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Adding explode lines

Explode lines are 3D sketch lines that show the explode path of the parts in an exploded view of an assembly. You would think that SolidWorks would be able to create these lines automatically from the data in the exploded view, but it can't; you have to make the lines manually. The Explode Line Sketch toolbar icon is in the Assembly toolbar by default, and it activates the Explode Sketch Line toolbar, which contains only two tools: Route Line and Jog Line.

The Route Line feature is much easier to use than in previous versions. Now you simply click the features that you want to connect with an explode line, use the arrows that appear to determine which direction the sketch should connect to the part, and then click the RMB to accept the line and move on to the next. The process is shown in Figure 16.10.

In cases where you want to move a line that the Route Line feature has created, move your cursor over the line; two small arrows appear, as shown in Figure 16.11, which enable you to move that line.

FIGURE 16.10

Drawing Route Lines in an exploded view

FIGURE 16.11

Moving a Route Line as it is created

Showing exploded view

The best view orientation to use for an exploded view on a drawing is usually not one of the standard views. To create a custom view orientation, use the mouse to orient the view in the way that you want the assembly displayed on the drawing, then open the assembly and press the spacebar to open the View Orientation box. Click the New View button, and name the new view orientation.

Now you can place the new view on the drawing. To show the view in the exploded state, right-click inside the view (but off any part geometry), select Properties, and choose the Show in Exploded State option, as shown in Figure 16.12.

FIGURE 16.12

Showing the exploded state on the drawing

Creating section views

Section views are common enough in part drawings, but when you section an assembly, you have to consider other things, such as not cutting fasteners and shafts. You can create assembly sections with the same options that you use for part sections, partial sections, aligned sections, and broken-out sections.

Excluding parts from section views

When creating a section view, you can exclude parts from being sectioned. Figure 16.13 shows the Section Scope tab of the Section View dialog box, which enables you to do this. You can also access this dialog box when editing a section view through the Section View PropertyManager, by clicking the More Properties button at the bottom, and then choosing the Section Scope tab.

Aligning the view

In this case, the section line is slightly angled, and you would like to have the section view laid out straight. To orient a view in a particular way, select an edge that you want to be horizontal or vertical (assuming there is one; if not, then you may have to use a sketch line or axis), and through the menus, select Tools⇒Align Drawing View and then select either Horizontal Edge or Vertical Edge.

Remember that you can always rotate the view on the sheet with the Rotate button on the Heads Up View toolbar on the drawing. This displays a dialog box where you can type in a specific value.

FIGURE 16.13

Excluding bolts and pins from the section view of this assembly

Adjusting the hatching

The default hatching may not be the right size for the parts you build. If you need to adjust the hatching — the size, the pattern, or the angle — just click the sectioned part, and the Area Hatch/Fill PropertyManager appears. Figure 16.14 shows the PropertyManager and a hatched section view.

FIGURE 16.14

Using the Area Hatch/Fill PropertyManager

You can change hatching for each part (component), body, the entire view, or just the selected enclosed region. Be sure to make the right selection in the Apply To drop-down menu before you exit the Area Hatch PropertyManager.

Hatching is assigned with the material, found at the top of the SolidWorks FeatureManager for each