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.
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