Overview

LaunchBox’s 3D Box Model system is a groundbreaking feature that revives the joy of holding a physical game box, but in a fully interactive digital form. Imagine holding an NES box to read its back cover or admiring the design of a Sega CD Long Box jewel case, all rendered in stunning 3D. It’s almost as if you’re back in your local video game store, marveling at the rows of boxes on the shelves—except this time, it’s a digital shelf inside your personalized game library.

Beyond nostalgia, the 3D models elevate the user experience with creative integrations into Big Box themes. These models can add unique visual depth, such as appearing in game lists, offering users a modern yet nostalgic twist to exploring their game libraries.

Finding and Using 3D Box Models in LaunchBox

Premium users are the first to discover this feature in the Game Details view of the default LaunchBox theme. By selecting the 3D Box Model from the media carousel, users can interact with it directly—spinning the model around and even viewing it in full-screen mode. Certain themes, such as "Big Details," take this experience further by integrating the 3D Box Model into various interface elements, eliminating the need to switch to a separate full-screen view.

Big Box offers even more dynamic ways to showcase the 3D models. Themes like "3-DIMENSIONS" focus heavily on game lists with 3D Box Models, using features like coverflow views to create a visually stunning, old-school carousel effect. The horizontal animations and spinning models make browsing feel intuitive and immersive.

Exploring the Variety of 3D Box Models

The system currently supports four base models: Box Model, Jewel Case, Jewel Case Long Box, and DVD Case. These models are tailored for specific platforms, with variations such as the North American and European versions of Jewel Case spines. LaunchBox automatically determines the appropriate regional variant by referencing the game’s region settings, ensuring an authentic look for each title in your library.

Future updates promise even more options, including Cassettes, Double Jewel Case models, and additional regional variants, giving users even greater freedom to curate their libraries.

Customizing Your 3D Box Models

LaunchBox excels in its customization options, allowing users to transform these models to suit their preferences. Each model offers unique overrides, such as resizing dimensions (width, height, depth), selecting specific background colors, or deciding which logos or images appear on various surfaces like the spine or box top. For Jewel Cases, users can choose from a variety of spine styles, including custom uploads for personalized designs.

Customization can be applied at multiple levels. Users can right-click on a platform to override all models for games in that platform or tweak individual games. This flexibility ensures that platforms with mixed packaging styles, such as Sony PlayStation, are accurately represented in a user’s digital collection.

The Magic Behind Automatic Model Assignments

The automation built into LaunchBox’s 3D Box Model system is designed to simplify the user experience. By default, the system assigns models based on logical criteria, such as using a Jewel Case for PlayStation titles or a white DVD Case for Nintendo Wii games. The process is reliable for most libraries, but LaunchBox also provides ample tools for manual overrides.

For users with platforms featuring mixed packaging standards, overrides allow precise customization. Whether it’s swapping between Jewel Cases and Long Boxes for specific games or applying unique designs, LaunchBox ensures that your library looks exactly how you want it.