How to Sketch Exploded Views, by simply design sketching on YouTube. 4 min 38 s.
- Video length
- 4 min 38 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Pick a simple object with three to six parts, like a torch, a bottle with a cap or a small speaker. Fewer parts make the spacing easier to control.
Sketch the whole object first in a light two-point perspective. Keep the lines faint so you can erase or build over them.
Choose one axis for the explosion, usually the longest or most logical one. Draw a light straight line through the object along that axis.
Mark where each part sits on the axis and slide the parts apart. Leave a clear gap between parts, roughly a quarter to a third of each part's length.
Draw each part as a simple box or cylinder first, using the same vanishing points as the whole object. Check that all parts share the same perspective.
Add the detail to each part: fillets, holes, buttons and curves. Keep the line weight light for construction and heavier for the final outline.
Add thin leader lines from each part to a small label or number. Keep the lines straight and stop them short of the part outline.
Darken the final outlines and erase the construction lines and the axis. Check the gaps read evenly before you finish.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep all parts on one axis so the eye reads the order of assembly.
Draw the gaps before the details, since moving parts later breaks the perspective.
Use a heavier line on the outer silhouette and lighter lines inside to make the sketch read clearly.
Check each part against the vanishing points with a ruler before inking.
Questions
Do I need to know perspective drawing first?
Yes, basic two-point perspective helps a lot. If you cannot yet draw a box in perspective, practice that before trying an exploded view.
How many parts should I show?
Start with three to five. More parts make the spacing and alignment harder to keep consistent.
Should I use a ruler?
Use a ruler for the axis and leader lines. Draw the parts freehand so the sketch keeps some life.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
