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3D exploded views

Updated over a week ago

Exploded model views display the components of an assembly separated and positioned to show how they fit together. This article shows how to use exploded model views in CoLab.

Exploding the model with the explode tool

Explode.svg

When viewing a model, the explode tool is accessible from the 3D toolbar

Note: this feature currently explodes the model around its centre and in all directions.

Screenshot 2024-02-13 at 10.18.44 AM.png

Resetting the model

To reset the model, drag the toggle back to its original position or right click any part on the model and select 'Reset Viewer'.

Manually exploding parts with handles

You can also explode a single part or sub-assembly of a 3D model using the 'Show handles' tool. This gives you the ability to explode and interrogate a small selection of the model, instead of exploding the entire 3D model from its centre point.

To explode parts with handles:

  1. Right click on the part you wish to explode (Pro Tip: double click the part to climb up the part tree. You can keep clicking until the entire model is selected)

  2. Select β€˜Show Handles’ from the right click context menu

  3. Once the XYZ triad appears (as shown below), move and/or interrogate the part or sub-assembly as desired.

Screenshot 2024-02-13 at 10.21.09 AM.png
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