3D CAD Mouse - any recommendations?

Discussion
1

I do a fair bit of 2D CAD and am looking to expand into 3D as well.

Does anyone have any experience of using specialist mice for CAD work?

Something like the 3DConnexion SpaceNavigator used alongside a normal mouse?
http://www.3dconnexion.co.uk/products/spacemouse/spacenavigator.html

Maybe just a ‘gaming’ mouse with some extra buttons?

2

I do 3D CAD all day at my job.

I’ve often flirted with the idea of a 3DConnexion, but

  1. My boss would never pay for it
  2. I use keyboard shortcuts too much to be able to take my left hand off.

I’ve used a Logitech MX518 “gaming” mouse for over a decade now, which is still available if you shop around. It’s very accurate, has a good shape and has a handful of extra buttons, which I have assigned to ESC, TAB, ENTER and ALT-ENTER, which lets me dance around dialogues and property windows without having to move my left hand off the letters.

3

The thing that mostly seems to be missing in my 2D CAD use is a way of scrolling sideways. Does the Logitech do that?

4

In all the software I use, it’s middle-click and drag to scroll (grab-the-page style), and spin the wheel to zoom. I’d almost say if your wheel is scrolling up and down, then you have something setup wrong. What software do you use?

5

If you guys want I’ve got a 3DConnexion Space Navigator that I’ve won at a google code contest.
I’ve played a bit with it on google earth but never really did put it to good use.

I’ll bring it with me on wednesday and you guys can use it

6

I’m still using the slightly bizarre software we used when I was teaching - 2D Design. I’ve put so much effort into learning it the idea of learning something else is a bit scary…

Would love to tinker with the SpaceNavigator, Laurent - I’m going to do my best to be there on Wednesday, family permitting.

7

Ooh, I’d love to have a play that’d be great :smile:

8

I have a space navigator at work it’s only like £80.

9

Yeah, I’d have to go for the full-fat SpaceMouse if I was going to get one for work. Not so cheap!

10

we use a wacom for all our 3D work, intuos 5 , not cheap

11

Guys I’ve dropped the 3d connexion mouse/joystick and left it under the screen of the laser cutter pc. I’m happy for any member to use it as long as you bring it back to the space if other member want to try it. Ultimately if trustees allow it this will be in the space for members and maybe future 3d modelling workshop

1 Like
12

Brilliant :slight_smile: I’ll probably borrow it for a day at some point to try it at work. If it’s any good, try and get my boss to buy me one.

13

Sorry it took so long for me to get some free time to drop it in.

14

I’d like to join the queue to borrow it too, please.

15

For some of my work I use a Logitech G600 in one hand, a home brew Arduino powered "mouse" that sits under the other. It just takes a switch input and uses the mouse emulation code to simulate a click, drag, pause, drag, release.

The point being why not look at aking your own custom mouse? :smile:

16

Now you’re showing off…with the ‘M’ not the mouse!

17

mmm