MX Join Strings Wizard 

Strings may only be joined if they reside in the Reference Model.  If you need to join strings from another model, then copy them into the Reference Model first.

This wizard is located in MX under Modify > Edit Strings > Join Strings Wizard...

The Model Details Tab

   

This tab is used to specify the Reference Model and string details of the Start String which will begin the joining operation.  Then specify whether you wish the resulting string to be created in the same or opposite direction to the start string.  You can also specify a Point on the Start String which will become the start point on the resulting string.

The Options Tab

   

• Color  To change the color used for the temporary string during the joining operation, click the Browse (...) button and select a color from the color palette.

• Masking  Masking is used to reduce the number of strings that are considered as candidates for joining within the defined tolerances.  By specifying a mask, you can speed up the process if you know that certain strings do not need to be considered.  Refer to String Masking for more details about masking.

• Lengthen Existing String  When this box is checked, the resulting string is given the same name as the start string, therefore the start string is replaced by the resulting string.  Otherwise, you can specify a new name for the resulting string and the Start String will remain intact.
• Pause After Each String  When this box is checked, the joining operation pauses after each string (even though the tolerance criteria have been met) so that you can choose whether to continue with the join. (Recommended)
• Use Automatic Zoom  When this box is checked, MX automatically zooms in to each join as it takes place.  The zoom factor defines how far you zoom in when using automatic zoom.

The Tolerance Tab

• Branching String Tolerance  The branching string Distance and Bearing tolerances are used to determine when you are given the opportunity to branch from the string being formed.  For example, if another string is found before the end of this string is reached which lies within these tolerances, you are prompted to branch on to the newly located string.
• String End Tolerance  The string end Distance and Bearing tolerances are used to determine what happens when you reach the end of the string being formed.  If the tolerances are not satisfied, then the wizard will stop and prompt you to finish the joining operation or continue with a string of your choice.

Ensure that the Options and Tolerance settings are as you desire.  Click Next to begin the joining process.

The Branch Reached Panel

This panel appears when a string is found within the branching tolerance of the current string.  Select the branch along which you wish to continue the joining process, then click Next to continue.

The Paused Panel

This panel appears if you have selected the Pause After Each String option and a successful join has been made.  Ensure that you are content with the join, then click Next to continue.

The Manual Selection Panel

This panel appears if the joining process gets to the end of the current string and there are either no strings or multiple strings within the defined string end tolerances.  If the previous join is not satisfactory, click < Back to redo.

If you wish to continue, select the next string in the joining sequence.  Specify whether you wish the connecting string to be taken in the same or opposite direction to it's original direction.  You can also specify a Point on the connecting string which will become the first point of the next join.  Click Next to continue.

The Change Tolerances /Options Panel

This panel gives you the opportunity to change the joining tolerances and other options associated with the joining process.

The Delete Point Panel

This panel appears if the joining process gets to the end of the current string and first point of the next string is coincident with the last point of the current string.  

Select the point you wish to delete, or keep both points, then click Next to continue.

When joining is complete, click Finish.

Before exiting, you are prompted to either keep the used strings or delete them.  The resulting string is created in the Reference Model.