Navigating Google Earth
3Dconnexion drivers should automatically install themselves the first time you launch Google Earth after installing SpaceNavigator.
Google Earth comes to life with the SpaceNavigator. It’s much easier to fly around the globe and move in two directions at once. We don’t think it was a coincidence that Google installed SpaceNavigators at the Google Earth demos for SIGGRAPH 2007. When you’re using the SpaceNavigator, it really does feel like you’re flying.
Navigating SketchUp
Like Google Earth, the drivers should install themselves the first time you launch Google SketchUp. This worked on both the Macintosh and Windows Vista machine we tested.
If you are a heavy user of SketchUp, you really do need some sort of navigation device. Otherwise, it gets very annoying to switch between orbit mode and object manipulation.
With a SpaceNavigator, you’re always in orbit mode with one hand, so you can easily switch your vantage point without switching tools.
I did have to lower the reaction speed for the controller to use it in SketchUp. Otherwise, we found myself getting seasick with the rapid motion and losing track of objects.
The 3Dconnexion software lets you change the controller reaction speed on an “individual application basis,” which is a really nice feature. Slowing down SketchUp did not slow down Maya or Google Earth.
Beyond the Google Applications
We also tried SpaceNavigator with Autodesk Maya, and it performed well. With Maya, we’re used to navigating with just a three-button mouse, so it took a bit to get used to navigating with my other hand. The results were more precise, and we liked being able to mix motions and pan while zooming or tilting.
If we were buying a 3D mouse for use with Maya or other high-end 3D applications, we would probably upgrade to a model like the SpaceExplorer with more buttons for more macros. However, for a student, the SpaceNavigator is much more affordable.
SpaceNavigator is compatible with a long list of other 3D applications, mostly for Windows users.
The Bottom Line
The 3Dconnexion SpaceNavigator gives you a lot of control at a reasonable price. It does come with a learning curve to physically master the controls, but the control panel and tutorials take away the mystery. The only improvement we could suggest would be to make it easier to physically differentiate between a rolling motion and a sliding motion.
If you regularly use 3D applications like Google Earth and SketchUp, the SpaceNavigator may become your new best friend.
As is customary, we were sent a sample SpaceNavigator to test for this review.