Need Help with a package design- thermoforming

[Rocko]

We just recently added Solidworks 2003 to our inventory of cad packages at our company. I am having a hard time creating a part in solidworks that i create very easily in another of our Cad programs. The part is a packaging seen in the stores thats holds product and looks like a triangle shape from the side. Batteries for rechargeable drills use this type of package alot. I want to create the trifold package in a closed position then subtract entities/ geometry of the part that will go into it. Then i want to open the resulting part as the parasolid shows. In our existing package you can create multiple parts and a assembly all in the same file if you want. Also you can add any geometry or subtract any from the assembly. This is a part design for plastic packaging thermoforming so it is not a true mechanical item. Any help or examples would be apprecited because I have given up almost trying it in Solidworks and just use our other CAD program to design these packages currently.

 

[MadMango]

I had to do this in a prior job. It was a thermoformed clam-shell (live hinge) container.

I took my final assy that had to be packaged, and inserted that into a new assy file. I then created a new part in that assy that would represent my packaging.

I made the packaging enclose my product, allowing for clearances, flanges and the hinge. I saved it. Then opened that and cut it into 2 parts, the front half and the rear half. Once I had my halves, I added details that I still required (like embossed recycling logo). When the halves were done, I shelled them to the desired thickness.

Not sure if that is easier or harder than your method, and this was back in SW01. It might be easier to do now with the added tools in SW03. "The attempt and not the deed confounds us."