United3dArtists Archive

Happy Friday afternoon!
I am the very happy owner of a new 3dconnexion SpaceNavigator 3d mouse - a gift for my upcoming birthday.
I have carefully researched how to install software and thanks to Senior Chief Petty Officer First Light I was put on the right path to success through his fantastic FAQ addressing exactly this subject - vi ... f=39&t=297
I have downloaded the 3dxtruespace plugin and have that ready to go. I was worried that when I install this I might encounter problems. But I have encountered a problem before this installation step.
I first followed the written instructions that came with the 3d mouse. I assumed - I hope correctly - that I needed to install the cd software first and it suggested that I check for updated software at the 3dconnexion webpage. As instructed, I downloaded a file - 3DxSoftwarePE_v3-7-18.exe
I assumed that this software needed to be installed before the 3dxtruespace plugin.
First, I shut down the computer. I plugged in the 3d mouse, before installing the software according to the instructions, and then restarted, double-clicked the .exe file I downloaded and clicked "next" a few times. The installation step warned that it might take a few minutes - which it did - but it just looked ALL WRONG - it kept flashing the same steps over and over again - I can't really say what I was reading because it was going by so fast - but the steps were going around and around in a cycle - removing files - pub..prod..info.. (sorry could not read it...)- and a few other steps - again just cycling over and over. At the end of each cycle - 30 sec. each, maybe, all the desktop icons would flash and the cycle would start over again. I panicked and hit cancel. Maybe I shouldn't have canceled but this was not like any installation I have seen before.
Now I am completely lost as to what to do next. ANY help is very much appreciated!
I am using a Dell XPS 420 with Vista - anything else you need to know? As a long-time Mac user I am very new to the PC world and also new to Truespace.
Thanks,
Patti (carlpatti)

Hi again,

It is now a day and a half later and no one has responded. Please... any suggestions would be very welcome. I have very little experience installing anything on a pc. I am not really asking for Space Navigator help - just advice installing software on a pc. No obligation - I promise I won't be mad if a suggestion doesn't work - I'll be happy to know I am not alone out here in cyberspace. I would even love a response telling me you don't have a clue. Or offering a cyber-hand to hold while I do something stupid to try to get this mouse working.

I have really enjoyed reading the posts of the original trueSpace Community Forum members discussing using the Space Navigator with trueSpace - I want to join the fun!

Thanks,
Patti

I don't know much of it, but do you need to repair your registry or something like that, just using free programs, sometimes that happen because you just finished the installation in the middle and she don't delete the registry files before close, I'm not sure but your discourse about cyber-space touched me and I feel that I need to help you

Hope you can install it! Try to enter in the technical support of the product!

Edit: Do you tried to reinstall it again? Maybe it's just something simple... Try to reinstall it first, and tell me which message is popping up or if all runs ok...

all the happy bananas are singing and smiling and holding cyber-hands!

Yes - leonregis - I tried the install again. I had to walk away from the computer because it was doing the same thing - cycling over and over, not getting anywhere. Over 10 minutes went by but FINALLY it worked! And the icing on the cake - the rest of the install went perfectly, thanks to First Light's instructions and your very appreciated cyber-hand.

Now on to an afternoon of learning to use this mouse. As others have noted, too bad it does not rotate the object. It is still really cool!!! My fantastic family all chipped in to buy it for me. What a great, modern world...

Thanks again so much for your help. Someday I may be able to answer some other member's question... someday...
Patti

Great to you!!!

Send some feedback about the mouse, I want to buy too...

Cya

I have already offered to pay Frootee to write a plugin for this device to
work properly when modeling. It works the right way with MOI and I think it
works properly on the Model side using another plugin but the workSpace side is not right.
First person navigational behavior is for navigation not modeling, the focus should be on the model itself.
I want to be able to rotate the model, not rotate around the model.

I already wrote a letter to 3DConnexion about their drivers and how they were written for
truePlay and not trueSpace. No answer.

Frootee...????

Great to hear your device is working now Carlpatti

Good point Steinie, I did not know that. Froo be sure that if I buy this mouse I'll buy your plugin too , news about the changes at the blender fluids import plugin?

Hi Leonregis and Steinie,
I have been sick - sorry I did not respond - too much fun and too many doctors for my birthday... yuck...
Yes, Steinie, I agree, 3D mouse is really only for navigation. Too bad - TrueSpace could use a hand in rotating objects while modeling.
And so Leonregis, I can't recommend for modeling in TrueSpace, maybe okay for animation.
3D mouse IS however, FANTASTIC fun in Google Earth. I cannot believe how fast I can navigate the globe.
Thanks Steinie for pursuing object rotation help with 3D Connexion. I will go to their site tomorrow morning and ask for the same thing. Also, I would LOVE to help pay Frootee to write a plugin.
And thanks Leonregis for the courage last week - just a little push telling me to "DO IT!"
Patti

Thanks for the feedback Patti, I'll put it well below in my list of investments
I did nothing. I really wish that I could help, but I can just give some psychological support...

Thanks
Cya

it worked for me leonregis
I am using 3d mouse right now. I keep trying to find a way to use it for object rotation but there is nothing that will work. So close yet so far...
This mouse will be so fantastic when I learn how to animate in TrueSpace. Why wait? I think I will play around with the few objects I have made so far and get started animating!
Patti

This is going to be very obvious but I am curious, with your object selected and then activate the Object Rotate tool in Model or Workspace, would the 3D Mouse then work to rotate the object?

If you think is your priority do it! It's very important do what you need...
I do it for fun. I don't have a priority, so I just go modeling... Now I think that I'm at a good skill level so I'll start learning more texturing and when reach a good skill level at it go to the animation. And then improve all together doing animations, huge movies (20 min), thats a 5 years project ^^

Good luck with your learning
Cya

I like to use SpaceNavigator with google hearth! after some try, it is more natural to navigate and with a hd video projector and a 3 meters screen, it is very fun. I use the other hand to eat. Currently i don't use my feet.

trueblue - your idea is exactly what I thought would work too - but no, the 3d mouse does not rotate the object as you would expect it to - I was sure hoping it would work that way - oh well - thanks so much for the input... very much appreciated.

leonregis - the way you are learning is the same way I have been learning too - modeling for now, getting a good skill level, then texturing, then lighting, then on to animation. However, the 3d mouse has shown me what can be done with the moving camera. I looked at some Virtual Earth work of some of the TrueSpace users from Caligari's site. I just visited the Alamo thanks to James Boddie and his hard work! Lots of other user's work (art) too. I am inspired!
I think Steinie helped me to stop getting stuck in my thinking yesterday when I asked a question about the post tree and how it worked. I got stuck on that one stupid little thing, not at all important and nothing to do with 3D - I get stuck like that all the time. So while I LOVE to learn 3D modeling all day long I am also going to take a break and try a little animation with the new 3D mouse.
Thanks for all your input - you have helped me many times even when you did not know it. I really appreciated your massive "Newby questions" post. You asked many questions I wanted answered also. You say you are a True Space user for 5 years and still call yourself a "newby". You know enough to ask the right questions! Prodigy's advice was brilliant! "The best way to make 3D is use your imagination to find a way using the tools that you already know to achieve what you need..." Works for me! I love the forums - I learn from these posts every single day!

Marcel - I am still laughing - I am totally addicted to Google Earth!!!!!! I always have been - now, with the new 3D mouse, I hardly get anything else done. I use my feet my feet to scratch the dog's back!

still laughing,
Patti

Maybe I have to buy a dog. it's nice to do some sport!

Thanks Patti, I'll be forever a newbie! I try to be modest, not because I'm good but because I'm bad
I use TS for 5 years and my plans is use for more 5, but my first five years are not something really solid, just now it is getting weight.
Prodigy is just a brilliant guy and the coolest is that he tries to help everyone, I really appreciate his actions! I hope he get back soon, he is a little busy right know.
I hope someday start helping others as Prodigy and many others, for know I'll just learn and teach the little that I know.

Cya
PS: Are you from England?

marcel - yes, I recommend a dog - mine helps me exercise my feet while both my arms are busy mousing. another plus in the dog's favor - he is a very good 3D model!

leonregis - I think newbie will always be how I describe myself - I am a VERY slow learner. It must be at least 15 years that I have played in 3D worlds and I still don't have a clue... but I sure love TrueSpace!!!!!!!! I also hope someday to have enough knowledge to answer questions in this forum - it will happen - I can see it now - an easy newbie question, every other forum member asleep - well it COULD happen...
I am surprised you guess England is my home leonregis... I am nowhere near so wonderful a place. Right now I live in New York but my heart has been left in Santa Cruz, California. I spent many years in Santa Cruz but need to be here in NY for now. Someday, SOON maybe (?) I return to California.
okay - at this point I think my original problem has been solved - thanks to all who helped - I do love my new 3D mouse even if not for using it in Truespace. Now all of us who have a 3D mouse will wait with fingers crossed for Froo to develop a plugin for it or 3Dconnexion to respond to Steinie's and my request (and countless others) to FIX it to work in TrueSpace!

Patti