SpaceMouse

Does anybody here use a spacemouse with Wildfire 2. I have just
received a spacemouse on a month trial and am finding it brilliant for
orienting models but other than a button to act as the ctrl key I am
at a loss as to what the other buttons could be useful for?

Nick

 

I use a spacemouse with Wildfire. It's also great in draw mode for fast
zooming & panning in drawing sheets. Like you I programmed 1 key (#1) to
invoke CTRL, I've also programmed one (#2) as SHIFT. In the past (with ProE
2001) I've assigned mapkeys to the other buttons, but more recently, since
changing to Wildfire & a windows machine (from SUN/Solaris) I just use the
default keys that turn on or off various 3D motion axes. I'm curious...
Have you experienced any "hang-ups" with the application when using the
spacemouse? I have an old spacemouse classic & Often the active window
"freezes" to the extent that I can't rotate either with the spacemouse or by
normal means.

 

MD1,
Since posting my first message I've also started using the axes lock,
but I'm still having trouble with uses for the rest of the buttons! I
havent tried it in drawing mode as yet, but I can see that it will be
very advantages. I'm currently using it on a 30 day trial, but do you
feel that you really get £350 worth of value from it?

Since installing the spacemouse I havent noticed any increase in 'Hang
ups' but then wildfire always gave a few anyway. For me, these mainly
happen when first opening a part but are generally cured by reopening
the part (from disk or memory) and will continue fine from that point
on.

 

Depending on the model*, I definitely think it's worth the cost. I
recommend the Space Mouse Classic or; better yet; the SpaceMouse Plus USB.
The "Plus USB" is supposed to work with MS Office applications in addition
to most (if not all) high-end CAD applications. I must admit that I didn't
pay anything for my classic. I won it by simply registering for an AutoCAD
online seminar (...I didn't even attend the seminar). That was several
years ago when "3DConnexion" was called; "LogiCAD 3D". However since then,
I have recommended that my company purchase several. I just submitted a new
purchase request of 3 more for new designers I have starting next month. If
you're looking for bargains they can be found quite often on EBAY (online
auction). In fact there's 3 up for bid right now, but the seller currently
states he will ship to US only.

*FYI: We also purchased 3 "SpaceBalls" ...they work OK, but they have all
plastic construction; they're not as responsive & they don't have the same
solid, heavy feel as the "SpaceMouse".

Regarding the buttons; It's also helpful to have one that resets the default
view. You might also consider having three (or more keys) assigned to set
the model in the standard orthographic viewing planes (front, top, right,
etc). I've found that useful at times.

MD1,
Since posting my first message I've also started using the axes lock,
but I'm still having trouble with uses for the rest of the buttons! I
havent tried it in drawing mode as yet, but I can see that it will be
very advantages. I'm currently using it on a 30 day trial, but do you
feel that you really get £350 worth of value from it?

Since installing the spacemouse I havent noticed any increase in 'Hang
ups' but then wildfire always gave a few anyway. For me, these mainly
happen when first opening a part but are generally cured by reopening
the part (from disk or memory) and will continue fine from that point
on.