Routing Cables

Routing cables generates a 3D representation of the cable path within an electrical installation.

The routing paths and connection points facilitate the routing process. Segregation manages the rules applied to cable paths.

To access Routing Cables:

  • SOLIDWORKS Electrical 3D menu: Route Cables .
  • Menu: Tools > SOLIDWORKS Electrical > Route Cables .

When you run Routing Cables, the left dockable panel changes to display the options of the command. Several of these parameters are saved in the SOLIDWORKS Electrical file and are specific to the file. The others are saved in the registry and are common to all SOLIDWORKS Electrical files.

Routing Analysis

Show errors. Displays a report at the end of the routing that shows all routing errors. Click Help on a line of the report for information about the error.

Select route type

  • SOLIDWORKS Route. Routes the cables as managed by SOLIDWORKS, accounting for cable diameters.
  • 3D Sketch Route. Routes the cables as a 3D sketch. This mode is quicker and better for temporary routings.
  • Update Origin/Destination. Updates the cable properties about their origin and destination.
  • Cable cores follow routing path: By default, cable cores are directly routed. This option uses paths to route them.

Select renderer type

  • Use splines. Uses splines (curves) to ensure optimal rendering of the cable routing. When you use splines in the routing path, you can manually add points on it to improve the routing.
  • Use lines. Generates cable routing with straight lines.
  • Add Tangency. Inserts curves at the end of the straight lines.

Cables to route

  • All cables. Launches routing across all cables of the electrical project.
    • Route active location only. Limits the routing of cables to the top-level assembly only.
      This supports creating SOLIDWORKS Route and 3DSketchRoute route types.
      • If the cables at the top-level active location have their origin or destination components in another location or sublocations of the electrical project, only those cables get routed along with the cables belonging to the components of the active top-level location.
      • If the cables at the top-level active location have their origin or destination components in another location that is out of scope (for example, the active location is a sublocation, and a cable is at the top location), the cable is not routed.
  • Selected components. Launches routing across a subsection of the components. Select the components in the graphics area. Only the cables connected to the selected components are routed.
  • Selected cables. Lets you select the cables to route. You cannot select harness cables. Only the selected cables are routed; the other routed cables are not modified. Right-click the list to manage the cables.

Routing parameters

The first parameter specifies the distance between two routing paths. The second parameter specifies the distance between a connection point and routing path. The third parameter specifies the distance between two cables.

The graph lets you quickly view connections between components. There are two options available: one for display, and the other for deleting the graph.