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5
Edits to tube and pipe systems can be made dynamically Introduction
Context menu edit options
by dragging segments, route endpoints, or bends or by
Add to finished routes
using the 3D Orthogonal Route Tool or various context
Insert node points
93
About Editing Routes and Runs
Autodesk Inventor Tube & Pipe provides several methods for updating and
modifying each component of a tube and pipe system to accommodate
changes in design criteria and in the assembly model.
After finishing the initial definition of a route or run, you can continue to
make changes as needed. In route mode, you can change the location and
orientation of selected segments and fittings by dragging them to a new
location or by using the 3D Orthogonal Route Tool. For bent tube routes, you
can edit the radius of bends.
You can also change how a selected route point behaves during dynamic
edits of the route or the assembly model. Fittings at associative nodes can be
turned off. Modifying or changing the style is another way of modifying a
tube and pipe assembly.
Finished routes and runs can be modified in several ways. You can:
Using Undo reverses the last action taken during the current editing session,
and exits you from the current command.
Editing Options
You can edit both populated and unpopulated routes. If the route is
populated, activating the route to edit it in-place rolls back the run to its pre-
populated state. That means the library components populating the route are
temporarily not included and the route is displayed in centerline mode by
default.
Editing Options | 95
Edit Options On Context Menus
Many edit actions start by selecting from the context menu. The context
menu varies depending on the edit context and the selected item. The
context menu items for editing include:
Associative Turns associativity on or off for selected route node
points. When checked, if the geometry that the node
point is associated to changes, the pipe run node updates
to reflect the change. This option is available only for
node points associated to other geometry.
Fixed Defines whether a selected route node point can change
dynamically when the route is edited. Manually created
route points are fixed by default. When Fixed is not
selected, manually created node points can be modified
automatically (added, removed, or repositioned) when
editing the route. Otherwise these points remain
stationary. This option is available on all node points,
with the exception of associated node points and node
points for placed fittings.
Delete Removes the selected item from the browser and the
graphics window. Deleting a node removes it from the
run. The system then re-evaluates the automatic routing
against the style settings and updates the run. This option
is available for segments and start nodes.
Edit Activates the selected fitting and provides the 3D
Orientation Orthogonal Route Tool for rotational changes. It is
available only for placed fittings.
Edit Position Activates the selected node point and provides the 3D
Orthogonal Route Tool for translational edits. This is
available for segments that are adjacent to associative
nodes or placed fittings.
Fitting Turns the appearance of a fitting (coupling) on and off for
nodes associated to geometry. When cleared, the fitting is
not created, the pipe remains a single segment, and the
nodes remain associative to the selected geometry.
Restore Replaces a placed fitting with the default fitting (elbow or
coupling) for the set style.
3D/Move Interactively positions grounded work points by dragging
Rotate the triad in a planar move, axial move or rotate, free
movement, or entering values along X, Y, or Z axes.
4 Add one more point to the run in a location and orientation of your choice.
5 Right-click, and then select Done.
6 Right-click again, and then select Finish Edit.
Editing Options | 97
Dynamically Edit Routes
Segments and route endpoints can be repositioned dynamically by clicking
and dragging the selected geometry to a new location. The movement
allowed follows the conditions established by the current style and
connection data. It also depends on the geometry adjacent to the point you
select for the drag operation.
As you drag the selected geometry, the system re-evaluates and updates
adjacent route components. Not all points affected by the drag operation
update. Route points that are automatically generated between points on
selected geometry update when changes are made to a route. By default,
manually created route points, points attached to circular geometry or work
points, and points that have been set to Fixed, do not update as the route is
modified.
Release the cursor to stop the drag and the unwanted segment is removed.
You can then delete the extra node points using Delete from the context
menu, or by dragging the unwanted node points until they are coincident
with an adjacent one. When they are coincident, release the cursor to end
the drag and remove the node point.
While you are dragging, you can use the ESC key to cancel the drag and
return to regular editing.
In this example, you adjust a section of Pipe Route: 1, by dragging the selected
segment to a new location.
Editing Options | 99
To dynamically edit a route
1 Double-click the route in Pipe Run: 1 to activate it in place.
2 From the Route panel bar, select Move Segment.
3 Pause the cursor over the left end of the route until the arrow changes to red.
The movement allowed depends on the geometry closest to the point you
select for the drag operation. If the point is a coupling or an associated node
point, the movement is restricted.
4 Click and drag the segment until it is almost even with the segment to the
right. Notice how the drag has violated the minimum length requirement.
5 Click and drag the segment down as far as it will go without violating the
minimum pipe length. To end the drag operation, release the cursor.
6 Right-click, and then select Done.
7 To update the run, right-click, and then select Finish Edit.
Change Associativity
Points created by selecting circular geometry or work points are associated to
the selected model geometry by default. Associative route node points,
automatically update when changes are made to the model.
To turn associativity off so a route does not update, cancel the Associativity
option on the context menu.
In this exercise, you turn off associativity for the point associated to the I-
beam in Pipe Route: 2.
nonassociative
routes
The steel and copper runs are not associated to the I-beam and do not update.
2 Undo the move.
3 Activate the Pipe Route: 2.
4 Right-click the node point shown, and then cancel the selection of
Associativity on the context menu.
node point
non-associative
non-associative
associative
Delete Components
You can delete an entire route or run or any individual component (node
points, fittings, or segments) it contains. The system automatically closes
gaps left by deleted node points or couplings between straight segments.
Segments adjoining the deleted route points reposition or resize to adjust to
the change. Routes and runs do not heal when deleting library fittings or
segments.
To delete an entire route or run, double-click the Tube & Pipe Runs subassembly
in the browser. Right-click the item to remove, and then select Delete.
3 Enter .75 as the new value, and then click the green check mark.
The radius changes for that node only.
4 Right-click, select Finish Edit, and then click the update button to update the
route and run.
NOTE Alternatively, you can choose Select Features from the Select tool on the
standard toolbar while the top-level assembly is activated, and then double-click
the bend radius dimension. Enter the new bend radius, and then click the
Update button.
3 Move the point to the right to achieve the results shown in the following
image.
fitting node