exploding view question

I have an assembly that not oriented on any of the standard planes.
So when I drag components for an explode step they are not inline with
the mating feature on the fixed part. The help refers to dragging the
manipulator to a face or edge and it will align one of the axis of the
manipulator to the face or axis. But I can't seem to get it to do
anything no matter where I drag it. Any help out there?

TIA
Jeff

 

Well I'm answering my own post. Thanks to Matt's book (page 455) I just
learned that you have to hold down the ALT key while dragging the triad
(manipulator). SolidWorks left that very important caveat out of the help
file!!

Thanks Matt for the excellent book,\

 

orientation is of no concern as long as there is a flat surface that can be
utilized.
forget about dragging manipulator.
in explode direction box, "select" a face on the exploded "component itself"
or of "another component". this will re-orient the triad automagically. alt
key not needed.

works quite well.

 

Noted. But the help file makes no mention of this either. It does mention
draging the triad. BTW the ALT key works quiet well also.