3D mouse.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Danny Boyes on September 30, 2011 at 1:35pm

I do. Its a SpaceNavigator by 3d connexion. I find the actual navigating with the controller very useful indeed but it fails with the number of buttons on it. There are only two which I have set to shift and ctrl but ideally I would like it to have at least 4 shift, ctrl, alt and esc. Recently at the McNeel offices I used a Space Pilot Pro, the one with the screen, and I was taken aback by how great it was after just three days use. I just need to convince my boss as it is on the expensive side.

 

Most use is in Rhino especially presentations. But on the rare occasions when I use Sketchup I find it impossible to use the program without the 3d mouse. Another great application is Google Earth it gives you so much more freedom to move around. Very large spreadsheets it can have its uses but I forget to even hold it when I'm not thinking about it.

Permalink Reply by Dedackelzucht on September 30, 2011 at 2:14pm

I love my SpaceNavigator by 3d connexion

Permalink Reply by Oleg Kostour on September 30, 2011 at 3:36pm

What's the main value that it provides. Is it because it pulls the camera control off of the right hand?

Permalink Reply by Oleg Kostour on September 30, 2011 at 4:00pm

Do you ever have to move your hand back to the keyboard?

Permalink Reply by Danny Boyes on September 30, 2011 at 4:32pm

I would say that it depends on which version you use as to how often. Basic version, the SpaceNavigator has 2 buttons. Where as the Space Explore offers:

The convenient Ctrl, Shift, Alt and Esc keys allow users to simultaneously navigate their 3D model while accessing special application functionality or editing capabilities. This significantly reduces the need to move the hand from SpaceExplorer to the keyboard, resulting in a more optimized workflow.

 

and at the top end the Space Pro offers upto 31 key assignments. But of course you will always need to take you hand away for typing commands (if that's the way you operate)

Permalink Reply by Oleg Kostour on September 30, 2011 at 5:25pm

I was thinking of incorporating an easy way to drag and drop commands from the computer to the iPad. Potentially, just being able to save recently used commands to macros on the iPad, turning the screen into a pallette of buttons you can move around. 

The only problem I have with designing the system on the iPad, is that there's no haptic feedback like the 3D mouse has. There's no ability to know your finger is over a certain button. So I'm working heavily with overlays on the computer to orient yourself without looking at the iPad screen. 

Ctrl, shift, alt, escape, is kind of incorporated into the system, atleast escape is easily incorporated, but I'd like more intuitive way to activate control and shift and alt than using a button, because you have to look at the ipad to find a button. I'm just thinking of a way to design it so it could potentially be gesture based and be really simple. 

Using the iPad, I have already moved camera control to the left hand, so it's now about reducing reliance on the keyboard. 

Anything else the 3D mouse really does that's important to know?