This topic lists step-by-step information on how to add centroids and centroid connectors in CUBE Networks.

Step 1: Open CUBE Highway Network (.net)

Step 2: Click on Layer Control and select boundary layer and add the underlying polygon (TAZ) shapefile as below:

Click All Done.

Step 3: Under Node Tab > Click on Automatic Add Centroid

Step 4: Select the TAZ attribute from the polygon file. This attribute adds the nodes (which are zones) in the network.

Step 5: To add connectors, click on Automatic Add Centroid Connectors option

Step 6: Review the options in the dialog box as below:

Most common options in this dialog box:

- Maximum Connectors > How many connector you want to create from a given zone
- Maximum Distance > what is the maximum distance CUBE should look for a node to create the centroid connectors. The distance unit is based on scaling parameter/distance field which is available for reference in Network Options.
- Any conditions when creating the centroid connectors. For example, if you do not want to create the centroid connectors directly to a Highway/Freeway, then enter FUNC_CLASS=1 (if functional class is 1 for highways/freeways). This will NOT create centroid connectors to any highways/freeways.

Step 7: When clicking OK, the number of centroid connectors created will appear.

Some Notes:

- While Automated Centroids and Centroid Connectors is a good start, one must always review these generations manually as the highway skimming/assignment primarily depends on these connectors.
- When you first create centroid connectors using the Automatic Centroid Connectors option, you can always undo the creation by using Ctrl+Z and try again with new parameters.
- It is a possibility that centroid connectors created automatically are not desired so you can manually change these connectors using the network editor.
- Always make a backup of your network before you use the automatic centroid connectors option.