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Space Mouse was discussed in the live stream 10th April

Bazzer

Bazzer

Member
There was mention of using the 3D Connexion Space Mouse during the recent live stream.

For about the last two months I have been using the Wireless Space Mouse for all my CAD/CAM work, so that includes quite a bit on Alibre Design.

The Space Mouse is a really high quality product, it is very nicely made and very tactile, the base is really heavy which is really nice to keep the Space Mouse steady during use.

It must be understood that the Space Mouse senses both a side pressure on the puck and a bending pressure on the puck. By default a side ways pressure on the puck pans the model side ways, a side bending pressure on the rotates the model, all good there.

However the same side pressure up and down worked to zoom the model, by default to pan the model up and down the puck was lifted or pressed down.

I changed the setting to have side pressure on the puck in any direction always pan the model in that direction, so lets say with my setting the puck feels like a joy stick.

I have the zoom by pulling up and down on the puck.

Space Mouse degrees of freedom.png

There is an app by 3D Connexions where these functions are set and they can be set differently for different CAD programmes. This app also has a training function to help learn to use the Space Mouse.

There are two side buttons that can invoke further flyout menus that are customisable, I have not used those much at the moment.

The Space Mouse is not cheap but is very high quality and very well thought through IMO.
 
Bazzer said:
For about the last two months I have been using the Wireless Space Mouse for all my CAD/CAM work, so that includes quite a bit on Alibre Design.
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My only question is, What took you so long to get a Space Mouse? Congrats that you've got one. :cool:

;) It always amazes me when someone starts to use a Space Mouse, it seems like such a revelation to them. Between work and home I've been using one for at least the last 15 years. And I'm sure there are others that have had one for longer.
 
I have one, but I couldn't get used to it. I always feel traditional mouse gives me more speed. Perhaps, I have to spend some more time to adjust to it, as some pain started on my right wrist recently :/
 
The initial speed settings are always too fast for new users. It's best to move the speed sliders to a much slower speed until you get used to the moving the model then increase it to your comfort zone.
For some it may be the fact of using both hands to work on the model and it becomes a coordination issue.
If I were to compare it to something it would be like playing a guitar. Just trying to get the less dominant hand to do something that is a bit complicated, like finding the strings for a chord, is something that I have a difficult time with. But I can manipulate the Space Mouse with no problem. I know some CAD designers at work found it too difficult to coordinate the SM and pulled the plug and put it in a drawer. It comes down to using the tools that you can use efficiently to get the job done.
 
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I started about 20 years ago.
I hate the default settings so have mine set so that pulling upwards zooms in as well.
I have my left button set to stop rotation which I find great for sketch mode.
Then press it again when I exit the sketch.

Jim
 
tyc said:
I have one, but I couldn't get used to it. I always feel traditional mouse gives me more speed. Perhaps, I have to spend some more time to adjust to it, as some pain started on my right wrist recently :/
Click to expand...
maybe an ergonomic vertical mouse can help with the pain?
I tried the spacemouse in an assembly workspace a couple times and it works really well.
 
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JimCad said:
Just noticed that my signature says "Super user"
Ignore that. It comes from the number of posts I think.
I'm not a Super user. Just a learner. ;) :D

Jim
Click to expand...
If you're using Global Parameters professionally to design camper van interiors... You're pretty Super. The title Stands!
 
Already more than 15 years I'm using the 3Dconnexion products, and the last 5 or 6 years the space mouse. Hard to believe I ever worked without a space mouse.
Already in 1984 I was in two hands operating mode on the CAD systems. I was one of the lucky ones that could escape from the AutoCAD syndrome. :-), At that time I was working with Integraph and Norsk Data, the first 32 bit computers/CAD systems on Sintran. It's weird how little progress has been made in CAD programs in 42 years.
 
Hey @Joseph_L, Good overview of the Space Mouse. I was hoping for a little more in depth coverage on creating macros with the built in macro editor. Maybe that could be another How To video. I've made several attempts at creating macros with the editor and it still confuses me. It should be as easy as just recording the steps into a text file but it doesn't work like that. I am still having issues with my macros to switch units between Inches and millimeters.

1776833218512.png
 
It was me who asked about the Space Mouse recently. I had it on my laptop but it was jerky. I have it now on my desktop - a much higher spec (spec'd for SolidWorks along with a SolidWorks spec video card) and the SpaceMouse is working a treat. I have used one for the past 7 or 8 years and love it.
Thanks for the posts.
 
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