User Guide

LoadCargo.in is a sophisticated but also easy to use cargo loading optimization software, that helps to plan the way that cargo is loaded into containers or trucks.

The main features include:

3D interactive view
Automatic planning (Container / Truck)
Manual planning
Stackable/Non-stackable
Stackable weight limits
Two stackable modes (Normal, Overlap)
Maximal Stack level in Truck loading mode
Rotation around X, Y and Z axis
Priority loading
Group package loading
Shipment, Cargo and Box views
Color coded system for easy recognition of Shipments, Cargos or Boxes
Project file saved as xml
Export load plan to PDF, RTF or TXT
Export load plan to Interactive Web based application for easy sharing
Summary per Cargo, Shipment and all Shipments
Center of Gravity indication
Quick import of customer's excel or text formatted data via clipboard
Predefined cargo and container dimensions for frequent use
Multi-platform application thanks to Adobe Air framework (Windows, Mac OS X and Linux)
Metric/Imperial units of measurement
EDI connector for easy upload of flat and xml files with dimensions
Built in list of Max Weight limits per country (Europe only for now)
Built in connection to our server so you can quickly report problems/ideas for product improvement
Translation to different languages (Localization)
Pallet building
Double deck trailer
Flat rack

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Terms of use

LoadCargo.in determines an efficient spatial fit without consideration of safety or legal issues. The user must determine, and take responsibility for, the suitability of the layout.

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Layout

The main application window is split into four parts. See below brief description and screenshot below.

Main menu
Left pane containing functions to add/import dimensions of cargo, containers, visualization of loaded cargo, export functions etc.
Right pane containing information about cargo/containers being loaded and views tab saving container position for later export of loaded container projections.
Status bar at the bottom showing progress status of various operations or cargo attributes when mouse is rolled over visualized box.

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Main menu

Creates a new file
open

Opens LoadCargo.in project file (xml)
Save

Saves project file
Save as

Saves project file as a new project file
Undo

Undo last step
Redo

Redo last step
Shipment level

Shows all shipments in cargo list
Cargo level

Shows all cargo
Box level

Shows all boxes
Hide all

Collapse list of cargo

Refreshes Planned Cargo Grid

EDI connector - creating/modifying EDI settings to easily load dimensions.

Weight limits per country

Problem assistance. If you are experiencing any problem, you can let us know about it by sending us details and active project file, so we can solve your problem asap.
SHOW COLUMNS - displays auxiliary column Summary per all shipments, shipment level and cargo level

Show quick user guide
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Home

Unit of measurement settings, application registration, licence maintenance

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Import and creation of dimensions

One of the most demanding parts of cargo loading applications is the uploading speed of external data with dimensions from company operational systems or customer's files sent by email without too much loss of time. Like all similar tools, LoadCargo.in requires structured basic data. Either divided in spreadsheet columns or separated by specific delimiters, e.g. semicolon, space, comma etc.
Fortunately, LoadCargo.in comes with four easy ways (see below) of completing this task, tailor-made to customers' needs.

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Adding new dimensions manually

You can add dimensions one by one from scratch or just add them to your existing project.

import_manual

Shipment mark identifies shipment under which cargo belongs. If you have more shipments in your project, choose the right one from combo box.
Cargo mark identifies type or name of cargo.
Dimensions (Length, Width, Height) are internaly calculated in centimeters or inches, depends on the unit of measurement you choose.
Volume - if you know only volume, remove value in Length field, enter volume in Volume field and Length will be calculated automatically.
Weight is internally calculated in Kilograms or Pounds, depends on unit of measurement you choose.
Stackable check box indicates, whether box can have another box on top. If yes, weight limit can be also defined. Leave field empty to set limit to weight of box.
Quantity defines how many boxes of given dimension must be added to project.
Turnable defines, if box can be rotated and by which axis.
Add - when all data are inserted, box(es) will be added by pressing Add button.

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Adding dimensions from user predefined list of dimensions

If you often manipulate with standardized dimensions, you can define them for quick use.

import predefined

Shipment - identifies shipment under which cargo belongs. If you have more shipments in your project, choose the right one from combo box.
Quantity defines how many boxes of given dimension should be added to project.
Plus button - adds new record.
Trash button - removes selected record.
Add to Plan button - adds selected record to the project.
Search button - searched in the list

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Import data via clipboard

Did your customer send you Excel or Word format in a table or just structured text file? Just copy it and click the button.
Application will structure your data into columns, so you only need to determine, which column represents which data (length, width, height, weight, etc.)

Step 1.

Press the button to upload data from your clipboard.

Step 2. (text format only)
import_clip02txt

Choose delimiter (or enter custom delimiter by choosing Custom radio button) and press Next button.

Step 3.
import_clip03

Match data with correct field and press Next button.

Step 4.
import_clip04

Unit - If your dimensions are in different units, choose the correct one from combo box.
Shipment mark identifies shipment under which cargo belongs. If you have more shipments in your project, choose the right one from combo box.
Stackable check box indicates whether box can have another box on top. If yes, weight limit can be also defined. Leave field empty for no limit.
Turnable defines, if box can be rotated and by which axis.
Add to Plan - when all data are inserted, box(es) will be added by pressing Add button.

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Import data from another LoadCargo.in project

In case you need to import dimentions from LoadCargo.in project you created in past, press "Get data from Project" button and select xml file of your previous project.

After you select the file and confirm, data will be transfered and new screen displays. Here you can select which dimensions should be used for your current project, define quantity, set parameters like stackability, stack weight and turnability. If you have more shipment in your current project, those can be selected from shipment drop down menu.

There are two options what to do with data. You can either transfer them to your predefined cargo for next projects (button "Add to Predefined Cargo") or you can directly transfer them to your currently open project. (button "Add to Planned Cargo")

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Import data from Excel template

In order to import data from LoadCargo.in Excel template, special template must be filled in first.
To get template, press download right part of the button.

To select Excel xlsx file, press "Get Data from Template" left part of the button.
Standard import spreadsheet screen will be displayed to continue in importing data into currently active project.

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Import data using EDI connector

If your or your customer's dimensions are produced from a dedicated operational system in an EDI txt or xml file, you can define rules for this EDI, save it and run whenever a new file is produced to be uploaded for loading plan.

EDI list
import_edi01

Import EDI file - if your company has more licences and you need to quickly share all EDI settings, you can import EDI file with settings.
Export EDI file - if you need to share your EDI settings, you can export EDI file.
Add - adds new EDI record.
Remove - deletes selected EDI record.
Edit - opens EDI detail

EDI flat file detail
import_edi02txt

EDI name - unique name of your EDI.
Last use date - read only date which indicates, when EDI was last used.
Creation date - read only date showing date of EDI record creation.
No shared file - optional field. If you run EDI without predefined EDI file path, application will ask you to browse for EDI file.
Network shared file - you can define path to the shared file here.
FTP - define FTP credentials to download edi file from FTP server.
Unit of measurement - defines which units are dimensions in.
Stackable check box indicates whether box can have another box on top. If yes, weight limit can be also defined. Leave field empty for no limit.
Turnable defines if box can be rotated and by which axis.

Read from row - when importing data, from which row application should start? Sometimes, first row might be header with field names, not data.
Data is of fixed length or delimited by a specific character?
Field list - what is the order of respective fields? You can add or remove them by clicking Add or Remove buttons.
Back button - return to EDI list.

EDI xml file detail
import_edi02xml

Field - system name of field being imported
Node/Attribute - xml node path

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Definition of container/truck dimensions

Application contains predefined container dimensions of several carriers, however new dimensions can be added, e.g. truck, special containers or double deck trailer dimensions.
ctr_predefined

Plus button - displays equipment definition window to enter equipment dimensions, see below picture for illustration.
Trash button - removes selected record.
Setting button - edit selected record
Download button - download available equipments from server (new container/truck types)
Add to Plan button - adds selected record to the project. You can add only one container, even if you have a lot of cargo. During loading process application will automatically add containers of the same dimension. You can decide later if you want to change, remove or add container directly in project's right data pane.

new equipment

However, there so called "Default equipment" (in red color) which can't be deleted, but can be changed as per your needs.
Default equipment is used when "Auto Container" or "Auto Trailer" mode is selected. See more here.

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Cargo list

Planned cargo has three levels:

1. shipment_level

Shipment level
2. cargo_level

Cargo level
3. box_level

Box level

Box is the lowest level and boxes are grouped into cargo level. Only cargo level contains quantity and dimensions, so if you change dimensions you only need to change it once, not box by box.

cargo data

Fields:

Shipment: contains shipments, cargos and boxes

Actions:
action_select

Selects and shows box in visualization pane.
action_remove

Removes box.
action_up

Shifts box up within its cargo node.
action_down

Shifts box down within its cargo node.
search boxes

Search for box id or mark in cargo list

Remove selected boxes

i-information:
alert

Information for user created during loading process. Usually appeares when box dimensions exceed container dimensions or payload and cannot be loaded.

Mark: can be assigned to shipments, cargos and boxes.
Ctr: indicates ID of container if loaded. Applies to box level only.
Qty: quantity. Applies to cargo level only.
L: length (cargo level only)
W: width (cargo level only)
H: height (cargo level only)
Wgt: weight (cargo level only)
Stack: consist of four parts:

Stackable check box - if selected, all boxes of given cargo will be stackable, it means, another boxes can be put on them.
Floor only check box - if selected, none of the boxes of given cargo can be put on another stackable boxes, just floor.
Weight limit input box - usual stackable weight limit equals box weight, but it can be changed.
Stack same cargo only - there are three states:

no restriction
stackable funcionality is applied to boxes of the same cargo only.
only boxes of the same LxW size can be stacked

Max height - defines max height to which boxes can be stacked. If value is less than box height, it won’t be applied.

Turn: on cargo level select if box(es) can turned around Y axis only or also around X axis. On box level you can fix box rotation, so loading algorithm will not try to rotate box for better position in container.

Priority/Group: Using numeric stepper control you can assign a priority to cargo or box so it can be set in which order cargo/boxes will be loaded. If you let default value (zero), priority will not be taken into consideration.Using checkbox Group control you can define if cargo of given priority will be grouped into dedicated container, so no other cargo can be loaded. Priority and Group functionality works always within its Shipment, not across the shipments. If priority is set to zero, group function will not be available.
Color: here you can choose color for boxes, cargos and shipments.

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Container list

Planned containers shows order in which containers are being loaded.

ctr_data

Fields:

ID: sequential unique number of container

Actions:
action_select

Selects and shows container in visualization pane.
action_remove

Removes container from planned containers list.
action_up

Shifts container up.
action_down

Shifts container down.
Delete container

Remove all containers

Type: container description
Ctr: indicates ID of container if loaded. Applies to box level only.
L: length of container
W: width of container
H: height of container
H2: second height (applied to palletes, not container or trucks)
Wgt: weight (tare) of container
W Door: width of container door
H Door: height of container door
Payload: maximum weight tolerance of container
Truck license/Container seal no.: enter equipment identification

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Views

Stored views saves position of container projections, so container can be rotated as needed, position saved and later exported as an image or included in a loading plan.

pic_data

Fields:

ID: sequential unique number of record
Mode: Mode of loading. (auto, as is, manual)

Actions:
action_select

Selects and shows container in visualization pane.
action_remove

Removes container from planned containers list.

Ctr: To which container is record related.
Color: Color mode. (shipment, cargo, box)

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Data

In Data view it is possible to filter ans sort out cargo data easily. Output can be exported to PDF file.
data_view

Criteria line - first line serves as place to enter criteria to be searched for.
Filter out

Click search to filter data out.
Clear filter

Click clear tool to remove all criteria from criteria line.

Click Export to PDF button to export filtered data.

In order to sort out data, click field headers. You can sort by more fields, just hover over the second part of the field header and click the number.

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Log

Log is the system list of algorithm-generated events which occur during the loading process.

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Visualization

The visualization stage is used to render the loaded cargo in containers or trucks in an interactive 3D view and perform various operations; view center of gravity, export data, etc.

Below is a description of all functions from Visualization pane.

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Loading modes

There are two loading modes available.

Loading_modes

1. Auto load - application decides how to best load cargo.
2. Manual load - user can decide cargo loading order.

Edit in Manual is available only if Auto Load mode has been used. This transfers load plan to the Manual mode for further changes.
After you select the mode from dropdown menu, press the butto to start loading process.

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Auto Load

In Auto Load mode an algorithm decides how container/truck is loaded.
Once boxes are loaded it is possible to identify box and its attributes by moving mouse over the box.
Pressing right mouse button shows menu with options to show box in cargo list and rotate box.

mode auto menu

Also, it's possible to display list of boxes per actual container or even pallet if pallet was built in application.

Box list

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Load Direction - Container (YXZ) or Truck (XZY)

In Auto Load mode you can choose two types of loading direction.

Container Loading Direction - Cargo is loaded in Y axis (vertical), then X (from left to the right) and this is done toward the doors in axis Z (depth).
Truck Loading Direction - Cargo is loaded in X axis first, then towards the doors in axis Z and finally in Y axis, so boxes are stacked in levels.
Side Container Loading - Cargo is loaded in Y axis first then towards the doors in axis Z and finally in X axis.
Side Truck Loading - Cargo is loaded in Z axis first, then Y and finally in X axis.

In case of Truck Loading you can also define maximal stack level number. For no limitation, set zero value.
max stack level

In case of Container Loading it's possible to define maximum volume of container loading. This is typically used in cases when warehouse stuff is not effective.

By default application aligns loading to the left side of container or truck. If you need to load from right side, just click this toggle button.

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Auto Equipment

Before you use Auto Load button, you can also define how application will choose equipment (containers, trucks).

auto_equip

Auto Container - based on defined cargo (size, type, etc) application decides which type of container will be used.
Auto Trailer - based on defined cargo (size, type, etc) application decides which type of truck will be used.
Manual - user selects equipment type

For options "Auto Container" and "Auto Trailer" so called default equipment is used (in red).
auto_equip_default

Default equipment can't be deleted, but can be edited as per your needs.

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Manual Load

Manual Mode allows user decide how and in which order boxes will be loaded.
Once boxes are loaded they can be moved inside container/truck using drag&drop approach.
By moving mouse over box attributes are shown at the bottom of application's window in status bar.
Like in Auto Load also in Manual Load mode it is possible to show menu using right click.

manual mode menu

Menu allows user to choose from severl options.
Unlike Auto Mode it is possible to unload or shift selected box in all directions. (Only if there is not another box on top of selected box.)

In order to speed up the work in manual mode, a toolbox has been added so it’s possible to click the tool and apply it to the boxes. Available tools from top to the bottom:

remove box
shift box left
shift box right
shift box to the X-axis center
shift box back
shift box to the front
shift box to the Z-axis center.

When loading boxes manualy, there are two option how to do that.
1. Using + sign in Planned Cargo List
2. Using Planned Cargo Visual

manual mode visual

Planned Cargo Visual allows to see size of boxes proportionally and sort by shipment, volume, weight, lenght, width, height ascendingly and descendingly.
Load button is enabled only if there are still some boxes of cargo left. Every box shows number of loaded boxes from total number of boxes and dimensions.
This helps to load boxes manually faster than using dimensions only.
Additionally it's possible to unload actively selected container.

Also, it's possible to display list of boxes per actual container or even pallet if pallet was built in application.

Box list

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Color modes

There are three modes of color in which loaded boxes are shown in containers.

Color_modes

Every box, cargo and shipment level has its color automatically assigned.
These can be viewed and changed in Cargo list in right data pane.

If you want to see all boxes of one dimension, choose Cargo color.
If you want to see all boxes of one shipment, choose Shipment color.

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Zooming

There two ways of zooming loaded boxes.

1. Using buttons zoom-in zoom_in

and zoom-out zoom_out

.
2. While pressing Shift button, left-click on stage and drag up for zoom-in or down for zoom-out.

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Center / Point of gravity

There is a toggle button center_of_gravity

to show center of gravity.
This calculates gross weight of loaded container.

Real point of gravity as per loading boxes

    Ideal point of gravity (center of container/truck)

POG (LxWxH)   Shows deviation in all axis (in centimeters/inches and percentages)
POG (Rear/Front, Left/Right)   Deviation between rear/front side and left/right side (in centimeters/inches)

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Numbering

Marking menu button Marking

enables to display of box loading order numbers

or Marks

or Box ids Box id marking

.
In case of many boxes this might be unclear as numbers/marks could overlap each other.

Toggle button. When selected, click the boxes to show infolines. Click again to hide them.

Infolines shows size of the box above the line and Y axis distance / remaining distance to the doors below the line.
Infolines function is used mainly when having TOP View selected as in the other positions infolines may overlap each other.

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Stackable modes

There are two modes which influence how boxes will stack.
When toggle button Marking

is not selected, staceked boxes can't overlap box edges underneath.
When toggle button is selected, algorithm does not consider edges and box can lays on more boxes.

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Export functions

There are several ways of exporting data described below.

Save as image

To save displayed visualization, click Save as image. Save_as_picture

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Export loading plan to rft/pdf/xlsx

To save loading plan to RTF, PDF or XLSX, click Export button. Export

Enter Customer name and company name for correct header of loading plan.
If you want to include step by step loading, select the checkbox and set the size of the step.
Size of the step indicates, how many boxes will be loaded in each step.
Click the PDF, RTF or XLSX button to save loading plan.
Click the Settings button to define which fields should be displayed/hidden.

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Export to flat file

To save loading plan to flat file, click the Export button. Export

Choose what fields should be exported by ticking the check boxes on/off and define in which order, using drag & drop.
Then elect delimiter and press TXT button to save loading data to flat file.

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Export stored views

To save stored views, click the Export button. Export

Click the PNG button to save views to png format. Number of views equals number of exported png files.
Click the PDF button to export all stored views to pdf format. All views in one pdf file.

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Export link

If you need to send a complex loading plan to your customer or warehouse staff, it might be helpful to export it to an interactive website containing special customer loadcargo.in module, so customer can view everything in 3D and rotate container as per his needs.
To upload project to the interactive website and get a link, click the Upload button. Export

Click the Upload button to transfer project file to LoadCargo.in server and receive a link.
Click the Copy button to copy the link to your clipboard.
Click the Email button to create an email (your default email client) displaying the link.
Click the Open button to open interactive website to see what the customer will see.

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Box calculator

Box calculator is not a frequently used function, but may serve as a simple way of interactively (using the mouse) calculating total length, width or height of boxes in loaded container.

box_calculator

For calculation, select specific dimension, choose if you want to Add or Substract and click on relevant boxes.

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Projections

There are eight predefined basic views.

Views

If different angle view is neccessary, just left-click the stage and drag to change container position.
Position can be saved for further use by clicking camera button take_picture

. Positon can then be recalled from stored views tab of the right pane.

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Container switcher

When cargo is loaded into more containers, you can switch between them in two ways.

ctr_switcher

1. Use left and right arrow button to move to the next or previous container.
2. Use middle toggle button to display container switch list where you can choose from the list of containers.

ctr_switch_list

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Pallet building and loading

Building and loading pallets is two phase process consisting of two projects.

Create or download pallet equipment, check dimensions and max height (H).
Make a standard project just choose pallet as an equipment (not Container or Truck) where boxes will be loaded.
Load boxes onto pallets.
Press the "Load as pallets" button. Pallet center window will be displayed.
Determine if pallets are stackable, turnable and if you prefer loaded pallet height or defined max pallet height.
Choose Equipment where pallets should be loaded. (Container or Truck)
Press "Add Pallets to Plan" button.
A new project will be created with pallets as boxes. You can return back to pallet project whenever you need.

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Registration

After installation, application can be used for 14 days free of charge.
However, after 14 days, registration will be required to re-activate the application.

Registration consist of registration email and registration code.
Registration code is generated after purchase of licence(s).

For payment details, please visit our website http://www.loadcargo.in
Default method of payment is by Paypal. If you do not have a Paypal account, you can still pay via Paypal using your credit card.
For different methods of payment, please contact us.

In order to register, the computer where the application is installed must be on-line.
After you enter your registration email (email you used at time of purchase) and registration code, both will be verified by our server and
your licence(s) shown in My licences list.

If you need to transfer your licence to different computer, you can remove the licence by clicking on remove

delete button.
By doing so, the licence is released and the application can be registered on another computer.

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Settings

There are two settings.

Unit of measurement (Metric or Imperial)
Localization (English or Custom)

Actions:

Edit custom language

Actions:

Search for english term
Import

Import localization file (xml)
Export

Export localization file (xml)
Save

Save changes

Fields:
EN: Default english terms, not possible to change.
Custom: Translation to custom language. (Editable)

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