A very common vision when you see a software box on the Internet is for that box to be shown in a three dimensional view. Sometimes those images are actual photographs, but it is just as common that the graphic was built from flat pieces.

There are a number of ways to build such a graphic and the best method can vary based on a user’s goals. You can use perspective tools in either CorelDRAW or Corel PHOTO-PAINT to adjust the three orthographic (flat) views of the box until they fit together. With a little practice, you can create a series of steps to accomplish this fairly fast. For those using CorelDRAW, you may want to look into the EZ Metrics utility as it will instantly put the three pieces into perfect perspective at the angle of your choice. Then you’ll just slide the three sides together and you’re all done.

I’d like to introduce two other utilities that are geared towards creating 3D box shots. They are Box Shot 3D and True BoxShot. Both products allow you to try the program before you buy it. If you need to create these type of 3D box shots on a regular basis, one or both of these programs should probably be in your design arsenal.