Mouse for autocad
September 21, 2010 1:29 PM Subscribe
What would be a good mouse to use for Autocad?
I am trying to find a mouse that would be awesome to use for Autocad. (It's not for me. I am not even remotely familiar with the program, though I know what it is. This will be a gift for a friend.)
Specifically, if you can help with either of the following questions or both, that would be great!
1. What features do you find useful on a mouse or wish the mouse had to make your job on Autocad easier?
2. What specific mouse would you recommend or like?
I did some googling and the most recent information seems to be from 2006ish. Don't know if there has been any recent updates from then.
A few features I gathered that people like are laser tracking and programmable mouse buttons. What are your experiences?
I am trying to find a mouse that would be awesome to use for Autocad. (It's not for me. I am not even remotely familiar with the program, though I know what it is. This will be a gift for a friend.)
Specifically, if you can help with either of the following questions or both, that would be great!
1. What features do you find useful on a mouse or wish the mouse had to make your job on Autocad easier?
2. What specific mouse would you recommend or like?
I did some googling and the most recent information seems to be from 2006ish. Don't know if there has been any recent updates from then.
A few features I gathered that people like are laser tracking and programmable mouse buttons. What are your experiences?
I think with laser tracking you're on the right path, as it will have higher resolution. Maybe something with at least 2 or 3 programmable buttons to map to common keystrokes. AutoCAD back in the <r14 days used to be heavily dependent on custom mouse setups, but nowadays a standard Microsoft laser mouse should do the trick.
posted by samsara at 1:52 PM on September 21, 2010
posted by samsara at 1:52 PM on September 21, 2010
I have always preferred trackballs to regular mice. There are several reasons for this.
1. trackballs tend to have 4 buttons. those extra buttons are highly useful in 3d applications of all types. However, this is not exclusive to trackballs, so the big reason is:
2. sensitivity and precision. trackballs like this one are extremely sensitive and precise, mechanically. But even more important is that trackballs, by their nature, greatly reduce accidental mouse movements when you click or take your hand off of them. The reason for this is that, since they are stationary devices, you move the ball around with a light finger touch. taking your finger off of a heavy ball produces almost no involuntary ball movement, whereas taking your hand off of a lightweight mouse produces considerable involuntary movement. This is, in my experience, incredibly important. If you've never used a trackball, you may not realize how much it's doing for your precision in a 3d program, but once you're used to it going back to a mouse is incredibly frustrating. On top of that, the linked trackball also serves as an incredibly convenient scroll wheel. You rotate the ball either clockwise or counter-clockwise to scroll, without ever having to move your finger or hand to reach for a separate scroll wheel.
posted by shmegegge at 2:41 PM on September 21, 2010 [1 favorite]
1. trackballs tend to have 4 buttons. those extra buttons are highly useful in 3d applications of all types. However, this is not exclusive to trackballs, so the big reason is:
2. sensitivity and precision. trackballs like this one are extremely sensitive and precise, mechanically. But even more important is that trackballs, by their nature, greatly reduce accidental mouse movements when you click or take your hand off of them. The reason for this is that, since they are stationary devices, you move the ball around with a light finger touch. taking your finger off of a heavy ball produces almost no involuntary ball movement, whereas taking your hand off of a lightweight mouse produces considerable involuntary movement. This is, in my experience, incredibly important. If you've never used a trackball, you may not realize how much it's doing for your precision in a 3d program, but once you're used to it going back to a mouse is incredibly frustrating. On top of that, the linked trackball also serves as an incredibly convenient scroll wheel. You rotate the ball either clockwise or counter-clockwise to scroll, without ever having to move your finger or hand to reach for a separate scroll wheel.
posted by shmegegge at 2:41 PM on September 21, 2010 [1 favorite]
AutoCAD wizards use key commands, not mousing/clicking. It is infinitely faster/more powerful. Which is not to say that mouse precision isn't important, but there is not much mouse-specific stuff that you do in AutoCAD. So: not really answering your question, but AutoCAD is not really mouse-centric, except for the whole "interacting with stuff on the screen" aspect of it.
posted by misterbrandt at 3:50 PM on September 21, 2010
posted by misterbrandt at 3:50 PM on September 21, 2010
The mouse wheel needs detents IE: no smooth scrolling because the wheel is used to zoom in and out and to pan. Extra buttons over the regular three aren't really needed though I could see some people using them. I prefer wireless and something that is easy to pick up (IE: flatish or concave sides rather than tapered).
People using a track ball with AutoCAD are pretty rare. I've seen a few people using it with 3D Studio and Corel Draw though which has a different workflow. Precision isn't really an issue in most cases with AutoCAD because one is either snapping to a point or entering relative points/distances directly on the keyboard.
posted by Mitheral at 5:12 PM on September 21, 2010
People using a track ball with AutoCAD are pretty rare. I've seen a few people using it with 3D Studio and Corel Draw though which has a different workflow. Precision isn't really an issue in most cases with AutoCAD because one is either snapping to a point or entering relative points/distances directly on the keyboard.
posted by Mitheral at 5:12 PM on September 21, 2010
Extra buttons can come in handy for two things: switching between ortho and free movement (f8) and changing planes (f5, in iso snap mode). Damn handy for that. I'd suggest a mouse with soe weight to it.
posted by notsnot at 5:33 PM on September 21, 2010
posted by notsnot at 5:33 PM on September 21, 2010
Not AutoCAD specific, but I love my Logitech G5.
posted by kprincehouse at 7:32 PM on September 21, 2010
posted by kprincehouse at 7:32 PM on September 21, 2010
I chose a VX Revolution (for my work computer), and love it: the pro tip is to remap one of the thumb buttons to serve as a middle-click so you can pan with your thumb rather than pushing in the wheel until it clicks. Other than that, it's more of an ergonomic decision, and I prefer asymmetrical/right-hand contoured mice for acad since I'm using my left hand for the keyboard.
For general use including Rhino and 2D design apps, I use a VX Nano on my MBP, which being symmetrical allows me to switch mousing hands when I so desire.
posted by a halcyon day at 8:35 PM on September 21, 2010
For general use including Rhino and 2D design apps, I use a VX Nano on my MBP, which being symmetrical allows me to switch mousing hands when I so desire.
posted by a halcyon day at 8:35 PM on September 21, 2010
As others have noted, it's possible to use a fancy 10-button mouse, trackball, or even dedicated 3d controllers, but the great majority of people use (and even prefer) a standard 3-button mouse in conjunction with keyboard commands. I think a nice bluetooth optical (laser) mouse with 3 buttons + scroll wheel and a mouse pad with one of those gel wrist pads should be more than adequate.
posted by Chris4d at 10:01 AM on September 22, 2010
posted by Chris4d at 10:01 AM on September 22, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
In short, I wouldn't do this.
posted by sanka at 1:43 PM on September 21, 2010