Scaling Branches and Protections

You can scale branches and protections of the scaled branches, and edit their flattened length to fit the electrical geometry onto the board.

  1. From the Formboard section of the action bar, click Prepare Layout.
    The context toolbar appears with the Undo, selection mode and Electrical Manufacturing Preparation commands.
  2. Select a branch.
  3. On the context toolbar, click Local mode and then Scale .
  4. Click the branch again.

    An arrow and a ruler appear.



  5. To scale the branch, do one of the following:
    • Drag the arrow to scale up or down the flattened length.
    • Click the value, enter a precise length, and then press Enter.
  6. Click the work area background to validate.
    The branch is scaled along with the protections on it.
  7. Select the protection on the scaled branch.
    An arrow and a ruler appear to the nearest end.
  8. To scale the protection on the scaled branch, do one of the following:
    • Drag the arrow to scale up or down the flattened length.
    • Click the value, enter a precise length, and then press Enter.

    Notes:
    • Protection can be scaled from both of its ends.
    • To maintain the structure of the design, if the protection is passing through the support for example,
      • It can be scaled down till the support
      • It can be scaled up till branch end
    Scaled Data

    Scaling Protection

    Protection cannot be scaled beyond the branch end

    Protection cannot be scaled beyond the support

  9. To work with design length again, click the branch or the protection, and then the true length.
    The true design length is restored.
  10. Click Prepare Layout again to exit the command.
    The relative positions of supports and protective coverings are maintained when working with scaled branches.
    Warning: When scaling branches, supports must be repositioned. To scale down a length may result in an error if the route is no longer long enough to accommodate supports.
    Important:
    • You can apply scale only on a straight branch, but it cannot be applied on a segment.
    • When scaling branches in a closed geometry loop, the loop is automatically opened at the free end of the selected segment and a green line is created to indicate that a link exists.
    • Multi-profile branches: To avoid twisted and impossible configurations, the local V-axis of the profile sketch is kept aligned with the normal direction of the active plane.
    • Mechanical parts: A dashed green line visualizes the link between the segment and mechanical part. Use the Robot to reposition the part properly.
    • To roll a scaled branch, restore the design length by straightening it first.
    • In flattened content, the electrical dimensions applied on a scaled branch show a value corresponding to the design length (true length) of the branch, and not the flattened length.