Cool Technology

[Nuvis]

Hey guys my brother works for Process PassPort Inc. and was in St Louis Mo installing and configuring software at a company called GH Tool. They make molds for transmissions and such for General Motors. they have these mouse like devices they use with their cad systems called a spaceball. It works through a usb port like a separate mouse that you can use to rotate and pan around the 3d model. These things are awesome. It would save you so much time rotating and panning around in your 3d modeling programs. check em out.

www.3dconnexion.com (http://www.3dconnexion.com/)

New they cost $500 but I found some on ebay for $200. 3dconnexion is a division of Logitech. I've always liked Logitech. I was wondering if any of you 3D guys use any of these or any similar products. I'm definately going to buy one of these. Here is a picture.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v280/ftulink/spaceball1.jpg

Anyway I just wanted to share this with you guys I think it would make things go so much faster.

Nuvis

[theflash]

looks cool :)

[DDD]

I posted this one earlier I believe....http://www.3dconnexion.com/spacepilot.htm....I know a guy whose studio uses these.

[mlk]

it's just a bigger trackball isn't it ?

[Nuvis]

A trackball is a unsidedown mouse sorta right? The ball doesn't actually spin on top of the holder, its attached, its kinda like a joystick its just round. Its pressure sensitive you barely have to move it for it to move your model around, and the harder you press on it the faster it moves. Anyway thats the difference I supose, plus the other buttons, and its a lot more expensive :).

Nuvis

[Nuvis]

Well a Year and 3 months later I finally have one :). I'll write a review and let you guys know what I think of it after I've played with it for a bit. I forgot that I had posted about it last year and just searched for Spaceball and this was the only thread that came up. Anyway I'll get back to you all in a week or so.

Nuvis

[mlk]

I had forgotten i had ever seen a thread talking about one of those. Do fill us in on the quality please !

[Nuvis]

Alright I just received my Spaceball in the mail today. After messing around with it for awhile I came to the conclusion that I absolutely love it! It will take a few days to get use to it, but I can already see how much quicker it is to get around the model. Just holding the ball you can pan up, down, left, and right, You can zoom in and out, You can twist the model on ever axis, you can also pan, rotate and zoom simultaniously . There are 12 fully programable buttons that sincronize with your 3d applications. I used it with 3d Studio Max and the buttons already had some pre-programed tasks assigned to them. During installation it finds programs that it works with and sets up these default keys for the different programs. There are tons of commands that you can assign to the keys. The A, B, and C keys which are the three closest keys to the left of the ball I assigned to View Top, View Front, and View Side. I also assigned an undo button, a shift for multiple selections, and a couple other keys so that I don't have to take my hand off the Spaceball to use the keyboard when working. You can pretty much throw your keyboard in the trash when it comes to modeling in 3d Studio Max with a Spaceball. Of course you still need the bugger to add text and such :smirk2:... It also set up a plugin within 3dsm during installation so that you can adjust the sensitivities on all axis, and you can also change the button setting while running 3dsm. It not only makes the modeling process faster, but more enjoyable. As far as the construction of the Spaceball it feels very well built and seems that it will last for a good while. It also works for righties and lefties as the wrist rest detaches and can be attached to the other side. The one I got was a Spaceball 4000 FLX which as far as I can tell its the same exact thing as the 5000. Even the software that you download for it off of 3dconnexion for the 4000 says Spaceball 5000 at the top of the application when you run it. My bro found it on Ebay for $100.00 which in my opinion was a steal, considering new the 5000's are $500.00. In conclusion if you work in a 3d application I would highly recommend the Spaceball or similar products from 3d connexion. It surpassed my expectations. If you have any questions about the Spaceball give me a shout. :krazy:

Nuvis