Exploded view creation in Solidworks - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

An exploded view shows parts of an assembly separated to see how they fit together. It helps understand complex products by displaying each component clearly.

When you want to show how parts of a product fit together in a manual

When you need to explain assembly steps to a technician

When creating presentations to highlight individual components

When checking if parts interfere or fit correctly in an assembly

When preparing exploded diagrams for maintenance guides

Steps

Step 1: Open the assembly file

- SolidWorks main window

The full assembly appears on screen

Step 2: Click the 'Exploded View' button

- Assembly tab on the CommandManager toolbar

Exploded View PropertyManager opens on the left

Step 3: Select one or more components to move

- Graphics area or FeatureManager design tree

Selected parts highlight to show they are ready to be moved

Step 4: Drag the triad arrows to move parts apart

- Exploded View PropertyManager

Parts separate visually along the chosen axis

Step 5: Click 'Done' to save the exploded step

- Exploded View PropertyManager

The exploded step is added to the list and shown in the graphics area

Step 6: Repeat selecting and moving parts for additional steps

- Exploded View PropertyManager

Multiple exploded steps build a full exploded view

Step 7: Click 'OK' to finish and close the Exploded View tool

- Exploded View PropertyManager

The exploded view is saved and displayed in the assembly

Before vs After

Before

Assembly shows all parts tightly fitted together in one position

After

Assembly parts are spaced apart clearly showing each component's position

Settings Reference

Explode Step Direction

📍 Exploded View PropertyManager

Controls the direction parts move when exploded

Default: Along selected triad arrow

Explode Step Distance

📍 Exploded View PropertyManager

Sets how far parts move apart in each explode step

Default: 0 mm

Auto-rotate parts

📍 Exploded View PropertyManager

Allows parts to rotate automatically during explode steps

Default: Disabled

Common Mistakes

Moving parts without selecting them first

Parts will not move if not selected, causing no visible change

Always select parts before dragging to move them in the exploded view

Creating too many explode steps unnecessarily

Makes the exploded view complicated and hard to understand

Group related parts in fewer steps for clarity

Not saving the exploded view before closing

All work on the exploded view will be lost

Click 'OK' to save the exploded view before exiting the tool

Summary

Exploded views separate assembly parts to show how they fit together.

Use the Exploded View tool to select and move parts step-by-step.

Remember to save your exploded view to keep your changes.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of creating an exploded view in SolidWorks?

easy

A. To spread parts apart to show assembly details clearly

B. To merge all parts into a single solid body

C. To reduce the file size of the assembly

D. To automatically generate 3D animations

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand exploded view purpose

   An exploded view is used to separate parts visually to show how they fit together.

2. Step 2: Compare options

   Only To spread parts apart to show assembly details clearly describes spreading parts apart to show assembly details, which matches the purpose.

3. Final Answer:

   To spread parts apart to show assembly details clearly -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Exploded view = show assembly details [OK]

Hint: Exploded views separate parts visually for clarity [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking exploded views merge parts
• Confusing exploded views with file compression
• Assuming exploded views create animations automatically

2. Which step correctly describes how to start creating an exploded view in SolidWorks?

easy

A. Use the 'Measure' tool to select parts to explode

B. Click 'File' then 'Save As' and choose exploded view format

C. Right-click the assembly in FeatureManager and select 'New Exploded View'

D. Drag parts directly in the drawing sheet to explode

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify how to start exploded view

   In SolidWorks, exploded views are created from the assembly by right-clicking it in the FeatureManager or ConfigurationManager.

2. Step 2: Evaluate options

   Right-click the assembly in FeatureManager and select 'New Exploded View' correctly states to right-click the assembly and select 'New Exploded View'. Other options describe unrelated actions.

3. Final Answer:

   Right-click the assembly in FeatureManager and select 'New Exploded View' -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Start exploded view = right-click assembly [OK]

Hint: Right-click assembly to find exploded view option [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to save exploded view as a separate file
• Using measure tool to explode parts
• Dragging parts in drawing instead of assembly

3. Given this exploded view step sequence in SolidWorks:
Step 1: Move part A 50mm along X-axis
Step 2: Move part B 30mm along Y-axis
Step 3: Move part C 20mm along Z-axis
What will be the relative position of part B after these steps?

medium

A. Moved 50mm along X-axis and 30mm along Y-axis

B. No movement applied

C. Moved 20mm along Z-axis only

D. Moved 30mm along Y-axis from original position

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze movement instructions

   Each step moves a different part: Part A moves 50mm X, Part B moves 30mm Y, Part C moves 20mm Z.

2. Step 2: Determine part B's movement

   Part B is only moved 30mm along the Y-axis from its original position.

3. Final Answer:

   Moved 30mm along Y-axis from original position -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Part B moves 30mm Y only [OK]

Hint: Each part moves only as specified in its step [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Adding movements of other parts to part B
• Confusing axis directions
• Assuming cumulative moves for all parts

4. You created an exploded view but parts overlap incorrectly after moving. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. You used the 'Collapse' command instead of 'Explode'

B. You moved parts without using the correct explode steps or directions

C. You forgot to rebuild the assembly after exploding

D. You saved the exploded view in the wrong file format

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify cause of overlapping parts

   Incorrect overlapping usually happens when parts are moved incorrectly or in wrong directions during explode steps.

2. Step 2: Evaluate options

   You moved parts without using the correct explode steps or directions correctly identifies wrong movement as cause. Other options relate to saving or commands not directly causing overlap.

3. Final Answer:

   You moved parts without using the correct explode steps or directions -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Wrong moves cause overlaps [OK]

Hint: Check explode directions if parts overlap [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming file format affects exploded view layout
• Forgetting to rebuild but expecting overlap fix
• Confusing collapse with explode commands

5. You want to create an exploded view for a complex assembly with multiple subassemblies. Which approach best ensures clarity and ease of use?

hard

A. Create exploded views for each subassembly separately, then combine them in the main assembly

B. Explode all parts at once in the main assembly without subassembly views

C. Use only the default exploded view without customizing part movements

D. Export each subassembly as a separate file and explode outside SolidWorks

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand exploded views in complex assemblies

   For clarity, it's best to manage exploded views at subassembly level before combining.

2. Step 2: Evaluate options for best practice

   Create exploded views for each subassembly separately, then combine them in the main assembly allows clear, manageable exploded views per subassembly, improving clarity and ease of editing.

3. Final Answer:

   Create exploded views for each subassembly separately, then combine them in the main assembly -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Subassembly exploded views improve clarity [OK]

Hint: Explode subassemblies first, then main assembly [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Exploding all parts at once causing confusion
• Relying on default views without customization
• Exporting parts outside SolidWorks unnecessarily