Show HN: Seatplan.io – To-scale event seating planner with collision detection

1 points by Sharanxxxx a month ago · 1 comment · 2 min read

Hi HN, I’m the creator of SeatPlan.

I built this because I found that most people planning events are still stuck between two extremes: using a generic tool like Canva (which lacks scale and guest-list logic) or heavy CAD software (which is overkill and hard to share).

I wanted to build a 'spatial spreadsheet' for events. The goal was to combine a to-scale coordinate system with a guest management database.

Some technical details for those interested:

To-Scale Engine: Everything is drawn based on real-world dimensions (feet/meters) to ensure that if it fits on the screen, it actually fits in the ballroom.

Collision Logic: I implemented basic collision detection so users don't accidentally overlap tables or place furniture outside the room boundaries.

Collaborative State: It uses [mention tech, e.g., WebSockets or Yjs] to allow real-time guest shuffling between a planner and a client without the client needing an account.

PWA: It’s optimized for tablets so it can be used on-site at a venue with low connectivity.

The pricing is a flat monthly fee because I personally hate per-event or per-seat billing in this industry.

I’m looking for feedback on the UX—specifically, how the table/guest assignment feels. Is the 'snap-to' logic too aggressive, or does it help?

I'll be here to answer any questions about the canvas implementation or the guest-import logic!