While on the Adobe CS3 Tour I came across a really cool gadget. My colleague Colin Fleming told me that I had to go check out the SpaceNavigator. Taking Colin’s advice I headed over to the 3DConnexion booth and within a couple of minutes of playing with the SpaceNavigator I had to have one. Although I’ve been home now for a little over a week, yesterday was the first time that I actually had a chance to install the SpaceNavigator. Granted I don’t do a lot in 3D, but when I do I always find the on screen controls to be less than intuitive. I’m always trying to spin objects around and end up flipping them. Now that Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended has 3D support, this kind of 3D Navigation Tool is even more useful for me. The SpaceNavigator works directly inside Photoshop CS3 Extended. There was nothing that I had to do to tell Photoshop that it was attached. Once I installed the driver, I opened up the file below, double clicked on the 3D layer icon and I had complete control over the object’s movement, zooming and panning.
While it’s great to have this wonderful controller for Photoshop CS3 Extended, I’d love to have it work in After Effects as well. I think we’re working on it, but nothing to announce yet.
Next I headed over to Google Earth. An hour of my time just vanished. I was so sucked in and again I was using that app like I had never used it before. I was flying all around the globe and zooming in on any placed that I wanted to see. I even did an aerial fly through from my old house to my new house and because I had such fluid control, it was easy to track the entire route.
The SpaceNavigator goes for $59 and if you play with (or do real work in) 3D apps, it’s a must have! Here’s a video from one of the 3Dconnexion guys showing the SpaceNavigator inside Photoshop CS3 Extended. Check it out:
Hey Terry-
I love your blog AND your podcast. Sorry to leave this comment here, but I couldn’t find a good way to contact you. I attended the Adobe CS3 conference at Navy pPier in Chicago in May and won a free CS3 t-shirt. I have yet to receive the shirt, so I was wondering who I needed to contact to get my prize. There was a mixup at the very end and they ended up sticking my entry form back in the pile with the others(I was the first name that got drawn), but the gal took my name down and promised to work things out. If you could help me out, or direct me to the person I need to contact, it would be appreciated.
Thanks and keep up the great work! Your tips and tricks– and product reviews have been invaluable.
Hi Jennifer,
Thanks so much for your kind words. I’ve replied to you via email regarding your free CS3 t-shirt.
T
Hi Terry,
I am curious to know if the Space Navigator works as “normal” input device, like a mouse, when you are not in a 3D application, or does it just plain not work? It seems like a great idea, and looks like it gives some pretty good control, so if it works with 2D artwork that would be amazing. Please let me know.
P.S. you blog is great! I check it first thing every morning. You are right up there between the first cup of coffee and getting started on “real” work.
Thanks Jeremiah! The SpaceNavigator only works in 3D. It’s definitely not a mouse replacement in 2D apps.
Hey Terry;
While the Space Navigator is a blast in 3D situations like Google Earth and Photoshop, it’s also fun in Google SketchUp (where I’m grabbing free models and adding texture maps before working in Photoshop CS3 Extended) AND it’s great in good old _flat_ Photoshop too! Twist the Navigator to change brush size, push/pull for zoom, and slide(?) to move around your canvas. This thing really is a blast!
I wonder as we get new ways of interacting with the PC, will ‘we’ be able to learn how to use them.
e.g. – I could not deal with a touch screen interface, my arms would get tired.
I just saw another version of a 3D mouse, a ring is worn on the hand, the hand is moved in a 3D fashion to control the object. Once again, my arm would get tired if I couldn’t rest it.
Maybe the space navigator has it right…
love the product.