The ultimate SpaceBall replacement

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Dec 7, 2006

A must have tool for 3D design professionals, 3Dconnexion's new SpaceExplorer offers design professionals powerful, comfortable 3D Navigation

3Dconnexion has introduced the SpaceExplorer, a 3D navigation device that features powerful navigation control, a convenient key console and advanced ergonomic design.

The SpaceExplorer, suggested retail price GBP 199 excluding VAT, provides responsive control of 3D objects and environments without the repeated steps required to navigate with a keyboard and mouse.

The SpaceExplorer comes with 3DxSoftware, which offers new support for Autodesk Design Review, Autodesk DWF Viewer, Google Earth and Google SketchUp.

The SpaceExplorer is intended to replace 3Dconnexion's SpaceBall and SpaceMouse devices, which are to be discontinued as of 31 December 2006, although support for both products will continue until the end of 2009.

"The SpaceExplorer navigation device, with its full feature set and at such an attractive price, was designed as an ideal replacement for SpaceBall users", says Rory Dooley, 3Dconnexion's President.

"The SpaceExplorer team focused on ergonomic design and achieved a new level of comfort and usability for 3D navigation devices".

The SpaceExplorer navigation device uses six optical sensors to continuously communicate multiple threads of navigation data to 3D applications.

Users command six degrees of freedom with the controller cap to manipulate 3D objects and navigate three dimensional environments.

Its ergonomic design allows it to be used by either hand and features 15 pre configured function keys within comfortable reach of the controller cap.

The 3Dconnexion SpaceExplorer navigation device is targeted at design professionals who are looking for high powered 3D navigation at an affordable price.

The device, offered at GBP 199 includes: - Six degrees of freedom via a controller cap designed to move in all directions.

-15 pre configured keys that comprise the design command console.

-Ergonomic design complete with palm rest for use with either hand.

-3DxSoftware v 3.0 Configuration Wizard that uses animations and imagery to demonstrate how to use and configure the device.

- Support for greater than 100 3D applications.

- New support for Autodesk Design Review, Autodesk DWF Viewer, Google Earth and Google SketchUp software.

- Support for Windows, UNIX or Linux.

-Three-year warranty.

-Web, email and telephone support.

SpaceExplorer is available through major online resellers, including Amazon, 3Dconnexion's network of value added resellers as well as direct.