SolidWorks 2011 Assemblies Bible - Matt Lombard [193]
FIGURE 23.7
The second page of the Explode Animation Wizard
If you add the explode animation at the end of the rotate animation, the resulting animation does both: rotates then explodes, each in sequence. Later you will learn how to copy and reverse the key points for the explode to make it collapse, and how to adjust key points to make parts move faster, slower, or simultaneously.
You can also edit the animation created by the explode or collapse in the same way you would edit the rotate animation created by the wizard. If you have multiple parts moving at different times, you can edit the sequence so that certain parts move at the same time by marquee selecting (or Ctrl+selecting) a group of key points and moving them along the timeline.
Animating an assembly
Here is an example of using the Animation Wizard to first rotate a model, then explode and collapse it, along with some simple editing. If you want to follow along with this example, open the Yoke Link.sldasm assembly from the Animations folder on the DVD. Note that this assembly already has a complete animation, so you will need to create a second motion study when the time comes for that.
Creating an explode
The first step in creating this animation is to have an explode in place before starting the animation. To do this, start by switching to the ConfigurationManager, and create a new configuration. In this example, the new configuration is called Example (right-click the name of the part in the ConfigurationManager and select Add Configuration). Figure 23.8 shows a configuration being added.
FIGURE 23.8
Adding a new configuration to the assembly
To add the new explode, right-click the new configuration name and select New Exploded View, as shown in Figure 23.9.
FIGURE 23.9
Adding a new explode
Adding the explode brings up the PropertyManager shown in Figure 23.10. In this PropertyManager, you can create the individual explode steps.
FIGURE 23.10
Detailing the explode steps for this example
Without reviewing the material for explodes in Chapter 16 in detail, the general workflow for creating the individual explode steps is as follows:
1. Select a part.
2. Use the triad to move the part. You may have to set the explode direction for parts not aligned with the assembly axes.
3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 for each explode you want to add.
This example uses six explode steps:
1. Explode the nut to the side (you must establish a direction — you can use the cylindrical face of the pin to do this).
2. Explode the pin in the other direction (you must establish a direction).
3. Explode the strap straight up.
4. Explode the Head and the Bushing straight down together.
5. Explode the Bushing to one side (you must establish a direction).
6. Explode the Tie Rod down half the distance of the Head and Bushing explode.
Now that the explode is complete, make sure the assembly is in its collapsed state (right-click ExplView1 under the configuration name).
Before displaying the MotionManager interface, change the assembly view to the proper orientation. Press the spacebar to display the View Orientation dialog box, and select the animation 1 view. Then close the View Orientation dialog box.
Next, right-click the Animation1 tab at the bottom-left corner of the SolidWorks window, to display the MotionManager interface, and select Create New Motion Study. This gives you a fresh start with a new animation timeline. Figure 23.11 shows how to create the new motion study.
FIGURE 23.11
Creating a new motion study
Next, click the Animation Wizard icon in the MotionManager toolbar. The Select an Animation Type