#24 – TECH REVIEW – 3Dconnexion SpaceMouse Wireless Bluetooth

Those of us who work in CAD, BIM, and other associated Design & Make industries know the name 3Dconnexion. 3Dconnexion has brought us the SpaceMouse, the CadMouse, and the 3Dconnexion Keyboard. They have kindly sent me one of their latest SpaceMouse iterations, the SpaceMouse? Wireless Bluetooth? Edition, for tech review.

I love to review 3Dconnexion gear, as it works seamlessly with Autodesk software. It provides that ‘extra’ dimension needed in a human interface device, especially when working with 3D models in AutoCAD and Revit.

Opening the box

As usual, the SpaceMouse? Wireless Bluetooth? Edition arrives in robust, branded 3Dconnexion packaging, which is easy to open and store for later use/transportation. One of the nice touches from 3Dconnexion is the Quickstart Guide printed on the inside sleeve of the box with the web address of their support page, www.3dconnexion.com/support. It also lists where to find the appropriate drivers for the device: www.3dconnexion.com/drivers.

A quick overview

3Dconnexion has designed the SpaceMouse Wireless for professionals and enthusiasts alike. It has that lovely weight to it, keeping it stable on the desk as you work, enabling quick navigation as you design effortlessly in 3D applications. It doesn’t matter what industry you are in or if you are an engineer, an architect or a 3D creator. The SpaceMouse Wireless allows for effortless refinement of the most intricate of models. You can quickly and easily explore the creative solutions you design and develop immersive presentations, applying seamless control in the palm of your hand. And due to the portability of this device, it doesn’t matter where you are; at your desk, in a meeting room or on the move.

Navigation

3Dconnexion prides itself on the ‘immersive navigation of 3D design’, offering their patented 6-Degrees-of-Freedom (6DoF) sensor, specifically designed to enable you to effortlessly and precisely manipulate digital content and camera positions inside CAD and 3D applications. This is especially useful in complex 3D models used in AutoCAD and Revit. I have used 3Dconnexion hardware for years, and I love their interface. The drivers connect in AutoCAD and Revit with no hesitation whatsoever, and driver parameters are easily defined, allowing for navigation that gives you that extra angle required to visualize specific views in the model. You can push, pull, twist or tilt the controller cap to intuitively pan, zoom and rotate with one hand whilst simultaneously using a standard mouse with your other hand to select, create or edit your models.

Software and customization

Using the 3DxWare? 10 software provided for the SpaceMouse Wireless, you can take advantage of the customization options available. Combined with the drivers for your specific software application (say AutoCAD or Revit, for example), they can be tailored to suit your software, courtesy of two programmable side buttons on the device. This allows you to assign your favourite application commands, create radial menus, and add custom macros to the menu buttons, thus using a single driver for all your 3Dconnexion devices. Yep, you read that right; it can apply across ALL your 3Dconnexion devices!

Seamless application integration

With the 3Dconnexion drivers installed, providing there is appropriate support for your application, you will find that you can work with 3Dconnexion menus within the application itself. In AutoCAD and Revit, the 3Dconnexion menu is located in the application navigation bar, along with an option to access the 3Dconnexion Properties menu.

Connectivity

3Dconnexion connectivity is second to none. I have been using several of their wireless devices for quite some time, including the CadMouse Wireless and the SpaceMouse Wireless, which provide you with the same exceptional reliability as a wired 3D mouse in a wireless format. That trusty wireless technology and a high-capacity rechargeable battery allow you to use the SpaceMouse Wireless for up to one month without charging.*

The flexible connectivity options provide two wireless connection methods: Bluetooth or the 3Dconnexion Universal Receiver, or you can use the USB cable, which charges your device simultaneously.

*(Battery life of up to one month based on 8 hours of use daily, 5 days per week).

Transportation

As with other wireless devices from 3Dconnexion, a smart little carry case is included. It’s compact, lightweight, and durable, keeping your device safe during transport in your laptop bag. I don’t know about you, but I like to keep my devices scratch-free, and these little cases are a nice touch to protect your investment. Whether travelling between offices or working on the move, you can relax knowing your SpaceMouse Wireless is perfectly protected.

Software drivers

3Dconnexion provides a single driver for multiple devices. 3DxWare 10 is the single-driver installation for all your 3Dconnexion devices. The simple yet powerful interface makes it easy to work with and customize all your 3Dconnexion products for peak performance. You can learn more about 3DxWare 10 by clicking here.

Conclusion

Overall, this is a lovely little piece of kit. It's weighty enough to let you know it’s there, and with that weight comes stability on your desk surface during use. It’s small, compact, and useful, with nice ergonomics that make it incredibly easy and comfortable to use. Combined with the excellent connectivity options, you have a superb 3D navigation device that can be used with most CAD and BIM applications. A great addition to the 3Dconnexion range!

You can find out more about the SpaceMouse? Wireless Bluetooth? Edition at the link below: -

https://3dconnexion.com/dk/product/spacemouse-wireless/

Happy 3D navigating!

SCB.