Arden Software has released the latest version of its Impact 2019 CAD software for the packaging sector.

Impact is CAD software for packaging designers and die-makers. The update to Impact 2019 includes improvements to graphic handling, an extended range of file formats for exporting, 3D model assembly enhancements, and a new version of the Impact Plug-in for Adobe Illustrator, which for the first time offers live 3D previews of artwork changes.

Further developments include:

  • Improved DXF export, supporting a wider range of AutoCAD Exchange (DXF) formats, offering greater file compatibility;
  • Master project support for Impact Enterprise, which has been offered as a long-standing Impact feature to allow the reuse and tracking of commonly featured design parts which may have been manufactured across a range of products; users of Impact Enterprise can now benefit from this across their company-wide synchronised design database;
  • Linked revisions support for Impact Enterprise, also now available company-wide to Impact Enterprise customers, affording the ability to trace the reuse of a CAD design and any design variations that may have been based on it; and
  • Improved Layout Estimator; offering ‘what-if’ analysis of various layout machine/sheet combinations to achieve the most efficient, fastest or least wasteful manufacture of short or long run production. The latest version of this plug-in offers speed improvements, extended analysis results, MS Excel export support, improved layout previews, custom gutter support, the ability to save and load default settings, as well as a great deal of other improvements.

The upgraded CAD software upgrade is available now having had its planned launch postponed as a result of Covid-19, which saw a shift in priorities for both Arden Software and its customers.

Matthew Hewitt, business development manager at Arden Software, said, ‘We released Impact 2019 last year, bringing with it a whole host of feature enhancements which have been very well received by designers and die-makers, so we are confident this follow-up release of our leading CAD software will help further improve the creative process for Impact users.

‘A number of our customers were given an early preview of the upgraded software and since then we’ve added even more new features. We’ve developed a range of software enhancements that will simplify the packaging design process and improve the user experience in the fastest, most efficient way.

‘From improved graphic handling to extended file support, the latest version of our innovative CAD software promises to deliver a real ‘impact’ for users.’

Arden Software is now working on a host of future enhancements, including ‘the most significant Impact CAD development undertaking to date.’