3D Space Mouse

A secondary navigator mouse with a joystick and knob, to make my Rhino and Photoshop workflow a little easy.

3D Space Mouse, the final outcome

Project type

Personal project. I always wanted a 3D space mouse so I decided to make one

Sketch of the mouse beside a hand
Sketch of the knob rotating

Functions

Two controls, two apps

  • JoystickLeft, right, up and down panning in both Rhino and Photoshop
  • Knob3D rotation in Rhino and brush size in Photoshop
  • SwitchA tiny ergonomically placed slide switch toggles between CAD and photoshop
In use next to a laptop running Rhino
Hand on the mouse, cable plugged in
Turning the knob
Tin containers
Arduino MKR Zero
2-axis joystick
Rotary encoder

Process

Built around a tin

I bought a tin container, Arduino MKR Zero, a rotary encoder, and a 2-axis joystick. The internals were 3D SLA printed, fitted into the tin and wired up.