No need to calculate parts and finger joints by hand
Enter the box size and get every part, with finger joints, tabs and slots that fit exactly for the real thickness, with the kerf already allowed in the lines
Compare with CorelDRAW
Drawing cut sheets yourself in CorelDRAW / Illustrator vs using Prakobd alongside
Prakobd and CorelDRAW or Illustrator work well together. Prakobd calculates the cut sheets for boxes, cabinets and display shelves from their dimensions, including finger joints, grooves, holes, kerf and fold lines. The Prakobd Link plugin then places the cut sheets into your document, one artboard per material sheet, with cut, groove and drill layers separated, and can send a logo or stencil drawn in your program back as a cutout on the design. CorelDRAW and Illustrator remain better for graphics, lettering and artwork
How is it different?
Place it into the shop's document
Prakobd Link supports Illustrator CC 2019 or later (Windows and macOS) and CorelDRAW X7 or later (Windows). Place a saved job into the document, one artboard per sheet.
Sends the shapes back as cut-out openings.
Draw a logo or stencil in your program, then send it back into the design as a cutout on the sheet, and check the result in the 3D view
Print margin for displays
POP display shelves have a PRINT layer, which is the cut line plus 3 mm bleed, and an artwork template. Place your print artwork in a graphics program and upload it back to see it on the 3D model.
Compared point by point
| Topic | Prakobd | Draw it yourself in CorelDRAW / Illustrator |
|---|---|---|
| Generate the parts of a box or cabinet | Enter the dimensions and the program generates the parts and joints | Draw each part yourself and calculate the sizes of parts that join |
| Finger joints and kerf | Builds fingers and slots from the real thickness, with kerf allowed for in the lines. | Draw the fingers yourself or use a script, then offset the lines for kerf yourself |
| Change the size later | Change a number and every part and finger is recalculated. | Edit every affected part and re-space the finger joints |
| 3D view | See the finished assembly, rotate it and send the customer a link | It is 2D work. Mockup images have to be made separately. |
| Fold lines and print margins | BEND and PRINT layers, with 3 mm bleed, are generated for you | Draw fold lines and the bleed frame yourself, adjustable as you like |
| Graphics, lettering and artwork | It is not a graphics program. It takes shapes from the plugin and turns them into cutouts | Much better. You can draw logos, lettering and patterns freely and lay out print jobs. |
| Nesting and cut list | Automatically nests parts onto sheets, with a cut list and part labels | Lay out the parts on the sheet yourself, or use the add-on |
| Send to the laser cutter | Layered SVG and DXF for cutting, engraving and folding, or place into a document through the plugin | Pass it on to the machine software following the workflow your shop already uses. |
Who it's for
- Sign shops and laser shops that already use CorelDRAW or Illustrator
- People who redraw a finger-joint box or acrylic cabinet every time the customer changes the size
- Display shops that must send artwork templates to the graphics team or customer
- Lettered signs, logos or single-sheet stencils with no assembled frame are faster to draw directly in CorelDRAW or Illustrator.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to stop using CorelDRAW or Illustrator?
No. They work well together. Design the frame in Prakobd, then place the cut sheets into your document via Prakobd Link to add graphics or send to the machine through your existing workflow, or open the layered DXF / SVG files directly in your software
Which versions of the programs does the plugin support?
Adobe Illustrator CC 2019 or later (Windows and macOS) and CorelDRAW X7 or later (Windows). Install on as many computers as you like.
How do I install the plugin?
On the plugin page, copy the install command and paste it into Terminal (Mac) or PowerShell (Windows), or download the ZIP file and run the installer. Restart the program, then open the Prakobd Link panel from the Window menu
How are the DXF / SVG files split into layers?
CUT-OUT outer cut · CUT-IN inner cut-outs · POCKET groove · DRILL drilled holes · SCORE scribe or engrave · BEND fold line, not cut. Printed jobs get an extra PRINT layer for the artwork edge.
Read more
- Design acrylic work, display stands and light boxes from dimensions, for sign shops and display makersSign, acrylic and display shops use Prakobd to design acrylic boxes and display cabinets, PVC foam board, corrugated board and PP board POP display shelves, and sign light boxes, getting layered laser and CNC cutting files with print bleed
- Laser cut files that assemble perfectly, for laser ownersLaser cutter owners can use Prakobd to design finger-joint boxes, acrylic boxes and display cases, and folded corrugated and PP board displays. You get SVG and DXF split into layers, with kerf already allowed for in the lines, ready for LightBurn.
- Design acrylic boxes and cases as laser-cut filesDesign clear acrylic boxes, display cases, donation boxes and model covers online. Enter the real size and thickness to get laser-cut SVG and DXF files with kerf allowed for, fold lines for bent pieces, and a cut list.
Drawing cut sheets yourself in CorelDRAW / Illustrator vs using Prakobd alongside
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