Born for CAD - Coming Soon - What is 3Dconnexion up to?

3Dconnexion released a YouTube video titled "Born for CAD - coming soon" recently and it has me wondering if they are (finally) releasing a mouse meant for CAD work. I know what you are saying, 3Dconnexion has released several CAD mice already. Yes they have but those mice are supplemental 3D based mice. Users still need a "regular" mouse to work with.

Let's take a look at the video:

Well I'm hyped!

I love 3Dconnexion's line of products (I've had/used several) and I am very excited at the idea of them making a "normal" mouse that is designed for CAD use.  Right now I use a gaming mouse (Logitech G700s) for my CAD work and I love it. 3Dconnexion was a subsidiary of Logitech at one time. That was probably why they couldn't produce a CAD mouse before. Now that they are a fully independent company they can produce this type of hardware. I am very excited to see what they can do.

Why do I think it's a mouse? Great question. Well here are some clues that I gleaned from the video:

The video starts off with this text: A NEW VENTURE

This tells me that 3Dconnexion will be presenting something they haven't done before. They have only done 3D mice so it's obviously not a new one of those.

This text says: INTELLIGENT ERGONOMIC DESIGN. What type of input device is always billed as being "ergonomic"? Mice are. Keyboards too but you can clearly see this is not a keyboard. Note (hint: look at the red arrows that I added) the button looking thing with an arrow head. that clearly looks like a side button on a mouse. Also note the ridges (again, look at the red arrow). That looks like a thumb rest are on an "ergonomic mouse". Or am I wrong? I've been wrong many times before and I might be wrong here. But this image screams MOUSE to me.

This text is: SMARTER THAN AVERAGE. So whatever this is (it's a mouse ok?), it will be smart. Smart means programmable. Programmable means mouse. If you look at this image I think we are seeing a scroll wheel or an extra programmable button along with a left and right standard mouse button. It could be a side view of an extra programmable mouse button.

This last image says: BORN FOR CAD. that's exciting because there really isn't a mouse made specifically for the needs of CAD; except for 3D mice. And in this image you can clearly see mouse button edges (I've pointed to them.) (You see them too right?)

I may be totally wrong about this but I strongly feel it is a mouse that was designed for CAD users. this mouse is stylish, ergonomic (because CAD people use mice all day long), smart (programmable), and importantly it is coming to us soon.

How soon is soon? Hopefully it is just weeks and not months. If I hear anything I will let you know.

3Dconnexion

3Dconnexion Announces new SpaceMouse Wireless 3D Mouse

3Dconnexion announces a new wireless 3D mouse called SpaceMouse Wireless.  SpaceMouse Wireless is 3Dconnexion’s first and only wireless product.  It features a new design and its two buttons are improved in terms of size, shape and feel compared to the SpaceNavigator products.  It has a lower center of gravity and a larger rubber area on the underside base giving it more stability on the desktop.

3Dconnexion wins “red dot award: product design 2013” - SpaceMouse Pro Wins

SpaceMouse Pro stands apart among more than 4,500 products for its superior design quality.

3Dconnexion’s SpaceMouse Pro 3D mouse has received a red dot award: product design 2013, one of the largest and most prestigious design contests in the world. The SpaceMouse Pro, 3Dconnexion’s newest 3D mouse, impressed the 37-strong jury, which reviewed more than 4,500 products in 19 categories.

This year’s red dot awards will be presented at the annual red dot gala on 1 July 2013 at Essen’s opera house, the Aalto theatre. The SpaceMouse Pro will then be exhibited in Essen's red dot design museum from 2-28 July, where visitors can learn about the latest product design trends and experience prize-winning products first-hand.

Bike Manufacturer Duratec Wants to Build You a Flying Bicycle

In an iconic scene from the Star Wars movies, hero Luke Skywalker out-races the evil Empire’s agents by riding flying speeder bikes through a dense forest. Needless to say, the bad guys get up close and personal with some bark and our heroes live to fight on.

3Dconnexion Announces Enhanced 3D Mouse Support in Rhino 5

Rhino users rejoice; the latest software version, Rhino 5, is compatible out-of-the-box with all current models of 3Dconnexion 3D mice.


The introduction of Rhino 5 sets a new benchmark for how good the 3Dconnexion 3D mouse experience can be. Now, a 3D mouse provides Rhino 5 users an incomparable level of design interaction, making it a rewarding and creativity boosting tool. What’s capable with this 3D design duo?

• Intelligent 3D Navigation—The 3D mouse automatically follows the user's point of interest to continuously determine the optimal center of rotation. Alternatively, one can choose to rotate around a selected item.
• Enhanced Camera Navigation—The 3D mouse can be used to manipulate models in any of three navigation modes: Camera, Target Camera or Helicopter.
• Customizable Buttons— With Rhino 5’s new 3D mouse button mapping editor, it’s quick and easy for users to assign their favorite commands to the 3D mouse function keys, helping them to "stay in the zone" by reducing keyboard and standard mouse use.

See the complete press release below.

3Dconnexion's New Windows Driver Released

3Dconnexion, maker of several 3D mice, has released a new version of its Windows driver.  This updated driver has the following highlights:

• Official support for Windows 8, SolidWorks 2013, NX 8.5 and Solid Edge ST5
• Performance and stability improvements in plug-ins for: 3ds Max, 3ds Max Design, Maya, Softimage, SolidWorks, NX, Solid Edge and Photoshop
• Advanced button configuration in Sketch Mode in NX

Users can download the new driver here.

Autodesk Releases 3Dconnexion Hotfix for AutoCAD 2013 and Verticals

Autodesk has released a hotfix that corrects several issues with 3Dconnexion devices in AutoCAD 2013 and AutoCAD verticals.  Those issues are:

• Zoom speed varies in perspective view
• Pivot point position is far from the model causing the model to go off the drawing area when rotated
• High zoom out speed after zooming in a small area of the drawing

Make sure to check out the README before installing as there are certain steps to take.

If you use AutoCAD 2013 or any AutoCAD 2013 based verticals (Civil 3D 2013, Architecture 2013, MEP 2013, etc.) along with a 3Dconnexion 3D mouse then you will want to install this hotfix.  The point to a 3D Mouse is to speed up your design process so nothing is worse than software bugs.  This hotfix is meant to improve the 3D mouse experience in AutoCAD 2013.

Autodesk’s website notes that you need to make sure to install the AutoCAD 2013 Service Pack 1.1 before you install this hotfix.

Links:

Autodesk Hotfix 3Dconnexion
Readme

3Dconnexion Releases Update to 3DxWare 10 Beta Software

3Dconnexion released the next update to their 3DxLabs Beta software 3DxWare 10.  3DxWare 10 (or 3D Mouse Anywhere) is a driver platform for 3Dconnexion 3D mice that allows them to work in any application.  This software package allows users to take advantage of their 3D mouse in other programs besides CAD.  That means you have even more input possibilities in your web browser (will it work in TinkerCAD?), Word Processor, spreadsheet, you name it.

3Dconnexion Announces Official Certification for 3Dconnexion 3D mouse support in Autodesk Inventor 2013

See Paul Munford's article on the new additions to Autodesk’s digital prototyping platform, Inventor.

June 14, 2012 – 3Dconnexion today announced certified 3Dconnexion 3D mouse support in leading 3D CAD modeling software Autodesk® Inventor® 2013, including Autodesk® Inventor Professional®.

This is good news for Inventor 2013 users that also use 3Dconnexion 3D mice.

3DConnexion’s SpacePilot™ Pro

3Dconnexion has been providing 3D mice for a long time now and I had the privilege of taking a look at their SpacePilot™ Pro.  A 3D mouse is an additional mouse that provides three dimensional interaction while working in CAD.  They allow easy access to different views through additional navigational tools.  Depending on the models features they can rotate your views, zoom in or out, pan, switch to saved views with the push of a button and provide a greater range of navigational tools than a standard mouse.  They do not replace a standard mouse but work with one.

3DConnexion’s SpacePilot™ Pro is their top of the line fully featured 3D mouse.  This product has all of the bells and whistles.  The SpacePilot™ Pro features six-degrees-of-freedom (6DoF) sensor technology, second generation Quickview Navigation Keys (providing 32 standard views), an LCD screen, multiple function keys, keyboard modifiers, and an ergonomic wrist rest design platform.

When a FREE Trip to Autodesk University 2011 and a SpacePilot PRO 3D!

One of my favorite peripherals manufacturers is having a contest to give away a free trip to Autodesk University 2011 and a SpacePilot Pro 3D Mouse!  3Dconnexion is offering this trip (and mouse) that will include airfare and accommodations!  What a prize!

To enter this drawing complete the required form that can be found at http://bit.ly/qcWJii.  Submissions will be accepted through midnight U.S. PDT on November 7th, 2011.  Make sure to check out the terms and conditions page before you fill out the forms.  The winner will be contacted by email or phone on November 8th, 2011 and will have 3 days to claim there prize.

Good luck.

3Dconnexion releases drivers for 3D Mice for any application

3Dconnexion has just released a new driver for its line of 3D Mice. According to their press release and website, this new driver will let users use their 3D Mouse ( SpaceNavigator, SpaceNavigator for Notebooks, SpaceExplorer USB and SpacePilot PRO) with any application they are running! That's an interesting concept.

I downloaded the driver (108 mb) for Windows 64 bit and installed it on my Windows 7 laptop.  That was easy and painless.  I plugged my Navigator and later my Space Pilot PRO into my laptop and started opening programs.  The left button could not be altered, but I can change the function of the right.  Out of the box it acts like a left-click of the mouse (a regular mouse.)  The Space Pilot Pro already had so much integration with it (RSS feeds on the display, Outlook Integration, etc) that at first it didn't seem like much, but it's there.

In Chrome (and other browsers) I could scroll up and down web pages.  It gave the scroll wheel on my non-3D mouse a break.  In Adobe PDF Reader I could zoom in and out of my document and scroll through pages.  The same thing with Microsoft Word 2010.

So what does this mean?  For most people not much.  But for users it means that these 3D mice will (should) work out of the box with all applications.  No need to wait for the driver.  However, being able to use these 3D mice with "everything" is not that big of a deal.  It's not because it doesn't add much more functionality to the programs.  But if you already have one then use it.  If you were concerned about getting one (face it they aren't cheap) because you weren't sure if they would work with your program or maybe you wanted more bang for your buck, then now, maybe you don't have to worry about it.

There are drivers for Mac OS, 32 bit Windows, 63 bit Windows, Siemens (3DxMagellanProxy), and a few others.  I didn't see any Linux support.  These drivers are still in Beta and are not officially supported.  If you have any issues with them, well, use them at your own risk, they are beta.

3Dconnexion 3D Mice for any application!

3Dconnexion has just released a new driver for its line of 3D Mice.  According to their website, this new driver will let users use their 3D Mouse ( SpaceNavigator, SpaceNavigator for Notebooks, SpaceExplorer USB and SpacePilot PRO) with any application they are running!  That's an interesting concept.  I am in the process of downloading the new driver now with plans to try it out.  I will let you know how it goes.

3Dconnexion announces 3D mouse support for five new medical applications

3Dconnexion today announced 3D mouse support for five new medical applications, extending 3D mouse support to critical medical technologies.  With this new support, medical professionals will be able to enhance lives and also gain a range of design benefits.  The applications include:

·         OsiriX Imaging Software

·         Cyfex AG Secret Ear Designer^®

·         3Shape’s Hearing Instrument System, Dental System™ and Ortho System

More details along with the full announcement follow – however, please contact me if you have any questions or if you’d like to speak with a 3Dconnexion representative.  I will also keep you posted regarding testimonials in these new application that would make for an interesting case study. 

Who has a 3D mouse?

If you have one, what kind is it?  How long have you had it?  What do you like/dislike about it?  Would you recommend it?  Was it worth it?

If you don't have a 3D mouse, why?  Are you planning on getting one?  What is keeping you from getting one?  Price? Won't use it enough? Don't do 3D? What is your opinion about them?  Have you ever tried one?  Do you want to?