2010

■ Identify the circular geometry (or work points) that are used as the start
and endpoints.
■ Analyze where directional change points are needed to route through or
around existing geometry.
■ Create in-line work features, such as a work point at the intersection of
work planes, to guide the route path.
■ Place constraints or dimensions to sketched segments.
■ Convert auto regions to parametric regions so that you can make more
edits.
You can define your routes as close to the appropriate results as possible, and
then adjust them later, or you can develop them using precise distances and
dimensions as you go. To speed creation and plan for dynamic editing and
updating, allow the system to automatically create route points whenever
geometric constraints are not important. Define route points manually where
it is critical for a route to navigate through a particular direction and constrain
to existing geometry.
If using in-line work features, consider simplifying the route display by
selecting the Auto-hide in-line features option on the Tools tab ➤ Options
panel ➤ Application Options ➤ Part tab. In-line work features are hidden
as soon as they are consumed by a feature. The auto-hide option is enabled
by default.
Bend Tools
Use bent tubing and flexible hosing styles to create curved routes conforming
to the minimum bend radius. Typically, use the following tools to manually
create bends in the rigid route:
■ Custom Bend tool on the right-click context menu when the 3D
Orthogonal Route tool is active. It is applicable when creating a pipe route.
■ Bend tool on the Route tab. It is applicable when editing parametric regions
in a finished route.
32 | Chapter 2 Route Basics