To place devices correctly on mounting panels, mounting rails, doors, walls, etc., the required mounting surface or item must be identified for placement. There is an option in the Layout space - <Project name> navigator dialog to enable you to activate surfaces of this type automatically or directly.
Preconditions:
- You have opened a project.
- The layout space navigator is open and a layout space is open.
Automatically activating
Automatic activation is suitable for all surfaces and items that are not covered by other components.
- In the layout space navigator tree view, select the desired item or desired mounting surface.
- Select the Go to (graphic) popup menu item.
Only the selected item and the components arranged on it are still displayed. - Select the Insert > Mounting rail / Wire duct / Device menu items to call up a device or a mechanical component for placement.
- In the Part selection dialog, select the part required for placement.
- Move the cursor across the area to be activated or over an item placed there. The surface or item beneath the cursor is highlighted in color.
- Once the area or item onto which you want to place the component has been reached, hold the cursor still for around 1 second without clicking or keyboard input. The surface or item beneath the cursor changes color. The surface or item has been activated. It is now only possible to move the cursor on the activated surface.
- Use one point entry to place the device, or two point entries to place a mechanical component.
- To change the surface or item to be activated, again select the Go to (graphic) popup menu item from the layout space navigator, and activate a different surface as described above.
Activating directly
Use direct activation to access the mounting surfaces of covered components or components that are at the back, from the layout space navigator. This is not possible in the graphical representation without hiding the covering components. The viewpoint is toggled to the front view. All components that are not involved are hidden.
- Select a mounting surface in the layout space navigator tree view.
- Select the Activate directly popup menu item. The selected mounting surface and the components arranged on it are displayed in the front view. All other components contained in the layout space are hidden. A grid is displayed on the mounting surface.
- To change the surface or item to be activated, again select the Activate directly popup menu item from the navigator.
Cancel direct activation
- In the navigator dialog, select the menu item Cancel direct activation popup menu item. The directly activated mounting surface is released. It is again displayed in its normal color. The grid is hidden. You can now work with automatic activation once more.
See also