Space Pilot Pro and Sketchup, problems

[elliottandnolan]

Just got my Space Pilot Pro today and am setting up the function keys to suit my way of working, and in Properties (which is set to Sketchup) I can't find the Rotate tool or the Protractor tool in the drop down menus for the programmable keys. This is a serious problem because I use these a lot.

I'm hoping someone can suggest a solution

Thanks in anticipation

[elliottandnolan]

I should have said- I downloaded the latest software version today, but it's starting to look as if whoever decided what was going to be on the dropdown menu isn't a big Sketchup user

[Barbara]

Hello elliottandnolan -

For commands that are not included in the button mapping drop-down you can use the Custom Functions editor to map a keyboard shortcut a SpacePilot PRO button.

SketchUp has single character shortcuts - Q for the Rotate tool , T for Tape Measure.

Open 3Dconnexion Properties - Button Configuration - Custom Functions - New.
In Macro Name type the name you want for your new command. In the User Macro area press only the key [ or keys] used in the shortcut. Click Save, then click Done in the Custom Functions window. The name of your new command will now be in the list of Current Recorded Functions and be available in the drop-down list.
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Barbara

[elliottandnolan]

Thanks, Barbara, that gets it done

[elliottandnolan]

A new problem has arisen, the roll function isn't working. The other five, tilt, spin etc are working fine. Roll is ticked in the advanced setting section of the properties box, but moving the controller cap in the direction shown has no effect, although the model will spin slowly.

I've tried restarting the computer, and I've tried unplugging and re-plugging the USB lead. Anything else I can try?

Thanks in anticipation.

[Barbara]

Hi -

The Roll axis in SketchUp is turned on or off with the Lock Horizon option in the popup menu. The default is for Lock Horizon to be turned on - that keeps the horizon level and disables the Roll axis.

The Menu button on the Space Pilot PRO is mapped to the popup menu in SketchUp that includes Lock Horizon. The popup menu is the one that includes Speed , Camera Mode , Object Mode .... If you are not seeing that , check the mapping for your Menu button in 3DConnexion Properties to see that 'Popup menu' or 'Application popup' is selected.

You can also use Options - Restore all Defaults to return the SketchUp popup menu to the Menu button.
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Barbara

[elliottandnolan]

Thanks for that, Barbara, I had reprogammed that the menu button so hadn't explored the menu options as a way of getting the roll function working, which it now does.

Next question is-

I've made a good many changes to the button configuration to get it the way I want it, and saved it under a unique name. Then I plugged it into my other computer, and find that it I need to go through the procedure again? So, figuring the set up is saved on the computer and not on the device, I went looking for the file in the 3dx section of my program files but it's not there either. So, do I really have to reprogram it for every computer, or is there a way of saving the setup so it is transferrable?

[Fred]

The 3Dconnexion button mappings are saved as .scg files. These are text format files where device settings and button mappings for most applications are stored. A few applications also store button mapping information in the registry.
Configurations for your 3Dconnexion device are located in these two places. Location 1 is the filesystem location for the various operating systems and Location 2 is the Windows registry location.

1.WinXp
C: --> Documents and Settings --> [Username] --> Application Data --> 3Dconnexion --> 3DxWare --> profiles
Vista :

C: --> Users --> [Username] --> AppData --> 3Dconnexion --> 3DxWare --> profiles

Windows 7 :
C: --> Users --> [Username] --> AppData -->Roaming---> 3Dconnexion --> 3DxWare --> profiles
2: HKEY_CURRENT_USER --> Software --> 3Dconnexion --> ...

To transfer the configurations to another PC.

1: Copy .scg files to:
WinXP
C: --> Documents and Settings --> [Username] --> Application Data --> 3Dconnexion --> 3DxWare --> profiles

Vista
C: --> Users --> [Username] --> AppData --> 3Dconnexion --> 3DxWare --> profiles

Windows 7

C: --> Users --> [Username] --> AppData -->Roaming---> 3Dconnexion --> 3DxWare --> profiles

2: Export the registry key from the old profile and import it into new one.

As always, remember to backup your registry before making any changes. You can make backup copies of the .scg files or use them to transfer settings to a new PC, however,they will only be of use to transfer to a new PC using the same operating system as your old system. Transferring configuration files from XP to Windows 7 does not work correctly due to the differences in security between the 2 operating systems.

To find out which .scg file your application is using, hover over the 3Dx SystemTray icon with your standard mouse while the application has the device focus. The profile name is listed along with the .scg filename in parenthesis - i.e GoogleEarth - uname(user05.scg)
We do have a function in the software to import and export settings in our software for one application at this time [SolidWorks] and expect to have more in the future.

[elliottandnolan]

Another little problem that Barbara or somebody else might be able to help me with, every now and then, with increasing frequency, the camera will start orbiting slowly on its own. Usually the model appears to be turning to the left, but sometimes it's to the right. The only cure I have discovered so far is to unplug the unit from the computer, and plug it back in again.

Is there something I can do to stop it happening, or is it faulty?

[UtaSH]

Hi elliottandnolan,

we have a 'Calibrate' button in the control panel. Have you see that? Open the 3Dconnexion properties. In the first tab 'Device Configuration' you see a button 'Calibrate'. Press it while you do not touch the device. Does that help?