Set Exploded View Position ( Modeling )

Tool summary :

  • Sets or resets the exploded view position of one or more members that you select.
  • If you later auto detail this erection view as an " Exploded . . . " 2D erection view detail, auto detailing will draw the member(s) you selected during this operation in their exploded view position.
  • See the step-by-step instructions .

Also see :

   Step-by-step instructions :

The following instructions assume that you are using a 3-button mouse, that the User and Site Options > General > " Point location target " is set to ' Fancy ' ( ), and that you use mouse bindings similar to those shown in these illustrations.

Before using this tool:

  • In Modeling , Open ( Ctrl + o ) a view that shows the members whose exploded view positions you want to set (or change).
  • Exploded view positions are applied to members no matter what the view. This makes it easy to get an " Exploded . . . " isometric view without your having to apply the exploded positions in an isometric view. It's a lot easier to apply exploded positions in a plan view than in an isometric view.
  • If you want to move a member's exploded view position, you do not first have to Clear Exploded View Position . The member is simply assigned the newest exploded view position that you set.
  • Recommended: Check the box for " Show exploded positions " on the Display Options window. This makes it easier to see the results of this operation.
  • Step 1 (preselection) is optional. If you don't do step 1, in-tool selection is required -- see note 2 .
1 . In Select Items mode with the selection filter set to ' Default ' or ' Members ' or etc.', Select or Select + (or draw an area box ) to select one or more members that you want to explode. They display in the User and Site Options > Modeling > " Primary selection color " (green in this example).
2 . Invoke Set Exploded View Position . If you didn't do step 1, see note 2 before going to step 3.
3 . The status line prompts, " Locate a reference point :" Select the Locate option you want, then place the mouse pointer ( ) so the target ( ) is where you want the reference point, then left-click ( Locate ).
4 . The status line prompts, " Locate second point: " Move the mouse pointer ( ) so the target ( ) snaps to a second point, then left-click ( Locate ). In this example, INCL is the Locate option that is selected.
5 . The selected members (one member in this example) are moved the distance and direction that the second point is from the reference point. Since " Show exploded positions " is checked in this example, the member's new position is shown.

Note 1: To invoke Set Exploded View Position :

Method 1 : Click the icon. The icon can be taken from the group named ' Model -- Member ' and placed on a toolbar (classic) or the ribbon (lightning).

Method 2 : If " Modeling layout style " is ' Classic ', you can use the menu system to choose Model > Member > Set Exploded View Position .

Method 3, 4 or 5 : Set Exploded View Position can also be configured to be invoked using a keyboard shortcut , the context menu , or a mode . For the lightning interface, this configuration is done using Customize Interface .

Note 2: If you didn't do step 1 (preselection), Set Exploded View Position activates Select Item(s) mode, and the status line prompts you to " Select member(s) to explode ." This prompting also occurs when a material (instead of a member) was selected in step 1. Press the Enter key or right-click ( Menu ) and choose " OK " on the context menu when you are done selecting one or more members.

Select Item(s) bindings

Note 3: Right-click ( Return ) in steps 3 or 4 ends the operation.

mouse bindings, steps 3, 4

Note 4: When this (or any other erection view) is detailed as " Exploded . . . ," the one or more members you selected (in step 1) are drawn in their exploded positions.

Note 5: You may want to repeat this operation for other members in this view. Since the " Show exploded positions " option disables many Modeling functions, you should uncheck it before you go on to do something else.