HyperPics: Beyond the UI

Command 3D Space like a Pilot

With everything that is happening with the economy and jobs these days, everyone is trying to save a buck here and there.  This is all great until it has an adverse affect on productivity.  While it is hard to think about spending money, some cost cuts can end up costing more in the end than the money being saved.  In times like these, it is often a great idea to invest in new software to increase productivity as well as hardware.  If you work in a 3D application, such as AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor or 3ds max, on a regular basis you might want to check out the products that 3Dconnexion develops.

All their products are designed to improve 3D navigation in 3D applications, but their latest product the SpacePilot Pro goes well beyond 3D navigation and allows you to access standard views and commands/tools in a 3D application with a touch of a button. By using a device such as the new SpacePilot Pro, you can increase your productivity my reducing the number of clicks to access frequently used commands as well as reducing the amount of moving your mouse to navigate a 3D model.  All of these minor changes to your workflow allow you to focus on your design and not navigating the application or the 3D model you are working on, in the end resulting in getting more done in less time.

I have used one of the old 3Dconnexion products, a SpaceBall, in the past and loved it for working in the 3D environment of AutoCAD and 3ds max, and am looking forward to getting my hands on the new SpacePilot Pro.  Once I have some time experimenting with the latest device, I will post my impressions.  A few of the things that caught my attention with the new SpacePilot was the ability to map AutoCAD commands or AutoLISP code to buttons, as well as the LCD screen which allows for access to applications such as Outlook and RSS feeds.  Mapping AutoLISP code to a button allows you to have different sets of macros for working in 2D from 3D, or even different macros if you are working in model space from paper space.

If you use a 3Dconnexion product with AutoCAD or another 3D application, post a comment and let me hear about your experience if you feel like sharing. For more information on the SpacePilot Pro and other 3Dconnexion products, visit http://www.3dconnexion.com.

Sincerely,
  Lee

Latest Dose of AutoCAD 2010 Updates - System Variables Edition

Last week I updated the Command database and PDF file.  This week brings updates for the system variables related documents.  I have updated the table view of the system variables so it includes the new and changed system variables for AutoCAD 2010.

While the table view is updated, the descriptions and value tables for the new commands has not been started yet, so the extended version of the System Variables PDF is not updated as a result of this work not being done.  The System Variables Quick Guide has been completed though.  Like the Commands page on my Web site, the System Variables page only shows AutoCAD 2000 through 2010 but the PDF goes all the way back to AutoCAD R12.

System Variables Database page - http://www.hyperpics.com/system_variables/

Over the next few weeks, I will finish the work on the System Variables database and release a new version of the extended PDF file.

Sincerely,
  Lee