How to Edit an Exploded View in SOLIDWORKS

An exploded view shows assembly components separated from their normal positions so the structure is easier to understand. You can edit an exploded view when steps need to move, components need different spacing, or the drawing needs clearer assembly instructions.

Open the exploded view

Open the assembly, go to the ConfigurationManager, find the exploded view, and choose edit. If the exploded view is used in a drawing, make sure you are editing the correct assembly configuration.

Assemblies can have more than one exploded view. Check the name and configuration before changing steps so you do not accidentally edit the view used by another drawing.

Edit explode steps

Exploded views are built from steps. Select a step to change the components, direction, distance, or order. Move components far enough to show how the assembly fits together, but not so far that the view becomes hard to follow.

Step order matters when the exploded view is animated or used for instructions. Keep related components grouped logically so the explosion sequence is easy to understand.

Add or remove components

If a part was added to the assembly after the exploded view was created, add it to a new or existing explode step. If a component is no longer needed, remove it from the step or suppress it in the configuration.

When adding hardware, decide whether each fastener needs its own explode step. For many drawings, grouped hardware is clearer than many tiny individual moves.

Check explode lines

Explode lines help show where parts came from. After editing steps, review the explode line sketch and repair any lines that no longer point clearly to the correct components.

Broken or confusing explode lines can make a good exploded view look messy. Delete lines that no longer help and add new ones only where they clarify assembly direction.

Update the drawing

If the exploded view is shown in a drawing, open the drawing and rebuild it after editing the assembly. Check balloons, BOM references, and view scale so the drawing still reads clearly.

If the view is used in assembly instructions, export or review the drawing after the change. A small explode distance edit can affect leader placement and page layout.

Troubleshooting

If the exploded view does not update, confirm that the drawing view is using the correct configuration and exploded state. If components jump unexpectedly, inspect the explode step order and the selected direction handles.

If editing becomes confusing, collapse the exploded view and expand it again step by step. This helps identify the exact step that needs repair.