Calculation Descriptions

The Performance Seating application includes four options to calculate the quantity of each size of chair for each row, in addition to whether the quantity of chairs in a row are even or odd.  These options include:

• Even Distribution - an attempt to provide an even distribution of each seat size
• Maximum Seats - an attempt to maximize the quantity of seats, regardless of size
• Maximum Seat Size - an attempt to use more larger seats in a row
• Minimum Remaining Length - an attempt to minimize the distance between the last seat and the end of a Row Reference line

Even Distribution

The Even Distribution calculation attempts to provide an equal number of each size of seat.  While it performs this calculation per row, the average is better considered for the venue as a whole rather than expecting this result on each row.  The Even Distribution calculation tends to result in more larger seats than smaller (which is generally desired anyway!), although the algorithms will continue to be refined.

Maximum Seats

The Maximum Seats calculation attempts to maximize the quantity of seats by tending to use more smaller seats in a row.  Larger seats will be used to fill out rows as possible, but this option will typically result in the most possible seats in a venue.

Maximum Seat Size

The Maximum Seat Size calculation starts with large seats, then fills in with smaller as necessary.  While the result is typically larger seats throughout, the alignment at ends of rows tends to be less consistent.

Minimum Remaining Length

The Minimum Remaining Length calculation factors all possible calculations and uses the one that results in a seat that is closest to the end of a Row Reference line.  This calculation will typically provide the most consistent row end alignment.

A NOTE ABOUT CALCULATION ALGORITHMS

While there is an attempt to achieve each calculation goal, there are many other factors that play into a layout beyond the application choosing specific seat sizes.  First and foremost, regardless of the specific calculation, the goal is to fit a certain number of seats, whether odd or even, between the endpoints of a row, attempting to align the seats as close to the end of a row as possible.  With this goal in mind, the calculations attempt to adjust the seat sizes to meet the set goals.  This may not always work for each row - a row that maximizes seat sizes may be able to achieve a better stagger with seats one size smaller.  A row may be too short to get a series of small seats in place, so the row results in a series of large seats.  The Even Distribution calculation is probably the least consistent depending on row lengths, as it will always try to fill the row as much as possible, which can tend to result in more seats of the same size.