Spaceball

[captainpugwash]

I am a new Solidworks user having spent the last 7 years in CATIA land. I'm having a hard time getting used to the way SWx rotates/zooms and pans with the mouse, has anybody used a spaceball with SWx? (I prefer to use the mouse over the icons..)

 

[SBaugh]

You can use a Spaceball in Combination with a mouse but not just a spaceball.

I use the 3dconnexion Spaceball 5000.

http://www.3dconnexion.com

I like it real well, but since I also use my middle mouse button to rotate with more now, I like it better then my spaceball. I do like the spaceball for zooming in/out better then the mouse.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376

 

[bluesman0007]

For what it's worth: I really like my combination of a 4-button marble mouse and a CadMan. If fact I liked it so much I duplicated it at home. Everyone has there favorites and these just happen to be mine.

 

[TateJ]

I was sceptical at first... after all - when would I need to rotate & zoom while modifying a part at the same time? But I would rather take a daily beating than give up my SpacBall 4000 FLX. I ROTATE, ZOOM & PAN with it - I have standard views programed into the buttons - along with setting the center point of rotation & zoom to extents.
If you search for "SpaceBall" on ebay - you'll find plenty of used older models & there are still drivers available for them. But if you can get the boss to spring for it - I think there's a 5000 model now. (Apparently they're 2996 years ahead of the rest of us.) Also there's plenty of discussion here about the SpaceBall. Try the search function...

tatej usfilter.com​

 

[SBaugh]

As for a mouse I prefer my Logictech Trackman Marble Wheel

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376

 

[efritz]

I’ve been using 3dconnexion Spaceball 4000FLX for a few years now.
I use it not only for rotating, zooming etc., which works great, I also use shortcut buttons on it, instead of using icons/extra mouse moves, keyboard. I highly recommend it!!!
Up to 30% increase of productivity!