Is a SpaceNavigator of any use in a non-3D context?

[Anuba]

I was thinking about getting a 3DConnexion SpaceNavigator even though 3D graphics isn't really my thing. I'm a 2D Photoshop and Flash kind of guy. But I'm ambidextrous (I switch the mouse to the other hand whenever my wrist gets a little tired) and I figured hey, why not use the idle hand for something more productive than resting on the keyboard.

I was hoping I might be able to use the SpaceNavigator as a chubby little joystick to scroll and pan around in a document while I edit/paint/draw/etc with the other hand. Or perhaps jog around within a Flash timeline.

But the SN product info just goes on and on ad infinitum about how great it is for CAD/CAM and 3D modelling and says nothing about other contexts, so... what does a SpaceNavigator do when it's not used for 3D? Can it be configured to work like a giant 4-way scroll knob or a jog wheel of sorts that works independently from the mouse?

 

[LeviG]

Note: I use my spacenavigator on windows

It does work with photoshop (can't say about flash) and it should do pan, zoom and 'brush size'.

As you are 2d only it may be worth looking at the logitech nulooq navigator although I'm not sure what programs it supports anymore as I've stopped using it due to various reasons.

edit: NULOOQ is discontinued so don't buy it.

 

[Anuba]

Note: I use my spacenavigator on windows

So would I... I might buy a Macbook Pro later this year but I will run about 75% Windows, 25% OS X on it. I have a hunch that Space Navigator will work on both.

It does work with photoshop (can't say about flash) and it should do pan, zoom and 'brush size'.

Then it probably works in Flash as well.

I was aware that NuLooq has been discontinued for some reason, but I think SpaceNavigator does the same job. I think they both are divisions of Logitech.

Thanks!

 

[LeviG]

S
I was aware that NuLooq has been discontinued for some reason, but I think SpaceNavigator does the same job. I think they both are divisions of Logitech.

Thanks!

I actually have both, 3d connexion were bought out by logitech but are still independent as such, hence why there's new drivers for their stuff while logitech can't be bothered with the nulooq which was a great tool and much better for photoshop in my view due to the extra buttons.

 

[Anuba]

I actually have both, 3d connexion were bought out by logitech but are still independent as such, hence why there's new drivers for their stuff while logitech can't be bothered with the nulooq which was a great tool and much better for photoshop in my view due to the extra buttons.

Yeah.... as much as I love Logitech -- I have pretty much every keyboard and mouse they've made in the last 5 years -- they do have a problem with being bothered to fix stuff. I remember an Illustrator bug in SetPoint where if you used the scroll wheel on a Logitech mouse, the system would throw you like 500 "bing" sounds in a row. I have some Logitech USB speakers with a flakey driver that hasn't been updated since the summer of 2007, and is nowhere near finalized. But they do make some excellent keyboards and mice, as far as the hardware is concerned, and their Li-Ion, rechargable mice and keyboards make the Mighty Mouse and the Apple Wireless Keyboard with their AA batteries look like something out of the 1950's. I don't think they gave NuLooq the attention it deserved, there was basically no marketing, they were products you discovered by accident.