Adding SpacePilot support to 3DxWare 10

[3Dconnexion]

3DxWare 10 Beta supports all current devices from 3Dconnexion: SpaceNavigator, SpaceNavigator for Notebooks, SpaceExplorer USB and SpacePilot PRO.

Launched in 2005, the SpacePilot entered its maintenance phase ("continued support") at the end of March 2010 which will continue until 2013. More information is available here.

3DxWare 10 Beta does not support SpacePilot and some of our customers have asked 3Dconnexion to add it to the software.

Whether you are a SpacePilot user or not, 3Dconnexion is interested in knowing your opinion, so please post below. If you like, you may also participate in the survey.

[philnolan3d]

I just bought my SpacePilot so yes I would be upset if it didn't have the latest drivers at least for little while. A number of retailers (like Amazon) are selling the SpacePilot new right now, so people buying a new device should have some support for it.

[BeatKitano]

Thank you for taking the time to listen to your customers, I'm hoping this goes into a civil and fruitful exchange.

[CPConsult]

Thank you for taking the time to listen to your customers, I'm hoping this goes into a civil and fruitful exchange.

X2 Thank you for listening!

[routb3d]

I have x2 space pilots.. I love them and use them every day.. I have been waiting for support for 2D apps.. I saw the news on Engadget and got really excited only to find that I wasn't invited to the party.. Please Please Please add support for the Spacepilot..

I just modified a space pilot to make it more mobile.. See here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uS-IoyVMQA

I don't know if I could do this to the new version.. And I don't want to spend $400 to find out!

Please?

Thanks,

IC

[paepcke]

I've had a number of 3DConnexion devices, and my latest is a Space Pilot. I've also been waiting years for a facility like 3DxWare 10; ever since support for the Microsoft Office suit was discontinued. Now I want to control a physical robot arm with my Space Pilot, and was burning to try it. Then I discovered that my device is unsupported...

[3DGene]

I feel strongly enough about this that I just registered to vote. I have a SP Pro and do not want this happening to me in a year!

[mallex]

Also just registered to vote for the space pilot driver addition.

Congrats to the 3Dx dev team for getting the drivers out.

It must be said that as a 3D controller, the space pilot is still a fantastic piece of kit, too valuable in my opinion to be cast into obsolescence.

I just think it would be a shame to see it permanently excluded from the list of great 3Dconnexion products.

[dnashj33]

Ironic how they use the phrase "ADD SpacePilot" to the supported list. We aren't stupid. We know full well that this isn't a matter of you not investing in a discontinued product. It's simply a matter of you BLOCKING/PROHIBITING paying customers from using drivers that simply will work as the rest do. They'd have us think that it's costing them money to continue allowing updated drivers work with this model. It's practically the same device, with only a few minor feature additions.

This is nothing less than them corporately deciding to screw their former customers, in a purely greed-centered business decision. They don't realize they are doing more harm than good with these kinds of tricks. There is no reason for a company to FAIL to support their products for the LIFE of the product...not just for a few years!

Nobody is expecting the Navigator (which is much older than the SpacePilot) to suddenly utilize features made for other models, but just to work within it's physical parameters (it has no buttons, so no view keys or modifier keys).
I was going to add this 3DX clip in with a promo video for a software company they are familiar with, but now I'm not.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-vFLqhcl1I

[GregW]

Yes, I'd really like for you to add SpacePilot support too.

[routb3d]

wouldnt someone have to be a total jerk to actually say NO in the poll.. leaves me with the question "Why do they need to ask?"

[ngomes]

Hi routb3d,

...leaves me with the question "Why do they need to ask?"

There's more information in a zero count to the "no" answer than not having it in the first place.

Without going into the reasons why customers would vote "no", we believe giving a balanced set of options for the poll question above is the only fair and respectful way to probe the opinion of all our customers, users of SpacePilot or otherwise.

[kspangler]

I too came here after reading the story at Engadget and I'm rather dejected that there is no support for my product. I am on my second 3d controller from 3dconnexion and plan to upgrade again some day but in the meantime would really appreciate the added functionality with my current model.
If I recall there was similar functionality in some Office programs for my original Spaceball controller when I got it and I have been hoping for something like this to come along.

[Vikingbro]

Thank you for taking the time to listen to your customers, I'm hoping this goes into a civil and fruitful exchange.

There is a difference between asking your customers for their opinion, as 3DConnexion has done here, and listening to those opinions.

At this time, the opinions have NOT been listened to, as the support for the SpacePilot has not yet been added.

In 3DConnexion's defense however, their poll is still live, so their data collection is not yet over. How could one expect any action from 3DConnexion, when their poll is not complete?

[ngomes]

Hi Vikingbro,

At this time, the opinions have NOT been listened to, as the support for the SpacePilot has not yet been added.

We started the poll two days ago. The first public beta of 3DxWare 10 was released two days before that.

We're listening.