3DConnexion 3DX-700059 Spacemouse Compact 3D Mouse

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.

It was easy to install, easy to learn, and very intuitive to use. Works with tons of different programs like zbrush, fusion, shapr, blender, rhino, and many more. The moment I held it I understood it was a high quality device made with usability and precision in mind. My work quality and speed has increased drastically so it has already paid for itself. I don't forsee it ever breaking on me, but even if it does I'll go straight here to buy another.

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!

I bought the Spacemouse for use with CAD like Fusion360 and Blender, and it works well. I was pleased. Then I tried this other program I use for work, LightTools. LightTools has this ancient UI that is horrible to work with. Controlling the camera is a pain. Thankfully, it works with the SpaceMouse, and my jaw dropped when I realized I now have 100% smooth, precise control over the camera. I was disappointed to find that it works poorly with Zemax and CodeV, but I don't blame the Spacemouse. These optical design programs are all ancient with frustrating UIs.

-"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.

Works well and enjoying having it.No regrets

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.

While this device has a distinct learning curve, it's very much worth the effort if you're doing any 3D design or 3D printing. In my case, that's Fusion 360, the Prusa slicer, and the Chitubox slicer on a MacBook Pro.With all of these programs, you frequently need to reorient your model, whether it's to add a model feature or position a support. Using a single mouse means you're switching between modes. With this device, you keep your mouse hand focused on modeling operations while your other hand is manipulating the model.