3Dconnexion 3DX-700028 SpaceNavigator 3D Mouse

Update: I recently had to re-install this on a new computer, and the current software install, 3.16.3 is packaged properly and installs fine right from the download, so my -1 is mooted.It is indispensable in the programs where I use it. I just wish more supported it.---The Mouse came nicely packaged, but of course, it needs its drivers installed before you can do anything with it in the few programs that can take advantage of it. This was to prove the most frustrating part of installing it, but I found a solution which I will share.As of this writing, the driver version is 3.16.1. The CD in the package was version 3.7.18, which dates back to 2009. This isn't too horrible a problem, because the first thing the installer does is prompt you to check for a newer driver. Does it download the driver? No, it sends you to the web page. Does it send you to the driver download page? No, just the home page. But again, not a big deal, it's easy enough to navigate to the appropriate download link. This is fairly standard.Where it goes terribly wrong is after you download the file. The download, "3DxSoftware32_v3-16-1_r1342 . exe" will extract the installer, put it in your temp files, and run it. The big problem there is the installer it extracts, "3DxSoftware32 . exe" is part installer, part archive, but it doesn't know that. Immediately the installer will ask you to insert a disk because it can't find "layout.bin". Since you don't have that disk or that file, you're stuck. Installation fails. The one previous installer available suffers the same problem.After considerable poking around, trying to open a few stray .cab files that appeared, I found out about a free program called PeaZip on SourceForge. It does things that 7-Zip doesn't. And aside from opening .cab files, it did the one thing I needed to make this install work. I was able to select "3DxSoftware32 . exe" and choose "Open as archive" and then I did "Extract all files" into the same directory, and THERE was everything I needed to do the install. Run the setup file that appears and the install proceeds just as it would from the CD. Keep these files, because you might need to re-install if you add new 3d software that needs specific plugins.Having successfully slain the installer dragon, everything else from there was smooth sailing. I ran through the Demos, played the Puzzle game, and then set off into Second Life to try the Flycam. That was tremendously cool, but clearly I need a better video card. Next I went into Google Sketchup, apparently now owned by Trimble, and navigation was so much easier than trying to remember what chord of modifier keys would make things move the way I wanted. I have yet to use it with Blender, but that's next on the agenda.It is not a substitute for the mouse. It won't control the arrow cursor (although apparently there is a beta driver out there that might) but for 3D programs that support it, it is the perfect thing for moving your view around and manipulating selected objects along and around all three axes. So it's an adjunct to your regular mouse. It is delicately sensitive, a feather touch is all that is needed to fly your viewpoint around. So once you get past the terrible driver install issues, it works precisely as advertized. I can see it as an essential tool for anyone who works with 3D models.

There are some older reviews from MAC users who experienced problems with this device, but you may not experience those yourself with the newest software/updates available online. Then again, I have only tested it on Sketchup. Also, I contacted 3Dconnexion directly with a question and received a detailed, thoughtful response less than 2 days later (even though I bought this item used and had no purchase order number).This is a fine piece of interface technology and is designed/built very well. The feel is solid, sturdy, and responsive. It also appears to be very sensitive, adjusting magnitude on screen depending on the levels of pressure applied. A very precise and smooth instrument. I cannot imagine a better way to navigate around 3D space. I use this for architecture and industrial design. I feel like this provides me with my own personal helicopter to "fly" in and around my models at will.You can customize the settings to your liking. It took me a few hours to find an intuitive combination of controls (that worked for me) and overcome the learning curve, but now I can't imagine modeling without it. My adjustments are listed below. If you don't like the default settings, try reversing the axes and adjust from there (NOTE: I always invert the y-axis in video games, so I'm naturally inclined to control the Space Navigator the same way... your mileage may vary).3D Mouse Right change to: 3D Mouse Left3D Mouse Left change to: 3D Mouse Right3D Mouse In change to: 3D Mouse Out3D Mouse Out change to: 3D Mouse In3D Mouse Down change to: 3D Mouse Up3D Mouse Up change to: 3D Mouse Down3D Mouse Tilt Backward: change to: 3D Mouse Tilt Forward3D Mouse Tilt Forward: change to: 3D Mouse Tilt Backward3D Mouse Roll Left: change to: 3D Mouse Roll Right3D Mouse Roll Right: change to: 3D Mouse Roll Left3D Mouse Spin Clockwise: change to: 3D Mouse Spin Counter-Clockwise3D Mouse Spin Counter-Clockwise: change to: 3D Spin ClockwiseIf you are on the fence, give this thing a try. I wish I had it in college. It cuts down on my drawing/modeling time and allows me to rotate, spin, and navigate a model without changing tools or exiting out of a command. A must have for all heavy illustrators, 3D modelers, etc.