With SolidWorks Routing, you can create a special type of sub-assembly that builds a path of pipes, tubes, or electrical cables between components. SolidWorks Routing also includes harness flattening and detailing capabilities, so you can develop 2D harness manufacturing drawings from 3D electrical route assemblies.
To activate SolidWorks Routing:
Click Tools, Add-Ins.
Select SolidWorks Routing.
Click OK.
A route sub-assembly is always a component of a top-level assembly. When you insert certain components into an assembly, a route sub-assembly is created automatically. Unlike other types of sub-assemblies, you do not create a route assembly in its own window and then insert it as a component in the higher-level assembly.
You model the route by creating a 3D sketch of the centerline of the route path. The software generates the pipe, tube, or cable along the centerline.
The software makes extensive use of design tables to create and modify the configurations of route components. The configurations are distinguished by different dimensions and properties. If you are unfamiliar with these concepts, see Design Tables.
See the following sections for more information: