Assembly Explode Offset Line

[amg]

Hi,
I have an assembly having components assembled with respect to the co-ordinate system. I want to make an exploded view by moving the components normal to existing planes and also along axes. Then I need to create OFFSET LINES to depict the positions of components in the assembly.

This methodology of mine is similar to what we do in Pro/E, where we have liberty to move and place the components in the exploded view at will. But in Catia, I found that while creating an exploded state, I can move the components only by giving then values in x, y and z direction (which is very crumbersome when dealing in a 3D environment). Also, the movement is possible only along the axes and normal to the planes; That also in the case when the assembly has been done with proper Mate / Coincident constraining (which in my case is thru Coordinate System).

Can we save that exploded state and then go again and modify the placement of components?

Can we create Offset Lines like we do in Pro/E.

Request your advice.

Thanks in advance

Amish

 

[catiajim]

There is an Explode Function in Assembly Design, but I don't think you can control the direction of each part.

It is also pretty easy to drop the Compass on each part and move it individually.

I will usually use a combination of the two - explode it first, and then tweak the positions using the compass.

If you want to Save this explosion, but also save the original positions of the parts, create a Scene, and do your explosion in the scene. You can associate a view to that scene as well, just select the scene (from the tree) before you select the geometry.

I'm not sure about the Offset Lines, but I don't think so.