topic Re: create exploded views in Inventor Forum

create exploded views

niall.rasmussen — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 08:58:23 GMT

Hi,

What details or information is needed to create an exploded assembly?

Can you explode a 3D model file?

I have a 3D model file and would like to know if it can be exploded within a software or will you need all the source files that created this model file?

Any advice or reference will be appreciated.

Niall

Re: create exploded views

l.oostewechel — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 09:04:02 GMT

You need to have a assembly. Dont know if a multi-body part works.

Re: create exploded views

CCarreiras — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 09:10:51 GMT

Hi!

You can explode a file assembly, but you must have all the files that are present in the assembly also available.

Open your assembly, and if it is all good (no missing parts), just click: Create Presentation

Re: create exploded views

kacper.suchomski — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 11:23:02 GMT

In a multi-body part file, you can create a new Model State by moving the bodies using the Direct Edit tool.

Re: create exploded views

niall.rasmussen — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 10:14:38 GMT

Thanks CCarreiras,

Yes my sample file is only a single body part file assembly with no access to part files which means I cannot do anything.

Niall

Re: create exploded views

CCarreiras — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 12:49:42 GMT

If your model is a multi solid, you can turn each solid into a part, and transform it in an assembly automatically:

Then, you can explode the model.

Use this tool:

If your model is only a body, you can try to separate first in several bodies and then use the "Make Components " to create the assembly.

...depends on the model. If you share more info , or the model itself , we can help more.

Re: create exploded views

niall.rasmussen — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 13:50:47 GMT

Hi CCarreiras,

I have attached a file of the model in a pdf format, which I also have as a.dwg file. The image is of an exploded assembly, but I cannot explode it myself only view it as it is.

Niall

Re: create exploded views

CCarreiras — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 14:21:01 GMT

????
But .... you don't have the 3D model?!

Re: create exploded views

niall.rasmussen — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 15:03:10 GMT

Yes, the previous file was the first example I have. I guess that format is not usable.

I have attached the next sample. Hopefully you will be able to open it.

Regards

Niall

Re: create exploded views

CCarreiras — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 00:26:36 GMT

Sorry, Inventor doesnt open such kind of Rhino format files.

Re: create exploded views

niall.rasmussen — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 10:09:44 GMT

Hi CCarreiras,

I open this file with Autodesk Viewer, maybe you can try this and see what options may be possible for this file.

Regards

Niall

Re: create exploded views

niall.rasmussen — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 07:43:09 GMT

Hi CCarreiras,

Were you able to view that file through Autodesk Viewer?

Just curious to know what your advice or suggestions on this model would be in regards to creating an exploded view of same.

Regards

Niall

Re: create exploded views

kacper.suchomski — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 08:35:13 GMT

Think of Autodesk Viewer as a PDF viewer.

Re: create exploded views

niall.rasmussen — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 09:04:50 GMT

Hi,

https://help.autodesk.com/view/ADSKVIEWER/ENU/?guid=ADSKVIEWER_Help_SupportedFileTypes_html

I am able to open this .3DM file with Autodesk Viewer, maybe you can try this and see what options may be possible for this file in regards to creating an exploded view of this 3D model.

Regards

Niall

Re: create exploded views

CCarreiras — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 11:24:34 GMT

Hi!

Your model is made of meshes. Meshes is a kind of surface web... kind of a shell.
To create explosions, you will need to have solids.

You can turn meshes into surfaces, and surfaces into solids (Adding thickness to the surfaces or other methods, depends on the part), but in this case you will need weeks to do that to all model surfaces.

sorry, but...

Without solids, you cannot explode the model with Inventor or any similar solid modeler (and i don't know if exist any software to do that with meshes).

---The alternative is export this model in "solid mode" from Rhino.

Re: create exploded views

niall.rasmussen — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 14:48:36 GMT

Thank you very much CCarreiras for your insight and advice. I understand a bit more now about exploded views and its requirements. I know I was clutching at straws with my examples, but I do understand what information you really need to create a practical exploded view.

Thanks again for your time and expertise.

Regards

Niall