Short answer: An exploded view is a drawing or 3D view of an assembly with its parts pulled apart along the directions in which they are assembled, so you can see every component, where it sits and the order in which it goes together. Exploded views are used in assembly instructions, maintenance manuals, illustrated parts catalogs, training and product marketing.
What an exploded view shows
- Every part, separated: components move apart along the axis they are assembled on, so nothing hides anything else.
- Explode lines: thin lines, also called trail lines, show the path each part travels back to its place.
- Item numbers: balloons link each part to a parts list or bill of materials.
- Sub-assemblies: parts that go in together stay grouped, so the view reads in assembly order.
Where exploded views are used
| Use | What the exploded view does |
|---|---|
| Assembly instructions | Shows which part goes where, and in what order. |
| Maintenance and repair manuals | Shows how to reach a part, and what comes off first. |
| Illustrated parts catalogs | Identifies each part by its item number, so technicians order the right one. |
| Technician training | Explains how a mechanism is built before anyone touches it. |
| Sales and marketing | Shows what is inside the product. |
In aerospace and defense, illustrated parts catalogs are often delivered as S1000D illustrated parts data.
2D, 3D and animated exploded views
The 2D exploded drawing is a fixed illustration, often isometric, printed in a manual or a catalog. An interactive 3D exploded view lets the reader rotate the model, isolate a part and zoom in. An animated exploded view moves the parts apart and back together, and can show how a mechanism moves: which joints turn, which parts slide and which gears drive each other.
How to make an exploded view
In your CAD software. Most CAD applications, including SOLIDWORKS, Autodesk Inventor, Fusion and Onshape, have an explode tool. You choose the parts, the direction and the distance step by step, then add explode lines and balloons on a drawing.
Free, in your browser. TwinWorks Animate takes a STEP or STP assembly up to 100 MB, explodes it and animates the rotating and sliding joints and gear pairs it detects. Download the animation as an MP4 video, with no account. Joint detection is in beta, and joints it is unsure of are marked for you to check.
Five tips for a clear exploded view
- Explode each part along the direction it is assembled, never sideways.
- Keep fasteners close to the holes they go into.
- Show one sub-assembly per view when the product is large.
- Number every part, and match the numbers to the parts list.
- Order the parts as they are assembled, so the view reads like the task.
From exploded view to work instructions
An exploded view shows what goes where. A work instruction adds the order, the tools, the safety precautions and the checks. TwinWorks uses the 3D model as visual context for each step: authors set up the part actions and views, and experts review the method before release. See how CAD becomes work instructions, or open a public example: the SO-101 robot arm gripper servo replacement, in nine 3D steps.
FAQ
What is the difference between an exploded view and an assembly drawing?
An assembly drawing shows the parts in their assembled positions. An exploded view pulls them apart along their assembly directions, so each part and the order of assembly are visible.
What are the lines in an exploded view called?
Explode lines, also called trail lines. They show the path each part travels from its exploded position back to where it is assembled.
Can I make an exploded view from a STEP file for free?
Yes. TwinWorks Animate explodes STEP and STP assemblies up to 100 MB in your browser, animates the joints it detects and lets you download an MP4 video. No account is needed.
Is an exploded view the same as an illustrated parts catalog?
No. An illustrated parts catalog uses exploded views, but adds a parts list with item numbers, part numbers and quantities, so readers can identify and order each part.
Related terms and pages
Explode your own model
Drop a STEP file into TwinWorks Animate and watch it come apart, then move. Free, in your browser, with no account.