I am using Solid Works, but have developed a pain in my right had from using the mouse, especially using the wheel to scroll documents/web pages and zoom in and out of solid models. I have tried out a few ergonomic mice and had no luck. I am seriously thinking of getting a Wacom tablet and trying that. Has anyone used one of these with a 3D modeller? Is it a good idea, or would it make modelling difficult?
Oops - I posted this in the 2D CAD forum by mistake! Please could a moderator move this post to the 3D CAD forum. Ta.
Hi try this http://www.3dconnexion.com/ I love it, it helps a lot, it takes little time to get used to it, but really helps. Good luck George http://www.x-castro.com
Hi there, I'm a bit late in responding. Years ago using a space ball and a normal mouse I was getting really bad RSI, to the point where I was getting pain up my arm and the side of my face. I had thought about getting a tablet. However ,since then I've been using the SpacePilot 3d device as seen in the link posted above--which I must say is such a great product. This cured my left hand issues. For my right hand I've been using the Evoluent Vertical Mouse 3 for the last 4 years. http://www.evoluent.com/vm3.html This mouse is extremely awkward at first, but now that I'm used to it, I'd say it's the only mouse to use. I have no pain at all. The only extra thing I had to do to install this mouse on an XP 64 bit machine was install a 3rd party software "X-button Mouse Control" This allows you to map the 5 buttons to the appropriate mouse commands recognized by XP and your CAD package. I also found the Memorex MX 3000 keyboard to be a big help on the wrists, it has the domed ergo shape with the LH and RH keys split into two halves. Microsoft and others have similar split keyboard versions.
Re: Suffering from RSI. Anyone used a tablet with 3D modelle This mouse is a good alternative. http://www.keytools.co.uk/product.php?productid=16227 I used to get really bad RSI in my right hand. This mouse cured it, it's not as weird to get used to as the upright one. Yes it's very expensive and the plastic is quite cheap, but I haven't broken it in nearly 3 years now. You will also need an A3 mousemat cos this is a big mouse, I have Razer Goliathus mat and you will need to put the sensitivity right down and get used to moving your entire lower arm and not your wrist. Also, make sure your wrist is slightly lower than your elbow, so you may need to make your chair higher. I also use the X-button control as stated above, I found one of the main problems was the use of the middle button - holding it down to pan and drag, so I switched the middle and right buttons with that program. It takes a couple of weeks to get used to, but after that you don't even realise you're holding a mouse it's that comfortable. It comes in a various sizes so make sure you get the right one.
Re: Suffering from RSI. Anyone used a tablet with 3D modelle Sorry, I never mentioned tablets. In my opinion, tablets are not really that useful, although, I only really tried it in AutoCAD 3D. I don't find them particularly ergonomic for replacing a mouse. Excellent for sketching and photo retouching work though.
