From traditional routing to parametric routing

Compared with the traditional auto routing features in Autodesk Inventor Professional 10 or earlier, the new sketched routing functionality in the current version provides many innovative tools. When used in combination with auto routing, these tools provide flexible control over route sketches.

If you are upgrading from Autodesk Inventor Professional 10 or earlier versions to the current version, it is helpful to have a clear understanding of the enhanced route creation workflow. For detailed information, see Create rigid piping and bent tubing routes.

Note: Sketched routing only applies to rigid routes so hose routes remain the same.

Model browser

The Model browser for rigid routes is enhanced. Bent tubing routes have enhanced behaviors that are similar to rigid piping routes.

Notice the changes to the route level between versions:

• Origin folder node, 3D Sketch node, and End of Part node are removed.

  To enter into the underlying 3D sketch edit environment, activate the route so 3D Sketch commands are enabled.

• Included Geometry node is added along with the contained reference geometry.
• To represent an auto route region, the Autoroute node is added with the indented route points.
• To represent sketched route points that were manually defined, the Route Point node is added to replace the Work Point node.

Route points and segments

Rigid route points that were automatically calculated are migrated to an auto route region with indented route points. During migration no 3D sketch constraints or dimensions are applied to intermediate route segments. Enhancements on auto route regions include:

• If multiple auto route solutions exist, you can switch to a new solution in later edits.
• The migrated auto route region can be converted to a series of sketched route segments so that more appropriate edit options are available.

Rigid route points that were manually inserted and picked up from assembly geometry, are migrated to sketched route points. During migration 3D sketch constraints are applied to the involved route points and segments if they exist. Use the Show Constraints command to verify them.

• Terminal route points were typically derived from underlying geometry such as a vertex and circular edge. Once migrated, a 3D sketch coincident constraint is applied between the terminal route point and the parent geometry.
• When continuous route segments are perpendicular, a perpendicular constraint is applied to the involved segments.
• When one segment is parallel to the preceding segment, a parallel constraint is applied to the involved segments.
• All linear route segments, as well as the included 45-degree and 135-degree angles, are dimensioned as if you have applied the General Dimension command.

For migrated derived routes, the browser remains the same except that the Origin, 3D Sketch, End of Part nodes are removed. Once the link is broken between the derived route and the base sketch, the derived route becomes a series of sketched route segments.