Inspecting Assemblies

Inspecting Assemblies

CAD Collaboration

Inspecting Assemblies in the CAD Viewer

Large assemblies can quickly become difficult to understand when every component is visible at once. The CAD ROOMS Viewer provides a dedicated Assembly Explorer and a set of inspection controls that help you navigate structure, focus on specific components, and review designs efficiently — all without modifying the original CAD data.

This article explains how to inspect assemblies using the Assembly Tree, visibility controls, and component-based navigation.
 
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When to Use Assembly Inspection

Assembly inspection is especially useful when you need to:
  • Understand how an assembly is structured
  • Locate a specific part or subassembly
  • Focus on one component without visual clutter
  • Review fit, placement, or relationships between parts
  • Discuss specific components during design reviews or ECOs
All inspection actions are view-based only and are safe to use in collaborative environments.
 

Understanding the Assembly Explorer

When you open an assembly file, the Assembly Explorer appears on the left side of the viewer.
It shows:
  • The full hierarchy of the assembly
  • Subassemblies and nested structures
  • Individual parts and repeated instances
  • Naming and organization inherited from the original CAD system
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The Assembly Explorer is the primary navigation tool for complex assemblies.

Selecting Components

You can select components in two ways:
  • Right-click a component in the Assembly Tree and choose Isolate
  • Click a component directly in the 3D view
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Selections are always synchronized:
  • Selecting in the tree highlights the component in 3D
  • Selecting in 3D highlights the component in the tree
This makes it easy to move between structure and geometry without guessing.

Inspecting Components with Context Actions

Right-clicking a component in the Assembly Explorer opens a set of context actions designed for inspection.
These actions affect only visibility and camera behavior — they never modify the model.
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Focus and Visibility Controls

Use these actions to reduce visual clutter and focus on what matters:
  • Isolate
      • Displays only the selected part or subassembly
      Useful for detailed inspection or discussion
  • Hide
      • Temporarily removes a component from view
      Helpful for exposing internal parts or removing outer housings
Hidden or isolated components can be restored at any time.

Navigation and Orientation

  • Zoom
      • Automatically frames the selected component in the viewer
      Ideal for locating small or deeply nested parts
  • Show Handles
      • Displays interaction handles for the selected component
      Useful for confirming selection and understanding spatial orientation

Resetting the Inspection State

  • Reset Model
      • Restores full assembly visibility
      Clears all hide and isolate states
      Resets the inspection context
This is especially useful after deep inspection sessions.

A Recommended Inspection Workflow

A simple and effective workflow for large assemblies:
  1. Locate a component in the Assembly Explorer
  1. Zoom to bring it into view
  1. Isolate to remove visual clutter
  1. Rotate and inspect the component in detail
  1. Reset Model when finished
This approach keeps inspection focused, fast, and easy to follow.

Using Assembly Inspection During Collaboration

Assembly inspection integrates directly with collaboration features:
  • When you create an annotation or comment, the current inspection state is saved
  • This includes:
    • Selected components
    • Hidden or isolated parts
    • Camera position and view context
Anyone opening the comment later sees the same inspection context, eliminating confusion about which component is being discussed.

Safety and Permissions

  • Assembly inspection is available to all users with access to the file
  • All actions are view-based and non-destructive
  • No inspection action modifies or overwrites CAD data
This makes assembly inspection safe for internal reviews, supplier collaboration, and client feedback.

When to Combine with Other Tools

Assembly inspection becomes even more powerful when combined with:
  • Section View → Inspect internal geometry
  • Explode Mode → Understand assembly relationships
  • Measurements → Validate clearances and dimensions
  • Annotations → Capture feedback with full context

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