Cables CableBox

Cables CableBox
Menu location
Cables → Cable Box
Workbenches
Cables
Default shortcut
None
Introduced in version
1.0
See also
Cables Cable, Cables CableConnector

Description

The Cable Box creates a parametric cable box object. It has default size upon creation, but some parameters, like Diameter, Height or Thickness can be changed later. The Cable Box belongs to the Arch Component class and inherits all of its properties. The Cable Box has four inlet holes equipped with support crosses. Each support cross has five vertexes which can be used as attachment supports for up to five cables entering single hole.

Moreover, the Cable Box is equipped with two adjustable helper rings. Their purpose is to offer a temporary snapping points during editing cable subwires in Draft Edit mode to help to give them the desired shape. When not needed anymore, the helper rings can be hidden by setting Helper Rings Hidden property. Temporary means that helper rings should not be used as attachment support for vertexes of subwires.

Cable Box object can be colored by attaching desired Material to the Material property.

Example of the default Cable Box:
There are visible support crosses inside holes and helper rings inside a box.

Usage

1. Select the vertex, point on surface or object in the 3D view or select nothing.
2. Create Cable Box by one of these methods:
   • Press the Cable Box button.
   • Select the Cables → Cable Box option from the menu.
   • Right-click in the Tree view or the 3D view and select the Cables → Cable Box option from the context menu.

Once created the Cable Box is placed at the position of selected vertex, point or object in the 3D space (or at the point (0,0,0) if nothing was selected).

Notes

Helper rings are visible by default. They can be easily hidden by setting the Helper Rings Hidden property.

Properties

A Cable Box object shares the common properties and behaviors of all Arch Components.

Data

Cable Box

• DataBox Body Hidden (Bool): If set to true the box shape is hidden to make it easier to edit wires inside a box (with possible help of helper rings). It should be set to false when wires editing is finished or not needed.
• DataDiameter (Length): Specifies the inner diameter of the box. The default diameter is 60 mm.
• DataHeight (Length): Specifies the inner height of the box. The default height is 62 mm.
• DataThickness (Length): Specifies the wall thickness of the box. The default thickness is 2 mm.

Cable Box Helpers

• DataHelper Rings Hidden (Bool): If set to true the helper rings are hidden. The default value is false. Helper rings are designed to make it easier to edit wires inside a box. Helper ring vertexes can serve as snapping points for cable subwires when subwires are in Draft Edit mode. This property can be set to true when wires editing is finished or not needed.
• DataRing 1 Diameter (Length): the diameter of helper ring 1. The default value is 45 mm.
• DataRing 1 Height (Length): the helper ring 1 height below the box lid (top open box edge). The default value is 40 mm.
• DataRing 2 Diameter (Length): the diameter of helper ring 2. The default value is 30 mm.
• DataRing 2 Height (Length): the helper ring 2 height below the box lid (top open box edge). The default value is 20 mm.

Typical workflow

This workflow shows how to build a box with a cable attached and with one subwire of cable shaped inside a box.

1. Create a Cable Box as described in Usage
2. Create Cable as described in Cable Usage with one end of a base wire attached to central vertex of one of Cable Box crosses.
3. Hide Cable shape in a Tree view e.g. by pressing SPACE key. The cable subwires should be still visible.
4. Hide the Cable Box shape by setting the property Box Body Hidden. The crosses and helper rings should be still visible.
5. Click on the free end edge of one of cable subwires and add a vertex to it with Add Vertex. Repeat the action.
6. Double click the above subwire in a Tree view to enter Draft Edit mode. Snap Endpoint should be enabled.
7. Drag the newly created wire vertexes to different vertexes of helper rings. They should easily snap. Exit Draft Edit mode.
8. When the desired shape of the subwire has been built, the Sub Wires Fillet Radius property of a Cable can be set e.g. to 4mm.
9. Unhide Cable shape in a Tree view e.g. by pressing SPACE key.
10. Hide the helper rings shape by setting the Helper Rings Hidden property in the Cable Box.
11. Unide the Cable Box shape by unsetting the property Box Body Hidden.

Note: At any time during subwire editing the Draft Edit mode should be exited and the height or diameter of helper ring can be changed. Then again the Draft Edit mode can be entered and editing continued with new positions of helper rings.

Example of cable subwire shaped inside Cable Box.

Here is the animated image showing the steps described above.