Creating a User-Defined Route

To create a user-defined route when fittings are subassembly components:
For clarity, all images have route CPoints hidden.
  1. Create a new assembly.
  2. Click Routing Options (Routing Tools toolbar).
  3. Select Automatically route on drop of flanges/connectors.
  4. Save the assembly.
    You cannot create a new route subassembly until you save the top-level assembly.
  5. Click Start by Drag/Drop (User Defined Route toolbar).
    The Design Library opens to the appropriate folder.
  6. Insert a duct or other user-defined component into the main assembly by dragging it from the Design Library, or clicking Insert Components (Assembly toolbar).


  7. In the Select a Configuration dialog box, select a component configuration and click OK.
  8. Specify options in the Route Properties PropertyManager, and click .
    • A 3D sketch is created in a new route subassembly.
    • The new route subassembly is created, and appears in the FeatureManager design tree.
    • A stub of ducting or the user-defined component appears, extending from the component you just placed.


  9. Click Line (Sketch toolbar) and sketch the path of the first section of the route.
    See Visualizing the 3D Space for tips on working with 3D sketches.


    Arcs are automatically added to sketch corners according to the default bend radius defined in the Route PropertyManager. If an arc cannot be inserted at a bend, the bend remains a straight junction. Flexible spline routing is not available for user-defined routes.
  10. Insert the next component for the route:
    1. While dragging the new component, hover over the endpoint of the route where the new component will be added to the route and drop the component.
    2. In the Select a Configuration dialog box, select the configuration of the new component and click OK.
    The component snaps into position and is added to the route.

    You do not need mates between the components of the route subassembly, because the sizes and positions are driven by the 3D sketch relations and dimensions. Each component in the route subassembly is parametrically related to the 3D sketch. If you change the sketch relations or dimensions, the ducts and segments update. For information, see Mating in Routing Subassemblies.
  11. Sketch additional route segments and drop in additional components to complete the route.
    • Alternatively, use Auto Route to automatically create and solve route paths between existing fittings.


    Auto Route is available only for orthogonal routes and not flexible routes in user-defined routes (rectangular and circular section routing).

  12. Exit the sketch.
    The following appear in the FeatureManager design tree of the route subassembly:
    • Components folder containing the components you placed in the route. If any custom elbow fittings are required, the sketch segments are highlighted, and the dimensions are displayed for each individual case. You can select an alternate fitting, create a custom fitting, or choose to form a bend in the route.
    • Route Parts folder containing the duct or component that was created when you exited the sketch. Configurations for each unique cut length in the current route are created.
    • Route feature containing the 3D sketch that defines the path of the route. The 3D sketch is related parametrically to the components in the route subassembly. If you move a component, the route parts update automatically.