Esko Studio Illustrator Plugins: A Review
If you are a designer, a prepress operator, or a converter who works with packaging and labels, you might be interested in Esko Studio Illustrator Plugins. These are a set of tools that integrate with Adobe Illustrator and allow you to create and visualize 3D models of your designs. In this article, we will review some of the features and benefits of these plugins and how they can help you to produce better artwork.
What are Esko Studio Illustrator Plugins?
Esko Studio Illustrator Plugins are a collection of plugins that work with Adobe Illustrator to enhance your packaging design workflow. They include:
- Studio Essentials: This plugin lets you create cartons, bottles, trays, and displays with stunning artwork and special materials and finishing. You can also export your designs as 3D PDF files or movies.
- Toolkit for Shrink Sleeves: This plugin helps you to design shrink sleeves for bottles and other objects. You can see how your artwork distorts when applied to a 3D shape, apply a counter distortion, and simulate the heat shrink process.
- Store Visualizer: This plugin allows you to test the visual impact of your designs in a virtual retail environment. You can place your products on shelves next to the competition, create product launches, and generate realistic images.
Why use Esko Studio Illustrator Plugins?
Esko Studio Illustrator Plugins offer many advantages for packaging designers and converters. Some of them are:
- They save time and money by reducing the need for physical mock-ups and prototypes.
- They improve the quality and accuracy of your designs by showing you how they will look in 3D and in different lighting conditions.
- They enhance your creativity and communication by enabling you to explore different ideas and present them to your clients or colleagues in an engaging way.
- They are easy to use and integrate seamlessly with Adobe Illustrator, so you don’t need to learn new software or switch between applications.
How to get Esko Studio Illustrator Plugins?
If you want to try Esko Studio Illustrator Plugins, you can download a free trial from their website[^1^]. You can also buy them individually or as a bundle from their online store[^1^]. To use them, you need Adobe Illustrator CC 2021 or later and a compatible operating system (Windows 8.1 or higher, macOS 10.13 or higher).
Conclusion
Esko Studio Illustrator Plugins are a powerful set of tools that can help you to create and visualize 3D packaging designs in Adobe Illustrator. They can save you time and money, improve your quality and accuracy, enhance your creativity and communication, and make your workflow more efficient. If you are interested in trying them out, you can download a free trial or buy them from their website[^1^].
Esko Data Exchange Plugin: A Brief Introduction
Another useful plugin that Esko offers for Adobe Illustrator is the Data Exchange Plugin. This plugin acts as a bridge between Adobe Illustrator and the Esko applications Automation Engine, PackEdge, Plato, and ArtPro, and between Adobe Illustrator and ArtiosCAD. It allows you to exchange data and files between these applications without leaving Adobe Illustrator.
What can you do with Esko Data Exchange Plugin?
With Esko Data Exchange Plugin, you can:
- Open native ArtiosCAD single designs and Studio (Collada) files from WebCenter or ArtiosCAD Enterprise within Adobe Illustrator.
- Export normalized PDF files back to WebCenter or ArtiosCAD Enterprise from Adobe Illustrator.
- Import and export structural design information from ArtiosCAD into Adobe Illustrator.
- Import and export graphics information from PackEdge, Plato, or ArtPro into Adobe Illustrator.
- Import and export job parameters and metadata from Automation Engine into Adobe Illustrator.
Why use Esko Data Exchange Plugin?
Esko Data Exchange Plugin offers many benefits for packaging designers and converters. Some of them are:
- It simplifies the workflow and improves the collaboration between different departments and applications.
- It ensures the consistency and quality of your designs by avoiding errors and rework.
- It speeds up the production process by reducing the file size and the number of steps involved.
- It is free and easy to use and works with Adobe Illustrator CC 2021 or later and a compatible operating system (Windows 8.1 or higher, macOS 10.13 or higher).
How to get Esko Data Exchange Plugin?
If you want to use Esko Data Exchange Plugin, you can download it for free from their website. You also need to have one or more of the Esko applications that it supports (Automation Engine, PackEdge, Plato, ArtPro, ArtiosCAD, WebCenter, or ArtiosCAD Enterprise) installed on your computer or network.
Conclusion
Esko Data Exchange Plugin is a handy plugin that allows you to exchange data and files between Adobe Illustrator and the Esko applications. It can simplify your workflow, improve your collaboration, ensure your consistency and quality, and speed up your production. If you want to try it out, you can download it for free from their website.