About Branch and Segment Properties

Branch properties such as name, build mode and PRM resource can be defined in the Branch tab for the selected branch.

• In the Branch Name box, enter a new branch name if needed.
• In the Build Mode drop-down combo box, select a build mode (Length, Constraint Length, Slack) allowed for selected branch.

Branch properties such as profile type, dimensions and section area can be defined in the Branch tab for selected branch.

• Depending on the chosen profile types, the following combo boxes differ.
  • Width or Height dimensions for the rectangle.
  Note: Changes in profile and profile parameters of the branch lead to the changes of all the segments' profile.
• Section Area: Enter the section value. The dimensions (above) are computed automatically and the section of the branch is updated in the work area.

Branch properties such as Slack, Length and Bend Radius can be defined in the Branch tab for selected branch.

• Slack: you can edit the combo box.
• Length: you can edit the length value if the branch is in Length mode.
• Bend Radius, Bend Radius Ratio, Computed Bend Radius: you can switch between these modes by clicking the graphical handle that allows toggling on and off the bend radius ratio, and edit the values.
• Computed Bend Radius: The computed bend radius is displayed with the two different colors of font. If it is above the desired value of the bend radius, the text color is black otherwise it is red.

Segment properties such as name, flexibility and color can be defined in the Segment tab for the selected branch.

• In the Segment Name box, enter a new segment name if needed.
• Flexibility: If the branch is built with the FLEX algorithm, the flexibility of each segment can be controlled from 1 (pure copper) to 5 (pure PVC) using this slider. The slider allows to modify approximatively the flexibility of a branch that is mainly made of PVC or copper.
• Color: the color of segment can be changed by clicking the color box. A pop up color pallet appears in which you can select different colors. Click anywhere other than the color pallet to confirm the new color.

Segment properties such as profile type, dimensions and section area can be defined in the Segment tab for selected branch.

• Profile type: the user can choose any profile by clicking the corresponding buttons: Circle, Ellipse or Rectangle.
• Depending on the chosen profile types, the following combo boxes differ.
  • Diameter and Section Area for the circle.
  • Minor and Major dimensions for the ellipse.
  • Width or Height dimensions for the rectangle.
  Notes:

  • The Profile parameter is the property of the segment and not the branch. If you want to have the same profile with the same profile parameters on all segments then you can do it with the Branch tab. So if the user changes the profile or profile parameters in the Branch tab, then the same modification is applied for all the segments of the branch. Changes in profile and profile parameters of the branch lead to the changes of all the segments' profile.
  • The Branch tab shows the profile dimensional parameters only when all the segments have the same Profile type with same profile dimensions. If any of the segments differ in this criteria, the Branch tab does not show any of the Profile parameters (i.e. Diameter, Width, Height, Major, Minor). However the Profile type buttons are visible but none of them are in check state, their icon has no border frame. The user can choose to select any of the profiles so that it can be applied on all the segments at the same time. Once he does this, the Profile parameters are visible in the Segments' tab.

Segment properties such as extremities can be defined in the Segment tab for the selected branch.

• Start Point / End Point: Each segment extremity has a representation (branch point symbol) at each extremity in the work area. On hovering over this symbol in the Start Point / End Point box, the name of the branch point is displayed in a tooltip at the branches' junction in the work area.
• Start point ratio / End point ratio: The ratio of branch point related to the segment extremity can be modified using the spin box for the same. If it is not a branch point, then the spinner is disabled.