Desktop Help 10.0 - Orthogonal layout algorithm properties

When the Orthogonal schematic layout algorithm is chosen from the Layout Task drop-down list, clicking the Layout Algorithm Properties button Layout Algorithm Properties icon on the Schematic Editor toolbar opens its associated properties dialog box as follows:

The parameter values are those either specified by default by Schematics or specifically set as default for the schematic diagram template related to the active diagram using the Schematic Dataset Editor Layout Task tab for this schematic diagram template.

About root schematic node

The Orthogonal layout algorithm works from a root schematic node that is placed on the bottom and from which all the other schematic nodes and links are placed orthogonally.

If a root schematic node is set for the active diagram, the Orthogonal algorithm computes the layout according to this root node. This root schematic node can be specified using the Set Schematic Root tool Set Schematic Root tool icon .

If no root schematic node is specified, the algorithm automatically considers one of the schematic nodes as the root node.

Node spacing parameters

The Node spacing parameters determine the spacing between the schematic nodes. The unit for these parameters depends on the Absolute units check box.

Increase the Horizontal step parameter value if you want to increase the space between schematic nodes aligned on the same horizontal axis. This value determines the minimum x distance between two horizontally aligned nodes. All nodes aligned on the same horizontal axis will be spaced at this distance or at a multiple of this distance.
Increase the Vertical step parameter value if you want to increase the space between schematic nodes aligned on the same vertical axis. This value determines the minimum y distance between two vertically aligned nodes. All nodes aligned on the same vertical axis will be spaced at this distance or at a multiple of this distance.

The figures below show the horizontal and vertical step parameters. Figure 1.1 represents the initial schematic diagram. Figure 1.2 shows the result obtained after the Orthogonal layout execution when Horizontal step = 3 and Vertical step = 6 and the Absolute units check box is unchecked. The dX and dY distances in the diagram correspond to these horizontal and vertical steps.

Link spacing parameters

The Link spacing parameters allow computing the distance between overlapping links or link segments so they no longer overlap.

The Break point distance parameter is a number between 0 and 1 that allows computing of the distance between the extremity node of the schematic links and the break points that will be inserted on the schematic links that are overlapping.
For overlapping horizontal links, this value is combined with the horizontal step value to compute the inserted break point x-coordinate. When the horizontal step value is 3 and the break point distance is 0.5, the horizontal spacing between the extremity node and the break point that will be inserted to separate the overlapping links will be 3 x 0.5 = 1.5. For overlapping vertical links, this value is combined with the vertical step value to compute the inserted break point y-coordinate. When the vertical step value is 3 and the break point distance is 0.5, the vertical spacing between the extremity node and the break point that will be inserted to separate the overlapping links will be 3 x 0.5 = 1.5. By default, the value set for Break point distance is 0.1 unless another default distance is specified for the diagram template related to the active diagram.
The Shift distance between links parameter is also a number between 0 and 1 and is used to compute the distance that will separate the overlapping links. For overlapping horizontal links, this value is combined with the vertical step value. When the vertical step value is 6 and the shift distance between links is 0.5, the vertical spacing that will separate overlapping links will be 6 x 0.5 = 3. For overlapping vertical links, this value is combined with the horizontal step value. When the horizontal step value is 6 and the shift distance between links is 0.5, the horizontal spacing that will separate overlapping links will be 6 x 0.5 = 3.
By default, the Shift distance between links value is 0.1 unless another default distance is specified for the diagram template related to the active diagram.

The figures below show these parameters. Figure 2.1a represents the diagram obtained after the Orthogonal layout execution when the break point distance and the shift distance between links values are both null. In this case, two schematic links' horizontal segments overlap. The dX distance represents the horizontal step (a value of 3 in this example), and the dY distance corresponds to the vertical step (a value of 6 in this example). Figure 2.1b represents the diagram after the Orthogonal layout execution with 0.5 for both break point distance and the shift distance between links. With these values, the algorithm computes the x and y distances as follows: X = 0.5dX and Y = 0.5dY to separate the horizontal link segments that were overlapping.

The figures below show the Break point distance and Shift distance between links parameters with different values when the horizontal step value is 3 and the vertical step value is 6. Figure 2.2 is obtained when Break point distance = 0.1 and Shift distance between links = 0.1. Figure 2.3 shows the Orthogonal layout result when Break point distance = 0.2 and Shift distance between links = 0.5. Figure 2.4 is obtained when Break point distance = 0.5 and Shift distance between links = 0.2. Figure 2.5 is the result of the Orthogonal layout execution when Break point distance = 0.5 and Shift distance between links = 1. Figure 2.6 shows the result obtained when Break point distance = 1 and Shift distance between links = 0.5.

Counterclockwise rotation angle from vertical (degree) parameter

The Counterclockwise rotation angle from vertical (degree) parameter determines the direction of the Orthogonal layout. By default, the Orthogonal layout algorithm arranges the schematic features orthogonally, positioning the root schematic node at the bottom and the leaf schematic nodes at the top. By default, the Counterclockwise rotation angle from vertical parameter is 0 (unless another default angle is specified for the diagram template related to the active diagram).

The figures below show different Counterclockwise rotation angles from vertical (degree) parameter values.

Absolute units check box

By default, the Node spacing parameters are interpreted as absolute units determined by the coordinate system specified on the XY Coordinate System tab of the Schematic Diagram Properties dialog box (Absolute units checked). Uncheck the Absolute units check box if you want these parameter values to be interpreted as units relative to the average of the current symbol sizes used to represent the schematic nodes in the diagram. In this case, when the Horizontal step parameter value is 2, the distance that separates two schematic nodes that are horizontally aligned corresponds to the average size of two symbols placed side by side.

Note:

Specifying parameters in relative units is easier than in absolute units but has a real meaning only when there is a reference scale for the diagram.

Restore Defaults button

Click the Restore Defaults button to set all the Orthogonal parameters to their default values. The restored values are those either specified by default by Schematics or specifically set as default for the schematic diagram template related to the active diagram using the Schematic Dataset Editor Layout Task tab for this schematic diagram template.