3d Connexion 3d navigators - Who uses them and how?
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Hi All -
I've been using a 3d navigator from 3d connexion for several months now. I didn't intend to use it this way, but I've found I prefer to disable the "Tilt", "Spin", and "Roll", and I use the remaining functions with the orbit command on the mouse. It may sound strange, but I prefer it to putting all the navigation onto one nob.
I definitely prefer having more buttons on the navigator than less (another surprise for me), and I'm wondering if moving up to the units with the LCD and programmable functions offer a similar boost in productivity. I've used the space explorer, and space navigator.
Finally, I'm located just down the road from the 3d connexion offices, so I've been lucky enough to drop in on them for a demo. I've found them to be very accommodating, and several of us at my office have taken advantage of the evaluation program they offer. If anyone wants to try one of these units out, send me a PM and I'll forward you a form (of course, you can sign up directly on the 3d connexion website as well).
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I use mine as a paperweight. The chord is getting annoying so I might cut it off.
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Really? You stopped using yours? Why?
Anyone else?
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I have one.. hardly use it.
other than the ruby has stupid settings (the default is reverse to everything else!), I find it twitchy and far to easily goes off on it's own.. even with the sensitivity adjusted.
I find my N52te speedpad is a better use for my left hand. (more function)
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@danbig said:
Really? You stopped using yours? Why?
It was too awkward for me. I much prefer just a mouse and keyboard.
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For me, Sketchup navigates perfectly with a a 3 button mouse. If I had a one button mouse (Mac one button mouse inventor should be shot BTW), I would probably want something like the navigator.
I REALLY loved using the navigator in 3dsmax (which has REALLY bad mouse control in my opinion). I still use it if I ever have to break out my old 3dsmax.
Chris
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I agree with Eric and Chris. I actually have two of them (one was a gift and is still in the box) but I don't care for them. I find navigating with the CMB coupled with the Shift key to be much easier. When I bought my MacBook Pro, I bought the standard, PC-type cheapest wireless mouse I could find and it works just fine.
Like Eric, I was using mine as a paperweight but I've since put it away to clear a little clutter off my desk.
If I was going to have another input device, I would like to have a box with a bunch of custom labelled buttons I could program for the shortcuts.
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@dave r said:
If I was going to have another input device, I would like to have a box with a bunch of custom labelled buttons I could program for the shortcuts.
take a look at the N52te
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I'd be happy with just a simple box with a grid of keys. No lights either. Nothing that looks like something a gamer would use.
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I have the big Connexion Space Explorer...it has lots of buttons that can be mapped to shortcuts in SU. I still find using the 3-button mouse/keyboard combo fastest, but the connexion is good if you are modeling 'inside' geomtry or if you are setting up lots of scenes for an animation.
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@khai said:
@dave r said:
If I was going to have another input device, I would like to have a box with a bunch of custom labelled buttons I could program for the shortcuts.
take a look at the N52te
i have one of the older ones and used to use it all the time.
programmed macros for ACAD and SkethUp on it.
Set the 'throttle' for zoom, and the directional keys for often used query functions.
Had copy, paste, rotate, move, etc. all set up too.Sort of forgot about it when I got a new machine.
Should dig it up...The only problem I found with it is that when I would teach I wouldn't be able to slow down enough and remember the keyboard shortcuts...
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