Guide

2D vs 3D Load Planning

2D load planning lays items out on the floor of the truck as a top-down plan. 3D load planning also works in height, so it can stack items, respect stacking rules and show the weight distribution of the whole load. If your freight is all one layer of similar pallets, 2D is often enough; once items stack or vary in height and weight, you need 3D.

By the TRUXE team. Updated

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Side by side

2D load planning3D load planning
What it modelsFloor area (length x width)Full cargo space (length x width x height)
StackingNot modelled, or a simple countEach item stacked by its rules
Mixed heightsHiddenVisible
Weight and axlesRough totalsWeight by position, so axle loads can be checked
Best forSingle-layer pallets, floor-loaded freightMixed freight, stackable items, containers
OutputFloor diagramRotatable 3D view plus layer-by-layer plan

When 2D is enough

  • Every item is a floor-loaded pallet of similar size
  • Nothing is stacked
  • Weight is well under the vehicle's limits

When you need 3D

  • Items can be double-stacked, or some must have nothing on top
  • Heights vary, so the usable space depends on what goes where
  • The load is heavy enough that axle distribution matters
  • You are loading a container, where height is a big share of the volume
  • Loaders need to see the order in which layers go on

What TRUXE does

TRUXE is a 3D load planner. It stacks items by their stacking rules, shows the plan in an interactive 3D view from any angle, checks weight and axle loads from each item's position, and prints the plan for the dock.

Frequently asked questions

What is 3D load planning?

3D load planning places freight in the full length, width and height of a truck or container, so items can be stacked by their rules and the result shown as a 3D model.

Is 3D load planning harder to use?

It should not be. You enter the same item details as for 2D (dimensions, weight, quantity) plus whether each item can be stacked, and the software builds the layout.

Can 3D load planning help with axle weights?

Yes. Because it knows where each item sits, 3D planning can estimate the load on each axle group, which a floor count cannot.

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