3DConnexion 3DX-700059 Spacemouse Compact 3D Mouse

I've spent the last 35 years using CAD systems for work and I've always considered space mouse/space balls as a must have. It allows you to utilize both your hands for model manipulation instead of just one hand using a standard mouse.It reduces having to memorize mouse button pushes for model panning, spinning and zooming for different CAD software. I was constantly switching between Catia and NX which did not utilize the same button operations on the mouse. Some of the NX mouse operations are awkward and would give me wrist tendon pain but I can avoid that by using a space mouse. I've been using this compact version since it's release. It's solidly built with less plastic than previous versions and doesn't take up much desk space.I'm now retired but wanted my own space mouse at home to use with Solidworks Maker when designing parts to print on a 3d printer. It works great with SW and I've also used it with FreeCad. An added bonus is that it also works with Cura which can be finicky when rotating the parts.I will note that every space mouse I've ever seen eventually develops a stick layer on the rubber portions of the mouse. I'm guessing it's a side effect of oils from people's hand. They usually get sticking when they haven't been used for months.

You have to practice with it to get good with it and it won't replace your mouse and keyboard. I find it to he the most useful to get into awkward camera angles in Blender or to make sweeping camera moves in a large scene. But for simple camera moves, mouse and keyboard are the way to go. If what you do now doesn't bother you, you probably won't need this mouse.

I purchased this at the recommendation of a book author while learning CAD, and now I cannot imagine CAD design without it. Whenever I don't have my SpaceMouse with me, I feel like I'm designing without the use of one of my hands.The design is near perfect, and the functionality learning curve is steep but quick: the movement feels natural in quick order.There is a heft to it, with the weight keeping it firmly planted on the desk - this also adds to the already high quality feel of the construction of the device.The default sensitivity will be quickly outgrown by many, but it's fully adjustable. This is truly one of my favorite tools for CAD and 3D printing.I have also been pleasantly surprised by the software; it's super configurable and allows a lot of flexibility, allowing different settings on an app by app basis. One can even configure this tool for non-traditional apps like browsers and such!

Perfect for 3D design. Works with other software

-"What should I expect to get out of this product?":Your mileage on this product will vary massively depending on the software you use, and its usefulness decreases exponentially as you attempt to use it for more esoteric and obscure programs. I use 3ds Max, Fusion 360, Unity, and Cura on a daily basis. The experience with Max is smooth and precise, Fusion 360 is a bit more jittery but still preferable to using a mouse, and the other two lack out-of-the-box configurations. Basically, the further you stray from the "industry standard 3D modeling software" for which the device is intended, the less likely it is to function satisfactorily. This is not a Razer Tartarus; it has a very specific function which its designers assume you already understand, and its configuration software is resistant to anything but surface-level tinkering.-"This seems expensive, is it worth the buy? Should I try out this cheaper model before upgrading to a more expensive version with more features?":This is quite expensive for what it is, and you should only consider buying it if you expect to be using it almost every day (or if you can get it from your employer as a work expense). If at this point you are confident it will improve your workflow, get the more expensive model with more buttons on it. The buttons on this one are functional, however anyone with a decent 3D modeling workflow will quickly realize that the keyboard hotkeys they're comfortable with already are still much more convenient than radial menus. I bought this version to test if the concept holds water, and now I find myself wishing I invested in the "pro" version.-"I am a maker. This seems like the sort of thing I could build for a fraction of the cost.":Banish this thought from your mind. What is on offer here is a fairly complex system built into a compact, comfortable, sturdy package, along with reasonably functional software. Your time is valuable, spend it making things that don't already have millions of dollars of R&D going into them.

In general, I will say that after using this product for a few weeks and getting used to this type of device, it was impossible to go back. If you do 3D modelling or CAD or any other work involving manipulating objects in 3D space, this will streamline your workflow significantly.More specifically for this model, this is my second 3DConnexion product, I originally purchased the PRO version over two years ago. My concern was that this version would be too small to be stable, and that the buttons on the pro version would be useful. After two years, the pro version started to drift, and had some other issues, so I purchased this model as a replacement.Compared to the pro version, the compact version seems to be more responsive out of the box, and has a rubberized bottom providing excellent stability, even with sudden quick movements. And personally at least, I found I didn't use the plethora of buttons on the PRO version.

This provides a single interface for moving an object in 3d design space. Works across CAD, modeling and slicing tools. Any 3d related graphic software. It has a steep learning curve, and it takes a very gentle touch. But simplifies the workflow across tools where the mouse and keyboard commands change between each one.

Works well and enjoying having it.No regrets