Toolbox contains some legacy tools for product detailing. The Product Detailing tools are very different from the dynamic images. These tools allow you to explode products, add part labels, add product labels, add parts lists, and make WMF image files. These tools work with individual products, just like Dynamic Product Images. The difference is that these tools work with the product where it exists in the drawing. Because of this, these tools are often used to create quick views for manufacturing and fabrication and are typically not saved.
To access the Product Detailing tools, in Toolbox, browse to Modify > Product Detailing.
It is helpful to isolate a single product to begin detailing products. This can be quickly accomplished by setting PICKSTYLE to 1 (CTRL +H) and using the AutoCAD ISOLATE OBJECTS (ISO) command. Once the product has been isolated, you can navigate the model space to get the desired view (UN, US, UE, UW, SW, SE, NE, NW). You can also switch between the different visual styles to provide more clarity. You will want to reset the PICKSTYLE back to 0 (CTRL +H).
You can continue to clear up the drawing by hiding the item number and any 2D objects by using the HIDE OBJECTs (HIDEO) command.
Using the Explode Products command will move the parts out in the X, Y, and Z axes. This command requires an explode factor; the default value (0.5) works well. The images below show an exploded view in the southwest isometric view with the Wireframe and X-Ray visual styles.
The Parts List command will create a list of the parts at a selected point and will include the part quantity and dimensions.
The Make Windows Metafile command will create a WMF image of the product (requires you to select the product parts in the drawing – text and other objects cannot be selected). This command will prompt you if you want to use a hidden view for the image file. The image is then linked to the product and is used in specific reports once a work order has been created.
The drawing is now ready to be plotted.
As mentioned earlier, this is typically not a process that gets saved back to the drawing since all the text and leader objects are being drawn over the top of the hidden products/objects. The text and leader objects can be erased once the view has been plotted.
To bring the product back to its original form, redraw the product (Modify > Modify Products > Redraw Selected Products).
To reset the drawing (after the text and leaders have been erased), use the UNISOLATE OBJECTS (UNISO) command.