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chrisd · 25th February 2007, 19:20

I think architects love the programmable buttons too. I recall reading some positive things about these programmable keyboards:
http://www.xkeys.com/xkeys.php

There are other manufacturers with similar products, and there's even some models with an illuminated graphical LCD built into each key!

I have not used any of the motion controller type of products. I am curious how they feel as compared to the first "Spaceball", now more than a decade old. I don't think think the "Spaceball" type is produced anymore now that 3Dconnexion has switched to a newer design.

Spatial Freedom has recently released the Astroid at $150, which looks similar to the Spaceball and is designed by the inventor of the first Spaceball. It's got 8 programmable buttons like the Space Navigator. It does not have a lot of software support yet, being limited Solid Edge and SolidWorks. I believe Pro-E, Inventor, and Rhino will be next.

Perhaps if enough Hex users contacted Spatial Freedom and the Hex developers, we could get a driver for Hex.

25th February 2007, 19:20	#3 (permalink)
chrisd Cube Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Leominster, MA USA Posts: 79	I think architects love the programmable buttons too. I recall reading some positive things about these programmable keyboards: http://www.xkeys.com/xkeys.php There are other manufacturers with similar products, and there's even some models with an illuminated graphical LCD built into each key! I have not used any of the motion controller type of products. I am curious how they feel as compared to the first "Spaceball", now more than a decade old. I don't think think the "Spaceball" type is produced anymore now that 3Dconnexion has switched to a newer design. Spatial Freedom has recently released the Astroid at $150, which looks similar to the Spaceball and is designed by the inventor of the first Spaceball. It's got 8 programmable buttons like the Space Navigator. It does not have a lot of software support yet, being limited Solid Edge and SolidWorks. I believe Pro-E, Inventor, and Rhino will be next. Perhaps if enough Hex users contacted Spatial Freedom and the Hex developers, we could get a driver for Hex.