Animating an Explosion

Use

You can quickly create keyframe animations of the parts moving into the final (exploded) position. You have the option of either creating a single sequence for all parts and groups, or alternatively, creating sequences for each part and group. There is also an option to create a step for each sequence.

When you select to perform an explosion with animation options, the system acts as follows:

  • An Explosion Sequence is started.

  • SAP 3D Visual Enterprise Author registers the explosion handle and populates the Explosion Order list.

  • An Animation Sequence called Explosion [n] ([n] being a integer) is created, using the default animation settings.

  • The current object positions are recorded as a Keyframe in the first frame of the animation sequence.

  • The animations sequence is moved to the last frame

  • All Keyframe recording features; for example, viewport highlight and record icon, are enabled.

  • SAP 3D Visual Enterprise Author dynamically shows the objects exploding as the handle is dragged.

Activities

Exploding Objects Using Animation

  1. Open a 3D file and select a subassembly in the scene by pressing CTRL, and dragging with the mouse. The selected objects are highlighted in the scene.

  2. From the Tool Assistant, choose Start New Explode Process. The explosion handles display in the scene, and the explosion anchor is highlighted.

  3. In the Animation section of the Manual Explode Tool Assistant, choose On, and make the required selections.

  4. Do one of the following:

    • Click and hold a linear explosion handle (arrow), and drag it along the axis, away from the model. The objects dynamically explode along the axis as the handle is dragged.

    • Click and hold a radial explosion handle (sphere), and drag it away from the model. The objects dynamically explode away from a central axis in all directions as the handle is dragged.

  5. Release the mouse button and choose Finish Explode. The explosion sequence and animation sequence end.

Deleting an Exploded Animation

  1. Open the file from which you want to delete a sequence.

  2. Open the Animation Options window and select Explode Sequence in the Sequence window.

  3. Choose Delete. The sequence is removed from the sequence list and the explosion is deleted.

More Information

Animation Options Window