Create rigid sketched route segments

In a rigid route, dynamic updates of auto routes may not be appropriate in some regions. To apply geometric constraints and dimension constraints, use a variety of sketched routing commands to manually define route points and segments.

When creating sketched route segments, you can switch normal sketched dimensions and driven dimensions using the Auto-Dimension option on the context menu. Route geometry in driven dimensions can be dynamically edited later.

The following procedure illustrates a possible workflow of manually creating sketched route segments.

1. Activate the route environment.
2. On the ribbon, click Route tab Create panel Route .
3. Optionally, if you are starting a new route, define the start route point using any of the following ways:
   • To select geometry, click a valid geometry, such as a circular edge or a work point. Be sure the axis is pointing in the needed direction when you make your selection.
   • To select a point that is offset from the highlighted edge, click anywhere along the axis.
   • To define a point that is offset by a precise distance, while the cursor is paused above the axis line, right-click, and then select Enter Distance. Enter a value in the Enter Distance dialog box.
4. Optionally, to cancel creating driven dimensions for forward route sketch, right-click and clear the Auto-Dimension check box.
5. To change the axis orientation of the 3D Orthogonal Route tool, do any of the following:
   • For piping route, click the 45-degree angle arrow.
   • For piping route, right-click and select Custom Bend to define a bend.
   • Right-click the appropriate axis and select Parallel With Edge or Perpendicular To Face. Constrain the axis to geometry on parts within the assembly.
   • Right-click and select Rotation Snap. Set the rotation orientation snapped from the appropriate geometry.
   Note: When Parallel With Edge and Perpendicular To Face commands are applied to reorient the axis, it may request an irregular angle (neither 45 degree nor 90 degree) at the preceding route point. A custom bend will be created so radius arrow and rotation arrow are available on the 3D Orthogonal Route tool.
6. Optionally, define the custom bend in piping route or normal bend in tubing route:
   • To set the orientation angle, click and drag the rotation arrow, or right-click the rotation arrow and select Enter Angle.
   • To set the bend radius, double-click the radius arrow and enter a value, or right-click the radius arrow and select Enter Radius.
7. To set the next route point, do any of the following:
   • Move the cursor over the axis of the 3D Orthogonal Route tool, set the route point using the tooltip or the Enter Distance command on the context menu. You can also pause the cursor over the axis and directly type a dimension value.
   • Right-click and select Point Snap. Set the route point snapped from the appropriate geometry. The Point Snap command is typically applied together with the Rotation Snap command.

   As you pause the cursor over the axis, invalid point selections (selections not within the set minimum/maximum segment length region) are displayed as an "x". Valid selections are displayed as a green dot. Selections that meet the minimum length requirement, but are too short for an additional fitting or bend are represented as a blue dot.

8. To adjust the segment you just created, do any of the following:
   • On the ribbon, use Route tab Constrain panel Dimension to edit the segment dimension, bend radius, and the preceding included angle.
   • Use Route tab Create panel Include Geometry to introduce the needed reference geometry. Place geometric constraints or angular dimensions between the route segment and reference geometry.
     Note: To set an angular dimension against the included reference geometry, it must be coplanar with the route segment involved.
   • On the ribbon, use Route tab Create panel Bends to set the custom bend at the shared route point between the adjacent route segments.
   • Optionally, to position the segment accurately in the spatial coordinate system, right-click the preceding sketched route point and select Draw Construction Line. Create a construction line, and optionally place geometric constraints to fix the construction line. You can then place angular dimensions between the construction line and the adjacent segment.
9. If the 3D Orthogonal Route tool is not displayed, activate the tool using any of the following ways:
   • On the ribbon, use Route tab Create panel Route , and then click the last route point you just created.
   • In the Model browser or graphics window, click the last route point, and then click Route tab Create panel Route .
   • In the Model browser or graphics window, right-click the last route point, and then select Route.
10. Continue picking route points:
    • To create more sketched route segments, repeat Step 4 - Step 8.
    • To create auto route region, select a valid geometry. The new auto route region starts from the current route point and terminates on the appropriate geometry.
11. To complete adding route points, right-click and select Done.
12. To complete the route, right-click and select Finish Edit.

    A finished route can be populated or fittings dropped onto it as an initial fitting for another route.

Show Me how to create a sketched tubing or piping route manually