17.09.2008
Review: 3DConnexion SpaceExplorer™

"The SpaceExplorer™ is a 3D Navigation device which allows the user to command six-degrees of freedom to manipulate 3D objects on screen. A major focus on ergonomics allows use by either hand and locates function keys within easy reach of the controller cap. 3DConnexion devices feature a controller cap that enables fly through the three-dimensional world without stopping the use of keyboard or mouse. Designers can use the cap simultaneously to pan, zoom and rotate fluidly. Used with a mouse, clicks are reduced and increasing productivity."

This device won an IF DESIGN AWARD (one of the world’s three leading design awards) in computers category.  Now you already understand what is SpaceExplorer™, so let's start the review...

Design

As said previously, this device won an IF DESIGN AWARD, so for sure it's well designed. It's quite big, but fits really well within your hand may be big or small. At the center of the device, you will find the controller, lighted by beautiful blue LED’s, displaying us if this is connected and installed on our computer (shut down the driver and it will shut down the light). The controller is the same on all the products of 3d Connexion, perfect size, perfect touch with its rubber coating and it never slips between your fingers. There are also 4 little bumps around the body of the controller that will helps you rotate.  Using the controller is quite hard, thanks to a heavy spring under the body of the controller. But this hardness makes you "feel" your model, and so gives a really (really) good feedback. Sensitivity is good, and you can set up the sensitivity of each movement (zooming, rotating, moving.....). I will explain movements later.

Around the controller you will find the 15 buttons. Every buttons is easy to reach, without taking off your hand from the central controller. On left, there are the SHIFT/ALT/CTRL/ESC buttons. A little bump on the center of the CTRL button will help you not getting lost when you don't look at your hand. In the front left side of the controller there are the two programmable buttons, named 1 and 2 . Front right you will find “on the fly” sensitivity buttons and on right side the view buttons (top, left, right, front and 2d). These buttons view aren't planar views buttons, but perspective views. At the back of the controller there are the two last buttons, a little bit harder to reach, but if you bend your thumb you'll get them. One is FIT, that is the Z command in MAX, and the other is PANEL that allows you to show the control panel. Buttons are quite hard to push, so you won't make any mistake, and they sounds a little bit cheap... They are fully programmable, if they don’t match your workflow.

Body materials are great, and I particularly love the glossy dark blue of the upper body. Construction is solid and will make the device working for many years. Buttons are made of a shiny black plastic, as the underside of the device. The palm rest is made of rubber, and is really comfortable. The design is really ergonomic, and fit perfectly to your hand, your palm and your finger. Congratulations for the Irish designers of DESIGN PARTNERS. Its weight makes it not slipping on your desk, and the USB wire is as long as you would need. The design language and surface strategy used communicates a high level of control in a very approachable way. As a designer I will say GOOD JOB, it's a great product!


Using the SpaceExplorer™

After plugging the device, you have to install the drivers. 3DConnexion products support lots of applications such as Maya, 3ds max, Rhino... (for a full list please visit http://www.3dconnexion.com/solutions/cad/all_sup_app.php). Windows, Mac OS, Linux and UNIX are supported. I think a driver for Zbrush will be appreciable....

The drivers must be installed AFTER installing the application because it works as a plug-in. When you start your applications, the driver starts with a pop up image, and after 3 seconds, it starts working. Using a 3d controller is really impressive and immersive, and you will learn easily and really fast. It's really beautiful to fly in your 3d environment. This device works independently from your mouse, so forget the ALT+scroll button navigation and moreover, you can fly through during a selection with the mouse. It’s really helpful, I work with 3ds max and now I can navigate during the creation of a poly in edit poly mode, so I can work really close to my model and creating a really big poly. Also, there is an auto key function that will automatically allow you to create key image of your movements to create an animation.

The controller enables you to zoom in and out by moving the controller to forward or backward, but I prefer setting the zoom functions to simply push to zoom in and drag to zoom out (available in the control panel), rotate, and translate by moving the controller. You can choose between different modes: moving the camera around the object, moving the camera around its center point (like a free cam) and manipulate objects. An interesting function is, when your view is assigned to a camera (3ds max), you can move the camera if you touch the device. A setting in the control panel allows you to disable the device.

The 15 buttons on the device makes you forget your keyboard for most of the common functions. Productivity is increased, and comfort too. You will work faster, better, and for longer times. Your girlfriend will not be happy.


Buying the SpaceExplorer™

3DConnexion device are really hard to find on the web, but you can buy them from the manufacturer’s website. No second thought, It's a really expensive device (€355.81 in France, $299 in USA and Rs 15,750 in India), and if you have not enough money to spend on this device, then I will recommend you to buy the SpaceNavigator (without any buttons), around €60 ($99 and Rs 5,450/-). Using a 3d device will change your workflow, it's a must have for any CG artist but remember this will not replace your mouse; this is only good for navigation. If you are more in the illustration/2D side then no use of this product for you. SpaceExplorer™ comes with 3 years warranty and SpaceNavigator™ with 2 years warranty from 3DConnexion – A Logitech Company. Buy one and enjoy it

Rating: 4.0

Reviewer: Clochiatti François, France

3Dconnexion Website: www.3dconnexion.com

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