You can create connection points (Cpoints) in SOLIDWORKS using two primary methods: through the SOLIDWORKS Routing Library Manager or via commands found within the SOLIDWORKS Electrical menu. These points are crucial for defining connectivity on components used in routing and electrical design.
Methods to Create SOLIDWORKS Connection Points (Cpoints)
There are distinct paths you can take to define connection points on your 3D models in SOLIDWORKS, depending on the context of your design.
- Using the SOLIDWORKS Routing Library Manager: This is typically used when creating or modifying components within your routing library, such as fittings, connectors, or electrical components, that will be reused in various routing assemblies.
- Using the commands available in the SOLIDWORKS Electrical menu: This method is often employed when working directly within a SOLIDWORKS Electrical project, allowing you to define connection points specifically for electrical components or symbols placed in your design.
Detailed Steps Using the Connection Point Creator Wizard
When creating connection points, particularly within the SOLIDWORKS Electrical environment, you will often interact with a dedicated wizard or property page interface to define the specific characteristics of the Cpoint. This wizard helps guide you through the necessary settings.
Navigating the Wizard
While the specific access point might vary slightly depending on which of the two main methods you initiate from, the process for defining the point's properties generally involves similar steps within a wizard-like interface:
- Open the Routing Functionality Points section of the wizard. This section is dedicated to setting up points that are relevant to routing and connectivity functionalities, including Cpoints.
- Select the Cpoint Type option. Within the Routing Functionality Points section, you will find options to define the type of connection point you are creating. This step is where you configure what the Cpoint represents and how it behaves during routing operations.
These steps within the wizard allow you to precisely define the location, direction, and type of connectivity that the point provides on the component.
Why Use Connection Points?
Connection points are essential for automated routing capabilities in SOLIDWORKS. They specify where routes (like pipes, tubes, or wires) can connect to a component and often dictate the direction of the connection. Properly defined Cpoints enable SOLIDWORKS to automatically create routes between components, saving significant design time and reducing errors.
Further Information
For more details on the Connection Point Creator property page and its options within the SOLIDWORKS Electrical context, you can refer to the official documentation:
