02 - Basic Workflow: Image, Nodes, and Conduit

This document outlines the fundamental steps to begin a new project in WirePlan Pro. It covers loading your plan, establishing a drawing scale, adding connection points (nodes), and determining the main conduit route.

Key Sections:

1. Loading or Pasting a Background Image
2. Setting the Drawing Scale
3. Adding Nodes
4. Understanding Node Properties
5. Calculating the Conduit Path
6. Understanding the Visual Conduit Path on the Canvas

1. Loading or Pasting a Background Image

The first step in any project is to bring in your floor plan or site layout.

• To Load an Image:
  • Navigate to File > Load Image in the menu bar.
  • Select your desired image file (e.g., PNG, JPG, BMP).
  • The image will appear on the main canvas.
• To Paste an Image:
  • Copy an image to your clipboard from another application.
  • In WirePlan Pro, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+V.
  • The pasted image will appear on the canvas.

The application will automatically scale the image to fit the canvas view while maintaining its aspect ratio.

2. Setting the Drawing Scale

To ensure accurate length calculations, you must define the scale of your drawing.

• Access the Tool:
  • Go to Tools > Change Scale in the menu bar.
  • The application will enter "Scale Definition Mode," and the cursor will change to a crosshair. The status bar will prompt you for the first point.
• Define the Known Distance:
  1. Click the first point: On the image, click a point that is one end of a known distance (e.g., a doorway, a marked dimension line). A temporary marker will appear.
  2. Click the second point: Click the other end of the known distance. Another marker will appear.
  3. Enter Real-World Distance: A dialog box will appear, prompting you to enter the real-world distance between the two points you clicked. Enter the distance in feet.
     • The dialog will also show the pixel distance on the image for reference.
• Confirmation:
  • Once you enter the distance and click "OK," the new scale will be set.
  • The status bar and scale bar will update to reflect the new scale in feet.
  • All subsequent length calculations and displayed measurements will use this defined scale.

Note: If you load a new image or start a new project, you will need to set the scale again for that specific drawing.

3. Adding Nodes

Nodes represent devices, equipment, junction points, or any location where wires will terminate or pass through.

• Adding a Node:
  • Ensure you are not in an interaction mode like "Change Scale" or "Measure" (press Esc to cancel if needed).
  • Simply left-click on the canvas where you want to place a node.
  • A visual representation of the node (typically a circle) and a default label (e.g., its ID number) will appear.
• Node Placement:
  • Nodes can only be placed within the bounds of the loaded background image.
  • Each click will add a new node with a unique ID.

4. Understanding Node Properties

Each node has several key properties:

• ID: A unique numerical identifier automatically assigned to each node upon creation. This ID is used internally by the application.
• Name: A user-definable label for the node. By default, it's the same as the ID, but it can be changed to something descriptive (e.g., "Panel A", "Outlet 3B").
  • To Rename a Node: Select the node, then press Enter or right-click and choose "Rename Node."
• Elevation (Delta): This property allows you to specify a vertical change associated with a node, representing, for example, a drop from the ceiling to a device or a rise to equipment on a rack.
  • By default, the elevation delta is 0.0.
  • You can change this via the node's context menu (Right-click > Change Elevation).
  • The unit for elevation (feet or pixels) matches the currently set drawing scale unit.
  • This elevation delta is crucial for calculating vertical conduit runs and accurate total wire lengths.

5. Calculating the Conduit Path

Once you have placed your nodes, WirePlan Pro can calculate an efficient orthogonal path to connect them.

• The "Update Conduit" Button / Auto-Calculate Option:
  • Manual Calculation: If the "Auto Conduit On Add/Delete Node" option (in File > Options) is unchecked, a button labeled "Update Conduit" will be visible in the bottom-right corner of the canvas. Click this button to calculate or recalculate the conduit path after adding, deleting, or moving nodes.
  • Automatic Calculation: If the "Auto Conduit On Add/Delete Node" option is checked (this is the default), the conduit path will automatically recalculate whenever a node is added or deleted. The "Update Conduit" button will be hidden.
• Default Algorithm:
  • By default, WirePlan Pro uses a heuristic algorithm to approximate the optimal conduit path. This algorithm aims to find the shortest possible orthogonal path connecting all your defined nodes, potentially adding new junction points to achieve this.
  • The path consists of horizontal and vertical segments only.
• Obstacle Avoidance: If you have defined obstacles on your drawing (Tools > Add Obstacle), the path calculation algorithm will attempt to route the conduit around these obstructions.

6. Understanding the Visual Conduit Path on the Canvas

After calculation, the conduit path will be displayed on the canvas:

• Path Segments: The main conduit runs will be shown as red lines connecting the nodes and any generated junction points.
• Junction Points:
  • Points where three or more conduit segments meet (and are not original nodes) are considered junction points. These are visualized with a small gold box with a 'J'.
• Conduit Sizing & Wire Counts (Covered in later sections): Once wires are defined, the application will also display the calculated trade size for each conduit segment and the number of wires passing through it.

This basic workflow gets your project started. Subsequent steps will involve defining wire connections, calculating wiring topologies, and refining your design.