Creating Branches in the Context of your Geometry

You can use your geometric context as a constraint to route branches. Thanks to the Context-based Routing Assistant, you can easily define in which direction a branch is routed and position passing points taking into account the surrounding geometry.

This scenario describes how to use the assistant to add a passing point to a branch route. The scenario is identical when you move or replace a passing point.

Before you begin:
  • Activate an electrical branch geometry, and then select a branch in the work area.
  • From the Branch section of the action bar, click Immersive Branch Definition .

    The Auto Routing Mode is activated and yellow bullets appear on route elements.

See Also
About the Context-based Routing Assistant
  1. In the 3D area, select a route element.
    • The Manual Routing Mode is activated.
    • The Robot is snapped to the selected element.


  2. Optional: Edit the default orientation of the Robot.

    For more information, see About the Robot Orientation.

  3. From the Branch Properties panel, hover over the Context-based Routing Assistant icon , and then select one of Robot's axis:
    OptionDescription
    Sets the U axis as the preferred routing direction.
    Sets the V axis as the preferred routing direction.
    Sets the W axis as the preferred routing direction.
    In our example, the orientation of the Robot is edited and the V axis is selected as the preferred routing direction.

  4. Hover over a geometric element.

    In our example, a planar surface is hovered.

    A blue bullet displays the intersection between the axis vector and the plane.

  5. Click the geometric element.
    The passing point is created at the intersection.

  6. Optional: Define an offset using the distance editor.

    Important:
    • The last defined offset is always kept in your preferences and is applied to the following passing point your create or edit.
    • There is no link between the passing point and the geometric element. Therefore, if the geometric element is moved, the offset remains the same and the passing point is not moved accordingly.

  7. To validate your manipulations, click in the 3D area or press Enter.

The new passing point is added to the branch route. You are now able to continue your branch design by selecting other geometric elements as constraints.