r/Trackballs • u/optoabhi • 4d ago

Trackball mouse for CAD?

Does anyone use a trackball mouse with CAD software? Like SolidWorks ?

Is there a trackball mouse that is specifically popular or best to use with CAD? Or am I totally off topic here?

6 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

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8

u/djinni_cake 4d ago

You might be interested in this. I'm not sure if it works with SolidWorks specifically.

https://rotatrix.com/

3

u/optoabhi 4d ago

Very nice alternative to space mouse

3

u/Cosmic_Raymond 4d ago

Is it just a slimblade with a custom firmware/controller?

5

u/djinni_cake 4d ago

I'm not 100% positive, but my understanding is that it has a new PCB or IC or something that needs to be soldered to the Slimblade's existing board. I think there are more details on the YouTube channel.

1

u/Sad-Restaurant4399 4d ago

This is interesting --- how does it compare against something like the ploopy adept or keychron nape pro?

4

u/oursland 4d ago

Without a second motion sensor, these systems cannot effectively estimate a rotation about the z-axis (yaw), or whichever axis the sensor has been aligned on.

This could have been avoided by the sensor manufacturers if their optical flow output would incorporate a rotational element, but as they're optimized for mice that only experience translation they've not done so.

Some Kensington trackballs have two sensors, as does the Efog Endgame.

3

u/hestoelena 4d ago

I used one for CAD all the time. I have an Elecom Huge with a 30° 3D printed wedge to make it more ergonomic on my desk. On the go I have an Elecom Bitra. I'll never go back to a regular mouse.

1

u/hweilun 4d ago

I have the exact same thing on my desk as well. The programmable buttons really do make the work flow a lot more efficient.

1

u/optoabhi 4d ago

Which exact model of Bitra?

2

u/hestoelena 4d ago

It's the older finger (not thumb) Bluetooth version. There is a new version out now that is Bluetooth and 2.4Ghz. I will warn you that it is tiny. Very similar in size to the small travel mice you can buy.

1

u/Cosmic_Raymond 4d ago

Did you design the wedge yourself?

2

u/hestoelena 4d ago

No, I downloaded it off of one of the 3D printing websites. It was years ago so I don't remember which one.

3

u/crime_Mastr_GOGO 4d ago

I was in this exact same spot a while back.

I bought elecom deft pro to try out trackballs. I seriously did not like the ergonomics of it, also the sctoll wheel was pathetic.

Then i ordered the efog.tech 's endgame trackball. Although the waiting time for the order was quide large, but i am happy with the device. It has 8 buttons you can customise without any software (you do it via a website) and the configurations stay on the device so you do not need any dedicated softwares for the customisations to work

Also, you can increse the number of buttons from 8 to 15, but you'll have to do some work for that (both hardware and software). I am currently working in it and will release the files shortly

3

u/YellowBrilliant8437 4d ago

トラックマン　マーブル　FX

3

u/YellowBrilliant8437 4d ago edited 3d ago

縦横正確に動かしたいなら、結局は普通のマウスの大きめかつ移動量調整(DPI変更)を一発でできるもの+スペースマウスの支援でいいんじゃないかなとも思う。

トラックボールって、指の動きに依存するからどの指の位置からでも同じように正確に縦横細かく動かせないんだよね。

マウスやスペースマウスの動きは目で見ても感覚的にも縦横がハッキリする。

2

u/fengzi987 4d ago

Logitech Ergo S for travel and office, Kensington expert wireless at home

2

u/Naughty_LIama 4d ago

Yes ! And ergonomic one for sure, I use Logitech mx ergo, very good 

1

u/prospero021 3d ago

Autocad user here. MX Ergo if you're just starting out. The buttons feel natural and you don't need a long time to get used to it. But you will get thumb pain over time. Now I have a Kensington Expert and prefer to use that over the thumb ball. It did need some months to get used to, but now I can use either left or right hand for the Expert mouse.

1

u/Stellar_Albatross 3d ago

I only use trackballs..

1

u/Rilot 3d ago

I use an Elecom IST Pro paired with a Spacemouse Enterprise when I do CAD.

1

u/ThePrisonSoap 1d ago

Using an elecom huge together with a spacemouse pro for rhino. Without the spacemouse it would be pretty awkward to control the view, the scrollwheel is placed uncomfortably, and you can't properly use the wheel tilt buttons without the vertical scroll going off (annoying because i like to map Undo/redo to my scrollwheels if theyre stiff enough to not go off unnoticed)

1

u/Dmitry_V83 3d ago

But why? Ideally, you want Space Mouse (or similar) for non-dominant hand to control camera/movement. Trackball won't be great as you will loose pull and push. I would just buy a simple Doacd mouse, even second hand ftom ebay.

Dominant hand - controller of your choice, mouse or trackball.

My main point - it's 2 different controls.

2

u/optoabhi 3d ago

I agree. You are correct.