Feasability of a special function in PHP/MySQL

[Beniboose]

Hi.

I'm in the process of starting a new web application and I would like to know from the gurus of PHP among you if it's possible to code a nesting software. In a nutshell, a nesting engine will take several parts of various dimensions from a list and will try to fit the most in a sheet good of plywood (or any defined surfaces like glass, fabric, wood, etc). Cabinetmakers need those type of software a lot because it saves them a lot of time and materials by finding out the least expensive solution while providing a cutting diagram for their employees.

You can see the kind of software I'm talking about here:

http://www.cutlistplus.com

http://www.cutplanner.com/

http://www.cutmaster2d.com/

http://sheetlayout.com/

Obvioulsy, a good optimizer have to obey to many guidelines and rules to be useful but that's another topic.

Anyway, my questions are to know the following:

1. Is it possible to build an engine that will make the optimization and calculations in PHP?

2. If so, is it easy to generate graphics showing up all the parts in the sheet goods?

3. Can we make further manipulations with some Javascript coding to the sheet layouts. For example making some changes on the graphics?

4. When comes the time to make a printed report, will it be possible to generate it properly so it looks good and prints well?

Thanks for any help you can offer.

Best regards,

Beniboose

[Kudos Veteran]

Yes to all questions. You'd need a strong coder though, not just a hobbyist. You may get lucky, but i think it'd be a relatively expensive job because it's not just basic database interaction. I'd offer my services, but i've a full plate atm.