3D Space Mouse: Overrated Accessory!
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Why spend hundreds for a 3dconnexion SpaceMouse when your regular mouse does the same thing faster?!?! What am I missing, folks?
Comments
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I just ordered one but it seems clear it will help tremendously. Its kind of like the difference between serial vs parallel. When you use the mouse as both the selection/movement tool you are stuck doing one then the other you can't do them together. With this setup the mouse is just your selection or sculpting tool while the puck is just movement and you can do them at the same time.
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I had RSI in my right hand the pain was so enormous that I could not touch the mouse anymore. Therefore I bought the 3D mouse, and in weeks the pain was over. Best purchase ever!
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Clearly you never used it with large 3d scenes and/or in closed environment,
like inside a house or a cockpit, something like that.
I'm a left handed, and I'm using it with mouse/wacom pen in my left hand,
and the 3d mouse with my right hand. (Imagine my twisted right hand on my keyborard trying to use shift alt control ect. hotkeys.)
It's a pain in the ass now, that mayaLT not supporting 3dconnexion plugin.
Thatswhy I'm moving in to MODO at the moment.
So basically I willing to learn a whole different program just for , that I able to use it in the future again.
3D space mouse is not Overrated, it's Underrated.
(PS: sorry for my english) -
In my opinion there are serious medical benefits to using a second device for interacting with 3D cad software. It literally cuts in half the number of operations performed with your right hand. I am a professional solidworks user and spend upwards of 8 hours a day modeling. That is a lot of wear and tear on one hand if only using a mouse. Within a couple months after begging my career I started to get wrist pains. I purchased a vertical mouse to change my hand orientation, got a mouse pad with a jell like wrist cushion, and trained myself to become consciously aware of how firm I was gripping the mouse. All of this helped greatly. Shortly after i added a 3D connection space mouse (the basic one) which took and amazing amount of work off my right hand when manipulating the model orientation. This alone dramatically helped my wrist. I soon want to purchase their flagship model "Enterprise" to further reduce the amount of movement needed to go to the keyboard when performing certain tasks which will undoubtedly boost my work flow as well. Is their a learning curve? Absolutely. Is it worth it? Again in my opinion 100%. If you only do cad on occasion or say for an hour or two a day these devices may not be justifiable. But if your job has you modeling for 5+ hours a day these devices will save you wrist from the dreaded carpal tunnel. This has been my experience. Everyone is different.
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because it is for architects ... do u know how much effort ant time to walk through interior file ... i use it for 2 years .
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Well I think this is one of those things where everyone needs to know, what works for them...I can't live without my 3D mouse anymore, I can work much faster, much more comfortable and it takes a lot of strain from my right hand, but if it dosn't work for you, then there is no need for you to use one, no one can tell you, what the perfect solution for you is
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Coming from a 3dsMax, Mudbox and Motionbuilder environment, I can say that the device most definitely speeds up production beyond comparison. For me it boils down to 2 main reasons:
1. When modelling, skinning or texture painting the process itself demands that you have full control over your 3D model while handling your modelling, skinning or texture painting (sculpting) tool at the same time. With a mouse that is simply not possible, because you have to do;
- perform operation,
- break from operation,
- navigate viewport,
- perform operation,
- break from operation,
- navigate viewport.
With a SpacePilot (any of the pro oriented category) this is done so that it is possible to actually do both at the same time, simultaneously.
Additionally i have found that it greatly reduces stress (once you have decided to actually learn how to use a new tool, which this absolutely requires), and reduction of stress and mental exhaustion is also connected to the workflow that my field demands.
Make an adjustment -> realize that you have to make an adjustment on the other end of the model -> mentally store on "hold" the operation that you have to perform, or a creative idea that you want to execute -> manipulate the viewport until you can see precisely what you need -> "unpause" the held thought. This may seem at first like a marginal thing, but the painful truth is that we are forced to perform these mental "holds" thousands of times each day and we've learned to call those "processes that demand high concentration". And it's right, they do, because you have to keep micro mental holds every few seconds, but this causes huge mental strain and introduces high levels of secondary stress, which is much more dangerous in the long term then "primary stress".
2. If you are using one of the pro oriented devices, especially Enterprise (which I am looking forward to arriving on Monday), having customizable sets of function buttons, at least for me, almost completely eliminates any menu diving in the app you are working on. At any given time in any given mode of your application your are very likely to be able to set 12 most important operations which you end up using 80-90% of the time. I have had my old SpacePilot for 10 years until it finally, earlier this year, died. It had 6 non ergonomically placed custom buttons, but that alone saved incredible amount of time and has transformed and improved my workflow completely.
Apropos cost, yes they cost a lot because they are a professional tool that obviously can handle ridiculous number of work hours in their lifespan. They are not meant for portable use and the weight is part of the design, so that it stays put on the desk and not slide about, which would make it almost useless. So using a tool for something it's not meant to be used for (portable use) and criticizing the tool for that makes no sense what so ever. Also, if your workflow is centered around 3 computers, why wouldn't you carry the 3D mouse with you and simply plug it into each workstation at any locale that you are working at? I did that for 10 years, SpacePilot travelled with me from home office to work office to pretty much anywhere I needed to be, it went with me and I never had a single problem, I don't understand why would you need a 3D mouse per workstation, unless all three are used simultaneously by 3 different individuals? The only reason for what you are saying can be, comfort, but comfort costs, so I don't understand the complaint?
Like anything else, it's about using the tool to it's full potential, taking the time to understand it and decide if it is something that you need or not, and it's quite clear that you haven't done so, yet the title and the entire video are centered about a very strong opinion that seems to have been formed prematurely. The only thing you mention is speed of rotating the view (even in the comment replies), but you mention nothing about the precision and being able to simultaneously navigate viewports in ways that would take you literally 3 mice and 4 arms (orbit arm, zoom arm, pan arm + additional regular mouse arm for performing operations). Throw in the fact that with a 3D mouse you can simultaneously navigate the viewports (zoom, orbit, pan, tilt) with 2 fingers + use remaining fingers of your left hand to switch between different functions of your software (or use regular shortcut keys) + use your right hand and a regular mouse to control selection sets, modify what is needed or paint. To match that, you'd need at least one more arm, and most of us don't have 5 arms, but even if we didn, you'd have to change your wardrobe completely (very expensive) and also you'd have to have 4 mice per workstation, very confusing alternative.
I can perfectly appreciate the fact that this is most definitely NOT a product for everyone. It's a very specialized, pro oriented product with a learning curve. But what I find very superficial in the video and the attitude is that it seems that you haven't even bothered to understand the point of the tool, since the only thing you are focusing on is comparing how quickly you can orbit around an object (completely missing the entire point of the tool), yet you felt entitled to voice such a strong "matter-of-fact" opinion. So, to answer your own question, you've missed the point entirely, that's what you're missing. -
Some people just cant drive with 2 feet. Then again some do in an automatic.
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I use Fusion 360 as a hobbyist. The 3d mouse seemed sexy and "connected with the model" and I nearly got one to try and I thought... I'm actually quite fast with all navigation with my Apple Trackpad and keyboard. The Trackpad 2 on my iMac and the built-in on the rMBP. I find prefer the Trackpad (at least for Mac) over mouse because the pinch/expand and a more fixed hand position. Also, as you mentioned the keyboard modifier on Mac for rotate is Shift and my hand is always right by shift. I feel completely connected to my model already and it was very easy to learn. I use keyboard shortcuts, so switching to a 3d mouse would be a major step backwards. Kudos to you for speaking up for those who might be looking at them.
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anyone experienced with using the device in AutoCAD Map 3D 2015??
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It's easier on the eyes. I've noticed when viewing my workflow in a video I've recorded my movements (while they make sense to me in the moment) when viewing them back it's sometimes hard to understand what's going on then finally I snap to a location and things become smoother to watch. 3D mouse puts all those movements into fractions of a second.
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who needs a graphic interface. i do all my CAD on the console.
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Another thing I have to say. I use a Logitech G13 in Autocad, etc. because I can map 24 keys. Basically I don't use the keyboard at all (just for some minor stuff).
Now this pad can't replace the G13 because of the lack of keys!
However, if you want your 3dconnection close to your keyboard, just use a classic one! it's small and it can stay next to it. You don't move the camera and edit objects in the same time anyway!
But even if you do, why don't you use a Logitech G600 mouse which has 12 programable keys for your thumb! Combine that with the right click options in the program and the 3dconnection! :D -
Hah! I thought I was the only one LOL :P
I tried this yeaaars ago, so maybe it's improved (the price hasn't, but functionality maybe).
1) It replaces nothing, not your keyboard, not your mouse and since I do a lot with shortcut keys, it's
right of the bet very hard to justify getting this for improving speed if you now have to switch between devices.
2) I hear arguments about the small one just being 'consumer'. Funny and silly argument.
If it's supposed to increase workflow, then it should. Period. Including - even if it's to a lesser degree - if you get the 'consumer'
one (for a price that's not consumer at all).
3) Strain to my wrist, not at all improving workflow.
When using the up movement, I had to apply a decent amount of force, which became pretty quickly clear that it was
going to be more - not less - of a strain to the wrist.
It was also slow, at least the up/down movement.
4) I remember (I really hope that's changed and improved) that the free range of movement was a big hinder to me, because
it was hard and sometimes even impossible to get a non slanted clear view and rotation over just 1 axis (regardless of how
I changed the sensitivity) and worse of all - there was no way to quickly get an upright position or snap to a specific angle to remedy this.
5) Even the hugely overpriced larger one doesn't seem to be a great solution to these things and would still not replace
my keyboard or even have as many or as easily visible (view blocked by your hand) programmable buttons as some other devices, programmable keyboards
and keypads (like X-keys) or even my crappy self-made programmable keypad (using a cheap numpad and HidMacros/AutoHotKey)
and for the price of these prices - especially the Pro or Enterprise, you can get either other products with a jog or without but with better
and easier to use programmable buttons and with a mouse you're still as fast or faster and probably have money left.
It just felt like the thing I thought (the wireless one) was an overpriced nice looking gadget, not made by actual industry insiders
(not saying it is, but that's how it felt..kinda like some of Apple's products like the magic mouse). -
Dude! You're rotating a small object with some zoom! I make big architecture projects where I have to travel and go in detail. It's really hard sometimes with the mouse.
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Exageration, it only took me about two minutes, and your doing it with two hands, that is not better, and the smaller one is your solution. A mouse sucks when you clutter your desk up as well, and uh , and Uh and uh, but you do seem to be an adult and give a strong opinion.
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As a solidworks user I have one of these, I have tried and tried, but I can not get used to it, and for me as mentioned, there is nothing I can't do with my mouse, well tracker ball actually, that includes panning and zooming simultaneously. I do have a gaming pad though, and if you want to improve efficiency IMO that's the route to go down, hot keys and macros at my fingertips at all times ;)
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Not sure what you mean, Space Pilot Pro is great!, takes some time to get used to / map your brain, like flying RC helicopter or something. when I first tried it I was like hmm what did I just buy... but now sometimes I get caught out without one and I feel like I am missing a limb. it translates seamlessly as if I am directly manipulating the model, not like I am giving it a command to then be manipulated, which is what the normal mouse feels like. It also frees up the mouse to click on things etc while rotating etc.. the hotkeys are also one of the best features which saves time, over the course of a large project it certainly saves time and feels like a nicer interface to me.
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First of all, you're a retard and secondly, you're right;) You got five fingers on your left hand; 2 covers SWAY, 2 covers SURGE. That leaves you 1 finger to handle HEAVE, which is a fail situation. Now, with a 6DOF controller, you're able to do all SWAY, SURGE and HEAVE with 2 god damn fingers, leaving 3 fingers for modifiers. If you move your fingers in the first situation, you fail and it's a headshot, right there. The reason I say you're right, is that we should be using something like the Datahand, if it only were in production.
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