3D SpaceMouse vs Spacecontroller ?

[skanskan]

Hello

Has anybody tried both 3DConnexion (Spacemouse Pro) products and 3DController products (3D Mouse Spacecontroller)?
Which one is better? more responsbile, more accurate, easier to use the buttons...
Not only for CAD use but also for everyday use as a generic mouse (dragging, rightclicking...) for somebody with a aching wrist.

They look too similar though they are supposed to be different companies.

Regards

I didn't want to reopen a very old thread about 3D mice because it's very old and only speaks about one product, without making any comparison.

 

[GregLocock]

I've used the top one, or similar. As a mouse it was usable but not ideal. As a 3d controller it was fine. Best thing for sore wrists in my experience is swapping the mouse hand.

Cheers

Greg Locock


New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376

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[skanskan]

I tried but I am quite dumb with my left hand

 

[JohnRBaker]

I use both a conventional mouse, with my Right hand, and various 3D controllers (all from 3DConnexion) depending on where I'm working at any particular moment, with my Left hand. Been doing so since 3D controllers looked like this...

...and cost $1,500. This was the original Series 1000 Spaceball, developed in Australia in the early 90's, by John Hilton, the inventor of the first workable 3D controller for computer displays. He later moved his operation to the US and it was eventually acquired by a division of Logitech, which became 3DConnexion.

John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Engineering Software
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

 

[GregLocock]

In particular the RZ axis (yaw) requires quite a lot of torque, which i could imagine upsetting a dodgy wrist

Cheers

Greg Locock


New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376

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[mcgyvr]

I use 3d connexions space navigator (home) and space pilot (work) and simply cannot work without them.
I only use a few of the buttons on the space pilot and just find the "fancier" ones are simply overkill.
It takes a good week or so once you start to the hang of it but after that there is simply nothing better. Its SO much faster modeling in CAD packages.

oh and change the default zoom direction from forward/back to pulling up/down.. Much more natural feel then "IMO"

 

[swertel]

And now John Hilton is trying again with the Astroid and his new company Spatial Freedom.

The product has been around for years, but few people have heard of it. It's nice for those who prefer a ball rather than a puck, since 3DConexion seems to only make puck-shaped controllers now. The problem with the Astroid is driver support. Most CAD packages have drivers, but 3DConexion's seems more robust and versatile.

--Scott
www.wertel.pro

 

[JohnRBaker]

I can't speak for other CAD vendors, but with respect to Siemens PLM Software products, we leverage the standard 3DConnexion drivers. Note that we don't actually supply the drivers, you have to download and install them (it's free) yourself from the 3DConnexion website, but once installed, you're good to go.

John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Engineering Software
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

 

[ctopher]

I use the 3DConnexion SpacePilot Pro. But, I don't use the buttons on it.
I would prefer to have the SpaceMouse Wireless.

Chris, CSWA
SolidWorks 14
SolidWorks Legion

 

[Sparweb]

Just a week ago, I tried the 3DConnection type with Inventor.
Used it for only one day, and went home with an ache in my left shoulder that didn't go away for a couple of days.
My left hand has nowhere near the dexterity of my right, though I suppose it would learn if I moused with it regularly. Amazing how your body adapts to certain tasks.

Since I frequently have my left hand on the keyboard, especially in AutoCAD but also in Inventor, I found that I was just swinging my hands around a lot more. Switching to the 3d mouse just caused me to spend more time re-locating my left on the keyboard. After repeated use of the keyboard commands, I would easily forget about the second mouse, and catch myself making all re-orientations with the regular mouse again.

I can accomplish any orientation/pan/zoom task I want with the regular mouse as I could with the 3D mouse, even accounting for my left-handed clumsiness.

So... what's it for?


STF

 

[Sparweb]

PS

I have tried using a trackball with CAD, too. Doesn't work so well in AutoCAD, but I'm thinking of trying it in Inventor.

I use a trackball on my home computer to purposefully change my right-hand mouse operation. I've heard enough about carpal-tunnel syndrome to look at my computer habits and think of ways to prevent that from happening.

STF

 

[swertel]

I use a Spaceball, SpaceNavigator, and Astroid device for 3D view manipulation depending on which computer I'm sitting in front of. I can't function in CAD without a 3D mouse.
I also switch between a trackball and regular mouse for my right hand. I have found that I can't use a trackball for CAD or for Excel.

--Scott
www.wertel.pro

 

[skanskan]

Hi.

Finally I got the 3DConnexion Mouse through my university, thus cheaper.
It looks like a medium-high quality device but it's no way worh it's price.
And in my opinion some movements should have longer trajectory.

Anyway, it works quite well with 3D soft but I'm trying to use it as a 2D regular mouse.

How can I do it in Windows?.
Mainly for Chrome and Windows desktop and file management.
You can easily configure the buttons but I think I also need to configure xml profile files.
I don't know which profile (*), nor how to use it, nor how to modify it.

(*) I've read it's chosen automatically when using a program but when I am on the desktop there is no desktop nor explorer nor default profile chosen.


For me the ideal would be to have 2 profiles:

profile 1: use the XY axis -> move the mouse pointer.
XY axis combined with some spacemousebutton -> select text (chrome) or drag files on the desktop or folders.

profile 2: use the XY axis -> scroll the browser pages.
Z axis o rotation -> zoom in/out.

Change easily from profile 1 and 2 by pressing some Spacemouse button.

How can I get this?

Regards


Regards

 

[JohnRBaker]

I've never seen anyone even try to use a 'spaceball' to control the normal screen cursor, at least not with CAD. I can't help but ask, why are you wanting to do this? That's what the mouse that comes with your computer is for.

John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Engineering Software
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Digital Factory
Cypress, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

 

[skanskan]

because I would like try different devices that produce less stress on my wrist.

 

[skanskan]

It's like if you were using a trackball

 

[skanskan]

Hi.

Has anybody got to configure properly programs such as VJoy, AntiMicro or GlovePIE to remap the 3DMouse to regular 2d mouse events?
Do I need to use it together with the 3DConnexion drivers?