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Anyone use a 3D mouse?
- Thread starter Rewt
- Start date
- Replies 45
- Views 9,269
I've had a SpaceNavigator SE from 3Dconnexxion for 6 years now. Haven't had one problem with it. Its ran in Solidworks great and I love it. Biggest advantage I've used it for was assemblies, much easier to manipulate the model to select surfaces for mates with it than a normal mouse. I've thought it was well worth the money and I'd buy one again in an instant.
DavidScott
Diamond
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2012
- Location
- Washington
I have had a Space Navigator for around 2 years. It is about as useful as my other mouse. If I was shopping for a new cad program and it didn't support a 3D mouse it would be a deal killer no matter how good the program was. I only use Fusion 360.
I forgot to add they are a Logitech company so the wireless ones may work with your Logitech receiver. If I had known I may have gone wireless when I got mine.
I forgot to add they are a Logitech company so the wireless ones may work with your Logitech receiver. If I had known I may have gone wireless when I got mine.
Ditto to rbent's remarks.
Have used Spacepilot and Spacepilot Pro with Solidworks for as long as they have been available. Useful when doing parts, but extremely useful when putting together assemblies. However, I'm too old now to remember what all the buttons do, so now use wireless SpaceMouse with onscreen menus when working with ADSK Inventor (PC) and Fusion 360 (on Mac); worked fine with Solidworks until we switched a few years ago.
All the units I've used have been solidly built with no failures. IMHO, definitely an item that is worth what one pays for it.
Fred
Have used Spacepilot and Spacepilot Pro with Solidworks for as long as they have been available. Useful when doing parts, but extremely useful when putting together assemblies. However, I'm too old now to remember what all the buttons do, so now use wireless SpaceMouse with onscreen menus when working with ADSK Inventor (PC) and Fusion 360 (on Mac); worked fine with Solidworks until we switched a few years ago.
All the units I've used have been solidly built with no failures. IMHO, definitely an item that is worth what one pays for it.
Fred
JNieman
Titanium
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2011
- Location
- Greater St Louis Area
One of the guys here has the 'puck' by itself and uses it in NX mainly for view navigation. I've always wanted to try it out but wouldn't want to pay for it myself. And I don't even submit a purchase-req for it to the boss because I really don't want to hear a question about "why can't you just use that Dell mouse?".
I use buttons for most of my NX work and would love to be able to program some of the basics to the left-hand Spacepilot for all the modeling and assembly work. If you get one - let us know how it works out...
I played with the coworkers 'puck' and really liked the navigation. It was smooth and easy in NX and took very little time to get used to.
I use buttons for most of my NX work and would love to be able to program some of the basics to the left-hand Spacepilot for all the modeling and assembly work. If you get one - let us know how it works out...
I played with the coworkers 'puck' and really liked the navigation. It was smooth and easy in NX and took very little time to get used to.
rainman
Cast Iron
- Joined
- Sep 10, 2008
- Location
- Orlando, FL
Use SpacePilot Pro every day. Can't live without it now...
gregormarwick
Diamond
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2007
- Location
- Aberdeen, UK
Indispensable IMO. I feel like I've lost an arm every time I have to work without it.
sfriedberg
Diamond
- Joined
- Oct 14, 2010
- Location
- Oregon, USA
I've used a 6DOF controller (SpaceOrb/SpaceBall/SpaceNavigator) off and on for almost 20 years. Personally, I find it useful only for 3D scene navigation, and not essential for that task. I have abandoned all attempts to use one for model construction or part modification, and only use one for multi-part assembly with snapping turned on. Reason is simply that I cannot reliably make fine adjustments with a 6DOF controller.
I had a pro model and mapped all of the buttons for SW. It was very handy. It would be even more handy today with SW having mouse gestures.
Mike1974
Diamond
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2014
- Location
- Tampa area
Oh yes! I actually bought one (my own money) for when I am away from work. It is just like two monitors, once you have tried it you never want to go back!
HuFlungDung
Diamond
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2005
- Location
- Canada
Had one gifted to me, but never really got into using it because I was already used to mouse and hotkeys, and I've only got 2 hands 
I do use a mouse with a few programmable buttons, which greatly speeds up zoom and pan, tilt and rotate.
I do use a mouse with a few programmable buttons, which greatly speeds up zoom and pan, tilt and rotate.
LockNut
Stainless
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2007
- Location
- Bergen County
I have had my Space Pilot since 2005 and had used one before I bought my own. Can't work without it now since I am spoiled and can't remember all of the keyboard hot keys. It even works with non CAD applications like Outlook, Excel and even Firefox. In conjunction with a standard mouse, it just makes life a lot easier and work a lot faster.
Paul
Paul
its very good.
RoboMiller
Cast Iron
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2012
- Location
- Northeast USA
ive had a wired 3dconnextion for 3 years, use it on solidworks and love it. i basically never have to move my hands from the mouses except to enter numbers. very fun to play with and does improve movement and speed. higly recommended for fun at least
I would definitely suggest getting one. I too have all my buttons mapped in Solidworks and NX. They particularly work great for programming. Just use the picture below for justification to management...I use it on everything and it hasn't let me down yet!
Best,
Lewis
Best,
Lewis
