Package design in illustrator

[font=Arial]whattup one and all, I want to know what people think are the best ways to do package design in Illustrator. I’ve never really done package design and it seems pretty tough figuring out how to set it up so that all the folds and ish will be correct. [/font]

[font=Arial] I checked out a 3D plug-in that apparently “[/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Arial][url=“http://www.comnet-network.co.jp/eng/product/FoldUP3D.html”]quickly and easily convert a flat design into it’s finished folded shape, digitally.” – which seems really cool, only the plug-in costs close to 400 dollars.
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Anyone know a better way? or a good formula, or tutorial for mastering the art of setting up package designs?

thanks,

Fitz
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