3Dconnexion SpaceMouse Review with Fusion 360

[@gerritvisser]

I'm an occasional user, 2-3x per week. I found that using the Space Mouse enabled me to do better and quicker work on assemblies. For individual parts not so much. Being able to rotate, zoom and shift parts to find joint points was a great benefit. Prior just using the mouse I had difficulties. Also with an increasing amount of arthritis in my RH, the Space Mouse lets me perform finer movements. I didn't spring for the large model due to concerns the concept would not work for me. In hind sight ..... maybe for my birthday coing up 🙂 Thank you for the review

[@DesktopMakes]

I hadn't considered the benefit to people with arthritis. Good point! Thanks Gerrit.

[@ruftime]

Thank you Vlad! The spacemouse (WiFi $150usd) was a game changer for my designing. Few amateurs need the pro. The wired version would be perfectly suitable too, especially as you don’t move soacemouse about, it’s more like a roller-ball mouse for your left hand, but with intuitive movement for working in 3d space. Works in 3D printing slicers too.

[@DesktopMakes]

I agree, even though I bought the wireless version, I've always just kept it plugged in.

[@gionmanetsch7330]

I went for the space mouse too but I also bought their cad mouse, what was an even bigger gamechanger for me. Both the space mouse and the cad mouse use the same usb dongle. So you dont need a additional usb port. Second I use blender a lot. The cad mouse has the mouse wheel and the middle button separated. Using blender this is realy helping a lot for precision because your able to press the middle button and still be able to scroll. This was standard on the first mouse generations.

[@hoggif]

I'm a hobbyist, I guess I use 360 weekly or so, sometimes more, sometimes less. I have the smaller SpaceMouse and I really love it. The learning curve was not too big and I cannot see how I'd do without one after getting used to it. Pro version with lots more keys probably needs more use to have the muscle memory for all the keys.

[@DesktopMakes]

Thanks hoggif! Yeah, the smaller SpaceMouse would be the better fit for the hobbyist.

[@awilliamwright]

I've been using mine for maybe half a year now (the 2-button one), and yeah, I might have liked the pro better. Maybe. Maybe I'll get a pro for home and bring my 2-button to work, because I just use the regular mouse-keyboard there (and I do have to switch my brain back and forth). Interestingly, I got it because I was getting so much fatigue in my left hand from pressing down on shift and control all the time. Weird, right? Just that repetition of pressing down and holding over and over was killing my hand. So I got the mouse just so I could add some variety in what my hand had to do, and it did make a huge difference. I haven't had those aches since. My one big complaint is the settings, and lack of consistency across programs. I jump around between Fusion, Blender, Cura, Preform, Meshmixer, and UE4. Blender just takes some annoying fine-tuning in Blender's settings to get it to work right (the deadzone is huge by default). When editing in Unreal, the Spacemouse is completely useless. I don't understand if it's a setting or what, but it is pretty frustrating. The custom button assignments for the SpaceMouse are also very finicky, and weird things will make it forget everything. I can't imagine the frustration I'd experience if I was using the Pro when that happens! I really wish the software/drivers were a little more robust in that regard, especially since I've seen forum posts complaining about these issues from back in 2016.

[@gillisdebilio4516]

As a hobbyist, I bought it, but I focused more on develloping my fusion skill than skills to use the mouse

[@Artrcb]

Have had one for quite a while and use it in Autocad and other aps that give you a 3d area to move around in. Takes a while to train your left hand but great after you get used to it.

[@DesktopMakes]

Thanks Artrcb. I agree.

[@hetszunyukoponyanyimonyok1061]

I'm an occasional user of F360 but having the Spacemouse Compact (the simple wired version). I was always suffering with the keyboard/mouse combo but the Spacemouse. It is very intuitive. Easy to use and to carry. It was superb investment.

[@spikekent]

Hey Vlad, Great video on a fantastic tool. As you know, I'm just a hobbyist, but when I saw these a few years ago I really wanted one, but was struggling to justify the price. Then I found a used one on ebay for around £60, it was just the small wired Space Mouse, but I jumped at it. Was a fantastic purchase, it did take me a few days to get used to it, but it makes a huge improvement to my F360 work flow. If this one ever breaks down, I won't hesitate to buy another one brand new.

[@DesktopMakes]

That's a great find Spike! Yeah, the key is committing those few days to get comfortable with it and then you'll never want to look back.

[@spikekent]

@@DesktopMakes Just had another great find, this time the wireless one like you have, got it for £95. Not really sure why I brought it, other than being a nerd lol

[@ruthlessluder]

Does this work well with free orbit as well as constrained orbit? With my regular mouse, navigating around free orbit is quite a mess.

[@91icebox]

Can I use the 3D SpaceMouse as a regular 2D mouse (left and right click + drag a drop windows and so on? I have mobility problems so dragging a regular mouse gets a little complicated. Use the 3d SpaceMouse as a joystick pointer with the same functions a regular mouse would be great.

[@pablojrojasv]

Do you mind sharing your settings? for whatever reason my 3DConnexxion Mouse keeps changing to just scroll instead of floating, I use Meshmixer, Blender

[@winandd8649]

I use the small one for years now, and I love it, can't without one. I feel no need for the huge desk space eating version; Most standard CAD shortcuts are just one simple keyboard key..

[@JD2jr.]

I've been considering one of these for so long, looks like something I would feel incredibly comfortable with. The price plus a bad review made me never pull the trigger, but this gives me renewed enthusiasm. Can you use the spacemouse as just a regular mouse outside of fusion? I have to go out of my way to ever use a keyboard, so my first gaming mouse made me 2349854x more productive. This seems like an exaggerated version of that. I really wish these were more mainstream so you could just roll up to a walmart or best buy and play with one.

[@DesktopMakes]

Their website has a list of software it can work with. Unfortunately you can't simply replace your regular mouse with it as not all applications will accept it.

[@garagemonkeysan]

Nice video. I have the small one but can see the benefit of the large one. I found the single dial is very easy to learn. But I can see there's a steeper learning curve for the hot keys. Agree it is only useful if you're using CAD frequently or if your models are complex. Mahalo for sharing! : )

[@DesktopMakes]

Thanks garagemonkeysan! Yeah, I enjoyed the small one for a few years before recently getting the Pro. The hot keys definitely takes time to build the muscle memory.

[@kevbarry7453]

Vlad it would be great to see an overhead of you using the mice. Are you using the old and new mouse at the same time? I saw you holding them like that near the end of the video. I'm doing your beginners course now. I will probably get the small one for hobbyists. Cheers.

[@DesktopMakes]

Thanks Kev. Yeah, I should have included an overhead shot. I had thought of it I guess forgot to include it. You can only use one 3D mouse at a time. The other mouse is a regular 3 button mouse with a scroll wheel.

[@kevbarry7453]

@@DesktopMakes Vlad I ended up with the three button mouse from 3Dconnexion for a leftie. That will do for now. So your left click is my right click etc. Great fun discovering what it can do.

[@longdongsilver4719]

A great video for a great product. Absolutely the best device I bought in 2021. It took me some days to learn how to use it and to get a smooth movement, but it's worth it. And I'm not a pro user of Fusion 360.

[@DesktopMakes]

Thanks! Yeah, once you get the hang of it you won't want to go back to the old way.

[@mohammadm7559]

Hi Vlad, I noticed you were also using a Mac and was wondering if you or anyone else who knows can help me with my issue. When using a space mouse in Fusion I am restricted in the viewing mode to object mode. I also use Archicad and I can change the configuration to camera mode in the app settings. I find this much more intuitive for me. This setting doesn't seem like it's available in Fusion. It seems on Mac I have to go on system settings and configure each axis individually to get the result I want. I don't know which axis I need to change to get it to behave the way I want. Or maybe there's a better way?

[@johnheaney3349]

I don't use Fusion 360 enough to justify the larger one, but I do have the smaller one. Honestly, I would hate to be without it now. Quick note, the two side buttons have virtual programmability, so with a slight move and then click of your mouse, you get 8 functions. Since I'm still using the mouse for clicking and dragging, that works well. I have do have one fairly annoying problem with it. Often when my iMac goes to sleep, the SpaceMouse doesn't reconnect when my computer wakes. I have to then remove that USB dongle and plug it back in again to force it to reconnect. Does anyone else have that problem?

[@DesktopMakes]

Good point on the side button John. I normally run my mouse wired so haven't faced the issue with it not connecting.

[@blameblame6146]

SpaceMouse or SpaceNavigator in Fusion 360 _Viewer_? -- can you comment on whether or not it works for you in the browser based Fusion viewer links? - how about in Chrome? I haven't been able to get it to work with the Fusion web-based viewer and the viewer for clients certainly is clunky without a 3D mouse option. Do you know if the issue is merely a system setup problem, or something Autodesk needs to work on?

[@JSunBurns]

Is the Pro’s weight comparable to the smaller one? I have the smaller one so I know what it weighs and feels like. Just curious about the weight of the larger one.

[@Stabby666]

It seems weird, but I took to it almost immediately. I would really miss it if it wasn't here now. My left hand now automatically goes to it when moving the model around although I don't really use the buttons much - I have the SpaceMouse Pro.

[@bluegizmo1983]

Connexion claiming they choose 2.4ghz wireless instead of Bluetooth for "reliability reasons" is absolutely BS. There is NO reason whatsoever to choose 2.4ghz wireless over Bluetooth other than to save some money, because companies have to pay for a "Qualifications License" to be able to legally create and sell Bluetooth products. 2.4ghz wireless PC peripherals are actually a security liability these days, as they all allow for an easy hacking entry point into your computer (look up mousejack).

[@Eric1960]

Hi Vlad, use the small one on a Mac. I’m ver happy with it, but I face problems with wireless. I installed a beta driver else it even don’t support the newest version of macOS. Do I do something wrong, what’s your experience. One problem I have with small version is he is sometime a bit turned. You can guess the problems when north is no longer north. So maybe I will follow your advice and go for the big one. Video was an excellent explanation TX

[@DesktopMakes]

Hi Eric, if you go to the 3dConnexion site and go to the Support tab, there's a new Mac update for the 3DXware software (version 10.7.0 updated on 1/13/22). I was having issues with assigning a mac specific keystroke but after deleting the old software and installing the new, everything worked fine. Give it a try and see if it fixes it for you.

[@Eric1960]

@@DesktopMakes thanks the driver update information was new for me. You video cost me almost 500€. I ordered the industrial version :-) :-) :-) . Oke no kidding you where right !!!!

[@TheBookaroo]

Hi, thanks for the video really interesting, the only thing I would have liked to see is your hand in a picture in picture way so to understand what the movements of the knob correspond to on screen. Thank you!

[@miecz23]

These are very little movements. The device is very sensitive and even slight movements of the fingers cause the model to move.

[@heitorlipsky7512]

Great review and tips Vlad. I am considering the spacemouse and your considerations between the Pro and the small one helped me. One question, If you learn to use the pro version, are you still needing the regular mouse? Sometimes you show putting your hand on both mouses and having the keyboard in the middle (as you said for typing dimensions - I get that). If you master the Pro version moves, I believer you should not need the other mouse for Fusion 360 design, correct?

[@Stabby666]

You need to use both - the regular mouse still controls the cursor, while the space mouse moves you around in 3D space. You can be using both at the same time.

[@METAAL01]

Your right hand is on the regular mouse. And with the spacemouse your left hand get something to do.

[@aks13v35]

Anybody used the little one in Exocad, is it worth it?

[@hoagytech]

Thanks for the detailed review. I struggle trying to use anything other than an old-school Atari 🕹with a single fire button, so having 15 buttons seems overwhelming! 🤣

[@DesktopMakes]

Haha! We'll have to wire you up an Atari SpaceMouse Ed. Nothing that a little 3D printing and a Python script can't solve 😂.

[@Silverskater69]

We saw the flow on the screen but we didn't see your hands working on the control station. This would have been useful to see the speed and versality of the setup 🙄.

[@DesktopMakes]

Good point. I'll keep that in mind if I do a follow up video on the spacemouse.

[@patrickrobinson317]

Great video - Thanks for making it !!!

[@DesktopMakes]

Thanks Patrick, glad you liked it!

[@leapnlarry]

I think it would have been better if you had showed a 2nd view of the mouse and the movement and buttons being pushed. Larry

[@JSunBurns]

I use Alibre CAD with my SpaceMouse.

[@Hangs4Fun]

"@Desktop Makes" you interested in selling your original SpaceMouse, now that you have the pro?

[@DesktopMakes]

Hi Hangs4Fun. Thanks for the offer but I decided I will keep the smaller SpaceMouse at my makerspace and my Pro at my home office.

[@Hangs4Fun]

@@DesktopMakes I ended up getting the kit from them that has the smaller wireless space mouse and an engineering mouse. Thanks for the video, the space mouse is really starting to improve my workflow

[@ivanpli]

Excellent review. Thank you so much.

[@kurtnelle]

Does the space mouse work with the free version of Fusion 360?

[@stevejones01]

did you ever get an answer for this?

[@kurtnelle]

@@stevejones01 Nope. I just have to assume that it works by now.

[@timg.998]

The products are great and worth the money, but I can’t understand why they don’t update the drivers and the software for MacOS. The user has to search for beta Version to get it work - and as you can read also here in the comments, this is not a guarantee to get it work.

[@DesktopMakes]

Hey Tim, check out their website. It looks like there was a recent update. If you go to the 3dConnexion site and go to the Support tab, there's a new Mac update for the 3DXware software (version 10.7.0 updated on 1/13/22).

[@SeattleCoorain]

Just want to add my experience after 3 years using the 3Dconnexion SpaceMouse-Pro Wireless interface device. With the current MacOS Catalina drivers I am experiencing awful hyper-jerky movement using my 3Dconnexion SpaceMouse-Pro wireless when I try to zoom in for closeup work on a Sketchup-Pro model. Almost un-usable for any close work because the SpaceMouse is hyper-sensative to any movement of the control axis and flies wildly off into space in the model 50'ft away from where I was working on a 4"inch area of the model. The 3Dconnexion control panel widget is turned down to the lowest "speed" setting and still for closeup work in a Sketchup model the SpaceMouse is just totally unusable. I will now NOT recommend any Sketchup users purchase a SpaceMouse for their Sketchup work ... just too frustrating and a time killer.

[@DesktopMakes]

Thanks for the feedback Mark. Hopefully, they will release an update for Sketchup users.

[@AgnosiaAgnosis]

Been eying these for SO long. It's just too much money to invest for a noob.

[@DesktopMakes]

Yeah, it is an investment. I agree, I wouldn't recommend them if you're just starting out but definitely worth considering as you get better and find yourself using Fusion daily.

[@wazhushkmuskrat9907]

Why didn’t you demonstrate the small unit. It’s half the cost of the fancy one. For those who can’t make the big investment right off the top. But will at a later date .

[@ydoucare55]

Without seeing how you're actually manipulating the space mouse with your hand while showing the screen, it's difficult to tell what it's actually doing. Are you moving it a lot? A little? Twisting? Tilting? What? One of the most frustrating things I see with videos about the space mouse is nobody seems to have figured out how to actually film themselves using it.

[@kozmaz87]

LOL sacrificing USB ports is such an Apple user problem :D My computer has 10 USB ports on it and further 10 in various hubs connected to it including the monitor :D Also my laptop has many USB ports because it is a Lenovo yay :D Other than that it is great video thanks for the tips.

[@christopherknowles]

Imagine a class taught by this dude with the audio sounding like he is in a bathroom.

[@ethercreatures]

Not having blue tooth for the reasons stated was an excuse. There is no reason not to other than decisions.