I could not resist building a second 6DOF 3D CAD mouse

After I showed my first SpaceFox to some people who actually use these things they all said basically the same thing: "Wow this actually works very well but it's useless without buttons and also an ergonomic disaster", so here is the second version with buttons and better ergonomics. Code and design files: github.com/pepijndevos/spacefox Buy one on Tindie: www.tindie.com/products/pepij...

[@leocana]

This looks so sleek! It has a spidy vibe to it, the knob and naming could reflect that! (now I'm getting silly 😅)

[@KnowArt]

awesome. I'd love to try. You can record movement in blender, so you could actually get pretty nice and natural camera movement with this thing I would imagine.

[@TheDanielConsole]

yep, just turn on auto-keying and then select all keys and smooth then afterwards

[@deanchaffee6960]

this is honestly incredible.

[@jtsiomb]

This looks great! I didn't know you designed a second version. I want to try and build one.

[@mact3871]

can you pls make a video of compiling the code and installing the sotfware ?

[@Yabbo06]

really good project

[@kamilczuba2412]

That's amazing. A 6DOF controller cost at last 500$. Building something like this from scratch is incredible and requires a lot of work and knowledge.

[@MRSPORTYTRUCKER]

The basic space mouse is only like $120

[@aaronstanley6914]

@@MRSPORTYTRUCKER where can you get one for 120? i have only seen them going for 200.

[@aaronstanley6914]

@@MRSPORTYTRUCKER I'm going just make one looked online and the best deal I found in my region is 100$cnd and it litterally looks like it's falling apart. Seems like you had a similar epiphany as I see you posted to the space muchroom thingiverse page. Just have to ask how are you finding it and how does it compare to a commercial version (if you have experience with one)? Thank you MST.

[@MRSPORTYTRUCKER]

@@aaronstanley6914 $100cn is about £60, Its better than nothing, but it does need some sanding and lube to make the movement smooth, its not as good as the original but definitely worth it for the price

[@indieartsmidwest4042]

Looking forward to this build in the future

[@LOV111VOL_]

Do You see my comment ? my comment was blocked

[@indieartsmidwest4042]

@@LOV111VOL_ I checked and no I didn't see your comments elsewhere

[@LOV111VOL_]

@@indieartsmidwest4042 thank You :)

[@asymmetrystudio]

that mouse is so cool, thank you for creating and sharing this idea! One more thing I need to know is how to compile the code and install the software?

[@PepijndeVos]

Check out the github link. The code has to be compiled with Arduino, and used with the spacenavd software, or just as a gamepad

[@iamscoutstfu]

Subbed, any guidance on putting on of these on a bastard keyboard? Also, what are your mouse clicks?

[@Lillylafrog]

That's really cool

[@maxmax-iq8he]

Does the spacenavd software work on Windows. Would really like to build one but I am using Windows. Nice project:)

[@PepijndeVos]

I don't think the spacenavd daemon works on windows unfortunately but I haven't tried. It does just work on windows as a gamepad.

[@carelsberghstijn]

If I understand correctly, you have a piece of software that reads the joystick input, calculates the correct translations and rotations (because you're not doing that on the Arduino, just sending the pot values in the 6 variabels) and that sends the correct input type to the modeling software. What type of input does the modeling software expect? Is this the same input type as a spacemouse?

[@fenix849]

It's possibly also having the camera manipulated via a python plugin.

[@PepijndeVos]

I do the math on the arduino and on the PC it just registers as a joystick, and spacenavd takes care of translating that to 3D CAD suite APIs

[@JamesBond-bu8co]

Hello! Please tell me what commands your device communicates with the computer? Products that I saw from other authors imitated mouse movements with the buttons held down, which made it impossible to use both manipulators - mouse and joystick at the same time. The mouse cursor does not move on your device. How did you achieve this?

[@PepijndeVos]

My device registers as a joystick with 6 axis. Interaction with CAD software is through spacenavd.

[@JamesBond-bu8co]

@@PepijndeVos Thank you for your reply!

[@lornetw]

Hi. Great project. I had a few questions: 1) I understand that your 3d mouse does not work with Windows, only Linux. Has anyone tried using the Arduino Mouse library with your mouse? 2) There seems to be 2 versions of the PCB - a triangular one in the included files and a rectangular one when I click on the link to Aisler, also, would I be able to order the PCB from, say, PCBWay (Aisler wanted over $50 for a minimum 3 boards with shipping to Canada). 3) The electronic circuit seems simple enough - would I be able to use the transfer method to generate my PCB's?

[@PepijndeVos]

It works as a regular joystick under windows. But you could also do mouse inputs of course. Hmmm, the file at github.com/pepijndevos/spacefox/tree/main/spacefox is the correct one, the rectangular one. You should be able to order it from PCBWay or any other supplier. It is a two sided PCB, but I think you could pull it off. Also note I'm selling a complete version on Tindie.

[@lornewilkins7305]

@@PepijndeVos OK, thanks for the info. I'll try some experiments and see what happens

[@yayser]

Hi, thanks for the great video. I was able to do all your instructions except the 12th step. I did everything I could but couldn't get the spacenvd installed on my windows 11. I am about to go nuts on this thing.:) I would really appreciate if you could make another video for the spacenavd.

[@PepijndeVos]

Spacenavd only supports Linux unfortunately. On windows it just works like a joystick. The only way to use it with Blender on windows is probably through WSL.

[@yayser]

@@PepijndeVos wsl?

[@PepijndeVos]

Windows subsystem for Linux, allows you to install Linux apps on windows. So you'd have to run spacenavd in that. You could also run Blender inside wsl but I'd first try to see if it works from Windows

[@yayser]

I installed it on my mac. Spacenavd installation was a bit complicated but I think I did it.Then I installed Blender2.72. I opened blender but it doesn't work. Is there anything I need to do on Blender side? Thanks. @@PepijndeVos

[@Pokolo413]

this looks super cool, have you considered having the code so it's read as a 3d connexion mouse? i think it should make it more universal with other programs

[@PepijndeVos]

Yes someone shared a snippet to do that on thingiverse but no complete program

[@Pokolo413]

@@PepijndeVos i see, yeah that code is basically just the shell for it to be read as one of their mice sadly. thanks for pointing me to it though! was hoping i could get this to work on blender for windows, yours seems to be the best designed out there so far!

[@alessandrobrigida8951]

hi, is it possible use with solidworks? p.s. the project it's amazing thanks

[@PepijndeVos]

It should work! At least on Linux it uses spacenavd which is an open source implementation of the spacenav protocol used by CAD software

[@maxmax-iq8he]

@@PepijndeVos Does the spacenavd software work on Windows. Would really like to build one but I am using Windows. Nice project:)

[@neza8114]

Hi Pepijn i need your help, i don't know how to connect the potentiometers to arduino, where can I find the schematic?

[@PepijndeVos]

There is a kicad file in the GitHub page linked in the description

[@neza8114]

@@PepijndeVos Oh yes, it really is, thank you for your help Pepijn 😃

[@neza8114]

@@PepijndeVos One more question, some software is needed for it to work properly?

[@PepijndeVos]

To use it as a gamepad no extra software is needed. On Linux you can use it with cad software by installing spacenavd, as the readme on GitHub explains. On windows it only works as a gamepad because there is no compatible driver

[@neza8114]

@@PepijndeVos Ok, I understand, it's a pity it didn't work on Windows.. 😞

[@Bonten_St_Guru]

Good

[@TheDanielConsole]

is it possible to learn this power?

[@TheDanielConsole]

just saw the GitHub link. Awesome! Thanks for sharing

[@bclaus0]

Hi Pepijn, I'm just gonna guess you're Dutch or Belgian so here goes: Ben je geïnteresseerd om het ontwerp verder uit te werken tot het kan concurreren met de SpaceNavigator? Ik ben productontwikkelaar en wil graag samenwerken om een cool DIY design te realiseren.

[@PepijndeVos]

Lijkt mij super!

[@user-no6lp5qs8y]

Is it possible to replicate your project on Windows?

[@PepijndeVos]

It's possible to use it as a gamepad, but you can't use it with the proprietary protocol server. So depends what you want to do with it.

[@MozTS]

Maybe 3D print some nail clippers!!

[@Motion_0112]

Is it going to be abable to buy again?

[@PepijndeVos]

Nothing planned at the moment

[@Motion_0112]

​@@PepijndeVos I see, then, how can I get the PCB files to make one? I don't really understand how to get them over the link in GitHub

[@Reparaturkanal]

Is this new shape of (gold) handpiece on Github?

[@PepijndeVos]

Yes should be

[@Reparaturkanal]

@@PepijndeVosWhich one?

[@PepijndeVos]

@@Reparaturkanal eh this one I think github.com/pepijndevos/spacefox/blob/main/top.FCStd

[@Reparaturkanal]

@@PepijndeVos top.FCStd cannot be opened by Fusion 360, nor my slicer. top-Body.3mf opens with my slicer, but is the old shape of handle..

[@PepijndeVos]

It's a freecad document

[@UnholySpike]

what does this project cost?

[@PepijndeVos]

depends how many you make haha there is a bill of materials on the github page. I think somewhere in the order of 30-50 euro

[@camdenadams7499]

fingernails 💀💀💀

[@jerbear7952]

Why are you worried about how other people look?

[@gillsejusbates6938]

@@jerbear7952 its creepy af 💀 i live in the same country as the creator, but im not worried, im safe behind the heavy door of my home