Learning Exchange

Routing using Networks

A network enables wires being routed to quickly follow predefined paths. When a network is present, the Route cables dialog box defaults to the Via Network Route Type, but you can still edit it to Simple Route or Follow Cable.

Consider the following when routing wires via a network:

- The system defaults to the shortest path when given multiple path options.

- Wires routed through a network can only enter or exit the network path at a location point.

- You can set priorities for individual network location points, but not the path. Priority options include:

• Primary – The default location priority type. These network locations are used whenever possible.
• Required – Forces all wires being routed via a network to pass through the specified location or locations in the same direction, even if this does not create the shortest path for each wire. This priority could be used to direct wires through a common splice or to ensure that wires travel through a specific clamp, hole, or duct.
• Secondary – A network location point that is routed through only if no complete path using primary locations is available.
• Disallowed – Disallowed network locations are not to be used for routing via a network. You can use this option to avoid overfilling of channels, interference with a fixed hole size in a bulkhead, or creation of loops in an individual harness.

NOTE: Modifying the location priority only affects subsequent routing. Previously routed wires are not affected. You use the Reroute option to change existing routing paths.

Other priority options include:

- Edit > Network > Reset All Priority – Resets all network location points’ priority back to the Primary default.

- Edit > Network > Required Priority – Enables you to specify either of the following location point priority requirements:

• Optimize – Optimizes the shortest path with at least one location for all cables routed via the network.
• Put On Wire – Finds the shortest paths with a common location on the selected wire.