3dconnexion mouse space navigator

TIGER280E

can someone giving me opinion about using 3dconnexion space navigator mouse by logitech,for 3d modelling ,,,i think this gadget more usefull for 3d modeling than the pen tablet like Wacom,,,am i wrong ?,,,,sorry for my english,,,,is it the right forum for this topic ?,,,sorry if i'm wrong,,,thanks guys,,,,

Chris Fullmer

My personal take on it is that it is very very helpful in some other 3d softwares I've used (3ds max and Maya). But I can't get used to it in SketchUp. It takes my left hand off the keyboard, which I like to have on the keyboard for shortcut keys. I find the SU navigation with just a mouse is so perfect that it is not improved by using the 3d space navigator.

Chris

plot-paris

I had the same experience with a space navigator. you really need one hand on the keyboard for all the shortcuts and modifier keys.

for just exploring or presenting a model however, the space navigator is huge fun! you can fly smoothly through a big model but at the same time do very precise and small movements when you explore the interior of a building.
I allways felt slightly sick after 13 minutes of usage, because it resembles too much a helicopter flight

Gaieus

I also have one but do not use it too much for the reason Chris mentioned (and I keep the ash tray at my left hand, not a navigation device ).
űIt's great fun in GE though

@tiger280e said:

is it the right forum for this topic ?

I've moved it to the "Hardware, Software & Gadgets" subforum in the Corner Bar.

chango70

Well I mainly use space navigator to get in and out of surfaces when you get 'stuck'. You can also use it to zoom in better. Fact is you save something like 1 sec of scrolling time when you accidentally get stuck behind a surface which happens often. That alone is enough for me to use it. However, I don't keep my hand on the Navigator when modelling. Keyboard shortcuts is just plain faster.

Dave R

I also have one. There's a pretty blue circle when it's on.

I thought I'd use it more than I do but as everyone says, it takes your hand away from the key board. The center mouse wheel is so convenient for navigating around SketchUp that I end up using it instead. Perhaps someone could come up with a foot controlled navigator.

remus

Perhaps a brain implant while theyre at it.

More seriously, ive been tempted by these a few times, although as everyone's mentioned, i don't think id use it enough to make it worth it. Perhaps if i worked in more 3d apps, where navigation was more fo a problem, or google earth perhaps, but in SU its just too convenient to work tablet (or mouse) and keyboard.

boofredlay

I have had one for about 6-8 months now. I have used it for a total of about 20 min and the last time I touched it was to move it out of the way.

mirjman

i'd have to second everyone's opinion here.. its not that useful for sketchup, but great for presentations and especially google earth

TIGER280E

thaaaaanks....guys for your opinion,,,,,

cornel

Besides advantages (using 3dconnexion space navigator) that were already explained above by others, I want to add other two:

Meanwhile building or editing (w/ the mouse), I navigate (w/ space navigator), especialy in large models: simultaneous actions.
‘Space navigator’ is much more useful than the mouse for screen capturing (using a program such as Camtasia Studio) a walk-thruogh or fly-by animation.

Cornel