Solidworks halp!

I know there's quite a few CAD/design s here so this is worth a shot. For some reason I don't remember having an issue with this in the past, but can't for the life of me figure it out.

Solidworks 2010 SP5.0....


I have a top level assembly, and within that assembly I have 4 sub assemblies. Those 4 subassemblies then consist of 2 assemblies each. Each of the 4 subassemblies has an exploded view configuration that shows the 2 subs within that exploded. What I want to do is show these exploded views in the top level assembly. Any idea how? I've tried every possible configuration/explode/properties combo I can think of and nothing works.

As a reference, I'm trying to show this cable connector panel all exploded to show all the pins/jacks:

Top level assembly:


Exploded sub-assembly:



So in short, I want the top level assy to have each of the 4 connectors exploded to show the male/female pins/connectors all at once. I know I can do it by simply having the 8 assemblies report to the top level and explode there, but I like to keep our CAD models match our BOM structures.

Thanks in advance!

MMike said:

a) upgrade to 2011
b) Yeah not sure...I never really messed with exploded views. But i could talk to one of my minions if you like
c) Have you tried it now?
d) I'm sure dw would know

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a) Waiting for 2011 to come in
b) Not a huge deal......though if not a huge inconvenience it would be good to know for the future
c) Still doesn't work!
d) I heard he patented it in 2003.

MMike said:

How are you waiting for it to come in? I got my DVD's in December i think.....

edit: installing SP4 right now actually

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.......well......likely waiting for accounting to pay for it so we can get it in.

ocelot said:

Is the exploded view just to show how everything goes together? I guess you could set a distance to your mates...?

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I could do that, but that's kinda hackish.

Rockland said:

Have you figured it out? Just to be clear ( before I give away the answer ) - You already have defined an explode in the small sub-asy. You want to reuse this explode arrangement in an explode of the full top level asy?

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Correct.....and when I go to configurations, I call for all the subs to be shown in their exploded state as well (in the top-level explode state), but it won't show.




MMike....we do that as well. I think we still haven't paid for this year's update (annual fee).

You are the man! Didn't even see that option because it was cut off at the bottom of my monitor. That was driving me crazy....+ repped.

Rockland said:

You gotta ask the bossman to kick in for a bigger display.

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Got dual 22's now.....though the IT guys are running dual 28's or something ridiculous.

MMike said:

At least yours match! I've got a 20" and a 22"

(on a laptop! Dell M4400)

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I lied....I just realized I have 22" and 24" (had to measure).

Well that's good I guess.