Spaceball


You can use a Spaceball as an alternative to the mouse for Views functions.

Like the Dial Box, the Spaceball enables you to use the Views functions without interrupting the current function and without having to move the mouse from the current position to another menu.

The Spaceball buttons can also be used for hotkeys. Use the prefix `SB' and the button number (for example, SB2) in the Hotkey editor.

Using the Spaceball

The Spaceball is an input device with six degrees of freedom, three for rotation and three for translation (about a side-to-side horizontal axis). Each degree of freedom is mapped to a separate viewing function as follows:

  • To tumble vertically, rotate the Spaceball toward and away from you. This is equivalent to using the tumble icon with the right mouse button pressed.
  • To tumble horizontally, rotate the Spaceball as if you were twisting the lid of a jar open or closed (about a vertical axis). This is equivalent to using the tumble icon with the middle mouse button pressed.
  • To twist, rotate the Spaceball to the left or the right (about a horizontal fore-and-aft axis).
  • To dolly, move the Spaceball towards and away from you. This is equivalent to using the dolly icon.
  • To track vertically, move the Spaceball up and down. This is equivalent to using the track icon with the right mouse button pressed.
  • To track horizontally, move the Spaceball left and right. This is equivalent to using the track icon with the middle mouse button pressed.





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