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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Route types |
Available edit options for route point |
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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:
For sketched routes and route points manually inserted on auto route segments only:
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Hose routes |
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.
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Derived routes |
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.
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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.