Users guide ECMA code

ECMA Code User Manual, September 2009

1

EUROPEAN

CARTON MAKERS ASSOCIATION

The ECMA Code of Folding Carton Design Styles

Users manual Release 2009 V1.0

Introduction

Thank you for your interest in the new release of the ECMA Code of Folding Carton Design
Styles.
This application is the first digital version of the “ECMA Code “ and will allow you to explore
and visualise the most commonly-used folding carton design styles and upload your own
customised designs.
It also provides a full explanation of the new coding system for carton design styles and gives
you access to other relevant industry reference standards.
This document explains in more detail the main features and functionalities of the application.

How to obtain the digital “ECMA Code”.

The application is available as a downloadable software from the ESDnow webshop.
( ).
A direct link is available on the ECMA website.

A license activation guide is embedded in the download (see Start Programs) but can also
been consulted on or downloaded from the ECMA website.

Installation of the software on your PC.

When you have chosen the mode “execute” for the download of the software, the installation
process will start automatically once the download has finished.
In case you have chosen to save the download file on your PC then you have to open the
downloaded file and double click the msi.exe file to start the installation process.
After the installation process you will notice a shortcut on your desktop and the ECMA Code
start buttons will also appear in your ‘Programs’ list.

By double clicking the ECMA Code shortcut the application will start up for the first time and
will connect you with the activation server.

At this first start up, you will have the choice to use a demo version of the ECMA code
application, which will stop working after 10 calendar days, or to buy an activation code for a
perpetual licence of the software application immediately.

Important at the point of activation :

• Stay connected to the internet during the activation process of the software.

• Firewall settings : normal Firewall settings will allow you to connect to the activation
server. In case you would not be able to get a connection to the activation server
disable the Firewall during the activation process.

• Individual users: be sure to install the application on the computer where you will
continue to use the ECMA Code application since your activation code can only be
used 2 times and is linked to the hardware in use.

ECMA Code User Manual, September 2009

2

EUROPEAN

CARTON MAKERS ASSOCIATION


• Multi-user activations: when the application is made available via a central server and
a company LAN network, a number of activation codes will be made available. In this
set up, although the fact that the application has already been activated on the server,
every individual workstation that will make use of the ECMA Code application will
need to be activated as well.

• In case you have chosen to download the demo version you will be reminded when
you need to buy an activation code so that you can continue to use the application
without interruption.

• During the purchasing process you will also have the option to buy a hard copy of the
software. Please click the option “Back up CD” in the web shop and a CD will be sent
to you in a matter of days (extra cost of € 25,- excl VAT).

• If you want to receive notifications, future versions and updates you need to complete
the registration details.

• If you experience difficulties, an information folder ( License activation guide) is
available in the Start programs ( Windows Start => Start => ECMA Code =>

Instruction Manual) which will guide you through all the possibilities of activating the
software.


How to Run the Application:

Important note : the software is developed for WINDOWS Operating systems.
MAC OS are not supported yet.
Internet explorer 6 or higher is the preferred browser.

(Double) Click the shortcut on your desktop or click the ECMA button in Start Programs and
the application will start up.
You will arrive at the Home page :

ECMA Code User Manual, September 2009

3

EUROPEAN

CARTON MAKERS ASSOCIATION

In the top right corner there is an option to switch to another language setting. Six languages
are available: English, German, French, Italian, Spanish and Turkish.

The library contains the PDF books of the upgraded “ECMA Code”. A hard copy of the
ECMA Code of Folding Carton design style can be printed from here.

Furthermore, you will find the ECMA Dictionary (also in six languages) and additional product
related reference information related to the folding carton industry., such as the ECMA Braille
Guidelines and the Pro Carton Glossary (available in 7 languages).

By selecting he main tags on the top of the screen you will enter the different sections of the
application.

• Systematics of the Code: an illustrated explanation of the definitions, normalisations
and logic used in the ECMA code.

• Catalogue: the design style library containing the 2D drawing (cut out), Wireframe
drawing and folding sequence of the most common used design styles

• About ECMA: information about the ECMA association and address list of the
National associations

• About the Project Team: information about the project team and supporting
companies.


The Systematics of the Code:

In this chapter the logic of the ECMA coding system is explained in different Sub chapters.

Definitions and explanation on :

• Drawing symbols for lines
• How to indicate the dimension of a packaging
• Design style groups
• Manual or automatic erection of the packaging
• The coding system
• How to use the code

ECMA Code User Manual, September 2009

4

EUROPEAN

CARTON MAKERS ASSOCIATION

By clicking the Design style groups tag you will enter the screen in which you can further
select the design style group.

Select a design style group by clicking on it and the corresponding Matrix table for the group
will be shown on the screen.
From this view you have the possibility to navigate between the different design style groups
by clicking the grey bars on the left to switch to the screens of the corresponding matrix
tables of the different design style groups.

By scrolling down you will see the different closure types (only groups A to D)

By double clicking on the tables you will enlarge the tables for better readability.

For those who prefer to have an immediate hardcopy of the matrix table and the overview of
the closure types, a pdf file can be opened from the page.

ECMA Code User Manual, September 2009

5

EUROPEAN

CARTON MAKERS ASSOCIATION

The catalogue

This section contains the library of the most popular design styles in the Folding Carton
Industry.
The selection of the design styles was made by the ECMA Code workgroup and endorsed
by experts of leading European member converters.

Start screen Catalogue :

Features and functions in the catalogue section :

• The catalogue consists of 2 libraries:
- ECMA Standard library
- Custom(ized designs), this is the library that can be created by the individual user.

• The standard library contains in total 244 design styles.

• For the majority of the design styles there are 3 different views available :
- Cut out or 2D drawing
- Wireframe
- 3D folding sequence with an interactive viewer.

To achieve a correct view on your computer screen you need to install Flash player and
Cortona player ( ParallelGraphics). Only at first run of the application these plug inns need to
be installed.
A warning will appear if these plug inns are not yet installed on your PC. (Click on the
warning messages to install the plug inns.)

ECMA Code User Manual, September 2009

6

EUROPEAN

CARTON MAKERS ASSOCIATION

How to select a design style or a specific ECMA code

The design styles are organised per group in an incremental way (code number) in the
library.
The recommended action is to open the library preview option. (The green button at the top,
right)

Via the previewer you can scroll to locate the design style you wish to
view in detail. The selected design style will be highlighted when selected.

It is also possible to search a design style by selecting and writing the group and code name
of the design style in the Group & Model fields. The corresponding design style will then be
shown on the screen.

An additional feature which has been built into the application is the Market segment selector
function. The market segment listing is the same which is used in the Yearly Statistics of the
ECMA association.

Via a dropdown list a specific market segment can be selected and a filter will be applied and
only these design styles will be shown in the preview that are most commonly used in that
specific market segment.












Open library preview

Drop down
list Market
segments


ECMA Code User Manual, September 2009

7

EUROPEAN

CARTON MAKERS ASSOCIATION

A combination of the filter applications is also possible: e.g. select group B and a certain
market segment and only those design styles from the B-group that are delivered to that
specific market segment will appear in the preview.

Attention : don’t forget to RESET since the filter settings are temporary memorized in the
application.

A menu to adapt the settings of the Cortona viewer shows up with a right mouse click with
the cursor in the viewer screen when the 3D view is on . Experience has learned that the
CAD-like skin is providing the best efficiency. All other settings are the standard settings of
the viewer and do not need to be changed.

The Cortona Player provides you with a zooming, panning , fitting and spinning function.

Additionally the 3D folding sequences can be manipulated by the button row which appears
in the screen.

Export functions:

















The cut out drawing as well as the wireframe drawing can exported in JPG, DXF and ZIP

format. These universal formats can further be used and imported in most CAD-CAM
systems and documents.
Start
sequence
To start of
sequence
1 step back
1 step forward
Transparent look

To end of sequence
Export
Buttons
s



ECMA Code User Manual, September 2009

8

EUROPEAN

CARTON MAKERS ASSOCIATION

Creating the Custom Catalogue

Go to the customs catalogue by pressing the “customs” TAB in the catalogue section.
The customs catalogue will open as a POP UP in the internet explorer.
Windows will give a security warning and you will have to allow the POP UP to be shown in

your browser.

The customs library can be accessed in the same way as the standards library.

The explanation about how to customize this library can be found by clicking the help button.

Download the document to your PC for repeated use and follow the detailed instructions in
an accurate manner.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

The above explanation is covering the main features and functionalities of the application.
The best way to get acquainted with the application is to use it.

If you would have any comments or suggestions, feel free to contact the ECMA secretariat or
send an e-mail to

Thank you for using the ECMA code of Folding Carton Design Styles.

The Hague,
September 2009

ECMA
PO BOX 85612
Nl-2508 CH The Hague
The Netherlands
Phone: +31 (0)70 312 39 11
Fax: +31 (0)70 363 63 48
E-mail:
Web:
www.ecma.org