Creative Edge Software releases iC3D v5.5

Creative Edge Software has released iC3d v5.5, the latest version of its all-in-one packaging design software iC3D with major new features powered by real-time ray tracing technology.

A library of new metallic, liquid, plastic and glass ray traced materials utilizes iC3D’s instant rendering capability to accurately reflect light in providing photorealistic representation in packaging designs

iC3D v5.5 introduces additional carton folding capabilities, as well as new ray traced materials and editing features powered by the recently announced iC3D real-time ray tracing.

Building on advances made possible through real-time ray tracing, developers at Creative Edge Software have applied the technology to create new capabilities in iC3D v5.5. This includes interactive lighting editor, which provides the user with a virtual photo studio setup with the ability to visualize different lighting effects in real-time. Changes to lighting intensity, positioning, highlights, shadows and reflections can be viewed instantly. It has been developed to allow designers to try out ideas and scenes without the need for laborious image retouching and enable brand managers to interact with the design development on-the-fly.

Also facilitated through iC3D real-time ray tracing, is a ray traced materials library that draws on the high-resolution light effects of ray tracing for photorealistic visualization. The new range of metallic, liquid, plastic and glass materials utilize iC3D’s instant rendering capability to accurately reflect light in providing photorealistic representation in packaging designs.

Nick Gilmore, CEO at Creative Edge Software, commented: ‘These latest resources in iC3D v5.5 can potentially make the life of the designer infinitely easier. Gone are the days of endlessly retouching packaging images to create a more sophisticated look or make it seem more appealing. Now designers can try different effects in an instant, with the brand manager watching over their shoulder. With the materials too, shiny effects were notoriously difficult to reproduce, especially when using OpenGL for visuals as many competitor systems do – they simply aren’t capable of the photorealism necessary. Since developing the iC3D real-time ray tracer, these effects are not only easy but with v5.5 they’re instantaneous too.’

Alongside developments powered by real-time ray tracing, further highlights of iC3D v5.5 include:

Curved carton folding, said to be especially useful for premium packaging applications by enabling designers to add and visualize curved fold lines and faces to carton die lines;

Bridge carton fold, for accurate visualization of tri-folding structures, for example in milk or juice carton work;

Selective color controls, which allows hue, saturation, brightness and contrast to be edited on rendered images and individual labels separately; and

Opsis hi-resolution cloud sharing, providing improved resolution, quality and zoom features for 3D visualizations shared via the Cloud.

 Creative Edge Software is showcasing iC3D v5.5 at events in Europe and US, including at Labelexpo Americas 2018.

Labelexpo Americas 2018 takes place September 25-27 at the Donald E. Stephens Exhibition Center in Rosemont, Illinois

Read a preview of Labelexpo Americas 2018 in Labels & Labeling issue 4, 2018, and here