Creating the most symmetrical layout based on a range of spans and quantities

[fargeneral]

Creating the most symmetrical layout based on a range of spans and quantities
I have a complex problem that can be solved by nested loops, which means programming skills which I am not equipped with at this point, but I thought you might have a suggestion on how to use Excel to solve that.



Here is the problem:

There is a range of standards element spans and corresponding quantities. I need to find the most symmetrical layout for them.

Fx. if we have the following data in excel

6x6m+3x4.2m+1x3m

then it would generate the most symmetrical combination(s) of layout for them.

3x6m-2x4.2m-1x3m-1x4.2m-3x6m



I do appreciate your help and time in advance.



Best Regards,

Farshid

[Richard Buttrey]

Please upload a workbook or a representative cut down copy, anonymised if necessary. It is always easier to advise if we can see your request in its context.

Show a before and after situation with manually calculated results, explaining which information is data and which is results, and if it's not blindingly obvious how you have arrived at your results some explanatory notes as well.

To upload a file click the Go Advanced button at the foot of your post, look underneath the post area for the Manage Attachments section and take it from there.

We need to understand the layout and EXACTLY how your data is recorded. In addition please define symmetry. Is that about a vertical, horizontal of diagonal axis of symmetry.

[fargeneral]

Hi
Thank you so much for writing back to me. I am sorry that I could not explain the problem clear enough in the first place, but I will do my best to do so now.
Well, it is a bit difficult to define what is symmetry, but what I meant is linear symmetry so you can rule out the diagonal axis and consider just one of the X or Y axis as a decisive parameter. If we consider the architectural environment as our workspace, then I can tell that the symmetricity consists of the following factors:
1. Centerline
2. Even accumulative sum on the sides of the centerline
3. The most similarity of spans when we move from the corners of a building to the centerline

If I want to make a simple illustration then I have to make something like this:

------> | <------
≈ | ≈

Please feel free to ask if you need more clarification.

I do appreciate your time hand help once again.

Regards,
Farshid

[AliGW]

There are instructions at the top of the page explaining how to attach your sample workbook.

[fargeneral]

Hi
I uploaded a workbook for those of you who may need such a thing to understand the problem better.

Regards,
Farshid