Question 1

Is this compatible with Windows 7 and Windows 8?

Accepted Answer

Works great on 7. Get newest driver online. Using it for Solidworks. Haven't had to try it on 8 yet.

Question 2

Is this product a practical replacement for the traditional mouse? i.e. navigate Windows OS, websites/browsers, games, etc.

Accepted Answer

This mouse is not intended to be a replacement for a tradition mouse, but rather to act as a supplement to enhance 3D navigation in design software and other 3D heavy professional applications. You cannot use it to manipulate your cursor in the windows environment. As far as games are concerned, it works great for many flight sims, but it is not supported by most games. Personally, I use my 3DConnexion in my left hand and a traditional mouse in my right hand when I am working in modeling softwares like Rhino, SketchUp, Revit, and 3DS Max as well as graphics programs like Photoshop and Illustrator. It streamlines my workflow by allowing me to pan/zoom/tilt/roll simultaneously without the need to take my hand off my primary mouse.

Question 3

WIll this work with a Mac?

Accepted Answer

It does work with a Mac. You can navigate around a scene, but you can not use it to record camera moves for a "fly through" in any 3D software. I did do what I thought to be a fairly extensive search and turned up a script that someone had done for C4D, but was crazy. The short of it... C4D, Lightwave, ElectricImage, DAZ... no camera path options. Possibly in Maya. but I do not know. So, strictly for navigation.

Question 4

Has anyone used this to successfully navigate around SimCity (2013)?

Accepted Answer

I have not.  I only use it for Sketchup.

Questions & Answers