadows, and material presets (kraft, carton, foil, corrugated, and more).
02
Structure & openings
Width/height/depth in mm/cm/in; lid, split-top flaps, and door-style openings with animated open amount.
03
Cloud save & preview links
Upload designs to S3 with Postgres-backed config; separate editor (/studio/…) and view-only (/preview/…) URLs.
04
Export & record
High-res PNG snapshots, JSON import/export backups, and 15-second viewport recording with audio.
Tech stack
What powers it.
Concrete tools a developer should list on a showcase card — not vague “full stack” labels.
3D & frontend
Backend
Product
Architecture notes
How it fits together.
- App Router marketing site + /studio interactive client surface
- Share creation writes images to S3 and config to Neon
- Public view-only mode strips mutation while keeping orbit/zoom/PNG export
Build highlights
Details that matter.
- Free forever core experience — no account required to start designing.
- Clear positioning vs packaging CAD: communicate look and feel, not die-lines.
- Open-sourced on GitHub so others can learn from the R3F packaging patterns.
- Guides and FAQ content support SEO for “3D box designer” and mockup intent.
Outcomes
What shipped.
Result 01
Usable packaging preview tool without subscriptions or CAD installs
Result 02
Client-friendly approval links that don’t overwrite editor state
Result 03
Portfolio-grade open-source WebGL project with real users
Portfolio checklist
What a developer should include.
Use this project as a showcase template — every case study on this site is written so another engineer can mirror the same depth.
- Embed or link a live studio demo — interactive beats screenshots.
- Contrast vs Esko/ArtiosCAD honestly; recruiters respect clear scope.
- Highlight R3F/Three stack and cloud share architecture.
- Point to MIT license and contribution-friendly README.