I onlt want 3DConnexion software to work in my CAD program

[dzsebehazy]

I've searched and read and tried solutions that don't work. I want things to work the way they did when 3D motion hardware was only for CAD. I don't want the program switching focus to Outlook when I check my email or Powerpoint when I'm reading instructions or Firefox when I'm goofing off. Every time I make a note on a document I'm working from and switch back to my CAD session, the focus lags so much that I end up moving from where I was in the document, and then I have to find my place again, and carefully click and wait for the software to switch to CATIA. This device that is supposed to increase my efficiency is now impairing it. I want the software completely locked to the CAD program, so I can have Windows focus on a document I'm reading and still spin my part with the spaceball. NOBODY WANTS A 3D MOTION DEVICE FOR OFFICE, AND YOU'LL NEVER SELL THEM FOR THAT! So help this actual customer who uses your product all day every day to be happy. Thanks.

P.S. I use CATIA, if that makes a difference.

Dan

[Sparkix]

Coincidentally, I was looking for the very same feature myself just now... and figured it out (for windows 7 pro):

Go to the location of all the application configuration files:
"C:\Program Files\3Dconnexion\3DxWare\3DxWinCore64\Cfg\"

and locate the file for the program you want to lock the driver to (I was looking for SolidWorks.xml... you will need CATIA.xml):

You will need admin rights to modify the file, but here is what you must add between the AppInfo and Settings sections of the file (the break in sections is about 27 lines down from the start of the file):

If you aren't comfortable doing this, then don't. If you do screw it up, install the driver again and it should return to the original behavior. The important part is that the modified config instructs the application to grab the driver focus and don't let go (<Grab>Hard</Grab>)

Before:

**** about 27 lines of settings ****
</AppInfo>
<Settings>
**** many more lines of settings ****

After:

**** about 27 lines of settings ****
</AppInfo>
<CfgProperties>
<Grab>Hard</Grab>
<Access>
<Hidden>false</Hidden>
<Ignore>false</Ignore>
</Access>
</CfgProperties>
<Settings>
**** many more lines of settings ****

Hope this helps. Now I can rotate a model while another application is active.

[dzsebehazy]

Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you !!!!!! It works! I found a solution that was supposed to do the same thing, but they had the location in the document wrong. This had been driving me crazy for months. I'm happy!!

Dan

[Sparkix]

A cool thing I noticed is that when your CAD software isn't running, the driver behaves as normal and will allow the space mouse to work in other applications (even though it is typically useless).

[Sparkix]

Just thought I'd check back it to let you know that this still works in 2025!!!

The file locations and format have changed slightly but the hack still works.

XML files are located here by default "C:\Program Files\3Dconnexion\3DxWare\3DxWinCore\Cfg"

Open the .xml file for the application you want to lock focus to (SolidWorks.xml) and add "<Grab>Hard</Grab>" in between the <CfgProperties></CfgProperties> tags. Restart the Spacemouse driver and application and it should work.

Can't believe this isn't a feature yet. It is so useful.