Importing a From-To List to Create an Electrical Route Assembly

With a from-to list, you can import both the connection data and the component data into a new or existing route sub-assembly. Alternatively, you can import only the connection data (no component data) or only component data (no connection data). See From-To list for details on how to create a from-to list.

See General Procedure for Electrical Cables for preparations needed before importing the data and starting the route.

To import from-to data:

1. Click Create Route by From/To Import (Electrical toolbar) or Routing, Electrical, Import Electrical Data.

2. Set options in the Import Electrical Data PropertyManager.

3. Click .
   
   The Start Route dialog box appears. (NOTE: The Start Route dialog box does not appear and steps 4 and 5 happen automatically if the following options are selected Routing Options: Use automatic naming for route parts and Always use default document template for routes.)

4. In the dialog box, under Route assembly:

• Specify an Assembly file name for the route sub-assembly.

• Specify a Document template.

5. Click OK.

A route sub-assembly is created. A dialog box appears and asks if you want to place components into the assembly now or later.

6. Do one of the following:

• To place components now, click Yes.

• To place components later, click No. Then later, when you want to insert the components, click Insert Components (Assembly toolbar) or Insert, Component, Existing Part/Assembly.

The Insert Component PropertyManager appears. The components defined in the from-to list appear under Open documents, with the first component selected and ready to be placed.

7. Click in the graphics area to place the first component.
   
   The next component is automatically selected, and so on until all the components have been placed. After the last component is placed, the Route Properties PropertyManager appears.

8. Set options in the Route Properties PropertyManager.

9. Click .
   
   A 3D sketch for the route opens, and the Auto Route PropertyManager appears. All connectors in the route sub-assembly are added to the route. For each connector, a short line is added to the sketch (from the connector's connection point (CPoint) outward) and a length of cable is generated along the line.

To create the route:

1. Sketch the path between components using any combination of the following methods:

• Use Auto Route to:

• Generate splines.

• Display guidelines that show the connections that need to be bundled together, manipulate those guidelines, and convert them into routes.

• Sketch lines, splines, and fillets using 3D sketch tools.

• Use cable clips or other routing hardware to generate splines.

2. To assign electrical attributes to the route segments, click Edit Wires (Electrical toolbar) or Routing, Electrical, Edit Wires.
   
   The Edit Wires PropertyManager appears, and displays the cable/wire data and connection data from the from-to list. You do not need to edit the data; however, you must perform the Edit Wires command for the data to become associated with the route.

3. Click .

4. Close the 3D sketch.
   
   The Save As dialog box appears. (NOTE: The Save As dialog box does not appear and step 5 happens automatically if the following options are selected in Routing Options: Use automatic naming for route parts and Always use default document template for routes.)

5. Specify a File name, then click Save.
   
   A cable part is created. The 3D sketch that defines the path of the cable is related parametrically to the components in the route sub-assembly. If you move a component, the cable updates automatically. A Route feature appears in the FeatureManager design tree.

While editing the 3D route sketch, you can query the electrical attributes of the selected route segment.

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