No available components for exploding!

[cedricmartin]

I have created an assembly of (4) main components, (12) socket head cap screws and (12) spring washers. I now want to show these as an exploded view, but when I use the explode command within Animation, I get the message saying, "No available components for exploding."

Is it the way I have assembled the component that is stopping me from being able to explode the assembly, or am I simply not seeing the correct way to do this?

As always, any help will be greatly appreciated.

Cedric.

[MichaelAubry · Accepted solution]

Hi Cedric, 

It could be a couple of things.  The first thing to consider is have you selected components prior to selecting auto explode?

The 2nd thing to consider are you sure they are actually their own unique "Components?" It's really common for users to keep model parts as Bodies and wait until the end of the design process to separate them into separate Components. A simple promotion process can help correct this:

If you try to explode this assembly as is you will get the same error. To correct this, promote the bodies to be contained within their own components.

Hope that helps!

Mike

[cedricmartin]

Michael,

Thank you! You hit the nail on the head! I simply had not selected the components before trying to explode the assembly.

Is there a way, however, to control the direction of the explosion? I see how you can control the rate, or distance that the components move, but I couldn't find a way to control the direction. I would like for my components to explode in a straight line so that I can keep bolts, for example, on the centerline of the hole they are intended to pass through.

If you know how to do this it would be a tremendous help. And, for an encore, maybe you can tell me what's with all the Chinese, or Japanese posts we are seeing?

Regards,

Cedric

[MichaelAubry]

Hi Cedric,

Makes sense. Unfortunately, Autoexplode doesn't have the ability to explicitly choose a separation axis at this time, but Manual Explode does.  There's a video on manual explode here:

http://help.autodesk.com/view/fusion360/ENU/?guid=GUID-A2D0AD0C-0B11-4B26-9BE7-D0BF92D0DB67

My big hint with manuall explode is to know that each component you select has a blue axis arrow that chooses what direction that component explodes to. Be sure to click on each component and make sure it's going the correct direction. Let me know how your experience goes. 

As for the random posts we have seen an increase in spam lately. As you see those posts please flag! We are addressing it.

Very Best,

Mike

[cedricmartin]

Mike,

Once again, thanks a lot! Your suggestion saved me countless hours of hunting for a way to do this. I haven't been using this program very long, but through guys like yourself I am slowly becoming more proficient with each passing day.

Regards,

Cedric.