Using a 6DOF Controller With VRSG

VRSG functions map to the buttons located on 6DOF controllers. VRSG supports not only the newest 6DOF controllers from 3dconnexion, but also the discontinued 3dconnection SpaceBall 5000 and Spacetec SpaceBall.

Using the SpaceExplorer and SpacePilot

3Dconnexion's SpaceExplorer and SpacePilot controllers use a knob called a "controller cap" which provides the 3D navigation by flexing in all directions. When you use the device with VRSG, moving the cap left or right pans in those directions, pulling and pushing pans up and down, moving toward or away from you zooms in and out, and rotating or tilting the cap spins about its various axes. With six degrees of freedom, you can flex the cap in all directions.

Each device has multiple buttons that map to six functions in VRSG. You can become familiar with the VRSG function and controller interaction by clicking the buttons on the SpaceExplorer and SpacePilot images below.

Click buttons 1 through 6 in the image to display information about its function.

Using the SpaceOrb and SpaceBall

The discontinued Spacetec IMC SpaceOrb 360 and 3Dconnexion SpaceBall controllers are still supported by VRSG. These devices are based on the PowerSensor ball hardware that was in use for several years. Both devices provide high quality virtual-world maneuvering. The SpaceOrb 360 and SpaceBall capabilities integrate directly with MetaVR's VRSG 3D visualization application.

The devices' advanced capabilities emanate from the PowerSensor ball, which picks up all the pushes, pulls and twists that you apply, and translates these into smooth movement on-screen. Think of the PowerSensor as your head and mimic with your head what you want to do on-screen. Push with your thumb on the back of the ball to move forward. To move backward, pull on the front of the ball, and you'll go back. To view the length of an entity push the ball side-to-side across the unit.

You can change speeds simply by changing how much force is applied to the ball. To move forward slowly, lightly push the ball forward. To move faster, increase the pressure until you reach top speed. The SpaceOrb 360 is a 10-bit device that provides fine precision on all axes of movement. From within VRSG, you can tailor the sensitivity of the SpaceOrb or SpaceBall exactly to your virtual world viewing needs.

You can become familiar with the VRSG and SpaceOrb interaction by clicking the buttons on the SpaceOrb 360 image below. Buttons A and B on the right side of the SpaceOrb 360 are accessible by the index finger. Buttons C, D, E and F are arranged in a square pattern, which you can easily access with your thumb.

Click the buttons on the SpaceOrb and SpaceBall images below to see the corresponding VRSG function.

Click a button in the image to display information about its function.

Troubleshooting note: If VRSG detects the SpaceOrb, and the device's buttons function properly but the PowerSensor ball does not function, the device might not be drawing enough power from the serial port to power the PowerSensor. This situation might occur if you use the SpaceOrb with a notebook computer or another small form-factor system that uses a low-voltage processor. You can test this situation by trying the SpaceOrb on another system running VRSG. To resolve the problem, you can obtain an external power supply for the SpaceOrb with a serial port adapter or a serial-to-USB adapter that has an internal power supply.