Hello!
I’d like to share my impressions after several months of using the 3Dconnexion SpaceMouse Pro and 3Dconnexion.
I really like this mouse, but at the same time, I’m very disappointed. I use Autodesk Fusion 360, Autodesk 3ds Max, and Unreal Engine daily. I absolutely love working with this mouse in Fusion; it truly creates a whole new experience, speeds up the process, and makes it more comfortable. However, Fusion is just a small part of my work—more of a hobby.
In all the critical applications for me (3ds Max, Unreal Engine), the mouse doesn’t help. After some time of running these applications, I see the same issue: at a certain point, the rotation center (pivot point) gets stuck in one place, and no automatic algorithms or manual object selection modes can move it. Even loading new scenes or maps doesn’t help. The only solution in this case is to completely restart the application, which contradicts the idea of optimization and workflow acceleration.
Speaking as a developer, I believe there is a critical issue with the software that prevents me, as a user, from fully utilizing the device in most of the important (and supported) applications. In other words, I have a large device sitting on my desk that I only use in one 3D package, even though the advertising suggests otherwise—it should unify navigation across all programs. I tested this on two different devices and multiple computers.
If the bug cannot be reproduced and caught in all applications (I still haven’t figured out what causes it myself), please implement a mechanism to reinitialize the rotation center that will force the "stuck" blue point to be reset and recalculated. I’ll bind this action to one of the buttons on the device and will finally be able to use it not only for my hobby but also in my professional work.
Imagine the following situation: one of my colleagues asks me if it’s convenient to work with this mouse. I can’t answer positively because I myself cannot use it in those applications.
Stuck rotation center in Unreal Engine 5.3.2 and 3ds Max 2024
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Re: Stuck rotation center in Unreal Engine 5.3.2 and 3ds Max 2024
Hi Vadim
Thank you for your post.
I would like to get some information about your problems.
First of all which version of 3DxWare driver do you use?
Does this problem occurs always after some time of application usage? I mean do you use it for around 1 hour and then it appears or it's random?
Do you face problem with projects/files that have big size or also in small ?
When the problem occurs wha are your rotation settings ?
Thank you for your post.
I would like to get some information about your problems.
First of all which version of 3DxWare driver do you use?
Does this problem occurs always after some time of application usage? I mean do you use it for around 1 hour and then it appears or it's random?
Do you face problem with projects/files that have big size or also in small ?
When the problem occurs wha are your rotation settings ?
Re: Stuck rotation center in Unreal Engine 5.3.2 and 3ds Max 2024
Hi skmiec! Thank you for reply
i use 3dxware 10.9.0.3773 and 3dxwincore 17.9.0.21038
Yes, the problem always arises after some time (more than half an hour), and so far, I haven't been able to notice any pattern other than the time. (It’s implied that during this time, a lot of various actions are performed, and it's quite possible that one of them triggers the issue). The blue sphere, which shows where the center of rotation is, at some point stops adjusting to the current object in the center of the screen or the currently selected object and may remain somewhere in the distance. (The point where it gets stuck is not random—it stays in the place where I was working some time ago). It becomes impossible to use the device for navigation in this situation because even with the smoothest movements, any object immediately "flies" out of view.
It's difficult to answer the question about file and project sizes. Probably with large ones (3ds Max scenes from several hundred megabytes to several gigabytes), and in Unreal Engine only with a large project (I just haven’t had the chance to work with a small project using the SpaceMouse).
When the problem occurs, my settings are as follows:
Unreal Engine:
Target camera mode = checked
Pan / zoom = true
Dominant = false
Rotation = true
Lock horizon = true
Rotation center / auto = true
Rotation center / use selected item = true
Move objects = false
Pause motion = false
3ds Max:
Object mode = checked
Lock horizon = true
Rotation center / auto = true
Rotation center / use selected item = true
Move objects = false
Only navigate 3D view = false
Autokey animation = false
Pause motion = false
No changes to the settings help after the "sticking" occurs, nor does loading other scenes, levels, or opening assets, importing models, or pressing navigation buttons (such as Fit on the selected object). The only solution is restarting the application, but with large projects, that's not an option. Stopping and restarting the 3dxWare service also doesn't help (the blue sphere stays in place).
i use 3dxware 10.9.0.3773 and 3dxwincore 17.9.0.21038
Yes, the problem always arises after some time (more than half an hour), and so far, I haven't been able to notice any pattern other than the time. (It’s implied that during this time, a lot of various actions are performed, and it's quite possible that one of them triggers the issue). The blue sphere, which shows where the center of rotation is, at some point stops adjusting to the current object in the center of the screen or the currently selected object and may remain somewhere in the distance. (The point where it gets stuck is not random—it stays in the place where I was working some time ago). It becomes impossible to use the device for navigation in this situation because even with the smoothest movements, any object immediately "flies" out of view.
It's difficult to answer the question about file and project sizes. Probably with large ones (3ds Max scenes from several hundred megabytes to several gigabytes), and in Unreal Engine only with a large project (I just haven’t had the chance to work with a small project using the SpaceMouse).
When the problem occurs, my settings are as follows:
Unreal Engine:
Target camera mode = checked
Pan / zoom = true
Dominant = false
Rotation = true
Lock horizon = true
Rotation center / auto = true
Rotation center / use selected item = true
Move objects = false
Pause motion = false
3ds Max:
Object mode = checked
Lock horizon = true
Rotation center / auto = true
Rotation center / use selected item = true
Move objects = false
Only navigate 3D view = false
Autokey animation = false
Pause motion = false
No changes to the settings help after the "sticking" occurs, nor does loading other scenes, levels, or opening assets, importing models, or pressing navigation buttons (such as Fit on the selected object). The only solution is restarting the application, but with large projects, that's not an option. Stopping and restarting the 3dxWare service also doesn't help (the blue sphere stays in place).
Re: Stuck rotation center in Unreal Engine 5.3.2 and 3ds Max 2024
I also consider it important to add that exactly the same issues occur with another SpaceMouse user in our company. He is using the compact model without buttons. The same thing happens in both Unreal Engine and 3ds Max.
Re: Stuck rotation center in Unreal Engine 5.3.2 and 3ds Max 2024
Thank you for this detailed answer I will have a look on this.