What's new
By:
Advanced search…

speeding up drawing time

B

Brian Rasley

Member
speeding up drawing time

When I first got alibre I noticed that there was a tremendous amount of mouse movement when drawing parts. I thought this was inefficient.

When I told a friend about my new program and my problem he introduced me to a "Nostromo" game pad that he uses for his computer games.

WOW! Now I'm cook'n.

There are 14 keys that can be programmed 4 layers deep.
Plus a wheel & button, a Red Button, a cursor button, and a layer button.
All can be programmed for a specific layer.

I.E.
1st. button is "line"
2nd. button is "circle"
3rd. button is "dimension"
The wheel & button, is for zoom mode. just the wheel, scrolls, push the wheel down and you zoom in or out.
The red button "fits all"

Currently I have about 1.5 layers

The first layer is for drawing and design, and some of the second layer is solid modeling features like extrude, revolve.

I'm still tweaking it, but it works great.
And you can program it for other programs too.

If you're left handed like me and use the mouse on the left, unfortunately the nostromo pad is right handed.
However if you stay open minded you'll figure out how to use. I did.

Hope this helps,
Brian S. Rasley
Rasley Enterprises
"Precision Machining Specialists"
 
C

cgriffin

Senior Member


I got one on ebay for about $25...haven't used it yet, though.

Can you post the setup files that you use for the keys? That would be awesome to have a good setup to start with.
 
J

John Maiese

New Member


Brian,

Looked at one at Best Buy after reading threads discussing this controller. How do you set it up to rotate views? A setup document from users would be excellent.

Thanks - Jack Maiese
 
B

Brian Rasley

Member
Speeding up Drawing Time

To the first question: cgriffin

Once I figure how to send you the file I have set up for alibre I'll try to post it.

To the second question: moyesboy

It kind of has a mouse, in the form of arrow keys but the computer mouse is more efficient. I have it setup with the mouse on one side and the speedpad on the other.

To the third question: John Maiese

I'm assuming you mean rotate the part and not switch views.
I've found that pressing both buttons on the mouse is the most efficient way to rotate the part.
However I found panning awkward since I don't keep my finger on the ctrl button all the time So, I programmed the speedpad wheel that when I press it down it becomes the ctrl button.
This works for me.

I just sat down and figured out what moves I did the most and they were programmed from index finger to pinky.

It was over whelming to try and program all the tools and functions before I started desiging.

So I did the first 4 functions, i.e. line, circle, dimension, trim.
Then I worked with that until I saw something else that I wanted to put on the speed pad.
Zoom to fit was a slow process going to the tool bar, so the red thumb button became zoom to fit. Now I hit the red thumb button and BAMM!

The speedpad wheel is programmed to zoom in and out as you roll the wheel

You can review my first post for a general idea of how I set it up.

A word of encouragement the speedpad is extremely easy to program and change.

Hope this helps, and glad to see others are interested.

Brian S. Rasley
Rasley Enterprises
"Precision Machining Specialists"
 
A

Anonymous

Guest


They made fun of me when I suggested this back in September. Glad somebody finally found it useful.
 
Mibe

Mibe

Alibre Super User
Re:

moyesboy said:
Is this thing a mouse as well, or do you move the cursor with a mouse in the other hand?
Click to expand...

This will surely create a lot of future Carpal Tunnel Syndromes :?

Stick to the Cadman or Spacemouse... that's my opinion :)
 
C

cgriffin

Senior Member
Re:

lenitech said:
They made fun of me when I suggested this back in September. Glad somebody finally found it useful.
Click to expand...
Forget the naysayers. If you like it, then use it, and share its benefits with others. The nayers will equally suggest their preferences--just ignore their delivery if it's small.

Although I went out and bought one because of the Sept. thread, I haven't had time to use it...but I still appreciate the suggestion. When I finally get around to doing some design work again, I'll probably be glad to have it.

Cliff
 
B

Brian Rasley

Member
speeding up your drawing time

No carpal tunnel syndrome here, this pad fits the natural contour of your hand very comfortably, and you can position the pad in the most comfortable position for you.

Hope this helps.
 
Mibe

Mibe

Alibre Super User
Re: speeding up your drawing time

Brian Rasley said:
No carpal tunnel syndrome here, this pad fits the natural contour of your hand very comfortably, and you can position the pad in the most comfortable position for you.

Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

Sorry, to me it seemed like a mouse (to move around) with some added functionality. So it's something you have in the left hand while you have the mouse inte right? If so, what's the difference to use this and using the keyboard?
 
C

cgriffin

Senior Member
Re: speeding up your drawing time

Mibe said:
...what's the difference to use this and using the keyboard?
Click to expand...

The difference is that the SpeedPad doesn't require gross hand movement, but at over 1' long, a keyboard does. The SpeedPad has...

14 programmable kbd style keys
2 programmable thumb buttons
1 mouse wheel with button
1 programmable 8-way directional pad
capability to program up to 104 functions

Basically, it has keyboard functions, but all on one hand, without stretching your fingers or moving your hand around the kbd. No, it's not necessary, but yes, it can probably speed things up, if you take the time to set it up and use it. (I'm hoping, anyway...that's why I bought one. Just haven't been using AD lately.)

C
 
H

horizon1

Member


I've read your comments about the Speedpad, convinced "The Boss" to let me try it out. Found one online for a good price. Expecting it to be here in 7 to 10 buisness days. Few questions.....

1. Can it easly switch from one program to another?

2. How small is it?

3. Are you only able program commands? Could you program it to insert text blocks like on a title block or notes?
 
B

Brian Rasley

Member
Speeding up drawing time

to Horizon 1

The great thing about the speedpad is that it fits in the palm of your hand as your hand completely rests on the speed pad, and the only thing you move is your fingers and thumb.

It's as simple as starting a program when you want to switch the speedpad from one program to another.

I have my speedpad automatically load when I start alibre.

As for programming it to insert a text block.
If you can go through "alt" functions to insert a text block you can program a key to do that.

I know there's more advanced things you can do also.

It is a great tool in an ergonimic package.
 
H

horizon1

Member


Got the SpeedPad. Programed a few commands. Alibre is short on hot keys. I can't find the ones I need. Line, constrain, and a few others. Where did you find what key strokes were what? The help guide offerd a little help but not alot.
 
B

Brian Rasley

Member
speeding up drawing time

Alibre has plenty of alt key functions, they're just not visible.

If you press the alt key the items in the menu bar underline.

Also, I believe there is a way that you can actually program your movement of the mouse to the line button on the tool palette, and program that to a button on the speedpad.

For those interested, I've saved a file of my speedpad layout.
you can e mail me and I'll attach a copy. Then go to your edit manager, and if you go to edit a specific button, you'll see exactly how I programmed that button.

It's not complete but it's plenty to get you started.
I simply haven't gone any further with programming the speed pad.

Hope this helps.

Brian S. Rasley
Rasley Enterprises
"Precision Machining Specialists"
 
M

MilesH

Alibre Super User
Speedpad key mapping

I've made a Word template for printing out speedpad key maps. I print out the layout for each program that I use the speedpad with and stick it to the wall behind my computer. If anyone wants a copy send me a private message with your email address.

Miles
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top