Looking for specific 3d viewing device

[surly]

Hey gang,
I'm not sure which forum to post this in, however I use Inventor so here I go....
I have heard of a piece of hardware used for viewing 3d models. It is used with your left hand in conjunction with a mouse (not replacing a mouse) and is used only for viewing commands with 3d models, i.e. zoom, pan, rotate, etc. I have heard it described as sort of mushroom looking or perhaps like a ball. I personally have never seen this device, and I do not know the correct nomenclature to do an internet search. If anyone is using a device similar to which I am speaking please feel free to give me a review or reccomendation. Of if you just know what it is called.....
Thanks

Matt Mengel

 

[MechEng13]

It sounds to me like you are speaking of a Spaceball...go to the 3dconnexion website...I think that is one of the manufacturers.

If that is what you are after there is much more that it can do from what I have heard, don't have one myself but I hear you can program it for other commands as well as zoom, pan, rotate.

HTH



Alan M. Etzkorn
Product Engineer
Nixon Tool Co.

http://www.nixontool.com

 

[surly]

Alan,
Thanks! Thats exactly what we were looking for. I'm off and running.
Matt

 

[DesignerMike]

You can usually get an older model FLX4000 on E-bay for less than $100.

I love it and with R8 you can customize all kinds of commands. (which I haven't tried yet BTW)

They are not going to support the 3003 series for long, but would send you mine for a couple $ to it try out. (I have an extra now that I got (2) of the 4000s

 

[SeanDotson]

Once you use one for a while you'll wonder how you ever got along without it...

Sean Dotson, PE
Inventor Tutorials & More

http://www.sdotson.com