Question 1

What is a 3D cargo load simulator?

Accepted Answer

A 3D cargo load simulator runs the actual container-packing algorithm on your shipment, not just volume math. It calculates the cheapest combination of containers for your cargo and shows exactly how each item is arranged and stacked inside, in three dimensions, accounting for weight limits, stacking rules, and orientation constraints.

Question 2

What's the difference between the CBM Calculator and the 3D Load Simulator?

Accepted Answer

The CBM Calculator tells you your shipment's total volume and which single container type it fits in. The 3D Load Simulator goes further: it runs the real bin-packing algorithm across multiple item types and container options simultaneously, finds the cheapest combination — not just the first one that fits — and shows the exact 3D packing arrangement.

Question 3

How is the cheapest container combination calculated?

Accepted Answer

The simulator evaluates combinations of container types and quantities against your item dimensions, weights, and quantities, factoring in per-container cost, to find the lowest-cost combination that fits everything — real container cost optimization, not a rule of thumb. Two 20ft containers can cost less than one 40ft, or a 40ft High Cube can outperform two 20ft Standards, depending on your cargo mix.

Question 4

Can I simulate mixed cargo — multiple item types in one container?

Accepted Answer

Yes, that's the core difference from simple volume calculators. Real shipments almost always mix SKUs of different sizes, and packing efficiency depends on how well those shapes interlock, not just total volume.

Question 5

Does this work for air freight, not just sea freight?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Air freight uses a different volumetric weight ratio — 1 CBM = 167 kg, vs. 1,000 kg for sea freight LCL — and the simulator accounts for this when calculating chargeable weight and cost.

Question 6

How accurate is the 3D packing simulation?

Accepted Answer

The simulator uses the same packing engine behind Feuteuristix's full container-load planning platform — weight distribution, stacking limits, item orientation restrictions, and refrigeration/handling constraints, not just geometric volume fitting. This algorithm currently powers container load planning for 2 of India's largest conglomerates.

Question 7

Is there a free version, or do I need to sign up?

Accepted Answer

You can run a full, real 3D packing simulation for free right now, no signup — up to 2 containers and 2 item types. Sign up free for the complete planner: unlimited item types, palletization, and 10 simulations a month included.

	CBM Calculator	3D Load Simulator
What it tells you	Total volume, which single container fits	Cost-optimized container combination, exact packing arrangement
Item types	Volume-only math	Real bin-packing across multiple item types together
Output	A number + container size	A full 3D packing plan you can see
Signup	Never required	Free to try (2 containers, 2 items) — sign up for full scale

euteuristix

Beyond CBMContainer Cost Optimization, in 3D

Container Types

Package Types

CBM Calculator vs. 3D Load Simulator — what's the difference?

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