Decent Off-The-Shelf 3D Movement Controllers? 13
Milo_Mindbender asks: "I'm working on a project that involves flying/moving around in 3d spaces similar to what you would do in an archetectural walkthrough. I'm looking for a good and fairly natural controller for moving around in 6 degrees of 3D space. Something like the old 'Spaceball' would be great, but the company doesn't seem to make them anymore. Has anyone seen anything that works particularly well? Ideally, something that only requires one hand and is fairly easy for the uninitiated to learn to use."
Ever heard of Google? (Score:3)
SpaceOrbs still available (Score:1)
If he's out, let me know - I have a few dozen hanging around the house.
(I'm a former Spacetec employee and SpaceOrb software team member)
Wheelmouse.... (Score:2)
Well, your basic mouse already has 2 axes - Right-Left and Front-Back. Hook the wheel to Up-Down, and you're set.
Even better, use those 3 axes as "throttles", and you won't have to keep picking your mouse up and putting it close to you when you're moving forward a lot. Move forward a bit to start moving forward, move back a bit to stop moving forward.
This space for rent. Call 1-800-STEAK4U
Re:Now I remember why I didn't buy a SpaceOrb (Score:1)
Cyberman (Score:1)
Re:Gyros! (Score:1)
No sir, I do NOT want a GyroPoint...
SpaceBalls and Space Mouses (Score:1)
SpaceBalls and Space Mouses still exist. I use a LogiCad 3D [logicad3d.com] Magellan Plus Space mouse for high-end 3D CAD, and it's awesome. Another guy here used a SpaceBall 3000 FLX, and had no complaints.
There are some drawbacks to these devices though, they cost about $500 (US) and need application specific drivers, in addition to OS level drivers. Most of these devices hook up to standard serial ports and use a proprietary protocol to communicate to the workstation. The other drawback is that as complexity of your 3D scene increases, the lag between your control of the scene and the screen update also increases. Eventually, you may find yourself nudging the controller and then waiting to see that you overshot your desired position. Of course more RAM, faster processors, and most importantly better graphics cards will greatly reduce this problem.
Which OS and program are you looking at using? Most commercial 3D stuff has hooks into the OS level drivers for these devices. Also, most 3D input devices support a wide range of UNIX operating systems, as well as Windows. I'm using my Magellan on sgi IRIX right now.
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Re:Gyros! (Score:1)
Gyros! (Score:1)
Flying Mice are working on one, but... (Score:1)
http://flyingmice.com
(Hmm - just says "advanced devices" now. It used to say something about 6-degrees-of-freedom input devices).
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Re:Cyberman (Score:1)
Yes, I DO like six degrees of freedom; I consider this a prerequisite for games, and I'm actively looking for something to replace my cyberman2. Guess I'll buy some spaceballs (the joystick, not the movie).
Now I remember why I didn't buy a SpaceOrb (Score:1)