Cable Run
Draw the cable route between lighting components on your plan. Cable runs show the path of buried or surface cable between transformer, junction boxes, and fixtures.
The Cable Run tool draws a multi-segment polyline on your lighting plan that represents the physical path of buried or surface-mounted cable. Use it to document exactly how power travels from the transformer through junction boxes to each fixture, so installers have a clear, measurable route to follow. Cable runs are documentation objects — they appear on printed plans and cost reports but do not affect how fixtures illuminate the 3D scene. Place your transformer, junction boxes, and lighting controller first, then draw cable runs to connect them into a complete circuit diagram.
Inspector fields
Cable Type — the cable specification (e.g., low-voltage direct burial). Length — computed automatically from the drawn path. Notes — a field for installation remarks.
Trace the cable path
Click on the canvas to place the first point of the cable run — typically at the transformer or a junction box. Continue clicking to add waypoints that follow the intended underground or surface route. Each segment between clicks represents a straight cable section. Add as many waypoints as needed to route around beds, hardscape, and other obstacles.
Finish the cable run
Double-click the final point to finish the run, or press Enter after placing the last waypoint. The completed cable run is drawn as a line on the plan and becomes a selectable entity. To cancel an in-progress run without placing it, press Esc.
Set the cable type and gauge
Select the cable run on the canvas to open its Inspector panel. Under the Cable section, choose a Cable Type — options include Low Voltage, Line Voltage, Data, Fiber, or Custom. Then set the Gauge to match your specification (for example, 12 AWG for low-voltage landscape lighting).
Specify the installation method
Still in the Inspector, set the Installation field to reflect how the cable will be installed: Direct Burial for cables laid underground, Conduit for cables in protective pipe, Surface for cables run above grade, or Aerial for overhead spans. This distinction appears on the printed plan and helps installers work correctly on site.
Name the cable run
Use the Name field at the top of the Inspector to identify the run (for example, "Zone 1 — Front Beds"). A clear name makes it easy for the client or contractor to cross-reference specific cable runs in the documentation.
Place your transformer, junction boxes, and lighting controller on the plan before drawing cable runs. Starting and ending runs on those infrastructure points ensures the total cable lengths on the plan reflect the real installation path, and the drawing reads as a complete, connected circuit.
Route cable runs along the edges of garden beds and hardscape rather than cutting across open lawn. Installers prefer predictable routes that follow natural boundaries, and it makes future maintenance easier to locate buried cable.
Deleting a cable run from the plan does not affect any fixture entities — lighting effects in the 3D view are independent of the wiring documentation. Always verify circuit documentation before exporting the final installation plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I finish drawing a cable run?
Double-click the last point on the canvas, or press Enter after placing it. Either action commits the polyline as a completed cable run entity. If you want to abandon an unfinished run, press Esc to cancel without placing anything.
Can I show buried cable differently from surface cable?
Yes. Select the cable run and change the Installation field in the Inspector to Direct Burial, Conduit, Surface, or Aerial. Each option can be styled differently on the plan — for example, you might use a dashed line style to distinguish buried cable from surface-run cable.
Does the cable run affect how fixtures light the scene in 3D?
No. Cable runs are purely documentation objects. They appear on the 2D plan and in printed deliverables but have no effect on how fixtures illuminate the 3D scene. Fixture brightness and direction are controlled separately in each fixture's Inspector.
Can I edit a cable run after I draw it?
Yes. Select the cable run and use the path edit handles to move individual waypoints, add new points, or remove existing ones. You can also change the cable type, gauge, and installation method in the Inspector at any time.
How do I record the cable type and installation method?
Select the cable run and open the Details section in the Inspector. Set the Cable Type (Low Voltage, Line Voltage, Data, Fiber, or Custom), enter the Gauge, and choose the Installation method (Direct Burial, Conduit, Surface, or Aerial). These details print on the plan so installers know exactly what to lay and how.