An open-source toolkit for structural packaging design in Rhinoceros 7 & 8.
IronPython scripts that automate the most time-consuming parts of folding carton development: parametric die-cut generation, dimensioning, prepress preparation, and diagnostic checks — all running inside Rhino's built-in script editor with zero external dependencies.
Who is this for? Packaging designers and structural engineers (cartotecnici) who use Rhino as their CAD environment and want to replace repetitive manual drawing with parametric, reusable scripts.
packaging/ Parametric ECMA die-cut generators
utilities/ Dimensioning, crosshair markers, diagnostics
prepress/ Production file preparation and export
docs/ Guides and documentation
Each script takes basic box dimensions — width, depth, height, board thickness — and produces a complete, production-ready die-cut layout at the origin.
| Script | ECMA Code | Box Style | Status | Img. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
ECMA_A20_20_03_01.py |
A20.20.03.01 | Reverse Tuck End | ✅ Published |  |
ECMA_A20_20_01_01.py |
A20.20.01.01 | Straight Tuck End | ✅ Published |  |
Input parameters:
- L — Width (main panel)
- P — Depth (side panel)
- A — Height (box body)
- S — Board thickness (0.5–1.0 mm)
Internal parameters (glue tab width, tuck hook length, chamfer radius) are exposed as constants at the top of each script for fine-tuning.
Output layers:
| Layer | Color | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Taglio | Black | Cut lines (die knife) |
| Cordone | Red | Crease / score lines (creasing rule) |
Helper scripts for everyday packaging CAD work in Rhino:
- Dimensioning — Automated dimension placement for die-cut layouts
- Crosshair markers — Registration marks and reference points
- Diagnostics — Geometry validation, layer checks, curve analysis
Scripts for preparing files for production output:
- Geometry export — Clean export of cut/crease geometry
- Bounding-box detection — Automatic format identification
- Production preparation — Layer cleanup, metadata tagging, file organization
Every script in this toolkit follows the same conventions:
- Pure RhinoCommon — no
rhinoscriptsyntax, no plugins, no external packages. Drop a.pyfile into Rhino's editor and run it. - IronPython 2.7 compatible — uses the scripting engine built into Rhino 7 and 8.
- Separate cut/crease layers — output always uses
Taglio(black, cut) andCordone(red, crease) layers, matching standard industry practice. - Metadata storage — layouts store their parameters in
doc.Strings(Rhino's UserDictionary) for later retrieval.
- Download or clone this repository.
- Open Rhinoceros 7 or 8 (Windows).
- Run
EditPythonScript(or_EditPythonScript). - Open any
.pyfile from the relevant folder. - Run the script — it will prompt for any required input.
No installation, no package manager, no setup.
The parametric generators implement styles from ECMA (EUROPEAN CARTON MAKERS ASSOCIATION).
The ECMA code structure:
- A — Tuck-end styles (integral closure flaps)
- 20.20 — Rectangular base, rectangular body
- xx.xx — Specific tuck and flap configuration
The standard is freely available at ecma-international.org.
This toolkit is actively growing. Planned additions:
Packaging generators
- ECMA A20.20.02.01 — Tuck and tongue
- ECMA A55 — Auto-lock bottom
- FEFCO 0421 — Corrugated tray
- Hexagonal box with handle
- Geometric solids (dodecahedron with snap-fit assembly)
Utilities & prepress
- Automatic nesting / step-and-repeat
- PDF/DXF batch export with layer mapping
- Material usage calculator
Contributions, suggestions, and feedback are welcome — open an issue or submit a pull request.
This project comes from professional experience in cartotecnica — structural packaging design and die-cutting for production. The scripts encode years of hands-on knowledge about panel geometry, material compensation, and manufacturing constraints into reusable, inspectable code.
AI-assisted development (Claude by Anthropic) is used as a collaborative tool in the design and scripting process.
MIT License — see LICENSE for details.
Free to use, modify, and distribute. Attribution appreciated.