About Creating a Branch from and to an Existing Route

When you create a branch from or to an existing route, three modes are available in the Branch panel:

Rigid: modifies the main route by creating a port on this route. The port contains the following parameters: curved linear position on the route, offset, orientation angle, and branch angle.
Flexible: creates a point on the contextual design of the main route without modifying it. The point has only the curved linear position parameter.
Curved: creates two points on the contextual design of the main route without modifying it. The points have only the curved linear position parameter.

Rigid Branch Mode

If you have selected the Rigid branch mode, the following options are available:


Option	Description
Name	Displays the name of the created branch port.
Offset	Defines the distance at which the branch port is created from the main route curve.
Branch Rule	Activate : Uses the Branch Rule table to place a part during the branch creation. If several branch rules or parts can be selected, then the Table Browser appears to let you choose a branch rule or a part. Deactivate : lets you create a branch route without placing a part.
Context Selection	Port : orients the branch in the direction of the nearest port of the selected object. Geometry: orients the branch according to the direction of the selected part, line, or plane.
Inverse Direction	Reverses the direction of the branch you are creating.
Snap Step	Specifies the graduation value displayed on the ruler.
Orient Mode	Global: orients the white dashed lines of the branch according to the local axis of the selected object. Local: orients the white dashed lines of the branch according to the global axis of the selected object.

For rectangular shapes, there are three additional options:


Option	Description
Lateral Offset	Lets you choose between four behaviors to create a branch. Center to Center: lets you align the center of the main route (1) with the center of the branch route (4). Center to Skin: lets you align the skin of the main route (1) with the center of the branch route (3). Skin to Skin: lets you align the skin of the main route (2) with the skin of the branch route (3). Skin to Center: lets you align the center of the main route (2) with the skin of the branch route (4).
Offset Value	Lets you enter an offset value.
Reverse Lateral Offset	Translates the lateral branch to the opposite side of the main duct.

If you have selected the Flexible branch mode, the following options are available:


Option	Description
Context Selection	Port : orients the branch in the direction of the nearest port of the selected object. Geometry: orients the branch according to the direction of the selected part, line, or plane.
Inverse Direction	Reverses the direction of the branch you are creating.
Snap Step	Specifies the graduation value displayed on the ruler.
Orient Mode	Global: orients the white dashed lines of the branch according to the global axis of the selected object. Local: orients the white dashed lines of the branch according to the local axis of the selected object.

If you have selected the Curved branch mode, the following options are available:


Option	Description
Straight Distance	Specifies the distance between the two nodes created on the centerline.
Reverse Direction	Reverse Direction: inverses the alignment of the curved branch you are creating.
Context Selection	Port : orients the branch in the direction of the nearest port of the selected object. Geometry: orients the branch according to the direction of the selected part, line, or plane.
Inverse Direction	Inverses the alignment of the curved branch you are creating.
Snap Step	Specifies the graduation value displayed on the ruler.
Orient Mode	Global: orients the white dashed lines of the branch according to the global axis of the selected object. Local: orients the white dashed lines of the branch according to the local axis of the selected object.