SolidWorks 2010 Bible

Part VII: Working with Specialized Functionality

To play the animation, click the Play From Start or the Play button in the MotionManager tool-

bar, shown respectively in the image in the margin.

Creating an exploded view animation

The sample assembly on the CD-ROM is named Chapter 33 Robot Assembly, and is saved

with an exploded view. You can create your own or use the one I have provided. If you use this

file, create a new animation to practice with. To use the Animation Wizard to create an animated

explode and collapse, first start with an assembly that has an exploded view and activate the

Animation Wizard. Figure 33.3 shows the first page of the Animation Wizard where you select the

animation type. Select Explode and click Next. Figure 33.7 shows the second page. Explode ani-

mations skip the second step, which is used by Rotate animations.

FIGURE 33.7

The second page of the Explode Animation Wizard

If you added the explode at the end of the rotate, your animation does both: rotate then explode,

each in sequence. Later you will learn how to copy and reverse the key points for the explode to

make it collapse, and you will also learn how to adjust key points to make parts move faster,

slower, or simultaneously.

Animating the View

You are not limited to the Rotate Animation Wizard to changing the view. You can manually create

key points or drive a camera along a path to create the view or transition between views that help

you visualize your geometry.