Inserting data cables

Data cables carry data signals, such as network, DMX, and audio information, from controllers to the various devices, or from device to device.

2. Click to place the start of the cable, and draw the cable polyline, clicking at each vertex. Double-click to finish drawing the cable.

The first time you use the tool in a file, a properties dialog box opens. Set the default properties.

After placement, the cable path can be adjusted with the Reshape tool. The properties can be edited from the Object Info palette.

Parameter	Description
Cable Run ID	Names the cable run, which is useful for labels, schedules, and other worksheets
Universe	Specifies the universe of the data cable
Rack ID	Names the rack to which the cable connects
Box ID	Provides the distribution box name
Port ID	Names the port where the cable plugs in
Loom ID	Names the loom or bundle that includes the cable
Tape Color Code	Identifies the cable with a color code, which can be used to label racks and breaks
Connector	Select the type of connector
With Terminator	Displays the data cable with a DMX terminator indicator; the number of terminators is tracked for reporting purposes
Terminator Angle	Sets the angle for displaying the terminator indicator
Adapter	Select the type of adapter
Adapter 2	Select the type of second adapter
Location	Provide a name for the jumper cable location for informational purposes
Cable Path Length	Displays the total length of cable required for the cable run; the label displays how much extra (unused) cable is present
Total Vertical Distance	If the cable needs to travel vertically (to go around an opening, for example), the vertical distance is set for each part. This parameter displays the total vertical distance required.
Calculate Parts	Automatically determines the parts, or segments, of cable lengths needed to make up the cable run, using the fewest possible number of connections. The drawn cable is divided into parts, up to a total of nine parts, according to the available cable lengths in stock; each part displays with its own data.
Stock Lengths	Displays the available lengths of cable as set in the cable preferences
Part __	Displays the length of each cable part
Part __ Vert Dist	Displays the vertical distance, if any, required for the part to travel around obstacles
Part __ Loom ID	Identifies the loom or bundle that includes this section of cable
Cable Break __ ID	Identifies the name of any cable break
Part Total	Displays the total length of cable used when all the parts are added
Include All Vertices	When the data cable is drawn by the Make Data Cable Chain command, actual distances required may be higher than expected because the cables are not drawn in a straight line. Deselect this option to account for the data cables not being drawn in a straight line, providing a more realistic length estimate.
Part Total Is	Displays the extra length of cable available
Inventory ID	Enter an optional inventory code for the cable
User Field ___	Adds optional notes or comments about the cable, useful for reporting purposes. Field 3 is for entering a number only.
Display On Drawing	Enables the display of cable information on the drawing
Mark Connections	Displays a marker and the cable length information where a cable connection is located
Lock Labels to Standard Position	Restores text labels to their default positions, and prevents them from being moved
Label Text Size	Sets the text font size for the cable’s labels
Display Length	Displays the cable length in the label along the cable path
Display Connector	Displays the name of the connector type in the label along the cable path
Horizontal Length Text	Adjusts the cable path label to match the angle of the cable part; deselect the option to keep the text horizontal
Display Start Label	Adds a label at the start of the cable run; enter the text to display. The label has its own control point for adjusting its location.
Start Label Text	Enter the start label text
Display End Label	Adds a label at the end of the cable run; enter the text to display. The label has its own control point for adjusting its location.
End Label Text	Enter the end label text
Classes	Opens the Classes dialog box, to specify class naming for the cable labels. This allows the labels to be set to visible, grayed, or invisible. Use the suggested standard class, select a class from the list of classes present in the drawing, or create a new class. Select <Data Cable Class> to place the labels in the same class as the data cable. ● Class Prefix: Specifies an optional default root class naming standard for the cable labels; click Use Standard Classes to begin all label class names with the prefix, so that they are sorted together. ● Use Standard Classes: Sets the class name for the label to the default suggested standard name, using the Class Prefix if there is one. ● Labels: Specifies the class name standard to use for the cable labels.
Load Information	A cable is considered a distributed load in Braceworks calculations; if the cable is inserted parallel to a structural element, it is considered to be a load on that structure. Load information is used for Braceworks calculations and reports (Braceworks required).
Include in Calculations (Braceworks required)	Includes the cable in Braceworks calculations; deselect to exclude the object from participating in structural calculations
Load Group Name	The load category is always Cable for cable objects
Load ID	Enter a unique ID for the load for informational use in reports
Load Name	Identifies the object in load calculations
Distributed Weight	Enter the distributed weight of the cable; changes here also affect the Total Weight value
Total Weight	Enter the total weight of the object
Vertex parameters	Edits the vertices of the path object that the cable is based upon; see Editing vertex-based objects