SpaceMouse Enterprise and SOLIDWORKS feedback

Introduction

Hello everyone! Here’s my third and final article on the SpaceMouse Enterprise by 3Dconnexion, which I've been using for several months with SOLIDWORKS. Let me tell you, it’s going to be hard to work without it now! To avoid repeating what I've already covered in my previous articles, I’ll focus here on new aspects. So feel free to check out the previous articles for a full introduction here and here (in french).

The real ??Plug&Play??

As I mentioned, here I’ll share my experience rather than a detailed presentation of the SpaceMouse. I use it not only with all my CAD and design software but also for office applications. The first major advantage: it’s compatible with all my tools. There’s no complex setup required; a single application manages all programs and allows precise customization of both the mouse’s behavior and the buttons. This is what I call true plug-and-play!

Another strong point is that each application can have its own configuration, allowing me to customize my usage according to the tool I’m currently using.

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Whant the full list? Look here.

That said, some options remain somewhat hidden or unclear, and I had to dig around to uncover its full potential—but I'll talk more about that a bit later and guide you through it.

Regular use with SOLIDWORKS

Let’s now focus on SOLIDWORKS.

The undeniable advantage is that this SpaceMouse reduces back-and-forth with the keyboard by making several essential keys directly accessible.

That said, setting up the custom keys will take some time but will save you a lot in the long run!

I won’t go into the details of my setup here, but I will highlight my intensive use of the radial menus offered by 3Dconnexion.

hey are not only well-designed but also fully customizable, and you can create new ones from scratch.

Besides the hardware, 3Dconnexion's software is particularly powerful!

As for the rest (which is actually the most important ??), moving along all axes simultaneously takes a bit of practice but quickly becomes intuitive. In meetings or training sessions, the SpaceMouse is always by my side— WOW effect guaranteed.

Settings import & export

With so many customization options, it’s legitimate to wonder if you can save these settings. Exporting and importing configurations is possible and easy through the 3Dconnexion application, in the 3dxz format.

You have direct access to both options from the 3Dconnexion software, and you can easily save a 3dxz file.

Spacemouse Pro?: a more affordable alternative

Let’s talk about budget. The SpaceMouse Enterprise represents an investment that may not fit all budgets. For those looking for an alternative, the SpaceMouse Pro is a good compromise.

More compact, both wired and wireless versions, it features 4 shortcuts (compared to 12 for the Enterprise) and lacks a screen, but it includes the essential keys for CAD (Escape, Shift, Control, Alt). And of course, it’s compatible with the 3Dconnexion customization software.

It's a good intermediate solution for those who don’t spend 8 hours a day on their design software ??.

Additional settings for SOLIDWORKS

In SOLIDWORKS, you even have access to additional settings specific to this software.

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You'll find all the details here.

Summary

I won’t surprise you here; I’ve gotten used to this mouse with SOLIDWORKS, and I find it hard to do without it. However, its versatility across all my software means I also struggle to be without it for most of my actions...! The SpaceMouse Enterprise does have a lot of buttons, and while mastering the main actions—zooming, rotating, and panning—happens quickly and intuitively, remember that getting used to these buttons and configuring them will take some time. But once you have it in hand, it’s pure joy!