Alternative input device for Sketchup
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Up to you, apart from the well known Space Navigator, which alternative input device works well with Sketchup?
A gamepad seems to be the most effective tool to navigate and interact with a tridimensional space. I've read the thread about the Wiimote that looks promising as navigation tool, but less good as modelling tool.
A gamepad, with a reasonable number of programmable keys (min.
could be an interesting device. While the joysticks on it (usually a couple) let you rotate, zoom, and pan your model, you could assign to each key the basic function like select, deselect, push/pull, offset, line, square, and so on. This means you could do the most work without mouse and keyboard.
So far I've not found a way to make a gamepad work with Sketchup: if anybody of you has figured it out, welcome here and please share it with us.My dream is to be able to work with Sketchup with a tiny notebook, while standing freely outside.
A standard touchpad isn't surely the best input device, and a mouse requires a flat surface or mousepad.Then, which is the best and most creative alternative you've found?
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I've just found this, after a quick google search. It's called 3D mouse and it seems to work really in 3D, not like the plethora of the fake 3D mice: they are called 3D, but are common 3 buttons + wheel devices.
You might find this interesting:
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Hey matteo,
I have always used a graphics tablet for 3d work even as far back as DynaPerspective on a Wyse 286 in the late 80's.
Wacom are my preferred choice. I have owned different sizes but found that I mainly used a tiny portion of the bigger ones. Currently I just use a small Wacom Bamboo Fun connected to my notebook - it goes with me everywhere. Great for freehand sketching (eg ArtRage 2) and Sketchup work.
Some tablets I have used are more sophisticated able to sense things like pen tilt as well a pen tip pressure. The Bamboo Fun only does pressure on either end. There are no batteries in the cordless pen - instead the pen converts the magnetic field from the tablet into electricity to enable the cordless pen to wirelessly transmit back to the tablet. This results in a very natural, light weight and sensitive pen instrument.
The tablet draws its power from the USB port.
It takes a while to get used to but with practice it proves fast and intuitive. I now find using a mouse awkward.
Regards
digby dart -
Hi digby dart,
I'm also a fan of Wacom tablets since I bought my first PC.
I agree with you: using a mouse becomes awkward with 2D graphic editors.
But I find it uncomfortable with Sketchup, because I haven't found how to simulate the mouse wheel input with a stylus.I know there is a Wacom stylus with a wheel that simulates a real airbrush, but I don't know if the wheel works outstide specific painting programs like Painter, Photoshop or Artrage.
Up to me, the optimal solution were to buy a tablet pc, with Wacom input technology, and add the Wacom airbrush to model decently with Sketchup.
What I don't know is if this airbrush device works separated from an Intuos tablet.
If it works, I'll have no further need for a mouse.Maybe you have tested it. Let me know
/matteo
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Hi again matteo,
Unfortunately I havn't used the airbrush stylus.
On the Bamboo Fun there is provision for running your finger around a circular area at the top - or tapping the top and bottom of it. Personally I find this a little clumsy.
Perhaps I will give the touch scroll area on my notebook a try to scroll and zoom - never occured to me before.
Regards,
digby dart -
It seems that the only decent solution remains the Space Cli
is.I like its design and the ergonomic concept, but its weight makes it not really portable. I know there is a portable version too, but too expensive for my taste. I also don't like the selling policy, because you have to pay an extra fee to use it as professional.
I'll test working in the open air with Sketchup if this device is worth buying or if I'll be able to manage everything with stylus and keyboard. -
I've found great tool to reconfigure any gamepad's (or joystick's) key: Xpadder
With this tool I could make my joypad (a cheap and easy one) work well with Sketchup.
The left thumbstick is setted to emulate mouse directions. Jou can easy adjust speed and acceleration.
The right thumbstick works as mousewheel.
All 8 buttons were set as l-click, r-click, m-click, space bar, canc, line tool, extrude tool, eraser and move.It's just awesome! And I haven't yet tried a wireless device.
/matteo
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this is also an useful tool, if you work with a tablet:
http://www.geocities.com/pronto4u/easyscroller.html
a scroll wheel emulator that works pgup and pgdwn keys
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