Routing paths connect routing points or topology functions. Routing paths are automatically or manually inserted sections along which connections can be routed. Routing paths can, but do not have to, consist of a material, and can have a part.
A routing path always has the "Topology" representation type; this cannot be changed. Routing paths are displayed graphically by means of dark-red lines with snap points at the starting, end and center points (default setting of the layer).
- Manual routing paths define the track through any starting and end points.
- A manual routing path is drawn in the same way as a polyline. Only starting and end point are used as snap points, any other points in between are pure graphics. The polyline cannot be closed.
- The starting and end points of a manual routing path must be connected to routing points, topology functions or topology interruption points.
- If two routing paths collide, you must insert a routing point at the intersection of the paths to enable routing through the path.
Note:
All routing paths have the properties Topology: Routing length and Topology: Routing length (automatic) assigned. Topology: Routing length (automatic) automatically corresponds to the geometric length and is determined on the basis of the sum of all partial lengths of the routing path. In the Topology: Segment length property, you can enter a value manually if your drawing is not to scale, or values for a Z-axis have to be assigned.
Automatically generated routing paths
Connections never enter a routing path in the middle during routing. If a topology function is not connected to a routing path, an automatic routing path is generated between this function and the closest routing point. The routing paths thus generated remain and will not be re-generated for each routing. Graphically, these routing paths are displayed by orange lines (default setting of the layer).
Automatically generated routing paths are, e.g., used if many targets end at the same routing point, for example in an enclosure. In this case you place the targets in the vicinity of the routing point; during routing, the routing paths will then be automatically generated.
The routing length of the automatic routing paths is not calculated automatically; only the manually entered length is evaluated.
See also
Inserting Routing Paths (Topology)
Routing Connections (Topology): Procedure