What are Spacemice?
A typical computer mouse has only two degrees of freedom.
Translational motion along X and Y axis. Some would argue that the mouse wheel offers a 3rd degree of freedom, allowing for the input of Z data. Though the rolling of a mouse wheel with your finger isnt exactly intuitive as related to vertical motion as picking the mouse up off the desk would be. In 3D applications, it is more often used to 'zoom' the viewing area in and out.
By contrast, Spacemice allow six degrees of freedom. (6DOF)
Translational movement along X, Y and Z as well as a twisting rotation on each of those axis. (Roll, Pitch and Yaw)
This wiki is dedicated to the gathering of any and all information pertaining to controllers of this kind.
Where to Find Spacemice
- 3DConnexion — Makers of the Space Navigator, Space Explorer, Space Pilot Pro (YouTube)
- Spacial Freedom — Home of the Astroid 6000, Australia (YouTube)
- SpaceControl — Homepage of the SpaceController, Germany (YouTube)
- Trioc AB — Homepage for the Trioc 3D Pro, Sweden
- Axsotic — Not yet released controller. (YouTube)
Driver Software
- 3DxWare — Official drier software for 3DConnexion devices
- 3DxLabs — Beta drivers for 3DConnexion devices
- Spatial Freedom — Drivers and Application plugins for the Astroid 6000
- Trioc — Software downloads for the Trioc 3D Pro
- SpaceController — Software downloads for the SpaceController
- spacenavd — Open source driver for 3DConnexion Spacemice
- spnavkbd — Translates spacemouse movement to keypresses
- LibSBall — Open source driver library for serial Spaceballs
- LibOrb — Open source library files for SpaceOrb/Spaceball Avenger
- Orbduino — Arduino project allowing serial spacemice to be used as USB HID.
Mystery Devices
There are many Spacemice of which there is very little information available. Some were prototypes which never went into production, other have simply been lost to antiquity. Please look over the devices in this section and help me document them.
NOT Spacemice...
While these devices can add some degrees of freedom above and beyond the normal everyday mouse, they are not truly Spacemice.
