Inserting cables

The Cable tool places cables in the drawing by following a cable path object, following a rigging object like a truss or pipe, or inserting them independently.

Normally, the tool connects distributors to one or more electronic devices, creating a “cable object.” A cable object can also be called a cable run, since it consists of cable parts connected end-to-end to create a length of cable as drawn. The cable parts used in the cable run depend on the selections in the cable inventory (when managing cable parts) and the cable preferences. The cable style determines the type of cable (multi, feeder, jumper, or data) and its connections. A cable is considered a load, and can be included in load calculations (Braceworks required).

The truss path behavior depends on whether the cable connects to a distributor object on the truss. If you click on a truss and then click on a distributor object on the same truss system, the cables will automatically follow the truss system path, using the most efficient route to reach the distributor object. If, instead, you want to connect to an electronic device, like a lighting device or loudspeaker, click along the truss system to manually set the path.

The drawn cable assumes the height of connected objects, such as rigging objects and distributors; a vertical segment is automatically added if needed. When drawing in a 3D view, a cable can be created with a height without requiring existing geometry; the cable height is taken directly from the cable path object, the rigging object (the trim height of the top of the truss), or edges and vertices of other 3D geometry. When drawing in Top/Plan view, snapping from the ground plane to connecting, elevated geometry is required to create a cable jump.

Selecting the output

Regardless of the cable mode, when inserting a cable on a distributor object, choose the output for the cable connection. Only Single Connection mode does not require a distributor in the connection; the other modes do require a distributor.

1. When using the Cable tool to place a cable, click on a distributor object (or in Daisy Chain mode, on a fixture).

Parameter	Description
Use Output	Select the distributor output to use for the connection. Occupied and free outputs are listed in numerical order.
Always use next free output	Automatically assigns the cable connection to the first free output. The Select Output dialog box no longer opens.
Insert distributor before each lighting device	Select a distributor resource from the Resource Selector. When placing cables in Daisy Chain mode, the selected distributor (normally, a twofer) is placed every time a lighting device is clicked. The cable connects to the first output on the twofer, and the cable run continues with the new cable starting at the second twofer output, continuing to the next twofer to create the chain.

2.When no outputs are free, an error message displays. Select a different distributor with free outputs to create the cable run.

Mode	Description
Polyline creation options	Selects the method for drawing the polyline upon which the object is based; see Creating polylines
Fillet Radius	For Arc Vertex polyline mode, enter the fillet radius
Cable Style	Opens the Resource Selector to select a cable resource for placement; double-click a resource to activate it
Single Connection	Connects a distributor to an electronic device with a single cable
Distributor	Connects a distributor to one or more electronic devices following a drawn path, creating a cable for each output connection
Schematic Distributor	Connects a distributor to one or more electronic devices, displaying a direct, schematic route that illustrates the connections between the distributor outputs and the devices
Daisy Chain	Connects a distributor object to one or more electronic devices in a chain configuration, all using the same distributor output
Automatic Numbering	Enables automatic numbering of cables as they are placed
Numbering Preferences	Set the default parameters for automatic numbering of cables