Unexpected rotation Using SpacePilot in Solidworks 2006

pmccrorey · Post by **pmccrorey** » Mon May 14, 2007 1:04 pm

HELP!!!

Frustration boils...

When I try to rotate an assembly in Solidworks 2006, it acts unexpectedly - usually by rotating off into no-where land. It's as it I am rotating around some bogus center point.

WHAT I REALLY WANT -> to have the rotation be centered around a center point on the screen or some other intuitive point.

Of course Solidworks dudes say "ain't my fault - check with 3D Connection".

As a note, I am aware of the Center mouse button click local/temporary rotation - but unfortunately, this action doesn't work with my SpacePilot.

Looking for help before I throw this spacepilot...well I wouldn't do that...!

Cheers.

agoenczi · Post by **agoenczi** » Mon May 14, 2007 11:51 pm

Hi pmccrorey,

Do you get this effect with simple parts too, or only with more complicated assemlies?

Please describe a scenario with which I could reproduce.

Post by **ngomes** » Tue May 15, 2007 2:59 am

Hi pmccrorey,

One thing to try is the "Auto Rotation" option in the "Properties" panel of the 3Dcontrol add-in (accessible from the "3Dcontrol" menu).

SolidWorks is right: the "3Dcontrol" add-in (the software that enables the use of 3D Mice in the application) is developed and maintained by 3Dconnexion.

We would still appreciate if, as Arpad requested, you could send us a scenario to reproduce the problem.

pmccrorey · Post by **pmccrorey** » Mon May 21, 2007 12:32 pm

ngomes and agoenczi,

I changed the settings you suggested (3d control > properties > auto-control center) This seems to help.

However, I have also noticed that I get this problem when I am in "perspective" view mode with either an assembly or a simple part.

If you zoom up and don't see the origin, in perspective mode and try to rotate the part, the left and right pans seem to act weird. For example, if the part slides off to the right and I try to pan it back to the middle (using left pan), the part continues to shoot off to the right.

Also, if you zoom into the part from way out and make sure you are zooming in straight, eventually the part starts veering to the right. when you get it up close, the part seems to go to the right. Its very touchy to move the part back to the middle and will rotate off the screen with the slightest movement.

Post by **jwick** » Mon May 21, 2007 3:04 pm

It sounds like the center of rotation is very far away.

pmccrorey · Post by **pmccrorey** » Tue May 22, 2007 5:37 am

do you have any suggestions about changing the center of rotation - especially in 'perspective' mode.

agoenczi · Post by **agoenczi** » Tue May 22, 2007 7:06 am

Hi pmccrorey

I tried with SW 2006 SP0.0 and used an assambly delivered with the software called "motor casing.sldasm". I clicked to a part and selected "Sets Center Point" from the plug-in. I could rotate around the center point I selected.

Are you experiencing something else?

pmccrorey · Post by **pmccrorey** » Tue May 22, 2007 11:44 am

Hi Agoenczi,

I assume you are looking at the "3Dcontrol" menu in Solidworks. When I click this, all I see is the following choices:

toolbar / import / export / next configuration / previous configuration / translation (checked) / rotation (checked) / dominant / properties / customize menu

I don't see a center point

I am using Solidworks Office Premium 2006 SP2.1.

Post by **ngomes** » Wed May 23, 2007 12:08 am

Hi pmccrorey,

I assume you are looking at the "3Dcontrol" menu in Solidworks.

Not the menu but the "3Dcontrol" toolbar.

agoenczi · Post by **agoenczi** » Wed May 23, 2007 12:09 am

Hi pmccrorey

No, I was referring to a symbol in the toolbar which is similar with a cross and has a central point. It is the left-most symbol in the 3Dconnexion toolbar.

If you would like just send me your e-mail address in a PM and I will send you a screenshot.

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