About the Fixed Behavior of Branch Points

Setting a Fixed behavior on branch points ensures that secondary branches are not impacted by the manipulations performed on the route of a primary branch.

Important: The Fixed behavior is only available when working in the Cornered Polyline build mode.

This page discusses:

See Also
About Branch Points Types
Creating Standard Branch Points
Creating Proxy Branch Points

Fundamentals

Editing the route of a primary branch can modify the shape of the branch's curve. As a consequence:

  • The position of branch points defined on the curve are updated according to the new shape of the branch.
  • The updated position of the branch points modifies the shape of the secondary branches connected to the branch points.

Adding a Fixed behavior to a branch point allows to prevent the absolute position (xyz coordinates) of the branch point from being modified even if the route of a primary branch is edited.

Even if the primary branch is modified, the parameters of the branch point are updated to ensure that the branch point keeps its absolute position on the branch's curve.

As a consequence, the secondary branches connected to branch points with a Fixed behavior are not impacted by the modifications made on the primary branch. They keep their position and their shape.

Example

In the following example, a branch point is positioned on a branch curve with a 0.162 ratio. Two branches from a secondary network are connected to the branch point.

If the branch's route is modified (in this example, the reference point of the branch point is moved), the update of the branch point depends on its behavior:

Branch Point Update without Fixed behavior Branch Point Update with Fixed behavior

  • The ratio is kept (0.162) and the absolute position of the branch point on the curve is modified accordingly.
  • The shape and position of the secondary branches are impacted to keep the connection with the branch point.

  • The ratio is updated (0.334) to keep the same absolute position of the branch point on the curve.
  • The shape and position of the secondary branches are not impacted.

Behavior Setting

Setting a Fixed behavior on new and existing branch points is available from the context toolbar dedicated to the edition of branch points:

  • Clicking allows to define a Fixed behavior on the branch point.
  • Clicking allows to remove the Fixed behavior.

The same icons appear in the 3D area to indicate if a branch point has a Fixed behavior or not.

Moreover, an option allows to specify a Fixed behavior by default on every new branch point.

The Create branch points with fixed behavior by default option is available in Me > Preferences > All Preferences > 3D Modeling > Electrical and Electronic Systems > Electrical 3D Design > Branch.

Eligible Branch Points

A Fixed behavior can only be defined on standard branch points and on proxy branch points.

Special Case: Disconnection of Branches

By definition, a branch point is always positioned on the curve of a branch.

In some cases, after the edition of a branch's route, the absolute position of a branch point with a Fixed behavior cannot be kept (see example below).

As a consequence, the connection between the secondary branches and the primary branch is removed to ensure that the secondary network keeps its shape.

Example

Before Modification of the Primary Branch After Modification of the Primary Branch

In the above example, the branch point's reference point is moved. This manipulation modifies the shape of the curve and the initial absolute position of the branch point is not on the curve anymore. To keep the branch point positioned on the curve, the branch point's coordinates are updated.

To ensure that the shape of the secondary branches are not impacted:

  • The secondary branches are disconnected from the primary branch.
  • A route point is created and added to the route of the secondary branches. This new route point has the same coordinates as the branch point before the manipulation.
Important: An update of the secondary branches is necessary after the disconnection.

Management of the Branch Points After the Disconnection

The Modified Fixed Branch Points panel allows to manage the impacts following the disconnection of the primary and secondary branches.

In the panel:

  • Under Branch, modified primary branches are listed.
  • Under Branch Point, branch points impacted by the modification of primary branches are listed.
  • Under Disconnected Branch, secondary branches that are disconnected from the primary branches are listed.

You can manage the impacts globally or individually:

  • Click to keep the Fixed behavior on a branch point.
  • Click to remove the Fixed behavior from a branch point.
  • Click to remove a branch point from a primary branch.
Tip: These options are also available in a context toolbar that appears when you click a branch point in the 3D area.