Yes, that was interesting.

And it makes me wonder what input devices/setup folks here use for their CAD work?

I use the Logitech M510 mouse (with Forward/Back buttons) for my daily stuff, and then soon on my travels in to Alibre Atom 3D. I find the Logitech s/w to be a bit flakey at times.

[This chap surveys some input devices, but not specifically for Engineering …. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bn3V3Wa23lI%5D

Ches

Wacom digitising tablet on the Mac

Thanks. I have next to no experience of using input devices for CAD work.

I suppose, to some extent, the input device(s) chosen are what one is used to, what best fits that particular CAD s/w, whether it's for hobbyist/professional use and budget.

As someone on the first rung of the CAD ladder I will stick with my Logitech mouse for now, but if I climb further up then maybe I might consider an other input method.

Ches

Until recently, I used a Logitech M185, and still do when I remote access Solid Edge from laptop whilst half-watching TV. It's fine.

More recently I switched to a Cherry MW3000 high precision mouse, which is ergonomically shaped and heavy. It has 6 buttons but I only use 3 (Right, Left, and Scroll/Middle). It also has a DPI button allowing the sensitivity of the mouse to be varied: I almost always run SLOW. Bit dearer than the Logitech but not top of the range. The extra weight makes it a notch easier to control compared with basic mice.

Chief problem I have is the surface mice run on. Their sensors struggle with too shiny, too white, too coarse, and dislike dirt. I'm using a commercial black foam mouse mat at the moment, which is much better than the vinyl tablecloth underneath. A4 printer paper, poor. Reversed wall-paper is almost as good as the commercial mat when new, but picks up dirt and goes off. Finding the perfect mouse-mat seems harder than finding a decent mouse!

For 3D-CAD, I also have a Space Mouse, driven left-handed to supplement my ordinary right-handed mouse. The ordinary mouse does most of the work. So the space mouse isn't essential, but it accelerates functions like Zoom and Rotate. It's brilliant for exploring and moving around a 3D model quickly. Quite expensive, need practice to get the best out of them and probably not worth buying for occasional modelling. They pay off once a model gets above a certain size and complexity. Mine is unjustified about 80% of the time because my models are mostly simple. Much appreciated when I do a big one though. I think a full-time CAD modeller would be unwise not to have a Space Mouse or similar; there are even smarter CAD devices about, £££.

Dave

I'm with S.O.D on this. I use F360 and use a SpaceMouse with my left hand and a Logitech M185 with my right.

Although the SpaceMouse is used only for CAD it is a great benefit with assemblies and complex models.

Michael,

It sounds like you have evolved a system that works for you and does what you need. Can't ask for more

I've now watched a few tablet + CAD videos on YT eg …. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MrFuhv6mcE

I like the way it seems possible to roughly draw rectangles, squares, curved objects and the s/w can automatically convert those napkin sketches into regular shapes….but there does seem to still be a lot of button presses and drop-down menus rapidly coming and going behind the scenes.

In my ideal world the design, say a model steam engine, could roughly be sketched out on the tablet and then I press a single button and the s/w makes a best guess at what I want and turns it instantly in to a proper drawing. I can tweak dimensions etc – but most of the work is now done.

Anyway, back to reality….it seeems that Alibre is not that compatible with tablets, if at all. So I'll be sticking with my mouse whilst I begin my slow journey into the Alibre world.

Ches.

precision pointing device

Ah, got it, thanks.

Thanks.

Ches