General

Route points are created between the selected model geometry when an auto route region is generated or when route segments are manually sketched. They can be created on existing geometry or in 3D space using interactive methods or precise input. Route points are 3D sketch points in nature so work points that are created prior to route creation can be picked up using the Route command.

Once a route is populated, each route point is typically associated to a fitting unless it is a free endpoint in rigid routes or control route points in hose routes. If a hose style does not define a start fitting or end fitting , the appropriate terminal route point is naked without a fitting.

When a fitting is inserted onto a route segment, an underlying route point is automatically created. This shared route point is a sketched route point in nature. It splits the route segment into two segments.

How are route points represented during selection?

Different colors and symbols appear while defining route points for a route using the 3D Orthogonal Route tool. As you pause the cursor over the tool:

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

How are route points named in the Model browser?

The Model browser displays all route points, by default in the name of Route Point <n>, where <n> is an automatically incremented number. Compared with single sketched route points, an auto route segments typically contains a series of continuous route points that are indented within the Auto route browser node.

The names of auto route regions and indented route points must be unique. Like work points in Autodesk Inventor, you can change the route point names in the Model browser using the classic slow edit functionality of Microsoft Windows operation systems to make them more descriptive.

How do auto route points differ from sketched route points in a rigid route?

If the sketched route segment is not fully constrained, route points can dynamically update a new position. However, route points cannot be added or removed during dynamic updates. You must manually insert or delete route points.

Auto route points always dynamically adjust as assembly changes are made. When you select underlying geometry or work points for terminal route points, the route remains associative to these points. If the model geometry changes, system automatically recalculates available auto route solutions. Once auto route points are converted to sketched route points, they work the same.

What is shared route point?

Route points connect a series of continuous sketch segments to form a route. A route point can be shared between auto route region and sketched route segment. Changes to the share route point can impact both adjacent segments.

How can I edit route points?

A variety of edit options are available for route points on the Route tab and the context menu, depending on the specific route creation mechanism and route type. For instance, edit options on terminal route points differ from intermediate route points, and hose route points have a different set of edit commands from rigid route points.

Route types	Available edit options for route point
Rigid piping and bent tubing routes	You can always insert interior route points to auto route or sketched route segments, continue the free end routing by adding route points to finished routes, and rename route points using the slow edit functionality in Microsoft Windows operation systems. For auto route regions only: Dynamically reposition intermediate auto route points on the default coupling fittings using the Edit Position and Move Node commands. Dynamically reposition route segments in a planar face using the Move Segment command. For sketched routes and route points manually inserted on auto route segments only: Redefine route points using the 3D Move/Rotate command. Create route points using the Custom Bend, angular control of 3D Orthogonal Route tool, Point Snap, Rotation Snap, and Enter Distance tools. Delete route points that are not associated with any default directional fitting .
Hose routes	Create route points using the angular control of 3D Orthogonal Route tool, Point Snap, Rotation Snap, and Enter Distance tools. Insert interior route points to flexible hose segments. Continue the free end routing where the hose route contains no start and end fittings or only one fitting. Delete intermediate route points. Rename route points. Reposition route points using the Offset and 3D Move/Rotate commands. Note: Though hose route points are manually determined during route creation, they completely differ from sketched rigid routes. When a hose route point is added, repositioned, or deleted, the route automatically recomputes to reflect the change.
Derived routes	Add or remove geometry. Edit the base sketch. Show and edit violations. Break the link between derived route and base sketch. Note: Derived routes are associated with the underlying base sketches. Once breaking the link in between, they have the same edit options as auto routes do.

How are grounded work points defined?

All degrees of freedom on the grounded work point are removed so changes to model geometry do not affect its position. Use the Grounded Work Point command to define a fixed work point in 3D space. It can be picked up by a route during forward creation or later edits.

To create a grounded work point, activate the route environment. Click the Grounded Work Point command on the Route tab, select a vertex, work point, the intersection of part faces and edges, and optionally use the accompanying 3D Move/Rotate command to determine the position.

Note:

• It is equivalent to applying the Work Point command in the assembly environment, and then setting the work point to Grounded.
• For detailed description and edit options on grounded work points, see Learn about work points.