Space ball with MC-X updated drivers

[cadcam]

For all that are using the 3D connection Space ball devices go and get the latest drivers if you are using Mastercam X as it now has seting for X.

[Charles Davis]

thanks...

[cadcam]

Charles, What Sapce ball do you have.

I did it with my Space travler tommorow I am getting my new space pilot hopeing for even more options.

[cadcam]

Ok I am loving the Space Pilot even more then the travler, but the travler is good for the road.

[Chris Rizzo]

are they applicable to the old school spaceball's? 4000 series.

[cadcam]

Way better I have an old one to.

I now have 3 total.

[Charles Davis]

I finally got around to installing these, and what a difference!

 

The motion is really smooth and precise.... NICE JOB.

 

If you can afford it, a Spaceball is an awesome productivity add-on to Mastercam! I REALLY like mine a lot!

[HevyMetl]

I just purchased my spacepilot and now it has arrived. I don't want to sound like bonehead here, but I don't have any preconfigured options popping up for MCX. When I load Pro/E Wildfire 1.0 or 2.0 it has a preconfigured set of buttons for each. I contacted 3d connexions about this and they were not much help. Don't get me wrong I really like this thing. Motion control is as smooth as a (input your own simily here) , I was just hoping I would also get some preconfigured hotkeys for Mastercam as well.

 

Can anyone of you other guys using it shed some light on this for me. If I have to configure my own hotkeys no problem. I just don't want to if I don't have to.

 

Thanks in advance.

[Bill]

I would like to be able to center the thing when working in WCS.

 

Anyone know how this is achieved?

 

In V9 MCam would let you center it on the screen.

 

Thanks.

[gcode]

John,

If you installed your drivers from the disk that came with the SpacePilot, they are probaly not the latest greatest.

The new drivers with Mastecam X support are v5.3.3.

You can download them

here.

[tooljockey]

We are thinking about trying the SpacePilot.

Is it really hard to get used to?

Is it that much of a time saver?

Exactly how does it change the way you work?

 

We are still old-fashiond mouse users.

[Bill]

Thanks gcode.

[Chao]

I have a Spaceball 4000FLX used for UG. Anybody knows if this one can be used for Mastercam?

 

Thanks!

[Paul Decelles]

Yes, it works fine. I have one (4000 FLX) sitting on my desk (with about a quarter inch of dust on it - not much use for a spaceball in the post department).

[HevyMetl]

I downloaded the drivers and reinstalled them. I am showing versions5.03.0003 in my 3d directory. I still don't get a MCX configuration to pop up when I start MC X.

[Bill]

quote:

---

We are thinking about trying the SpacePilot.

Is it really hard to get used to?

Is it that much of a time saver?

Exactly how does it change the way you work?

---

No not hard at all.

Its nice with the new X because of the creating 3d entities is much easier and you can roll around the geometry more fluid while keeping your mouse hand free to click points.

 

For me it's got me to stop using the F keys. No more zooming in and out.

 

As far as the MCam config... I closed MCam before running the new drivers. Once I opened X I clicked on the spabeball icon in a tray and X was set in the config.

[HevyMetl]

Ok, everything is working now. Thanks for all help G-code and Bill.

 

Man I love this thing.

[g huns]

Got a 4000 flx on e-bay brand new in box for about $150 and after 2 days I don't know what I did without it. Bought it myself cause the boss was sceptical. What does the 5000 flx do that the 4000 doesn't? Downloaded latest drivers, X config popped right up when I opened it. The control panel for the spaceball says spaceball 5000. Could this be why I can't map some functions, like levels mgr, and fit to the keys? When I click the pull down arrows there's a long list of functions but some just don't work. I set 1-3 and 7 to match views 1-3 and 7, A=return, B=esc, and C=ops mgr toggle love that one. I tried to set 5 to levels mgr but it just beeps at me.

[CimtechTrainer]

BillH,

 

Try looking at the Keymapping section.

Under View Manipulation you will find a button for "set motion controller rotation point". set a keyboard shortcut and it should work (the default is F12).

 

That will let you rotate about a point when you are zoomed in.

 

-Colin

www.multiaxis.com

[Chris Rizzo]

edit- I USED TO be unable map the levels manager or view manager either. also on a 4000 flx . However with this new driver and X it works fine.

oh, I have a button mapped to "set rotational center", you then use your mouse to click on a point.

[Harryman]

Can someone post a link to these new drivers for the 4000 FLX please?

[gcode]

quote:

---

Can someone post a link to these new drivers for the 4000 FLX please

---

See my first post on this thread

[g huns]

I had to create a new function on the spaceball, named it levels mgr. and the pressed my keyboard shortcut and saved it. Had to do it with fit all, undo, and re-do as well. Hey it works. Sooooo nice to have the buttons on the spaceball set up the same for MC and Cadkey. Now if only it could make Cadkey not suck I musta messed up cause my my control panel says spaceball 5000, but it still works.

[Guest]

I love this thing Spaceball 5000, I have many useful functions at the touch of a button.

 

This is my setup

 

1) ESC

2) Delete

3) Fit

4) Level Manager

5) Operation Manager

6) ISO View

7) Top View

8) Front View

9) Right View

A) Redraw

Analyze Properties

C) Pick Rotational Center

 

I may ultimately end up with some slighly different settings but these ar where I'm at right now.

[g huns]

Here's mine for general drawing-tweaking, same for Cadkey except ops mgr toggle.

 

 

Gonna set up another X configuration with toolpaths mapped to the keys. I just print out the screen shot and tape it up next to the monitor in case I need a memory jog.