Best hand to Fusion 360 hardware interface?

[Anonymous]

I've generally used a mouse, USB pen and more recently, a USB number keypad. 

The number keypad to your open hand is a major improvement to sliding around the keyboard even if you're still using it frequently. I'm right handed so I've set it to my far left and it makes punching values while generating objects a really slick process. The pen is definitely more nimble and expressive and while I prefer it over the mouse, it's just not as convenient with view manipulation because at just under $8, it lacks the wheel button/click. 

What are some observations on using USB touch pads and other hardware that may be less common or largely unknown?

It's often I'm looking at F360 and thinking "wear are my VR gloves and glasses?" because that really seems like it would be part of the software's evolution.

[TheCADWhisperer]

I cannot work in 3D without a 3D Connexion device in my left hand.

I even plan travel trips with Google Earth with the device.

[TrippyLighting]

Yes, the 3D Connexion mouse is the killer CAD device or me as well.

[Anonymous]

Looks awesome but sure isn't economical for many of us in the student tier. 

I'm going to see how well I can organize a game pad using a variety of joystick to keyboard/mouse programs some of which have screen mapping so for example an analog can be assigned to the rotational view block in the corner. 

If that works out well I'll give a review and likely look for a game pad that is the most practical. 

[TrippyLighting]

A new one is around $100. You can get used one's on eBay for less.

You don't need the high end model.

[CGPM]

The only problem with a 3D mouse is once you get used to it you can't work without it.  It would be the best $100 you will spend this year, or decade.  I have had a Space Navigator for 2 years now and love it.  Would like one of the top tier versions but the simple version works just fine.

By the way I was real cheap myself and used a gift card I got on my birthday to get it.

[TheCADWhisperer]

http://www.journeyed.com/item/3Dconnexion?qk_srch=3d+connexion

I have both the $100 model and the $200 model.

Frankly on the $200 model I only use the same functionality that is on the $100 Space Navigator.

If I were purchasing today - I would spend a few extra bucks and get the wireless.

[Jonathan.Landeros]

I'm a big fan of the 3DConnexion devices myself.  I use a SpaceMouse Pro and a CAD Mouse at work with Inventor.

When I don't have one, it's like running through molassass without it. 

Another bonus I found, if you find yourself using other 3D CAD/Rendering programs, the 3DConnexion devices can be used to make different orbiting keys consistent.

That way all the programs navigate the same way, and you don't have to remember which set of tools to use for which option.

[Anonymous]

That thing looks awesome....and seriously overpriced since I have an idea what's in it 

I was thinking more just for rotational view since I have a few affordable pointing devices that work great in their own ways and adding a USB numerical keypad is a solid step up in itself so it's really just a matter of convenient viewpoint changing.

Wouldn't it just be simpler than all the fancy hardware for autodesk to create an update to enable the arrow keys to rotate the view?

If it's in there I haven't learned or figured out how just yet but I did try it and nothing. 

[TrippyLighting]

What's in it is not necessarily the only or the biggest determinant of final pricing 😉

If your affordable pointing devices would be a viable alternative to an industry proven device
That been around for at least 10 years,
would you not think that they'd be widely adopted in the industry ?

[Anonymous]

Well I have 4 arrow keys, amongst over 100 assignable others, that aren't adopted as they are the foundation. I just think it's an oversight in a constantly changing application that just my opinion, is going to have a similar effect to the CAD industry that Android has had to personal computing...if I could get Ubuntu on my beastly Droid TV Box I'd probably be typing this message on it right now 

I still feel like I'm supposed to be wearing V.R. gloves and goggles when I log into Fusion. When I went into the pros/cons and F360 vs *insert industry standard app here* on numerous forums or other forms of industry published opinions, some if not many people ultimately berated it as an amateur to small commercial enterprise oriented application that for a true professional, should be avoided. Well sorry but I know quality and cutting edge when I see it vs yesterday's big boy. I would be dumbfounded if in 3-5 years F360, or at least an Autodesk application, isn't dominating the others. 

I think updating for the arrow keys and adding an assignable hot keys feature to the preferences menu would be a good supplement. The fancy, nimble gadget is something I'll invest in when I'm not weighing financial options of what is the appropriate investment for me in my current goals and living situation. I often find myself looking for hardware options to mousing and keyboarding things for various applications such as DAW and VSTs. In that I own a lot of useful gadgets as well as crap that sits on a shelf or in the basement. 

As far as the cost well a product is worth whatever the manufacturer decides, and I won't get into a designer's/inventor's lack of power over intellectual properties smh, so it's whatever people are willing to pay. The brains behind it and fringe customer base are also an obvious factor as well. 

All that said I've had some video and audio editing interfaces over the years with similar mechanics and features that were $50 and under. If I were competent in java I'd buy a used USB midi controller for 20 bucks and write a custom driver for it until I'm willing to drop some $ on a connexion.