Understanding Exploding Objects in Vectorworks
Exploding an object in Vectorworks essentially means breaking down a symbol or group into its individual components. This process is useful for those who need to modify, adjust, or edit specific parts of a symbol for greater flexibility in design. The following steps will guide you through the exploding process to attain full access to the individual elements of your object.
Steps to Explode an Object
Step 1: Access the Object in 3D View
Open your Vectorworks project and navigate to the 3D view where your symbol or object is located. Ensure that you have a clear visual on the object you intend to explode.
Step 2: Convert the Symbol to a Group
Select the object that you wish to explode. From the main menu, go to “Modify,” then select “Convert,” followed by “Convert to Group.” This action will transform the symbol into a group of individual elements, but it will not yet reveal all of its components.
Step 3: Ungroup the Converted Object
After converting the symbol, the next step is to ungroup it. Again, ensure your object is selected, then navigate to the “Modify” menu and click on “Ungroup.” Alternatively, you can right-click (on Windows) or control-click (on Mac) the selected group and choose “Ungroup” from the context menu. This action will allow you to access each component of the group individually.
Utilizing the Resource Manager
If you’re working with symbols from the Resource Manager, you might need a slightly different approach. Right-click on the symbol definition itself in the Resource Manager and choose “Edit” from the context menu. This allows you to make necessary changes directly to the symbol definition without the need to explode it.
Additional Techniques for Editing Symbols
If you find yourself needing to edit individual instances of a symbol rather than completely exploding it, consider the following methods:
Edit Symbol Directly
Select an instance of the symbol in your drawing, then either double-click on it or right-click and choose “Edit.” This will open the symbol in a separate window, enabling alterations while preserving the integrity of the original symbol in the Resource Manager.
Create a Unique Copy
When you need to modify a symbol while keeping the original intact, you can create a unique version. Right-click on the symbol and select “Make Unique”. This duplicates the symbol, allowing for adjustments to be made without altering the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What happens to the original symbol when I explode it?
When you explode a symbol in Vectorworks, the original symbol is converted into individual components, which allows for extensive modifications. However, the original symbol remains unchanged in the Resource Manager unless you specifically choose to delete it.
2. Can I reverse the explode action in Vectorworks?
No, once a symbol has been exploded and ungrouped, there is no direct way to revert it back to a symbol. If you wish to retain a version of the original symbol, consider creating a duplicate before exploding.
3. Is exploding a symbol necessary for editing it?
Not necessarily. You can often edit symbols directly through the Resource Manager without having to explode them. Exploding is primarily useful for when extensive modifications are needed on individual components that are part of a symbol.
