To add a route line in SOLIDWORKS, you typically connect two components within a routing assembly by selecting specific geometry on each item.
Route lines are fundamental in SOLIDWORKS routing applications like piping, tubing, and electrical cabling. They define the path the route follows between components. Adding a route line is a straightforward process:
Steps to Add a Route Line
Follow these steps to create a route line between two points or components in your SOLIDWORKS assembly:
- Initiate the Routing Command: Ensure you are in a routing assembly and have started the relevant routing command (e.g., Start by Point, Start by Component).
- Select the First Item:
- Select one face, circular edge, or straight edge on the first item you wish to connect. This could be a component, a fixture, or a starting point for your route.
- Select the Second Item:
- Select one face, circular edge, or straight edge on the second item you wish to connect. This specifies the destination or endpoint for the route line.
- Preview and Creation:
- A preview of the route line appears as you select the second item.
- Once both selections are made, the route line is automatically created and appears in your assembly.
Practical Tips
- Ensure the selected entities (faces or edges) are appropriate for defining the route's path.
- The route line serves as the basis for generating the physical route (pipes, tubes, wires).
- You can later edit the route line using sketch tools to modify its path, add bends, or include intermediate points.
Understanding how to add route lines is the first step in building complex routing systems in your SOLIDWORKS designs.
