Solidworks '07 + SpaceNavigator: View rotation issue.

Questions and answers about 3Dconnexion devices on Windows.

Moderator: Moderators

Post Reply
jprescott
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Jan 29, 2008 2:30 pm
Location: boston

Solidworks '07 + SpaceNavigator: View rotation issue.

Post by jprescott »

When using a mouse in Solidworks I am able to select a point on my model, then when I chose the "rotate view" icon, the model will rotate around the chosen point, instead of around the origin. This is one of my absolute favorite functions, and I can not get it to work with my SpaceNavigator. :cry: !
Thanks in advance for all of the helpful info!
rstadie
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 777
Joined: Tue Sep 25, 2007 6:18 am
Location: Munich, Germany
Contact:

Post by rstadie »

Hi jprescott,

What version of SolidWorks do you use?

*UPDATE: I missed the topic-description*
Robert Stadie
rstadie
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 777
Joined: Tue Sep 25, 2007 6:18 am
Location: Munich, Germany
Contact:

Post by rstadie »

Please verify that our toolbar is visible (right-click on the SolidWorks toolbar and select "3Dcontrol").
To set the rotation-point you can now click on your model and then on the "Sets Center Point" icon on the toolbar.
Now your model should rotate around your selected rotation point.

UPDATE:
You can also bind this function to one of your buttons. The "Sets Center Point" function is available in the Button Mapping Editor (Category 3DControl).
Robert Stadie
dbelflower
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Nov 16, 2007 11:59 am

Post by dbelflower »

Why is this "Set Center Point" not automatic with a mouse click? When using a mouse to rotate, a single click sets the center point of rotation - there's no need to click an extra button to set the center point. When using a 3Dconnexion device to rotate, you have to single click the mouse and then take the extra step of either clicking the icon or a mapped button before rotating. Is there a way to bypass this extra step?
rstadie
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 777
Joined: Tue Sep 25, 2007 6:18 am
Location: Munich, Germany
Contact:

Post by rstadie »

Hi dbelflower,

Thanks for your feedback, we appreciate suggestions to improve our solutions! Unfortunately it seems that such an implementation may not be feasible to implement in the described way, although this idea really makes sense.
Please let us know if you have any further suggestions!
Robert Stadie
sferrin
Posts: 8
Joined: Sat Apr 21, 2007 9:53 am

Post by sferrin »

rstadie wrote:Hi dbelflower,

Thanks for your feedback, we appreciate suggestions to improve our solutions! Unfortunately it seems that such an implementation may not be feasible to implement in the described way, although this idea really makes sense.
Please let us know if you have any further suggestions!
Two clicks for every rotation doesn't seem like a very usable solution given how often one rotates around in a view. Isn't there a way to at least keep the model centered when rotating the view? Right now I'm working on a model and every time I try to rotate the view the model goes sailing out of the view. There seemed to be a way to keep it centered in 2007 but it's been quite a while since I set it up and my settings got wiped out when I upgraded my system and I don't recall how I did it (and haven't had any luck tracking it down). Any ideas? (I'm in SW2008 BTW)
swx_steve
Posts: 5
Joined: Wed Feb 13, 2008 5:39 pm

Post by swx_steve »

I am also using SWX 2007 and got my space navigator yesterday. I am also very disappointed in the way it does not automatically rotate around a selected face/entity or screen centre. A few years back that feature immensely improved how you could manipulate the model with the mouse, and for a specialised device like this to not have the capability is a let-down.

So basically I (and I'm sure others) would like to see in the next software release, two new options;

1. Rotate around current screen centre - this could be a toggle on off, where in the OFF state it rotates around model origin as it does now, and in the ON state it rotates around whatever the current screen centre point is. This means if you are working on a big assembly and are zoomed into a small part, it will at least keep that part in view.

2. Rotate around currently selected object - when there is an object selected (face, edge, part, etc) it rotates around that point. As you already have an option to set the rotation centre, it should be possible to assign this to the various different points automatically.

I would be very impressed if this feature could be implemented into your next software release, I cannot imagine it would be too difficult. Aside from this negative, I am very happy with the space navigator, and will be purchasing more for the rest of the CAD workstations here (after the software is fixed, hint hint).

Cheers
Steve
swx_steve
Posts: 5
Joined: Wed Feb 13, 2008 5:39 pm

Post by swx_steve »

[quote="rstadie"]
UPDATE:
You can also bind this function to one of your buttons. The "Sets Center Point" function is available in the Button Mapping Editor (Category 3DControl).[/quote]

Dear Robert,

How do I set one of my buttons to be the 'sets centre point' in Solidworks?
When I go into the 3Dxware control panel, there are numerous options for what left and right buttons can be assigned to, but nothing about resetting the centre of rotation.
Solidworks 2007, Win XP, Space Navigator SE

Thanks in advance
Steve
rstadie
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 777
Joined: Tue Sep 25, 2007 6:18 am
Location: Munich, Germany
Contact:

Post by rstadie »

Hi Steve,

Right-click on the toolbar and ensure that "3D control" is marked. Then click on "Show Mapping Panel" - there you will find "Sets Center Point" under 3Dcontrol.
Robert Stadie
swx_steve
Posts: 5
Joined: Wed Feb 13, 2008 5:39 pm

Post by swx_steve »

[quote="rstadie"]Hi Steve,

Right-click on the toolbar and ensure that "3D control" is marked. Then click on "Show Mapping Panel" - there you will find "Sets Center Point" under 3Dcontrol.[/quote]

Thanks Robert, but the 'sets centre point' option is not there.
How do you add it to the list?
cheers
Steve
rstadie
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 777
Joined: Tue Sep 25, 2007 6:18 am
Location: Munich, Germany
Contact:

Post by rstadie »

Hi Steve,

What options do you see there?
Robert Stadie
swx_steve
Posts: 5
Joined: Wed Feb 13, 2008 5:39 pm

Post by swx_steve »

[quote="rstadie"]Hi Steve,

What options do you see there?[/quote]

Hi Robert,

Well there are many, but under 'S' there is;

Selection Filter
Sheet Metal
Simulation
Sketch
Solidworks Office
Spline Tools
Standard
Standard Views
Surfaces

But no "set centre point".

Cheers
Steve
rstadie
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 777
Joined: Tue Sep 25, 2007 6:18 am
Location: Munich, Germany
Contact:

Post by rstadie »

swx_steve wrote: Well there are many, but under 'S' there is;

Selection Filter
.
.
.
Hi Steve,

Where you see "Selection Filter" there should also be an folder named "3Dcontrol". When you open this folder you will see "Sets Center Point".
Robert Stadie
swx_steve
Posts: 5
Joined: Wed Feb 13, 2008 5:39 pm

Post by swx_steve »

[quote]Where you see "Selection Filter" there should also be an folder named "3Dcontrol". When you open this folder you will see "Sets Center Point".[/quote]

Hi Robert,
Aha, didn't realise there were sub menus under those! So obvious now.
Many thanks
Steve

PS Option to rotate around screen centre would still be nice. Have submitted it as an enhancement request.
Post Reply