Is there a good way to know the cost of a configuration based on geometry and material? Here's an example: a piece of sheet metal and make it 3/16" thick and 304 Stainless Steel. How can I input prices from my suppliers for the the material so that if I were to change to 1/8" sheet, my part price will update accordingly? I would then know the price savings for using lighter material instantly. To add to the complexity of the problem I have some materials that a priced by linear foot, some by weight, and other's by square ft.

To my knowledge there is no way in SW that I can define an item as "tubing" and it uses a \$/ft, "sheet" and it would use \$/ft^2, and "other" as \$/lb. Any ideas?