What's the best box?

[Morglisn]

Thanks for any help in advance!!

I'm fairly new to using VBA, and hope you guys can help me. I work for a manufacturing facility, and I'm trying to update our estimating spreadsheet by supplying some automated functions.

We use eight different box sizes for packaging our product, all at various costs. I'm trying to supply an input area for the estimator to enter the three dimensions of the part to be packaged, then have the software calculate the total number of pieces than can fit in each box size, then the most cost-effective box to use.

I've managed to get it to work, to a point. My problem is, this is only with the part turned one way from four possible positions within the box. This leaves empty space in the box, in which a few more parts might be packaged (turned in a different direction). It's a bit like packing books. A row fits fine lined vertically along the bottom, but you can always fit two-three across the top horizontally.

Can anyone think of a way to calculate that empty space, and determine how many pieces can fit? Or is there an easier way of doing all this that I've completely missed?

Thanks!!