A compendium of 3D Mice: The Spacemice Wiki @Tehrasha
A typical computer mouse has only two degrees of freedom. Translational motion along X and Y axis. Some would argue that the mouse wheel offers a 3rd degree of freedom, allowing for the input of Z data. In 3D applications, it is more often used to ‘zoom’ the viewing area in and out.
By contrast, Spacemice allow six degrees of freedom. (6DOF – Wikipedia).
The puck or ball of a spacemouse can be moved along X, Y and Z axis as well as being twisted rotationally on each of those axis. (Roll, Pitch and Yaw)
The Spacemouse Wiki is dedicated to the gathering of any and all historical information pertaining to the various models of these controllers.
How the wiki was started:
While tinkering with some free 3D modeling software, I learned of the existence of ‘Spacemice’. The cheapest models available at the time were approximately $100, which was far too high for an curious hobbyist. A few eBay searches later, and I found a used Spacemouse Plus for $10. Once it arrived, and I spent a few nights trying to interface its serial port to my Linux box, I realized that there was a definite lack of information online about these devices.
Finding bits and pieces of information scattered across several web sites, I decided to start compiling it all in one large text file. I discovered the historical background to the various models, what companies had a hand in building and distributing them. Before long, the file itself became so large that it was hard to navigate, so I made a quick and dirty WIKI at home on a local machine, purely for my own use. It mainly consisted of what later became the Gallery page, and a few individual device pages.
Adafruit publishes a wide range of writing and video content, including interviews and reporting on the maker market and the wider technology world. Our standards page is intended as a guide to best practices that Adafruit uses, as well as an outline of the ethical standards Adafruit aspires to. While Adafruit is not an independent journalistic institution, Adafruit strives to be a fair, informative, and positive voice within the community – check it out here: adafruit.com/editorialstandards
Stop breadboarding and soldering – start making immediately! Adafruit’s Circuit Playground is jam-packed with LEDs, sensors, buttons, alligator clip pads and more. Build projects with Circuit Playground in a few minutes with the drag-and-drop MakeCode programming site, learn computer science using the CS Discoveries class on code.org, jump into CircuitPython to learn Python and hardware together, TinyGO, or even use the Arduino IDE. Circuit Playground Express is the newest and best Circuit Playground board, with support for CircuitPython, MakeCode, and Arduino. It has a powerful processor, 10 NeoPixels, mini speaker, InfraRed receive and transmit, two buttons, a switch, 14 alligator clip pads, and lots of sensors: capacitive touch, IR proximity, temperature, light, motion and sound. A whole wide world of electronics and coding is waiting for you, and it fits in the palm of your hand.
Have an amazing project to share? The Electronics Show and Tell is every Wednesday at 7:30pm ET! To join, head over to YouTube and check out the show’s live chat and our Discord!
Python for Microcontrollers – Adafruit Daily — Select Python on Microcontrollers Newsletter: PyCon AU 2024 Talks, New Raspberry Pi Gear Available and More! #CircuitPython #Python #micropython @ThePSF @Raspberry_Pi
EYE on NPI – Adafruit Daily — EYE on NPI Maxim’s Himalaya uSLIC Step-Down Power Module #EyeOnNPI @maximintegrated @digikey
