The packaging editor is a built-in 3D editor that arranges the order parts into boxes. It assembles the packaging itself by the parts' sizes and weight, shows the boxes in 3D, and you can adjust the layout to your needs and save it into the order.
What the editor does
The editor takes the project parts and distributes them across boxes so that they fit by size and do not exceed the allowed weight. Each box is shown in 3D: you can see which parts and in which layers lie inside it. The box size, weight and contents are calculated right away.
Automatic layout
When the editor opens, the packaging is assembled automatically. If there are many parts, they are arranged across several boxes. If packaging was already saved for the project and the set of parts has not changed, the editor opens exactly that one — with your earlier edits. For very large orders (over 2000 parts), automatic layout is skipped — the editor shows an explanatory message so as not to slow down work with the order.
Manual editing
The ready layout can be changed by hand:
- move a part from one box to another;
- merge several boxes into one;
- split a box into several;
- change the sizes of a box.
After each edit the boxes and their parameters (sizes, weight, contents, cost) are recalculated. If a part does not fit into the selected box, the editor explains why — for example, the weight or one of the box dimensions is exceeded.
Oversized boxes
A box that exceeds the usual limits in size or weight is marked as oversized. This mark is visible in the editor and in the packaging tables and is taken into account when calculating the cost.
Saving the packaging
When the layout suits you, press «Save packaging» — it is written into the order. Saved packaging is not reassembled by itself, so the manual edits are not lost.
But if the order's composition has changed — parts added or removed, sizes changed — the packaging is recalculated when the project is saved, so that the new parts also get into the boxes.
If the editor does not open and shows the message «Packaging is not available», contact the administrator — packaging may not be enabled for the firm.
What the packaging cost and the material consumption are made of — in the article «Packaging cost and consumables». How to print the packing lists — in the article «Printing packing lists».