Algorithm for Items Best Fit/Arangement in a Box

Question

I was looking for an algorithm that will give the best fit arrangement of package items in a box. For example given a large box and various items with multiple shapes(can be rectangle, square and so on and so forth), how will I arrange the items so that it will fit in the box? DO we have already an algorithm for that? If yes, what algorithm is it?

If no, I was thinking of making an algorithm for it.

Answer 1

Yes, there are plenty of algorithms.

Here are some existing literature about packing rectangles.

• What algorithm can be used for packing rectangles of different sizes into the smallest rectangle possible in a fairly optimal way?
• Pack rectangular objects of different sizes in a fixed size rectangle?
• Approximation Algorithms for Rectangle Packing Problems.
• Optimal rectangle packing.

Here are some libraries that can be used readily.

• Python 2D rectangle packing library
• Rectangle packing program
• Github topic on packing algorithms