Discussion Forum: Thread 287639

 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Apr 6, 2021 01:30
 Subject: New Packing Dimensions Feature
 Viewed: 321 times
 Topic: Catalog
 Status:Open
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Admin_Russell

Location:  USA, California
Member Since Contact Type Status
May 9, 2017 Contact Member Admin
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
BrickLink Administrator
We are pleased to announce that a major new feature was deployed to the catalog
today - Packing Dimensions!

We started a Packaging Dimensions Topic in the Forum in the Fall of 2017 so that
members could input dimensions to help Instant Checkout work properly. It was
only supposed to be a temporary solution, and it took a lot of time and dedication
for both contributors and admins to handle each request manually.

Now there is much better way - just input the data like you would any other catalog
data. Notice the upgrade to the Change Item form:

https://www.bricklink.com/catalogReq.asp?itemType=P

The first thing, though, that we want to tell you about this new feature is that
it's only a start. This is actually just phase 1 out of 3 phases. We did
it this way so we could get the basic functionality opened up as soon as possible.

This means that the Add Item form does not have Packing Dimensions input fields,
and we haven't touched the seller interface either which still shows millimeters
and only allows the upload of custom dimensions.

We are also a bit behind on the new Help Page:

https://www.bricklink.com/help.asp?helpID=2510

There are 4 areas we still need to tackle with the Help Page: Minifigures, Gear,
Books, and Catalogs. Those sections will be filled out over the next few days.
If you could please hold off on uploading dimensions for those Item Types until
the Help Pages are finished, it would be appreciated.

As you may have noticed, we changed the name from Packaging Dimensions to Packing
Dimensions. Let us know what you think and of course report any bugs. And there
is no need to post in the Packaging Dimensions Topic any more. We'll keep
it there for a while in case something happens to our new system, but when we
wrap up with phase 3, we will officially decommission that part of the Forum.
 
 Author: yorbrick View Messages Posted By yorbrick
 Posted: Apr 6, 2021 03:16
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
 Viewed: 49 times
 Topic: Catalog
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yorbrick (1181)

Location:  United Kingdom, England
Member Since Contact Type Status
Apr 11, 2011 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: Yorbricks
In Catalog, Admin_Russell writes:
  We are pleased to announce that a major new feature was deployed to the catalog
today - Packing Dimensions!

We started a Packaging Dimensions Topic in the Forum in the Fall of 2017 so that
members could input dimensions to help Instant Checkout work properly. It was
only supposed to be a temporary solution, and it took a lot of time and dedication
for both contributors and admins to handle each request manually.

Now there is much better way - just input the data like you would any other catalog
data. Notice the upgrade to the Change Item form:

https://www.bricklink.com/catalogReq.asp?itemType=P

The first thing, though, that we want to tell you about this new feature is that
it's only a start. This is actually just phase 1 out of 3 phases. We did
it this way so we could get the basic functionality opened up as soon as possible.

This means that the Add Item form does not have Packing Dimensions input fields,
and we haven't touched the seller interface either which still shows millimeters
and only allows the upload of custom dimensions.

We are also a bit behind on the new Help Page:

https://www.bricklink.com/help.asp?helpID=2510

There are 4 areas we still need to tackle with the Help Page: Minifigures, Gear,
Books, and Catalogs. Those sections will be filled out over the next few days.
If you could please hold off on uploading dimensions for those Item Types until
the Help Pages are finished, it would be appreciated.

As you may have noticed, we changed the name from Packaging Dimensions to Packing
Dimensions. Let us know what you think and of course report any bugs. And there
is no need to post in the Packaging Dimensions Topic any more. We'll keep
it there for a while in case something happens to our new system, but when we
wrap up with phase 3, we will officially decommission that part of the Forum.

Just to note, you have snipped the image starting with the 2x4 brick but not
included its dimensions. I got confused with the first set of dimensions x, y
and z until I realised they are for the slope and not the brick.
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Apr 6, 2021 03:20
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
 Viewed: 86 times
 Topic: Catalog
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Admin_Russell

Location:  USA, California
Member Since Contact Type Status
May 9, 2017 Contact Member Admin
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
BrickLink Administrator
In Catalog, yorbrick writes:

  Just to note, you have snipped the image starting with the 2x4 brick but not
included its dimensions. I got confused with the first set of dimensions x, y
and z until I realised they are for the slope and not the brick.

Sorry about that. Here is another screenshot:
 
 Author: yorbrick View Messages Posted By yorbrick
 Posted: Apr 6, 2021 03:59
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
 Viewed: 52 times
 Topic: Catalog
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yorbrick (1181)

Location:  United Kingdom, England
Member Since Contact Type Status
Apr 11, 2011 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: Yorbricks
In Catalog, Admin_Russell writes:
  In Catalog, yorbrick writes:

  Just to note, you have snipped the image starting with the 2x4 brick but not
included its dimensions. I got confused with the first set of dimensions x, y
and z until I realised they are for the slope and not the brick.

Sorry about that. Here is another screenshot:

There is also a typo on the hell page for the flattened tractor box. It should
be 0.2cm not 0.02cm.
 Author: cosmicray View Messages Posted By cosmicray
 Posted: Apr 7, 2021 07:52
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
 Viewed: 39 times
 Topic: Catalog
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cosmicray (3486)

Location:  USA, Florida
Member Since Contact Type Status Collage
Oct 1, 2000 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
View Collage Pic
Store: Cosmic Toys
In Catalog, Admin_Russell writes:
  In Catalog, yorbrick writes:

  Just to note, you have snipped the image starting with the 2x4 brick but not
included its dimensions. I got confused with the first set of dimensions x, y
and z until I realised they are for the slope and not the brick.

Sorry about that. Here is another screenshot:

An observation, and not a criticism, the Z dimension (on the brick and the slope)
correctly includes the height of the stud on top, and because of that is not
directly convertible into brick heights (when measured in brick units). This
is because assembled bricks nest the stud within the bottom of the above brick.
And, as we all know, no one ever ships bricks assembled (but see below).

Which also, causes the rather oblique situation of hips/legs (which have studs
on top) and torsos, to not add up correctly in the Z direction, because of being
shipped individually.

Somewhere in all this (part II or part III ?) we need to address the issue I
pointed out a couple of weeks back about part-assemblies (e.g. wheels and tires)
and how they are measured for X+Y+Z and if assembling them is required.

Nita Rae
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Apr 7, 2021 10:48
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
 Viewed: 59 times
 Topic: Catalog
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Admin_Russell

Location:  USA, California
Member Since Contact Type Status
May 9, 2017 Contact Member Admin
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
BrickLink Administrator
In Catalog, cosmicray writes:
  In Catalog, Admin_Russell writes:
  In Catalog, yorbrick writes:

  Just to note, you have snipped the image starting with the 2x4 brick but not
included its dimensions. I got confused with the first set of dimensions x, y
and z until I realised they are for the slope and not the brick.

Sorry about that. Here is another screenshot:

An observation, and not a criticism, the Z dimension (on the brick and the slope)
correctly includes the height of the stud on top, and because of that is not
directly convertible into brick heights (when measured in brick units). This
is because assembled bricks nest the stud within the bottom of the above brick.
And, as we all know, no one ever ships bricks assembled (but see below).

Which also, causes the rather oblique situation of hips/legs (which have studs
on top) and torsos, to not add up correctly in the Z direction, because of being
shipped individually.

Somewhere in all this (part II or part III ?) we need to address the issue I
pointed out a couple of weeks back about part-assemblies (e.g. wheels and tires)
and how they are measured for X+Y+Z and if assembling them is required.

Nita Rae

There is no relationship or dependency between the two types of dimensions
- stud and metric. I know in the past that stud dimensions were used to give
an estimate of actual metric size, but we don't want to do that now.

I will continue adding examples of how we want you to measure things for the
catalog. It's going to be a long Help page!
 Author: Mr_Rofl View Messages Posted By Mr_Rofl
 Posted: Apr 6, 2021 04:06
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
 Viewed: 58 times
 Topic: Catalog
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Mr_Rofl (98)

Location:  Netherlands, Noord-Holland
Member Since Contact Type Status
Oct 11, 2016 Contact Member Buyer
Buying Privileges - OK
Finally!
A few questions about this feature.
Are the dimensions also available in the API? Or do we need to scrape the from
the different pages?
Does IC still use the 0 and ? as 0 (zero)thickness or will this be an manual
invoice type only?

In Catalog, Admin_Russell writes:
  We are pleased to announce that a major new feature was deployed to the catalog
today - Packing Dimensions!

We started a Packaging Dimensions Topic in the Forum in the Fall of 2017 so that
members could input dimensions to help Instant Checkout work properly. It was
only supposed to be a temporary solution, and it took a lot of time and dedication
for both contributors and admins to handle each request manually.

Now there is much better way - just input the data like you would any other catalog
data. Notice the upgrade to the Change Item form:

https://www.bricklink.com/catalogReq.asp?itemType=P

The first thing, though, that we want to tell you about this new feature is that
it's only a start. This is actually just phase 1 out of 3 phases. We did
it this way so we could get the basic functionality opened up as soon as possible.

This means that the Add Item form does not have Packing Dimensions input fields,
and we haven't touched the seller interface either which still shows millimeters
and only allows the upload of custom dimensions.

We are also a bit behind on the new Help Page:

https://www.bricklink.com/help.asp?helpID=2510

There are 4 areas we still need to tackle with the Help Page: Minifigures, Gear,
Books, and Catalogs. Those sections will be filled out over the next few days.
If you could please hold off on uploading dimensions for those Item Types until
the Help Pages are finished, it would be appreciated.

As you may have noticed, we changed the name from Packaging Dimensions to Packing
Dimensions. Let us know what you think and of course report any bugs. And there
is no need to post in the Packaging Dimensions Topic any more. We'll keep
it there for a while in case something happens to our new system, but when we
wrap up with phase 3, we will officially decommission that part of the Forum.
 Author: axaday View Messages Posted By axaday
 Posted: Apr 6, 2021 06:01
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
 Viewed: 56 times
 Topic: Catalog
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axaday (7301)

Location:  USA, Oklahoma
Member Since Contact Type Status
Jun 28, 2005 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store Closed Store: Axaday
Good progress. The big splash will be when we can search our inventory for pieces
missing packing dimensions.

In Catalog, Admin_Russell writes:
  We are pleased to announce that a major new feature was deployed to the catalog
today - Packing Dimensions!

We started a Packaging Dimensions Topic in the Forum in the Fall of 2017 so that
members could input dimensions to help Instant Checkout work properly. It was
only supposed to be a temporary solution, and it took a lot of time and dedication
for both contributors and admins to handle each request manually.

Now there is much better way - just input the data like you would any other catalog
data. Notice the upgrade to the Change Item form:

https://www.bricklink.com/catalogReq.asp?itemType=P

The first thing, though, that we want to tell you about this new feature is that
it's only a start. This is actually just phase 1 out of 3 phases. We did
it this way so we could get the basic functionality opened up as soon as possible.

This means that the Add Item form does not have Packing Dimensions input fields,
and we haven't touched the seller interface either which still shows millimeters
and only allows the upload of custom dimensions.

We are also a bit behind on the new Help Page:

https://www.bricklink.com/help.asp?helpID=2510

There are 4 areas we still need to tackle with the Help Page: Minifigures, Gear,
Books, and Catalogs. Those sections will be filled out over the next few days.
If you could please hold off on uploading dimensions for those Item Types until
the Help Pages are finished, it would be appreciated.

As you may have noticed, we changed the name from Packaging Dimensions to Packing
Dimensions. Let us know what you think and of course report any bugs. And there
is no need to post in the Packaging Dimensions Topic any more. We'll keep
it there for a while in case something happens to our new system, but when we
wrap up with phase 3, we will officially decommission that part of the Forum.
 Author: Vosblokjes View Messages Posted By Vosblokjes
 Posted: Apr 6, 2021 09:53
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
 Viewed: 51 times
 Topic: Catalog
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Vosblokjes (7184)

Location:  Netherlands, Drenthe
Member Since Contact Type Status
Dec 5, 2014 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: Vosblokjes
In Catalog, axaday writes:
  Good progress. The big splash will be when we can search our inventory for pieces
missing packing dimensions.

In Catalog, Admin_Russell writes:
  We are pleased to announce that a major new feature was deployed to the catalog
today - Packing Dimensions!

We started a Packaging Dimensions Topic in the Forum in the Fall of 2017 so that
members could input dimensions to help Instant Checkout work properly. It was
only supposed to be a temporary solution, and it took a lot of time and dedication
for both contributors and admins to handle each request manually.

Now there is much better way - just input the data like you would any other catalog
data. Notice the upgrade to the Change Item form:

https://www.bricklink.com/catalogReq.asp?itemType=P

The first thing, though, that we want to tell you about this new feature is that
it's only a start. This is actually just phase 1 out of 3 phases. We did
it this way so we could get the basic functionality opened up as soon as possible.

This means that the Add Item form does not have Packing Dimensions input fields,
and we haven't touched the seller interface either which still shows millimeters
and only allows the upload of custom dimensions.

We are also a bit behind on the new Help Page:

https://www.bricklink.com/help.asp?helpID=2510

There are 4 areas we still need to tackle with the Help Page: Minifigures, Gear,
Books, and Catalogs. Those sections will be filled out over the next few days.
If you could please hold off on uploading dimensions for those Item Types until
the Help Pages are finished, it would be appreciated.

As you may have noticed, we changed the name from Packaging Dimensions to Packing
Dimensions. Let us know what you think and of course report any bugs. And there
is no need to post in the Packaging Dimensions Topic any more. We'll keep
it there for a while in case something happens to our new system, but when we
wrap up with phase 3, we will officially decommission that part of the Forum.

All, please note that the dimensions you fill in are CM (not MM), I now see very
large items coming up.
https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=87079pb912#T=C&C=110
for example. It is a 2x4 tile, but now has dimensions "Pack. Dim.: 16 x 32 x
3 cm"
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Apr 6, 2021 15:49
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
 Viewed: 65 times
 Topic: Catalog
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Admin_Russell

Location:  USA, California
Member Since Contact Type Status
May 9, 2017 Contact Member Admin
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
BrickLink Administrator
In Catalog, BasKrie writes:
  In Catalog, axaday writes:
  Good progress. The big splash will be when we can search our inventory for pieces
missing packing dimensions.

In Catalog, Admin_Russell writes:
  We are pleased to announce that a major new feature was deployed to the catalog
today - Packing Dimensions!

We started a Packaging Dimensions Topic in the Forum in the Fall of 2017 so that
members could input dimensions to help Instant Checkout work properly. It was
only supposed to be a temporary solution, and it took a lot of time and dedication
for both contributors and admins to handle each request manually.

Now there is much better way - just input the data like you would any other catalog
data. Notice the upgrade to the Change Item form:

https://www.bricklink.com/catalogReq.asp?itemType=P

The first thing, though, that we want to tell you about this new feature is that
it's only a start. This is actually just phase 1 out of 3 phases. We did
it this way so we could get the basic functionality opened up as soon as possible.

This means that the Add Item form does not have Packing Dimensions input fields,
and we haven't touched the seller interface either which still shows millimeters
and only allows the upload of custom dimensions.

We are also a bit behind on the new Help Page:

https://www.bricklink.com/help.asp?helpID=2510

There are 4 areas we still need to tackle with the Help Page: Minifigures, Gear,
Books, and Catalogs. Those sections will be filled out over the next few days.
If you could please hold off on uploading dimensions for those Item Types until
the Help Pages are finished, it would be appreciated.

As you may have noticed, we changed the name from Packaging Dimensions to Packing
Dimensions. Let us know what you think and of course report any bugs. And there
is no need to post in the Packaging Dimensions Topic any more. We'll keep
it there for a while in case something happens to our new system, but when we
wrap up with phase 3, we will officially decommission that part of the Forum.

All, please note that the dimensions you fill in are CM (not MM), I now see very
large items coming up.
https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=87079pb912#T=C&C=110
for example. It is a 2x4 tile, but now has dimensions "Pack. Dim.: 16 x 32 x
3 cm"

It's going to take some getting used to. I just fixed that one.
 Author: axaday View Messages Posted By axaday
 Posted: Apr 6, 2021 20:54
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
 Viewed: 43 times
 Topic: Catalog
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axaday (7301)

Location:  USA, Oklahoma
Member Since Contact Type Status
Jun 28, 2005 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store Closed Store: Axaday
Can we turn it back to mm like it has always been?

In Catalog, BasKrie writes:
  In Catalog, axaday writes:
  Good progress. The big splash will be when we can search our inventory for pieces
missing packing dimensions.

In Catalog, Admin_Russell writes:
  We are pleased to announce that a major new feature was deployed to the catalog
today - Packing Dimensions!

We started a Packaging Dimensions Topic in the Forum in the Fall of 2017 so that
members could input dimensions to help Instant Checkout work properly. It was
only supposed to be a temporary solution, and it took a lot of time and dedication
for both contributors and admins to handle each request manually.

Now there is much better way - just input the data like you would any other catalog
data. Notice the upgrade to the Change Item form:

https://www.bricklink.com/catalogReq.asp?itemType=P

The first thing, though, that we want to tell you about this new feature is that
it's only a start. This is actually just phase 1 out of 3 phases. We did
it this way so we could get the basic functionality opened up as soon as possible.

This means that the Add Item form does not have Packing Dimensions input fields,
and we haven't touched the seller interface either which still shows millimeters
and only allows the upload of custom dimensions.

We are also a bit behind on the new Help Page:

https://www.bricklink.com/help.asp?helpID=2510

There are 4 areas we still need to tackle with the Help Page: Minifigures, Gear,
Books, and Catalogs. Those sections will be filled out over the next few days.
If you could please hold off on uploading dimensions for those Item Types until
the Help Pages are finished, it would be appreciated.

As you may have noticed, we changed the name from Packaging Dimensions to Packing
Dimensions. Let us know what you think and of course report any bugs. And there
is no need to post in the Packaging Dimensions Topic any more. We'll keep
it there for a while in case something happens to our new system, but when we
wrap up with phase 3, we will officially decommission that part of the Forum.

All, please note that the dimensions you fill in are CM (not MM), I now see very
large items coming up.
https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=87079pb912#T=C&C=110
for example. It is a 2x4 tile, but now has dimensions "Pack. Dim.: 16 x 32 x
3 cm"
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Apr 6, 2021 21:37
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
 Viewed: 48 times
 Topic: Catalog
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Admin_Russell

Location:  USA, California
Member Since Contact Type Status
May 9, 2017 Contact Member Admin
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
BrickLink Administrator
In Catalog, axaday writes:
  Can we turn it back to mm like it has always been?

Actually, cm is the original standard of the site. Is there any particular reason
you prefer mm?
 Author: axaday View Messages Posted By axaday
 Posted: Apr 6, 2021 22:39
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
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 Topic: Catalog
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axaday (7301)

Location:  USA, Oklahoma
Member Since Contact Type Status
Jun 28, 2005 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store Closed Store: Axaday
In Catalog, Admin_Russell writes:
  In Catalog, axaday writes:
  Can we turn it back to mm like it has always been?

Actually, cm is the original standard of the site. Is there any particular reason
you prefer mm?

That's what I've been doing the whole time with the packaging dimensions.
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Apr 7, 2021 00:34
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
 Viewed: 75 times
 Topic: Catalog
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Admin_Russell

Location:  USA, California
Member Since Contact Type Status
May 9, 2017 Contact Member Admin
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
BrickLink Administrator
In Catalog, axaday writes:
  In Catalog, Admin_Russell writes:
  In Catalog, axaday writes:
  Can we turn it back to mm like it has always been?

Actually, cm is the original standard of the site. Is there any particular reason
you prefer mm?

That's what I've been doing the whole time with the packaging dimensions.

They are actually still stored in the system as mm, but we didn't want the
catalog upload forms to use two different measurement standards. All of the dimensions
you entered through the Forum Topic are still in the system and attributed to
your username. They are displayed as cm, though, on the catalog detail page.
 Author: tec View Messages Posted By tec
 Posted: Apr 6, 2021 07:07
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
 Viewed: 70 times
 Topic: Catalog
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tec (61)

Location:  Italy, Marche
Member Since Contact Type Status
Dec 30, 2020 Contact Member Buyer
Buying Privileges - OK
My friend here likes this post
 
 Author: jennnifer View Messages Posted By jennnifer
 Posted: Apr 6, 2021 09:10
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
 Viewed: 51 times
 Topic: Catalog
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jennnifer (3531)

Location:  USA, Illinois
Member Since Contact Type Status
Sep 8, 2009 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: Old Grey Bricks
In Catalog, tec writes:
  My friend here likes this post

That's a beauty! I definitely need one of those.


Jen
 Author: calsbricks View Messages Posted By calsbricks
 Posted: Apr 6, 2021 09:57
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
 Viewed: 63 times
 Topic: Catalog
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calsbricks (8495)

Location:  United Kingdom, England
Member Since Contact Type Status
Aug 12, 2008 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: CalsBricks
In Catalog, jennnifer writes:
  In Catalog, tec writes:
  My friend here likes this post

That's a beauty! I definitely need one of those.


Jen

Or you might want one of these
 
 Author: jennnifer View Messages Posted By jennnifer
 Posted: Apr 6, 2021 10:38
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
 Viewed: 55 times
 Topic: Catalog
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jennnifer (3531)

Location:  USA, Illinois
Member Since Contact Type Status
Sep 8, 2009 Contact Member Seller
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Store: Old Grey Bricks
In Catalog, calsbricks writes:
  In Catalog, jennnifer writes:
  In Catalog, tec writes:
  My friend here likes this post

That's a beauty! I definitely need one of those.


Jen

Or you might want one of these

Nope, I'm old-school analog all the way! Here's my scale....lol.

Jen
 
 Author: cosmicray View Messages Posted By cosmicray
 Posted: Apr 7, 2021 08:18
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
 Viewed: 42 times
 Topic: Catalog
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cosmicray (3486)

Location:  USA, Florida
Member Since Contact Type Status Collage
Oct 1, 2000 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
View Collage Pic
Store: Cosmic Toys
In Catalog, jennnifer writes:
  In Catalog, calsbricks writes:
  In Catalog, jennnifer writes:
  In Catalog, tec writes:
  My friend here likes this post

That's a beauty! I definitely need one of those.


Jen

Or you might want one of these

Nope, I'm old-school analog all the way! Here's my scale....lol.

Jen

I'll see you ancient balance scale, and raise you a couple of USPS built
to last 100 years
heavy duty scales. Both are in daily use in the Cosmic
Toys shipping department …
 




 Author: Cob View Messages Posted By Cob
 Posted: Apr 7, 2021 12:02
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
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Cob (3562)

Location:  USA, Missouri
Member Since Contact Type Status
Nov 18, 2014 Contact Member Seller
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Store Closed Store: Cob's Brick House
In Catalog, cosmicray writes:
  In Catalog, jennnifer writes:
  In Catalog, calsbricks writes:
  In Catalog, jennnifer writes:
  In Catalog, tec writes:
  My friend here likes this post

That's a beauty! I definitely need one of those.


Jen

Or you might want one of these

Nope, I'm old-school analog all the way! Here's my scale....lol.

Jen

I'll see you ancient balance scale, and raise you a couple of USPS built
to last 100 years
heavy duty scales. Both are in daily use in the Cosmic
Toys shipping department …

I'm jealous, that is an awesome scale.
 Author: jennnifer View Messages Posted By jennnifer
 Posted: Apr 7, 2021 17:07
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
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jennnifer (3531)

Location:  USA, Illinois
Member Since Contact Type Status
Sep 8, 2009 Contact Member Seller
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Store: Old Grey Bricks
In Catalog, cosmicray writes:

  
I'll see you ancient balance scale, and raise you a couple of USPS built
to last 100 years
heavy duty scales. Both are in daily use in the Cosmic
Toys shipping department …

Those are awesome! I am very jealous.

Jen
 Author: cosmicray View Messages Posted By cosmicray
 Posted: Apr 7, 2021 20:44
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
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cosmicray (3486)

Location:  USA, Florida
Member Since Contact Type Status Collage
Oct 1, 2000 Contact Member Seller
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View Collage Pic
Store: Cosmic Toys
In Catalog, jennnifer writes:
  In Catalog, cosmicray writes:

  
I'll see you ancient balance scale, and raise you a couple of USPS built
to last 100 years
heavy duty scales. Both are in daily use in the Cosmic
Toys shipping department …

Those are awesome! I am very jealous.

Jen

Let's just say that I wanted one, I ended up with two, and I had to bid on
a lot of twenty-five to get the two. The others all found homes with local individuals,
and I made a little money on the transaction. The really hard part was figuring
out what oil to put into the damping cylinder. Seems I used 30-weight, because
no one could tell me what I was supposed to use. All the old oil had been taken
out when they were removed from service.

Nita Rae
 Author: Brick.Door View Messages Posted By Brick.Door
 Posted: Apr 6, 2021 09:29
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
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Brick.Door (7497)

Location:  USA, New York
Member Since Contact Type Status
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Store: Brick Door
How will this be used? Will we be able to set up a shipping method that is only
allowed if all pieces are under a certain thickness? (i.i USPS large envelope/flat)

So the checkout would need to find the smallest of the three dimensions for each
element in the cart, and make sure it is below the threshold.

Or is it just to better approximate the total volume of the order?
 Author: Emporiosa View Messages Posted By Emporiosa
 Posted: Apr 6, 2021 12:18
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
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Emporiosa (5505)

Location:  Canada, Ontario
Member Since Contact Type Status
Jan 5, 2018 Contact Member Seller
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Store: Emporiosa
In Catalog, Brick.Door writes:
  How will this be used? Will we be able to set up a shipping method that is only
allowed if all pieces are under a certain thickness? (i.i USPS large envelope/flat)

So the checkout would need to find the smallest of the three dimensions for each
element in the cart, and make sure it is below the threshold.

Or is it just to better approximate the total volume of the order?

It's already very much in use with Canadians sellers; it can jump from a
$1.94 stamp to $22 if the part is over 20mm in thickness. Canadian sellers have
been manually putting in the packaging dimensions for every oversized item (and
setting those items to Volume based).

What you do is set the packaging limits (if you have any for USPS) in the shipping
option like you mentioned, and it ensures that if there's a thickness maximum
(like the 20mm in Canada for Lettermail), that no part has any dimension that
goes over that. There's also general volumetric dimensions that you can set
where it's to try to calculate if "that much LEGO" can fit into what you
gave it, but I'm not entirely sure how well this part works.
 Author: Brick.Door View Messages Posted By Brick.Door
 Posted: Apr 6, 2021 12:35
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
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Brick.Door (7497)

Location:  USA, New York
Member Since Contact Type Status
Sep 24, 2010 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: Brick Door
In Catalog, Emporiosa writes:
  In Catalog, Brick.Door writes:
  How will this be used? Will we be able to set up a shipping method that is only
allowed if all pieces are under a certain thickness? (i.i USPS large envelope/flat)

So the checkout would need to find the smallest of the three dimensions for each
element in the cart, and make sure it is below the threshold.

Or is it just to better approximate the total volume of the order?

It's already very much in use with Canadians sellers; it can jump from a
$1.94 stamp to $22 if the part is over 20mm in thickness. Canadian sellers have
been manually putting in the packaging dimensions for every oversized item (and
setting those items to Volume based).

What you do is set the packaging limits (if you have any for USPS) in the shipping
option like you mentioned, and it ensures that if there's a thickness maximum
(like the 20mm in Canada for Lettermail), that no part has any dimension that
goes over that. There's also general volumetric dimensions that you can set
where it's to try to calculate if "that much LEGO" can fit into what you
gave it, but I'm not entirely sure how well this part works.

So you have to exclude a part with any dimension over 20mm? That doesn't
seem like it would work very well. A 1x6x5 brick can easily fit but only one
of its dimensions is less than 20mm.
 Author: Emporiosa View Messages Posted By Emporiosa
 Posted: Apr 6, 2021 13:24
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
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Emporiosa (5505)

Location:  Canada, Ontario
Member Since Contact Type Status
Jan 5, 2018 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: Emporiosa
  So you have to exclude a part with any dimension over 20mm? That doesn't
seem like it would work very well. A 1x6x5 brick can easily fit but only one
of its dimensions is less than 20mm.

Sorry that's my mistake in how I described it because I said any dimension
(and that's not accurate). I think it's oversized only on the triple
dimensions because like you said, a brick is flat and is over 2cm in two dimensions,
but not the 3rd ("height") so it fits. So for example, when I manually set packing
dimensions, I haven't even been bothering measuring the exact dimensions
since it's just for me (how it was currently), so I would set all 3 dimensions
to 25mm.
 Author: cosmicray View Messages Posted By cosmicray
 Posted: Apr 7, 2021 08:31
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
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cosmicray (3486)

Location:  USA, Florida
Member Since Contact Type Status Collage
Oct 1, 2000 Contact Member Seller
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View Collage Pic
Store: Cosmic Toys
In Catalog, Brick.Door writes:
  In Catalog, Emporiosa writes:
  In Catalog, Brick.Door writes:
  How will this be used? Will we be able to set up a shipping method that is only
allowed if all pieces are under a certain thickness? (i.i USPS large envelope/flat)

So the checkout would need to find the smallest of the three dimensions for each
element in the cart, and make sure it is below the threshold.

Or is it just to better approximate the total volume of the order?

It's already very much in use with Canadians sellers; it can jump from a
$1.94 stamp to $22 if the part is over 20mm in thickness. Canadian sellers have
been manually putting in the packaging dimensions for every oversized item (and
setting those items to Volume based).

What you do is set the packaging limits (if you have any for USPS) in the shipping
option like you mentioned, and it ensures that if there's a thickness maximum
(like the 20mm in Canada for Lettermail), that no part has any dimension that
goes over that. There's also general volumetric dimensions that you can set
where it's to try to calculate if "that much LEGO" can fit into what you
gave it, but I'm not entirely sure how well this part works.

So you have to exclude a part with any dimension over 20mm? That doesn't
seem like it would work very well. A 1x6x5 brick can easily fit but only one
of its dimensions is less than 20mm.

Believe it or not, the correct answer to this question also involves orientation
within the envelope when shipped. If you put solid bricks (or any part) in the
envelope with the wrong orientation, then it becomes what is known as a nonmachinable
letter
. It all has to do with what USPS (and likely Canada Post) normally
expect letter mail to be subjected to when it goes through the processing equipment.
See this passage in Postal Explorer for a better detail of the requirements (DMM
101.1.2) …

https://pe.usps.com/text/DMM300/101.htm?q=diameter&h=diameter&t=H&s=R&p=1&c=DMM|QSG

There are even a few USB thumb drives that are thin enough to get thru letter
mail, but you need a thin cardboard frame to keep them oriented correctly.

Nita Rae
 Author: tec View Messages Posted By tec
 Posted: Apr 6, 2021 10:00
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
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tec (61)

Location:  Italy, Marche
Member Since Contact Type Status
Dec 30, 2020 Contact Member Buyer
Buying Privileges - OK
Ok I tested it for a bit. I added 20 things, bricks from disparate themes, even
a power transformator id 70928.
I think the new page is good. I can add stud- and packing-dimensions at the same
time. There is some error checking on our measures, preventing blunders. Zero
is allowed, we can use that with multiple meanings, better to give us guidance
maybe?

We disperately need the search engine now.
I spent hundreds of clicks just to find parts needing a caliper job. I won't
do that again (note: I'm not seller so can't fiddle with that famous
flag)
 Author: Emporiosa View Messages Posted By Emporiosa
 Posted: Apr 6, 2021 12:23
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
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Emporiosa (5505)

Location:  Canada, Ontario
Member Since Contact Type Status
Jan 5, 2018 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: Emporiosa
In Catalog, Admin_Russell writes:
  We are pleased to announce that a major new feature was deployed to the catalog
today - Packing Dimensions!


I love seeing these kinds of new features for sellers being implemented! Thank-you
so much!

A feature to add later which would be fantastic (which another site has been
doing) would be to have a direct link (probably on the "My BL" page), that takes
us to a list of all of our inventory that has missing packing dimensions. The
benefit is that you'll get the catalogue populated more quickly as sellers
will be directed to items that they know they have on hand as part of their inventory.
And then of course, perhaps a link in the Catalogue section to all parts missing
packing dimensions (for general catalogue contributors).
 Author: tec View Messages Posted By tec
 Posted: Apr 7, 2021 08:04
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
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tec (61)

Location:  Italy, Marche
Member Since Contact Type Status
Dec 30, 2020 Contact Member Buyer
Buying Privileges - OK
Update:
Many of my measurements got rejected
Is it because of fractions? (0.5 0.66 ..)
My example was:
 
Part No: 44567b  Name: Hinge Plate 1 x 2 Locking with 1 Finger on Side without Bottom Groove
* 
44567b Hinge Plate 1 x 2 Locking with 1 Finger on Side without Bottom Groove
Parts: Hinge
where W=1.67
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Apr 7, 2021 10:44
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
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Admin_Russell

Location:  USA, California
Member Since Contact Type Status
May 9, 2017 Contact Member Admin
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
BrickLink Administrator
In Catalog, tec writes:
  Update:
Many of my measurements got rejected
Is it because of fractions? (0.5 0.66 ..)
My example was:
 
Part No: 44567b  Name: Hinge Plate 1 x 2 Locking with 1 Finger on Side without Bottom Groove
* 
44567b Hinge Plate 1 x 2 Locking with 1 Finger on Side without Bottom Groove
Parts: Hinge
where W=1.67

They were rejected because we do not accept stud dimensions on non-standard parts.
Especially now that we have actual metric values being added, there is no need
to find the stud dimensions for weird shapes.

In fact, we are considering hiding stud dimensions altogether, or moving them
to a separate info tab to keep people from being confused. Almost all pertinent
stud information is contained in the item name anyway.

Of course, it is a bit subjective whether a part is "weird" enough to not have
stud dimensions, but that is up to the catalog admin handling the request. Personally,
I would encourage you to spend 100% of your measurement submissions on actual
dimensions at this point, and not worry about the studs.
 Author: tec View Messages Posted By tec
 Posted: Apr 7, 2021 10:56
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
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tec (61)

Location:  Italy, Marche
Member Since Contact Type Status
Dec 30, 2020 Contact Member Buyer
Buying Privileges - OK
Good to know
 Author: brickerking View Messages Posted By brickerking
 Posted: Apr 7, 2021 11:00
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
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brickerking (1852)

Location:  Canada, Alberta
Member Since Contact Type Status
Mar 21, 2016 Contact Member Seller
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Store: Bricker King
In Catalog, Admin_Russell writes:
  Personally, I would encourage you to spend 100% of your measurement submissions on actual dimensions at this point, and not worry about the studs.

Yay, this makes sense! You can always perform a calculation on the server side
to display stud dimensions. Entering a real unit of measurement on the user/data
entry side is a great improvement!
 Author: Brick.Door View Messages Posted By Brick.Door
 Posted: Apr 7, 2021 11:04
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
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Brick.Door (7497)

Location:  USA, New York
Member Since Contact Type Status
Sep 24, 2010 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: Brick Door
For parts is the z dimension the height? Because I looked at 1x1x5 brick and
the height is .8 cm. The actual height was entered as the y dimension.

Or is the z dimension the smallest? So that it can be used to determine whether
the item will fit in a thin envelope. In that case there are many entries that
need to be changed.

Before all the work of populating part dimensions i think we need to figure out
how it is going to be used.
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Apr 7, 2021 11:27
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
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Admin_Russell

Location:  USA, California
Member Since Contact Type Status
May 9, 2017 Contact Member Admin
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
BrickLink Administrator
In Catalog, Brick.Door writes:
  For parts is the z dimension the height? Because I looked at 1x1x5 brick and
the height is .8 cm. The actual height was entered as the y dimension.

Or is the z dimension the smallest? So that it can be used to determine whether
the item will fit in a thin envelope. In that case there are many entries that
need to be changed.

Before all the work of populating part dimensions i think we need to figure out
how it is going to be used.

Many of the currently entered Packing Dimensions were mass imported from LDraw
data when Instant Checkout was implemented in 2017. These measurements have no
user credit - that is how you can tell where they came from.

Things were done that way to get the system up and running quickly, but at this
point we need to refine the data. I am outlining the submission rules on the
Help page, but essentially what they say is this - for parts, use the stud dimensions
to determine the order of the fields. Where there are no stud dimensions, add
dimensions in whichever order you wish.

So please submit a correction to that data. It is very likely there is more wrong
than just the order of the fields.

Instant Checkout will work no matter what order the data is in, but when stud
and metric dimensions are listed together, it makes sense that the fields line
up.

The Z dimension should always mean height / thickness according to the rules
for stud dimensions.
 Author: Brick.Door View Messages Posted By Brick.Door
 Posted: Apr 7, 2021 11:57
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
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Brick.Door (7497)

Location:  USA, New York
Member Since Contact Type Status
Sep 24, 2010 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: Brick Door
In Catalog, Admin_Russell writes:
  
Instant Checkout will work no matter what order the data is in, but when stud
and metric dimensions are listed together, it makes sense that the fields line
up.

The Z dimension should always mean height / thickness according to the rules
for stud dimensions.

Thanks for the quick reply!

How do dimension limits work on instant checkout? I haven't been able to
find any documentation. There is no way for me to test it, so I simply didn't
use it.

There is a help page for "Store Shipping Methods" however it seems to be out
of date. I think it shows the shipping settings screens from before IC was implemented.

There is a help page under "Instant Checkout" "Advanced Options" that shows an
example of package restictions:

Orders can't be shipped with this method when order package exceeds any of
these conditions or when an item in the order has been flagged with manual packaging
type by the seller.
Max dimension
15 in (w) x 12 in (h) x 0.75 in (d)

It states that it is flagged if "order package" is too big. I don't know
what the size of the order package is, or how it is calculated. Does that mean
if any of the individual elements is too big?

Are we supposed to enter the limits in inches? Even though the packaging dimensions
are in cm?

Would a 1x1x5 Brick be allowed under this example?
It has dimensions 0.8 x 0.8 x 4.8 cm.
4.8 cm 0.75 in so it seems to be it would not be allowed, unless the system
is doing something behind the scenes to re-organize the dimensions and can see
that
4.8 cm
0.8 cm
0.8 cm
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Apr 7, 2021 13:58
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
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Admin_Russell

Location:  USA, California
Member Since Contact Type Status
May 9, 2017 Contact Member Admin
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
BrickLink Administrator
In Catalog, Brick.Door writes:
  In Catalog, Admin_Russell writes:
  
Instant Checkout will work no matter what order the data is in, but when stud
and metric dimensions are listed together, it makes sense that the fields line
up.

The Z dimension should always mean height / thickness according to the rules
for stud dimensions.

Thanks for the quick reply!

How do dimension limits work on instant checkout? I haven't been able to
find any documentation. There is no way for me to test it, so I simply didn't
use it.

You can test it by putting things in a cart and trying to go through checkout.
I personally tested it quite a bit when Instant Checkout was released, and it
works very well. You will need to make sure you have accurate dimensions for
the parts in your store, and you will need to make small adjustments to the process
at first.

  There is a help page for "Store Shipping Methods" however it seems to be out
of date. I think it shows the shipping settings screens from before IC was implemented.

There is a help page under "Instant Checkout" "Advanced Options" that shows an
example of package restictions:

Orders can't be shipped with this method when order package exceeds any of
these conditions or when an item in the order has been flagged with manual packaging
type by the seller.
Max dimension
15 in (w) x 12 in (h) x 0.75 in (d)

It states that it is flagged if "order package" is too big. I don't know
what the size of the order package is, or how it is calculated. Does that mean
if any of the individual elements is too big?

Items that are Weight Bound are measured as a liquid. Larger items should be
Volume Bound and these are virtually stacked inside your order package as 3 dimensional
rectangles.

  Are we supposed to enter the limits in inches? Even though the packaging dimensions
are in cm?

Yes. I believe for different postal systems, the measurement units are different.

  Would a 1x1x5 Brick be allowed under this example?
It has dimensions 0.8 x 0.8 x 4.8 cm.
4.8 cm 0.75 in so it seems to be it would not be allowed, unless the system
is doing something behind the scenes to re-organize the dimensions and can see
that
4.8 cm
0.8 cm
0.8 cm

Yes, it would be allowed. The system would lay the brick down on its side to
fit in the package.
 Author: cosmicray View Messages Posted By cosmicray
 Posted: Apr 7, 2021 14:23
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
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cosmicray (3486)

Location:  USA, Florida
Member Since Contact Type Status Collage
Oct 1, 2000 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
View Collage Pic
Store: Cosmic Toys
In Catalog, Admin_Russell writes:
  Yes, it would be allowed. The system would lay the brick down on its side to
fit in the package.

One of the presumptions inherent in the current volume-based calculation method
is that items are rectangular. Bricks are, generally speaking, rectangular, but
many LEGO parts are not. For the non-rectangular parts, which are volume-based
but entered as an imaginary rectangular bounding box, this can result in an over-shoot
in calculating volume required. That over-shoot can/will propagate into selecting
the correct (or best-fit) packaging.

Obviously, purchasing a single quantity of a non-rectangular item will (very
likely) require rectangular packaging. In which case the system works as intended.
Where things drift away from optimal is when there are multiples of a non-rectangular
item and/or multiple lots. That is very easy to achieve with some of the large
figure parts (hockey, Hero Factory, etc).

inserting blue sky suggestion here

As a down the road way of solving this, is to both have a dimensional
entry for a single quantity, and a dimensional for a standard multiple (e.g.
10). That would allow the system to flesh out the clumping factor of a
given part, and assist in calculating the proper volume needed for a given quantity
of that part.

It may be necessary to have a standard cube volume, then answer the question
How many will fit inside that cube ? Same principle, but attacking it
from the other side of the equation.

This isn't the most ideal path, but it gets us closer to the desired result.

Nita Rae
 Author: Brick.Door View Messages Posted By Brick.Door
 Posted: Apr 7, 2021 15:22
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
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Brick.Door (7497)

Location:  USA, New York
Member Since Contact Type Status
Sep 24, 2010 Contact Member Seller
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
Store: Brick Door
In Catalog, Admin_Russell writes:
  
You can test it by putting things in a cart and trying to go through checkout.
I personally tested it quite a bit when Instant Checkout was released, and it
works very well. You will need to make sure you have accurate dimensions for
the parts in your store, and you will need to make small adjustments to the process
at first.


When I put items in my cart and then go to checkout to test it I get the message

"Unable to buy from yourself
BrickLink does not allow sellers to buy from themselves."

It doesn't show me any shipping options.
Were you able to override this or did you test it using two separate accounts?
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Apr 7, 2021 15:46
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
 Viewed: 103 times
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Admin_Russell

Location:  USA, California
Member Since Contact Type Status
May 9, 2017 Contact Member Admin
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
BrickLink Administrator
In Catalog, Brick.Door writes:
  In Catalog, Admin_Russell writes:
  
You can test it by putting things in a cart and trying to go through checkout.
I personally tested it quite a bit when Instant Checkout was released, and it
works very well. You will need to make sure you have accurate dimensions for
the parts in your store, and you will need to make small adjustments to the process
at first.


When I put items in my cart and then go to checkout to test it I get the message

"Unable to buy from yourself
BrickLink does not allow sellers to buy from themselves."

It doesn't show me any shipping options.
Were you able to override this or did you test it using two separate accounts?

I tested with with another account. Feel free to open another account if you
want to test for Instant Checkout.
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Apr 8, 2021 18:06
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
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 Topic: Catalog
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Admin_Russell

Location:  USA, California
Member Since Contact Type Status
May 9, 2017 Contact Member Admin
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BrickLink Administrator
In Catalog, Admin_Russell writes:
  We are pleased to announce that a major new feature was deployed to the catalog
today - Packing Dimensions!


Just updated Minifigures and Books. Catalogs and Gear are next.

https://www.bricklink.com/help.asp?helpID=2510
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Apr 13, 2021 03:12
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
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 Topic: Catalog
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Admin_Russell

Location:  USA, California
Member Since Contact Type Status
May 9, 2017 Contact Member Admin
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
BrickLink Administrator
In Catalog, Admin_Russell writes:
  In Catalog, Admin_Russell writes:
  We are pleased to announce that a major new feature was deployed to the catalog
today - Packing Dimensions!


Just updated Minifigures and Books. Catalogs and Gear are next.

https://www.bricklink.com/help.asp?helpID=2510

The General Help Page for Dimensions is now finished. We will likely improve
some of the images over the next few weeks.

There is a also new page for advanced users that is now under construction. This
will explain the nuts and bolts behind the IC system and discuss a bit where
we are headed with dimensions in the next two phases.

https://www.bricklink.com/help.asp?helpID=2512

The issue I am seeing the most with dimensions submissions is that folks are
submitting Stud Dimensions for parts instead of Packing Dimensions. The little
? link will be working soon for the Packing Dimensions and that will probably
help, but in general we want people to focus on the Packing Dimensions.

Please also be sure you set the Packing Type to Volume Bound for larger parts.
 Author: Brick.Door View Messages Posted By Brick.Door
 Posted: Apr 13, 2021 14:36
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
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 Topic: Catalog
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Brick.Door (7497)

Location:  USA, New York
Member Since Contact Type Status
Sep 24, 2010 Contact Member Seller
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Store: Brick Door
Just curious why are the packing dimensions for minifigures is defined based
on them being assembled. Is that the recommended way to ship? I think sending
the pieces is much more common. Will it be the same for special assemblies?
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: Apr 27, 2021 00:57
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
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 Topic: Catalog
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Admin_Russell

Location:  USA, California
Member Since Contact Type Status
May 9, 2017 Contact Member Admin
Buying Privileges - OKSelling Privileges - OK
BrickLink Administrator
In Catalog, Admin_Russell writes:
  We are pleased to announce that a major new feature was deployed to the catalog
today - Packing Dimensions!

Today the last bug was fixed for the new Packing Dimensions Project, Phase 1.
Contributors may now use the question mark link on the catalog detail page to
quickly and easily submit a missing Packaging Dimension (see Image 1).
 
Part No: 271pb05  Name: HO Scale, Accessory Policeman One Hand Left
* 
271pb05 HO Scale, Accessory Policeman One Hand Left
Parts: HO 1:87 Vehicles
If the question mark isn't working as a link, it's not a bug - just go
to your Catalog Settings page and check the box (see Image 2):

Show Links to Add Weight and Dimensions

...and be sure to save your settings.

A full 7 months before the April 6 release of this feature, on Sep 6 of last
year I opened a new Forum Topic called Packing Dimensions X, to make it easier
to handle the large backlog of requests that had built up earlier in the year.

When I opened the topic, I actually asked people NOT to contribute except when
necessary:

https://www.bricklink.com/message.asp?ID=1220218

As a matter of consideration, please don't add dimensions for parts with
every side under 20mm.


And then on Oct 6, I asked for the following:

https://www.bricklink.com/message.asp?ID=1225859

...until we get a tool that goes through the normal approval channels (which
is coming in the next few weeks), please do not submit measurements for an entire
set of [300] decorated parts...


However, now that the tool is ready to use, I would like to officially remove
all restrictions from submitting Packing Dimensions. We are planning to open
up some other forms and give you some handy filters to find missing dimensions
- this will be in Phases 2 and 3. But for now, the paved road is finally open,
so drive on through!

I'd also like to include a little chart showing the effect of releasing this
tool (see Image 3). And we still have 4 more days to go in April.
 




 Author: axaday View Messages Posted By axaday
 Posted: Apr 27, 2021 10:03
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
 Viewed: 43 times
 Topic: Catalog
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axaday (7301)

Location:  USA, Oklahoma
Member Since Contact Type Status
Jun 28, 2005 Contact Member Seller
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Store Closed Store: Axaday
In Catalog, Admin_Russell writes:
  In Catalog, Admin_Russell writes:
  We are pleased to announce that a major new feature was deployed to the catalog
today - Packing Dimensions!

Today the last bug was fixed for the new Packing Dimensions Project, Phase 1.
Contributors may now use the question mark link on the catalog detail page to
quickly and easily submit a missing Packaging Dimension (see Image 1).
 
Part No: 271pb05  Name: HO Scale, Accessory Policeman One Hand Left
* 
271pb05 HO Scale, Accessory Policeman One Hand Left
Parts: HO 1:87 Vehicles
If the question mark isn't working as a link, it's not a bug - just go
to your Catalog Settings page and check the box (see Image 2):

Show Links to Add Weight and Dimensions

...and be sure to save your settings.

A full 7 months before the April 6 release of this feature, on Sep 6 of last
year I opened a new Forum Topic called Packing Dimensions X, to make it easier
to handle the large backlog of requests that had built up earlier in the year.

When I opened the topic, I actually asked people NOT to contribute except when
necessary:

https://www.bricklink.com/message.asp?ID=1220218

As a matter of consideration, please don't add dimensions for parts with
every side under 20mm.


And then on Oct 6, I asked for the following:

https://www.bricklink.com/message.asp?ID=1225859

...until we get a tool that goes through the normal approval channels (which
is coming in the next few weeks), please do not submit measurements for an entire
set of [300] decorated parts...


However, now that the tool is ready to use, I would like to officially remove
all restrictions from submitting Packing Dimensions. We are planning to open
up some other forms and give you some handy filters to find missing dimensions
- this will be in Phases 2 and 3. But for now, the paved road is finally open,
so drive on through!

I'd also like to include a little chart showing the effect of releasing this
tool (see Image 3). And we still have 4 more days to go in April.

I saw the blue ? before I saw the forum post. That should speed things up.
 Author: randyf View Messages Posted By randyf
 Posted: Apr 27, 2021 11:39
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
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 Topic: Catalog
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randyf (442)

Location:  USA, Ohio
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Store Closed Store: The Bricking Spectre
BrickLink Catalog Administrator (?)
In Catalog, Admin_Russell writes:

  I'd also like to include a little chart showing the effect of releasing this
tool (see Image 3). And we still have 4 more days to go in April.


That graph shows everything. The tool was needed, and it was needed long before
Instant Checkout should have ever gone live. Better late than never, but the
new tool is obviously a success and will help fill in the data for IC quickly.
 Author: axaday View Messages Posted By axaday
 Posted: Apr 27, 2021 11:41
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
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axaday (7301)

Location:  USA, Oklahoma
Member Since Contact Type Status
Jun 28, 2005 Contact Member Seller
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Store Closed Store: Axaday
In Catalog, randyf writes:
  In Catalog, Admin_Russell writes:

  I'd also like to include a little chart showing the effect of releasing this
tool (see Image 3). And we still have 4 more days to go in April.


That graph shows everything. The tool was needed, and it was needed long before
Instant Checkout should have ever gone live. Better late than never, but the
new tool is obviously a success and will help fill in the data for IC quickly.

The tool depicted in that graph was me.
 Author: qwertyboy View Messages Posted By qwertyboy
 Posted: Apr 27, 2021 11:45
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
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 Topic: Catalog
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qwertyboy (7844)

Location:  Canada, Alberta
Member Since Contact Type Status
Apr 9, 2013 Contact Member Seller
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Store: Maple Bricks
In Catalog, axaday writes:
  In Catalog, randyf writes:
  That graph shows everything. The tool was needed, and it was needed long before
Instant Checkout should have ever gone live. Better late than never, but the
new tool is obviously a success and will help fill in the data for IC quickly.

The tool depicted in that graph was me.

Obviously a pretty sharp tool.

Niek.
 Author: axaday View Messages Posted By axaday
 Posted: May 3, 2021 13:07
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
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 Topic: Catalog
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axaday (7301)

Location:  USA, Oklahoma
Member Since Contact Type Status
Jun 28, 2005 Contact Member Seller
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Store Closed Store: Axaday
In Catalog, qwertyboy writes:
  In Catalog, axaday writes:
  In Catalog, randyf writes:
  That graph shows everything. The tool was needed, and it was needed long before
Instant Checkout should have ever gone live. Better late than never, but the
new tool is obviously a success and will help fill in the data for IC quickly.

The tool depicted in that graph was me.

Obviously a pretty sharp tool.

Niek.

Mileage will vary
 Author: tec View Messages Posted By tec
 Posted: Apr 29, 2021 04:51
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
 Viewed: 38 times
 Topic: Catalog
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tec (61)

Location:  Italy, Marche
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Dec 30, 2020 Contact Member Buyer
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I bet #Axaday made a stunning 2000 of those 2100 inputs.
I advance his name for a "Dimensions Savant" post.
 Author: Admin_Russell View Messages Posted By Admin_Russell
 Posted: May 2, 2021 23:04
 Subject: Re: New Packing Dimensions Feature
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 Topic: Catalog
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Admin_Russell

Location:  USA, California
Member Since Contact Type Status
May 9, 2017 Contact Member Admin
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BrickLink Administrator
In Catalog, Admin_Russell writes:

  I'd also like to include a little chart showing the effect of releasing this
tool (see Image 3). And we still have 4 more days to go in April.

Here is the chart with the final April numbers, in addition to all the data from
the last 3 years. There is about 6 months of data from right after Instant Checkout
was released that is not included here, but we'll have that with a future
update. It will not be much different than what's shown in the first part
of the graph.

In May of last year, we experienced a surge of requests from the community which
resulted in an overload of the manual process. We had been planning to add Packing
Dimensions to the standard catalog change forms from the beginning, as can be
seen from a footnote to the original Forum article on Packing Dimensions in October
2017:

2) integration of the System Packaging Dimensions field into catalog submission
forms


But it was really the gentle push from the community that put this project on
the priority list.