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General Overview

Motion Controllers, sometimes called "3D Mice" or "3D Controllers", are a specialized input controller that allow the user to pan, scroll, rotate, and zoom using the hand opposite of the regular mouse. In this manner the user can drive the CAD software using both hands while keeping his eyes on the display - the regular mouse being used for selecting things on-screen and the motion controller to manipulate the display of geometry.

The productivity benefit of such input devices cannot be overstated. With most CAD software panning, zooming, scrolling, and zooming requires a separate command and button or icon push for each operation. A motion controller combines all four of these operations into a single controller operating all the functions simultaneously.

Considering the low cost of some of these controllers any engineer or designer who spends a good portion of their work in a CAD environment should consider purchasing one of these devices as a personal expense if they are unable to convince their employer to buy it for them.

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Microsoft Intellimouse

Price - $30 Edit

Pros

  • Any mouse with extra buttons that can be programed for crtl & shift will work.
  • All of the view manipulation can be done with the hand already on the mouse.
  • cheap

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Cons

  • It is not a motion controller.
  • Some versions of the driver make it easier to program the buttons than others.

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3DConnexion SpaceNavigator

Price - $99.00

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Pros

  • Drivers for virtually every CAD/CAE app, and Office too.
  • Allows object selection, while view is being manipulated.
  • Small enough to be carried in a laptop backpack

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Cons

  • Limited buttons
  • Easy for the device to get rotated and hard to visually notice as the small cord is the only real index that you have.
  • Driver often looses settings and has to be restarted.

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3DConnexion SpacePilot

Price - $399.00 ($332 at Dell in Sep-08)

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Pros

  • Drivers for virtually every CAD/CAE app, and Office too.
  • Allows object selection, while view is being manipulated.

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Cons

  • Driver often looses settings and has to be restarted.

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3DConnexion SpaceExplorer

Price - $299.00 ( $246 at Dell in Sep-08) Edit

Pros

  • Drivers for virtually every CAD/CAE app, and Office too.
  • Allows object selection, while view is being manipulated.
  • Good selection of preset buttons.

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Cons

  • Driver often looses settings and has to be restarted.

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3DConnexion SpaceBall 5000 USB

Price - used?

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Pros

  • Drivers for virtually every CAD/CAE app, and Office too.
  • All 12 Buttons can be customized per application or global.
  • Great feel and control.

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Cons

  • Price.
  • Difficult to use in non-supported applications unless you install a third party driver.
  • Some losses of profile information during driver upgrades.

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Spatial Freedom Astroid

Price - $149.00
YouTube video of Astroid

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Pros

Easy install
Three control modes;
  • Basic - novice and internal component viewing
  • Normal - best for design work
  • Camera - 'live' fly-through
Working in perspective is now easy.
Buttons fully integrated within Solid Edge.
Mature add-in (hey, it was co-written by Jason Newell!)


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Cons

  • Mouse selection disabled when user is manipulating the Astroid
  • Selected items flash when Astroid movement stops
  • Doesn't work with any FEA or NC applications