The Auto Flex Tool is used to create a Flex layout automatically, where the flex tube is inside or outside of the letter or graphic. This tool is the primary layout tool for Flex products, similar to Auto Population for modules.
First select the letters or objects that you want to use for the flex layout, and when you click on this tool, the property bar will change as below.
Flex Brand
The first list is the flex module brand to use.
Color
The second list is the color to use.
Flex Product
The third list is the flex product to use.
Clearance
The clearance is the distance from the return (edge) of the letter, graphic, or cabinet for the flex tubes. A positive value will result in an inline from the return, whereas a negative value will result in an outline of the return.
# of Tubes
Enter the number of tubes to create. A value of 1 will create a single flex tube in the center of the stroke. A value of 2 will create an inline of the path by the Clearance value. A value of 3 will create both an inline and a center path. Higher values will follow these same rules.
Tube Gap
Enter the gap between tubes. This is used for larger layouts with multiple runs.
OAT
This is the Outside Angle Threshold to use when creating inlines and outlines. A value above 90 will round square corners, and a value below 90 will create square corners.
Tolerance
The tolerance is...?
After you have selected the Brand, Flex product, Clearance, Number of Tubes, Tube Gap, OAT, and Tolerance, then you are almost ready to Populate here in the Flex Tab. But before you do, there are a few more options that you can consider. These options are the same as what's available in PowerFlow and Auto Populate, namely:
Auto Power Supply Loading
Auto Title Block Merge
Auto Dimensions
Each of these can be automatically run in the same operation as creating the layout. Or you can do each of these after the layout is ceeated with the buttons Load, Merge, and Add.