About Routing through Curves

You need to know the specific particularities of the curve before selecting it as a routing element.

• If the branch is a flat cable, the curve cannot be routed inside.
• The Build Modes, compatible with curves routed inside, are the Slack , Length or Bend Build Modes (can be modified in the Branch Definition dialog box). If you select Cornered Polyline and Straight Bend, a message appears stating that the selection of these options is not possible.
• After branch routing through a curve, you can create multi-profiles within the curve. See Creating Multi-Profile Branches.
• Internal segment split is not allowed inside a routed curve: you cannot create branch points via this command and existing branch points cannot be selected. However, you can insert a branch point inside a curve via the Segment Definition command. See Managing Branch Points.

To route the branches along external curves, you should understand the distinct characteristics and behavior of the external curves.

• Valid external curves are curves of the following types: splines, lines, helices, spirals, splits, joins, projections, intersections, corners and connect curves.
• The branch geometry is created using the selected curve as the center curve.
• You can add branch points anywhere along the curve.
• Only Diameter and Section parameters are available. Since the branch center curve is a predefined curve, Bend radius and Build mode parameters are no longer pertinent and are therefore unavailable.
• Route Definition is unavailable: you cannot modify an external curve route. To modify the branch shape, you must edit the external curve itself.
• Since the branch is built on an external curve, you cannot add definition points, vectors, or devices to the spine definition.
• One branch is created for each external curve. You cannot select more than one external curve at a time for each branch, but you can use joins and other types of curves to combine several curves.
• Electrical connections are automatically created if the ends of the external curve correspond to the ends of the branch. They are only created in the Branch Definition command. If the ends of the external curve are modified, no electrical connection update is done.
• The branch length is the length of the external curve.