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Has anyone tried the Space Explorer device in SL?
paulie Femto
Into the dark
Join date: 13 Sep 2003
Posts: 1,098
11-28-2006 12:00
Does anyone know if this 3D "super mouse" works in SL?
http://www.3dconnexion.com/products/3a1b.php
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FlipperPA Peregrine
Magically Delicious!
Join date: 14 Nov 2003
Posts: 3,703
11-28-2006 12:29
Wow, cool find! Let me know what you find out about configuration and compatibility.
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2k Suisei
Registered User
Join date: 9 Nov 2006
Posts: 2,150
11-28-2006 14:03
Not another sex toy :(
Foo Spark
alias Bathsheba Dorn
Join date: 8 Nov 2006
Posts: 110
11-28-2006 14:11
Space{ball, pilot, explorer} devices are not mice and will not work as such. They are viewpoint controllers. (I work in 3D CAD design and have several.) It would be *awesome* if SL supported them -- the natural use would be that you'd fly your camera around with them -- but it doesn't, and I doubt it's likely any time soon.
Burke Prefect
Cafe Owner, Superhero
Join date: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 2,785
11-28-2006 14:25
I doubt it's directly compatible.
You'd need a special patch or some kind if libsl implementation.
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Doubledown Tandino
ADULT on the Mainland!
Join date: 9 Mar 2006
Posts: 1,020
11-28-2006 15:07
I still use this for everything:
http://www.meanhamstersoftware.com/img/controller.jpg
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2k Suisei
Registered User
Join date: 9 Nov 2006
Posts: 2,150
11-28-2006 15:12
From: Doubledown Tandino
I still use this for everything:
http://www.meanhamstersoftware.com/img/controller.jpg


ouch. that must give you blisters in horrible places
Chosen Few
Alpha Channel Slave
Join date: 16 Jan 2004
Posts: 7,496
11-28-2006 15:49
I saw the Cnet article on the SpaceNavigator this morning, and I almost posted a link here (but now I have, so I guess I can't say 'almost' anymore). I hadn't seen the SpaceExplorer yet. I guess the Explorer is the Navigator's meaner big brother.

I'd imagine such devices could be tuned to control the camera in SL as easily as they do it in other 3D apps. I'd guess that the driver operates very much like a joystick driver does, mimicking keystrokes and mouse movements with its own controls. I've had trouble getting SL to accept the POV controller on my joystick though, so who knows? Maybe it would work, maybe not.

In any case, I'm betting it will probably take a while for these new devices to catch on. 3D artists are used to keyboards, mice, and tablets. Unless these space thingies offer a truly revolutionary amount of control, they'll probably be slow to adopt. I'd love to try one, but I'm not gonna spend the money on it any time soon.
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Talarus Luan
Ancient Archaean Dragon
Join date: 18 Mar 2006
Posts: 4,831
11-28-2006 15:59
I'm an old SpaceOrb/SpaceBall user, and it would be nice if SL supported these, but alas, there's no joystick/game controller (or just generic DirectInput driver) support in SL, so even if you had one (I have a SpaceBall 4000FLX and about 10 SpaceOrb 360s), and the drivers to interface it, there's no interface on the application side to do it.

Could be a feature request, though. :)
Angelique LaFollette
Registered User
Join date: 17 Jun 2004
Posts: 1,595
11-28-2006 18:41
Will the Space Explorer work with Poser, 3Ds Max, and/or Bryce?

If so, I could really use it.

Angel.
Talarus Luan
Ancient Archaean Dragon
Join date: 18 Mar 2006
Posts: 4,831
11-28-2006 18:46
From: Angelique LaFollette
Will the Space Explorer work with Poser, 3Ds Max, and/or Bryce?

If so, I could really use it.

Angel.


Here ya go: :)

http://www.3dconnexion.com/solutions/cad/2aa.php
Angelique LaFollette
Registered User
Join date: 17 Jun 2004
Posts: 1,595
11-28-2006 19:23
So, Max, Yes, Poser, and Bryce, No.

Thank you.

Angel.