What is Space Mouse Technology and its Applications?

Space mouse technology is one of the many revolutionary benchmarks that we witness in the technology industry. No doubt each and every one of them has their respective set of characteristics and advantages for us and the entire digital world, so this one also. Therefore, let us understand in brief about this technology.

It is a type of controller for managing all the 3D objects which are usually created by the software programmers. It represents a strong combination of high-performance 3D mouse tools which allows the users to make the best use of their natural body movements to control the three-dimensional objects on the screen. This powerful combination is referred to as Space mouse, and it has a system of control and signals of its own, which must be provided by an application or operating system. But, you must ensure that the interface between the Space mouse and the operating system has to be backed by a particular facilitating source, most probably a driver.

Space mouse empowers you with many powers, like- a normal left or right twist, or maybe a push-down or up, etc corresponds to the same direction on the screen. Moreover, you can also zoom and tilt using your body movements, as these features are also preloaded in it. As of now, all of you must have got a very clear virtual image of this technology, now let us dive deeper into it. A big question might be arising in your mind: how does this Space mouse perform its duties? Well, allow me to explain the same to you.

Example of Space Mouse
Example of Space Mouse. Image source- CDW.com


The following are the four main parts of this beauty:

3D motion control

It refers to the down-up, forward-back and left-right motions. These features help us to move the objects on our screen as compared to a normal 2D mouse. One can also view the object either in a symmetric or in an asymmetric view with its aid.

Space-controller

It provides the liberty of a six-degree control to a user. You can also consider it to be an input tool for camera movement and also for computer-aided design construction. It is developed and designed keeping in mind all the natural laws to finally deliver an effective construction. And, the user also has the liberty to choose either his/her right hand or left hand with the space controller, and one can do that by simply selecting ‘Right-hand mode’ or ‘Left-hand mode’ in the driver and after you make your choice, the LED will then rotate according to your choice.

Space-controller cap

It is the powerhouse of the space-controller and helps users to rotate and move it and then the object on the screen will accordingly follow your commands. And yes, once the user leaves this cap, then it will go back to its original position and the object on the screen will stop moving immediately.

3D Controller keys

With the help and assistance from Space-controller software, users can assign specific functions to each and every key. After the users have assigned all the functions, they can view it on the LCD. Let me showcase you the set of keys that are available on the Space mouse.

Panel Keys

They enable us to maintain all the essential settings on our gadget by launching the Space-controller software.

  • Certain keys like Esc, Ctrl, Shift, and Alt deliver an easy path of approach so that there remains almost no need to move our hand away from our gadgets.
  • View Keys 

They help us to have a close and clear look at our design. One more thing that will push you to use them more and more is the fact that they are designed and placed in such a way that your thumbs will automatically reach them every time. You can have a sharp and nice view of the right, front and top portions of your design.

  • Fit Key

They play a major role in enlarging the objects on the screen.

Now, let me point out some of the amazing facts of the Space mouse. First of all, I know that as of now, we have studied about many important sets of features and characteristics that this technology possesses, it also follows all the natural rules and laws by which computers work. The interface is also user friendly and simple to make things comfortable for you. The in-built navigator helps the users to locate the object on the screen wherever they wish to, without the help of any other keys. The complex functions are also possible with the help of additional buttons and scroll wheel of the mouse. Opening, closing and minimising software are some examples of such complex functions. No doubt that this piece of technology will help all the users a very convenient way of increasing their productivity.