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Decent Off-The-Shelf 3D Movement Controllers?

Posted by Cliff on from the ditch-that-mouse-for-a-VR-glove dept.

Milo_Mindbender asks: "I'm working on a project that involves flying/moving around in 3d spaces similar to what you would do in an archetectural walkthrough. I'm looking for a good and fairly natural controller for moving around in 6 degrees of 3D space. Something like the old 'Spaceball' would be great, but the company doesn't seem to make them anymore. Has anyone seen anything that works particularly well? Ideally, something that only requires one hand and is fairly easy for the uninitiated to learn to use."

3 of 13 comments (clear)

  1. Ever heard of Google? by The+Mayor · · Score: 3

    Yet another Ask Slashdot submitter that can't use Google. Here, try this.

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    --Be human.
  2. Wheelmouse.... by TBone · · Score: 2

    Well, your basic mouse already has 2 axes - Right-Left and Front-Back. Hook the wheel to Up-Down, and you're set.

    Even better, use those 3 axes as "throttles", and you won't have to keep picking your mouse up and putting it close to you when you're moving forward a lot. Move forward a bit to start moving forward, move back a bit to stop moving forward.


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    This space for rent. Call 1-800-STEAK4U

    1. Re:Wheelmouse.... by Chris+Hiner · · Score: 2

      The part that's still missing with a wheelmouse, is being able to rotate around any axis. This is the big gain with a real 6 degrees of freedom 3D controller.