Space Navigator

[boofredlay]

I am going to revisit this device as I am about to buy one.

Jason has been helpful in This Thread.

I notice on the 3d Connexion site that there is a PE and a Standard edition. They say the difference is a license. I don't understand this as it is hardware. How can they sell a different version for personal use and for commercial use. Maybe I am just obtuse to the concept.

I also notice that Revit is not supported. Anybody know if they are planning on adding Revit to the list?

[boofredlay]

FYI from 3D Connexion support.

@unknownuser said:

Thanks for your interest.

Unfortunately, Revit does not support our product.

This is not something that we can do ourselves since
the Revit API does not have all that we require. So, it
must be done with Autodesk.

We work closely with Autodesk, but they have not made
a commitment to provide support.

Please let them know of your request. They take customer
input very seriously.

Re SpaceNavigator PE/SE – There is no difference in the
hardware. There are two other differences. The first is web
vs phone support. The PE only has web support. The SE
has both web and phone support. The second is in the
3Dconnexion software license itself. The PE is restricted to student
and personal use. The SE is for commercial use.

I am still a bit confused however as to the license difference. How on earth would they be able to know if it was used for commercial or personal use? I mean I don't plan on cheating the system but honestly, how could they know?

[Mike Lucey]

Hi Eric,

I don't think it would be possible for them to tell ...... unless that is ..... they install a little nano robot that monitor al you actions and reports back

Have look at this before you make a final decision, http://www.sandiotech.com/index.php
It is not a major step from what we are used to and it does free the left hand or right hand!

Mike

[kwistenbiebel]

@unknownuser said:

I am still a bit confused however as to the license difference. How on earth would they be able to know if it was used for commercial or personal use? I mean I don't plan on cheating the system but honestly, how could they know?

The pro version comes with phone support when something goes wrong.
The student/personal version doesn't provide this personal service and sends you to their website in case of trouble.
I don't think they care what purpose you use it for....there's just an extra service in case you go Pro.
At least that is how I understand it.

[Charlie__V]

Boo,
I have 3 of these devices(home/laptop/office) all PE.(edit...meant PE not SE)
& Never any problems with license.
As stated in the other thread, this is a good performer, especially with a multi button/programmable mouse. I find I miss it terribly in programs that do not support it. :~(
One bit of additional advice I can give is to set the center of rotation often/as necessary.
This is easily done, but often a source of frustration for beginners as the model does not react(rotate) as you might expect.

Best,
Charlie

[gata]

Another very nice rotation setting is via the Plugins menu: Plugins/3DxSketchUp/Center of Rotation on Selection.

The Sandio mouse isn't as graceful or as quiet/sturdy as the 3Dconnexion navigators. And it still only allows you to do one thing at a time.

The 3Dconnexion devices will let you rotate about the model while another SU plugin window is opened and active.

[gata]

Another interesting benefit to the 3dconnexion devices I'm beginning to appreciate is the ability to write full-blown macros for its assignable keys. I have the Space Pilot, which has a lot more buttons and a LCD screen (a great reminder, and if you register, your name appears in the header of one of the panels).

I'm beginning to research macro recorders this weekend. At least some macro recorder programs will allow you to over-ride mouse - and other devices - functions and program your own stuff. One can assign repetitive text, like forum message, email signatures, etc, to hot keys; but it's often at cost of adding yet another startup program to your computer. If only a handful of macros are required, and this driver is loaded at start-up anyway...hummm...

The 3dconnexion devices supports a number of programs, but I'm seeing a panel on the screen that I can assign stuff to a rather generic sounding 'Any Application'. So I should be able to compose a few macros that could drop in repetitive text stuff in any application. While I haven't needed this yet, it does make me appreciate my new little monster more.

It's definitely a well-built and thought device and software. It's polished and professional. The Sandio mouse is in it's infancy and needs time and further development to get it out of the hack-work-a-round category and evolve into the Logitech device realm.

[boofredlay]

Thanks all for the replies.
My co-worker got a deal on buy.com, it was the deal of the day. $30 for the PE and when he found out it did not run on Revit he sold it to me
It is a neat device and I like it so far. I can see it will cut down on the wheel zooming that is causing some joint pain in my mouse hand.

[alz]

@unknownuser said:

[attachment=0:1anqav2i]<!-- ia0 -->SP05.jpg<!-- ia0 -->[/attachment:1anqav2i]

I have the Explorer -- is there a way to bind one of the buttons to "Center of Rotation"? It's not an option in the drop downs on the Button Configuration. It was quickly speed up modeling without the constant "go to toolbar" option.

[alz]

Follow-up solution for binding the 3D Connexion function "Center of Rotation" to a Space Explorer button:

• Create a shortcut in SketchUp for "Plugins/3DxSketchUp/Center of Rotation" (ie. "F6")
• Open the 3D Connexion Control Panel -> Button Configuation -> Custom Functions...
• Hit "New" and name the macro (ie. "Center Here")
• Inside User Macro, hit the key of your choice (ie. "F6") and hit "Save", then "Done"
• Select the name of your macro in the button dropdown of your choice (ie. "Center Here" for Panel)