New Space Navigator user, Solid Edge - lots of issues.

[ProDarwin]

I just recently started using a Space Navigator at work to replace my Astroid. I am having lots of issues.

A) I can assign commands to the buttons, but they don't work at all. Pressing a button does nothing. The commands are also forgotten the next time I use Solid Edge or reboot.

B) The rotation point is constantly "forgotten". Not just when changing levels within an assembly, but even if I go into a sketch then exit out, I have to reset the rotation point. By default, the point is way off from my part center and is completely unhelpful. Setting the "auto rotation center" option does not help. How can I set the rotation center and just have it stay put until I decide to move it elsewhere.

C) My Esc button does not exit a command anymore. If I shut down the 3DxWare software, it will work. With it running, it does not. Extremely annoying.

This is my second time giving the Space Navigator a shot. The first time I moved back to the Astroid because I am able to move things much more fluidly with it. This time I decided to give the Space Nav. a shot because it allows me to manipulate PDF files... yet after installing Adobe Reader X it no longer works with that either

Please help!

[ProDarwin]

I should add that due to IT policies, I do not have write access to C:\Program Files. It would be nice if this was the cause and I could simply save the configuration outside of that folder.

Also, Win 7 64 Bit, Solid Edge ST4 MP3

[Barbara]

Hello ProDarwin -

The important thing for saving button configurations in SolidEdge to map the buttons with the editor inside of SolidEdge.

When you open the the button mapping editor you will see the command categories shown with a hammer icon - double-clicking opens the categories to display the commands.This editor has a number of commands specific to SolidEdge rather than the general commands in 3Dconnexion Properties and will save your mapped buttons to your profile.

The default button assignment has the 3Dx pop-up menu mapped to the left button on the SpaceNavigator. 'Customize Buttons' from the pop-up menu opens the SolidEdge editor.The pop-up menu is the one shown in the 3DMouseNews window. If you have re-mapped the left button, you can choose the pop-up menu from the drop-down list.

If there are other questions about button mapping , let us know the commands want to map. If you are mapping keyboard combinations, they need to be mapped in the CustomFunctions editor and are added to the 3DxWare category when you re-start SolidEdge.

Reader X introduced new security measures which block our plugin's ability to communicate with the driver. As a workaround you can disable the new 'Protected Mode'. In Adobe Reader X go to Edit->Preferences->General and uncheck "Enable Protected Mode at startup". Please note that the intent of the option is improved security - you can consider whether you want to disable it.

Profiles are saved as .scg files in C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Roaming\3Dconnexion\3DxWare\profiles. This is a folder network users typically have access to.

It sounds like the challenges you have had with the Space Navigator thus far are things that can be corrected. I hope this will improve your experience with it.
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Barbara

[ProDarwin]

Barbara,

When you refer to the button mapping editor in Solid Edge, you are talking about the "Customize Buttons" option under the Add Ins tab? This is what I used. I can drag a command to a button and it will show as mapped. It will not work at all though. The next time I use the software and look in this menu, the right button will be blank and the left will be <Unavailable>

Ctrl+MiddleMouseButton does not work as well. More importantly, I don't want to have to pick a new point anytime I enter a new command, enter a new part, or move up/down an assembly level.

"Enable Protected Mode" is disabled in Reader X on my machine. The Space Navigator does not work with it. It still moves the Solid Edge model (in the inactive window) instead.

[Barbara]

Hello ProDarwin -

The <Unavailable> indicates the add-in is not finding the necessary permissions to communicate with SolidEdge. This is something IT would need to correct.

The 'Run as administrator' permission can be added when running the 3Dxsoftware installation or it can be added after the software is installed by adding it to the executable 3dxsrv.exe :

1.Close SolidEdge and stop the driver.[Start, All Programs, 3Dconnexion, Driver, Start Driver| Stop Driver]

2.Right-click 3dxsrv.exe - Select Properties , then Compatibility and check only 'Run as administrator' .
[ C:\Program Files\3Dconnexion\3Dconnexion 3DxSoftware\3DxWare64\3dxsrv.exe

3.Re-open SolidEdge. 'Customize Buttons' should now be able to work correctly.

For ReaderX we have found the workaround to help on many systems - but all. It may depend on how the permissions and ReaderX are set up on the network.

Also I'd like to check which driver release is being used. You can find 'Release Version' in the 3Dconnexion Control Panel under Help|About

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Barbara

[ProDarwin]

I will check and see what IT can do for me.

Release Version 3.15.2
Driver Version 6.15.2
Firmware Version 4.20

[Barbara]

Hello ProDarwin -

Thank you for checking the driver release info. Once IT adds the admin permissions so that the 3DxSolidEdge add-in is communicating with the application, you can use 'Select Rotation Center' from the 3Dcontrol toolbar under AddIns.

After you set a rotation point SolidEdge displays a rotation icon that you can click and drag with your mouse.

If your IT tech has any questions about getting the software installed with the needed permissions our tech support can help.
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Barbara

[ProDarwin]

Hello ProDarwin -

Thank you for checking the driver release info. Once IT adds the admin permissions so that the 3DxSolidEdge add-in is communicating with the application, you can use 'Select Rotation Center' from the 3Dcontrol toolbar under AddIns.

After you set a rotation point SolidEdge displays a rotation icon that you can click and drag with your mouse.

I can already do this. The problem is I have to re-select it constantly. Like this:

Working in a part. Rotation center is way off.
Set it somewhere I like.
Do a cutout.
Once I complete it and am back to the main part screen, the rotation center is way off again.

I'll have IT look at it. Or maybe just go back to the Astroid as it had none of these issues.

[Barbara]

Hi ProDarwin -

Is 'Auto Rotation Center' in the 3Dcontrol Properties still turned off ?
It uses the center of mass as the rotation center - that would change with a cutout.

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Barbara

[ProDarwin]

Yes, it is off. It is off because I want it off. I hate it. The center of mass is NOT what I want my rotation center to be. I want my rotation center to be a point on the part that I choose and I want it to remain there until I choose a different point. The problem is that it moves on its own.