Geo - Spatial Dispatch layout algorithm properties

When the Geo - Spatial Dispatch schematic layout algorithm is chosen in the Layout Task drop-down list, clicking the Layout Algorithm Properties button 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 the default for the schematic diagram template related to the active diagram using the Schematic Dataset Editor Layouts tab for this schematic diagram template.

Number of iterations parameter

The Number of iterations parameter determines the number of Spatial Dispatch algorithm iterations that will be executed before the final result is shown. The result obtained after executing the Spatial Dispatch algorithm with 5 for the Number of iterations parameter will be the same as that obtained when executing the algorithm five times with 1 for the Number of iterations parameter. By default, the Number of iterations parameter value is 1 unless another value is specified for the diagram template related to the active diagram.

The figures below show the results obtained for the same diagram with different values for the Number of iterations parameter:

• Figure 1.1 represents the initial schematic diagram.
• Figure 1.2 shows the diagram after the Spatial Dispatch algorithm is executed with 2 iterations (Number of iterations = 2).
• Figure 1.3 shows the result after 10 iterations.
• Figure 1.4 shows the result after 20 iterations.

Maximum shift factor parameter

Maximum shift factor is used to quickly increase the schematic node displacement for nodes that are very close. The larger this factor, the larger the separation between the schematic nodes that almost overlap. By default, the Maximum shift factor value is 2 unless another value is specified for the diagram template related to the active diagram.

The figures below show the impact of this factor:

• Figure 2.1 represents the initial schematic diagram.
• Figure 2.2 shows the Spatial Dispatch result after only one algorithm iteration when the Maximum shift factor value is 2.
• Figure 2.3 shows the Spatial Dispatch result after only one algorithm iteration when the Maximum shift factor value is 200.

Note:

Even if the displacement for nodes is the same in figures 2.2 and 2.3, the result for nodes that almost overlapped (highlighted in the red circle) is different.

Move unselected neighbor nodes check box

If a selection exists in the active schematic diagram, the Spatial Dispatch layout algorithm works only on that selection. However, if the Move unselected neighbor nodes check box is checked, the neighbors of the selected schematic nodes that are not selected could be moved if needed. The Move unselected neighbor nodes check box is checked by default unless it has been modified for the diagram template related to the active diagram.

Restore Defaults button

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