A rigid tubing or piping route can contain multiple auto route regions and sketched route segments . An auto route region is created by selecting valid geometry as start and end route points and can have any number of continuous auto route segments that are controlled by auto route points.
Auto route regions can be converted to sketched route segments. You can then place geometric constraints in later edits.
What are valid selections for terminal auto route points?
- Center points on any circular component such as a face, a hole, and cylindrical cuts including circular geometry on fittings.
- Displayed part or assembly work points that reside on a sketch plane.
- Vertex points on any assembly component.
- Offset points from a selected circular component.
- Points snapped from an edge, face, work axis, or work plane. Snapped points are referenced, they are not associated to the original locating geometry. Such points are not available for defining terminal route points.
- Free terminal route points in the active route. They are shared route point .
How does the cycling of auto route selections work?
Auto route solutions are evaluated and prioritized based on length and number of segments. If more than one valid solution exists for a route based on the selected points, the Select Other tool is displayed. The length and segment information is included in a tooltip as you consider available solutions. It cycles through the solutions in each section before advancing to the next section. Click the middle green area to make your selection.
The solution is typically selected upon route creation. You can also use the Alternate Route Solution command on the context menu of an auto route region to change the solution at a later time.
How do constraints work in auto route regions?
An auto route segment is automatically constrained to adjacent segments or associated terminal geometry using client constraints, which are represented with a specific symbol: 
. Use Show Constraints on the Route tab or Show All Constraints on the context menu to display the client constraint symbol.
The client constraint blocks all regular 3D sketch constraints and dimensions. You cannot apply geometric constraints or dimensional constraints to an auto route segment. Auto route regions use their own logic and dynamically change the geometry as the assembly changes.
If you want to directly control an auto route segment with constraints or dimensions, you can either convert the auto route region to sketch route segments or delete client constraints on individual segments. Applying the Convert to Sketch command to the auto route region is equivalent to giving the segments in the auto route region the same constraints as a manually sketched region. Deleting client constraints manually results in the following behavior:
- If an auto route constraint on an intermediate segment is deleted, the region is split into two regions.
- If constraints on terminal auto route segments are deleted, the segment remains collinear or perpendicular.
How are auto route region and auto route points named in the Model browser?
The default naming schema of auto route points is Route Point <n>, where <n> is an automatically incremented number starting from 1 that continues sequentially within the active auto route region. It is reset to 1 within each unique pipe route in a new pipe run. Both auto route regions and route points can be renamed in the Model browser.
Terminal route points typically shared route point . They follow the naming schema of auto route points and are contained in both the auto route regions and the route sketch.
How does existing geometry assist in route design?
In the tube and pipe assembly, if existing geometry such as a vertex, linear geometry, planar face, and work features including work points, work axes, and work planes can help navigate through the route system, include them as reference geometry. You can then apply appropriate geometric constraints and dimension constraints to define the design.
A route typically starts and terminates on certain valid geometry. Consequently, reference geometry is automatically created and grouped into the Work Features folder. For example, a work point is typically derived from selecting a circular edge and remains coincident with its center point. When route geometry including route points and segments are deleted, the underlying reference geometry remains.
How do auto route regions and sketched route segments differ in responding to assembly changes?
Segments in an auto route region can always dynamically update when changes are made to associated geometry. The system automatically calculates the new auto route region solution so segments may be added or removed.
Sketched route segments must be manually edited or deleted. The system dynamically adjusts segment length and orientation unless they are fully constrained, but no segments are added or removed.