Solid Works Animator anyone?

[TwoJ's]

I'm trying to finish my final project for my 3D modeling class, and I'm not sure about a couple of things. Check outthis video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY3qYDpxeEs

I can't get the animation to be larger on the screen. Is this because of how I did the exploded view? And does anyone know how I can get the finish/color of my parts to change with animator? I want the parts to be colored before they collapse, and then take on their respective finish once they are mated properly.

Thanks in advance, and sorry for the quality of the video. The transparency looked much better before I uploaded it to youtube.

[TwoJ's]

Oh, and don't mind the over-simplified assembly, I am trying to figure out the animator before I go in depth with the parts.

[andyman2487]

It's been a while, but I'm pretty sure you have to change the finish of the individual parts in their respective files. I've never seen the finish of a part change during an animation. Damn, I've forgotten more than I should. I believe that you are correct on your assumption with the far out view being caused by your exploded view. Try moving the parts in closer and see what happens.

[TwoJ's]

Yeah, I assigned material types for each individual part in their respective .prt files, but I want them to be bright colors when in the exploded view so I can easily point them out in my presentation. This is one of my lesser concerns though.

Did you ever work with the cosmos motion part of solid works?

[apexede30]

Gosh, Back in highschool I took a bunch of classes on 3dsmax. I miss those days, albeit only a few years ago. I envy those who have the talent to create cool things with similar programs. Hats off. Now I go try to find Lightwave or whatever that program is out of sheer nostalgia. /useless post taking up bandwith :P

[andyman2487]

Did you ever work with the cosmos motion part of solid works?

Yeah, I had two solidworks classes freshman year (two years ago) and I remember doing a bunch of animation. I'm not too sure if it was called cosmos motion or not. We did a ton of super assemblies made up of universal joints and geneva mechanisms that were all animated, but we never had to change color during the animation. Sorry.

Ninja edit: I just looked through my only solidworks book (this one) and animation isn't even covered. I lost my lab manual too. Bummer.