Page 34 - Developer

toolbox

3DcOnnExIOn
SpaceMouSe

pro

BY cAREY cHIcO

Let’s face it: We’re lazy. We made computers so we wouldn’t have to compute by ourselves, and we made graphical user
interfaces and mice so we wouldn’t have to type anything. I’m just waiting for the day I can wear a semicircular, mind-melding device
on my head to control my computer. This is kind of the appeal of 3Dconnexion’s SpaceMouse Pro. The idea that movement in 3D
space can be simplified to one single controller appeals to my inner couch potato. Rather than holding down some keyboard keys
while simultaneously dragging an oblong device—which I’m no doubt also holding down keys on—I simply hold and push one round
controller and I’m flying in 3D space. Easy.

Floating over the world detected and used the SpaceMouse Let’s see how it fares in actual 3D
in bliss Pro without any issues, but I was modeling packages. 3dConneXion
» The casual user can get the confused initially by how it was SpaceMouse pro
www.3dconnexion.com
best feel for the SpaceMouse Pro mapped. Once I got past the logic working in 3d
in Google Earth: One minute, I’m of shifting the mouse left-to-right » The first work application I tried PriCe
smoothly gliding over the Earth in order to steer the plane, I was out with the SpaceMouse Pro was › $300
looking down like an astronaut. gracefully gliding over Hawaii. With Autodesk Softimage. It was at this sYsteM reQUireMents
The next minute, I’m controlling my Microsoft flight, the default settings point that I experienced some of › windows 7, vista, or XP Mac os
descent through the atmosphere so for the 3D controller didn’t use a the chronic issues that continually 10.4.6 (or later) Usb port
smoothly that I feel like a feather. return-to-zero position. In other plague these types of unique control Pros
I found the movement so Zen-like words, if you pushed the controller devices. Ultimately, when you try to 1 Beautifully smooth operation

that I spent an inordinate amount left to turn left, and then released employ the mouse for things other in Google earth and other flying
programs
of time exploring random geological the controller, the movement of than simple movement through 2 useful for zoom and pan in photoshop

wonders of the world. I probably the plane remained fixed to that 3D space, you discover it isn’t the when used with Wacom pen

spent a whole hour touring Disney controller position. You had to push it best method for getting actual work 3 Helps get the user out of the way for
Paris with my son. As a promotional back to the right in order to stabilize done. For programs in which you asset review in 3D packages
controller for Google Earth, the plane again. Ideally, this would want to move through commands at Cons

SpaceMouse Pro shines. be an exposed setting that I could lightning speed, manipulate window 1 Not enough options for user-
preference setting
I also gave the SpaceMouse adjust to my liking. functions, and work in 3D space, 2 can’t fully replace a mouse

Pro a shot in Microsoft flight to Of course, you probably aren’t the SpaceMouse Pro becomes 3 Needs to support more general

test how the controller worked as a planning on buying a $300 mouse something of a handicap. When my program usage in Windows
replacement joystick. The software for flight sims and Google Earth. hand is resting on the 3D movement
32 game developer | october 2012