explode

[mikekmx]

is there an easy way to 'explode' an assembly of parts in the traditional sense of explode....to make an exploded parts diagram?

 

if not, can anyone suggest the best way to go about doing it, please? a 3D drawing.

[ReMark]

There is no easy way to make an exploded parts diagram in generic AutoCAD. Try Inventor instead.

[JD Mather]

Move isn't all that difficult in AutoCAD and now with the Gizmo it is very easy.

 

or

 

if you have access to Autodesk Inventor - even easier.

Simply start a new Inventor Presentation (*.ipn) and follow the screen prompts.

[rkent]

This is how I handle it. Each piece is on its own layer, create multiple viewports in a layout, freeze all layers but one per viewport, move the viewports as needed, draw lines between them as is typical in an exploded view.

 

Not the best but if all you have is AutoCAD then you do what is necessary to get by.

[mikekmx]

thanks

 

that Inventor tool looks like it would be ideal.

 

but 'move' it will have to be

[JD Mather]

  mikekmx said:

but 'move' it will have to be

 

I assume you are using xrefs and it is easy to create a copy of the assembly for the exploded assembly.

[mikekmx]

  JD Mather said:

I assume you are using xrefs and it is easy to create a copy of the assembly for the exploded assembly.

 

no i am not using xrefs.

i have finished for the day but i expected to make a copy and move things about on the copy....so i will end up with 2 un-related drawings. i think i see what you are implying but i have no idea how i would benefit from using xrefs here.

i avoid xrefes wherever possible (through ignorance). i used to bind them and explode them (when using 2006). I haven't worked out how to do that in 2008 yet (it seems different) but thankfully i have only had 1 dwg with a xref recently.

 

the item is only some UniStrut bracketry i drew to see how things were likely to fit on site - just for my planning purposes, but then i thought now i have drawn it, the lads on site may find it useful for when they come to make it (or more likely it will get binned and they will do it their way, but at least it's there if needed)

[JD Mather]

Never mind - I see you are using 2008 rather than 2013 or later.

 

I like to follow the real world in CAD.

In the real world one part is one part.

A sub-assembly is one sub-assembly, a collection of parts.

An assembly is one assembly, a collection of sub-assemblies and parts.

 

These parts and sub-assemblies might be used in multiple assemblies. (like your exploded and un-exploded assemblies). The part or sub-assembly need only exist once. (can be xrefed as many times and anywhere needed)

 

Use of xrefs builds assemblies the same way they are in the real world.