Spaceballs - 3D Input Devices

Not to be confused with the movie, spaceballs are an essential CAD designer's tool. I've been using one for 8 years and you'll have to pry it from my cold, dead hands. Note to contractors - this will increase your productivity, so if you're on an hourly rate you might want to avoid this device.

The spaceball takes a little getting used to, but once mastered you can amaze your colleagues with your newly aquired abilities... if you have one of these you know what I'm talking about.

The ergonomic Spaceball 4000 [and the new USB 2.0 5000 model] has the ability to swap the palm rest from a left handed user to a right handed user. With 12 programmable buttons you can program macros to complete operations at the touch of a button. The 3Dconnexions website has a payback calculator which you can use to convince your manager that this device pays for itself. Alternatively, you could buy your own spaceball - there's usually a bunch for sale on ebay at a fraction of the cost of a new one.

There are several other devices which perform simlar functions. 3Dconnexion has a couple of alternatives on their website such as the Spacepilot and the Spacemouse.