I want to add a flexible tube between two parts in an assembly. For the purpose of discussion, we can take these two parts to be blocks, each with a 1/2" diameter hole in them. I don't want to add an actual fitting at either end (the tubes will be soldered in). Here's what I'm doing so far, but there are several problems I'm having:
1. Under the Tubing tab, click on Start at Point.
2. Click on the circular edge of one of the holes. This sets up one of the C-points. I choose Reverse Direction to make the arrow point out of the part if it points in.
3. Select tubing to match the hole diameter.
4. Click on the green checkmark.
5. Fill in some route properties. I actually just check "use flexible hoses" and set the bend radius. Then click the green checkmark.
Now here's the first place at which things are counterintuitive. How do I set up the other C-point at the hole in the other part? Here's what I did:
6. Click on Add Point. Select the circular edge of the second hole. Make sure its vector points out (I'm not sure whether this matter).
(Sorry: entered the question before I was done)
7. Draw a spine between the two C-points. (This time it worked fine. Sometimes the tube is straight and doesn't emerge parallel to the C-point vector. Maybe I forgot to choose "use flexible hoses".)
Actually, this method seems to be working OK.
So my two questions are, 1) Is this the proper and most efficient way to add this tube? and 2) If I move one of the parts in the assembly, the end of its tube becomes disconnected from it. The tube acts as a fixed rigid object that has no relationship to the part it was attached to. The C-point seems unmated to the original circular edge of the hole I used to define it. So is there a way to do this process so that if one of the parts is moved, the tube will remain attached to it?