Nice. Are you going to give a 3d mouse a try? I didn’t mention it before, but I like mine so much that if it broke and they wouldn’t buy me another one I’d buy it out of my own pocket.
That might be something I get myself if I find it handy. I’m still doing some of my solidworks training and I feel it’d be better to get a feel for doing it with just an old fashioned mouse and keyboard and move into some tech like that when i’m more comfortable with the career and program
If you are going to be doing CAD as a significant part of your work day, I’m with Glenn, get one sooner than later. It makes everything smoother, easier, and faster.
It’s of course up to you, but I’m with mattpeneguy. I can understand not wanting to have to learn too much all at once, but don’t wait so long that you develop habits you’ll have trouble breaking later.
I wanted a track ball a couple years ago; for the same reasons others here have stated. So I wanted a track ball mouse with as many buttons as possible, and a reasonable price. I didn’t know if I wanted thumb or finger so that wasn’t factored in. I settled on a Elecom Huge. I like it, I think, although I haven’t used many other trackballs either. I don’t like the driver, if I knew more about low level UBS HID Class stuff I’d be tempted to try my own, but I just don’t have time for that. I have buttons for: Enter, Delete, Tab, arrow up, arrow down and of course right, left, scroll and middle button functions.
My first CAD job ci. 2005 would provide designers with SpaceBall 5000 and I was in love. Most of the guys didn’t bother setting up more than one or two buttons, I use 10 regularly. I came back a few years ago and all they have are the little pucks with two buttons. So I’m using a SB5000 USB that I purchased myself during the interim years, have to use the old driver though as 3D Connexon doesn’t support old hardware. Maybe someday I’ll push for a new one with buttons.
I find the buttons are important, even more so as so many GUI are changing to “tablet style” where they forget to program tab stops and enter button on pages/forms where typing is required. So it’s back and forth and I don’t like that, either hands on mouse and Spaceball or on keyboard ,not back and forth. If I’m typing I navigate the form from the keyboard as much as possible. I always think back to the guy who taught me Mechanical Desktop during internship and following part time work, he could draw up whole parts and almost never take his hands off the keyboard. He’d been doing it so long that he knew all the hotkeys and shortcuts and made a few macros on top so nobody could hold a candle to the speed he could draw things up in AutoCAD.
I use a Logitech M720 since a few years ago I was working on two computers simultaneously and it allowed me to navigate both as if they were a single computer with dual monitors. It also works well on a variety of surface types.
However, more importantly I think, is that I’ve got the three thumb buttons remapped to the ‘S’ key, spacebar, and ctrl keys. Unfortunately Solidworks won’t let you directly map to the thumb buttons, so you need to do it though either the Logitech software, or a third party software like x-mouse. Additionally, mapping the functions through a third party software will treat clicking that button like the assigned key press. For that reason, I made an additional keyboard shortcut in Solidworks that was s+ctrl+alt+shift to assign the keyboard shortcut to so that pressing the button on the mouse won’t be treated like pressing ‘s’ when going through the file browse menus. Between the thumb button mapping and using gestures for the green check, red x, and esc, I rarely need to have my left hand on the keyboard.
Only 12?
How about 15?
Frederick_Law,
I’ll raise your 15 to at least 24 (not even counting the bottom view), by using the “G-Shift” ring finger button, I can assign all those top buttons new assignments if I wanted (I don’t bother).
If anyone knows of a trackball with more than the default buttons, I would love to hear about it. I’ve been a trackball guy for 2 decades.
I found 12 key pad difficult to press.
You must have a small thumb 
SPerman The only one I could find is Elecom HUGE. It has 8 buttons so that is nice, but the drivers stink IMO. Default to Japanese text sometimes which once you learn the buttons it can be fixed. Also tends to use a bit of processor according to task manager, later versions of driver were bad, like 12% all the time, after some web searching I read that older drivers not as bad so I’m running the first driver version that supports the device. Work bought one for me to try, I recently bought the wired version for home use. I just started track ball and very much like not moving it all around.
I would give the hardware a 8 or 9 /10. The driver I would say 3ish/10.
I’m with you in the search. I use an Elecom EX-G Pro with Mouse Assistant 5 mapping software. The ability to set an active-window dependent profile for SW and Fusion360 is addictive. BTW, if anyone has alternative software to recommend I’d love to hear of it, such as a Windows version of Steermouse.
Unfortunately I’ve found the Elecom ball to be fairly high-friction as compared with my Logitech M570. Can’t traverse my screens with a flick of the thumb.
Does anyone have experience with Ploopy (https://www.ploopy.co/)? They have an 8 button mouse, but all their trackballs (including a thumball still in development) only have 5.
I really like the 3Dconnexion CADMouse and the Space Mouse Pro. I use both at the same time
I wonder how hard it would be to take a mouse and turn it into a trackball. I might have to buy one of those fancy ones and give it a try.
Mine were that way for a while, it took a week or so to “wear in” and now it’s like glass. Can send it across the 43" with a flick. I think it might be due to non-rolling element bearing need to polish a little?
Logitech MX Ergo Thumb-Trackball. 5 programmable buttons (3 at thumb; 2 for left-right at scroll-wheel). Its been my main mouse for a couple of years now, a big step up in comfort from the Logitech MX. Only problem is when the balls get old they get “sticky.” Even after cleaning the ball, it can be hard to make small adjustments, especially annoying when dimensioning drawings. This is especially an issue in humid weather, so I’ve been through about 8 new track-balls over the years.
I also have a SpaceMouse Enterprise, which is of great help. I’ve only had it about 3 years however, so I’ve spent enough time using Solidworks without it so I am not helpless when I work from other locations. It is especially useful when I’m in production mode - punching out part details for a design that’s already in place; I find it very helpful when zooming around drawings especially.
And, to complete the package I have a 3dConnexion CADMouse connected as well, resting on a nice mousepad with wrist support. This helps (a) when I really have some detail work to do, and (b) when I want to just switch for awhile when my hand hurts.
I do have Logitech M720 aswell. It’s awesome. But the next mouse will most likely be MX Master 3.
Anyway… the thing I wanted to say is that with with Logitech Options software you can create mouse profiles for specific applications. I have ‘S’, Esc and Ctrl+LMB assigned to my Solidworks. And the best thing is that Options works well. I haven’t had much of a problems with Options not keeping up to my active application window. So everywhere else 1 and 2 buttons work by default as Forward and Back.
And Logitech Flow is so great. I wish I had keyboard which supports it but don’t… And even without Flow with button 3 you can quickly change channel for different Unifying receiver.
I don’t use mouse gestures via Options. In Solidworks I hav mapped about 11 and in Draftsight umm… 6 if I recall right 
3D compact space mouse - I love it. It made Assemblies and Parts FLY! But useless everywhere else.
Well for a mouse, I specify the Logitech G502 corded mouse for all workstations, just wish they made a left hand version too. Likewise as an additional input enhancement, the 3DConnexion Space Mouse Pro and Enterprise units. Have approximately 140 of the mice on desks and machining centers and 90+ of the 3DConnexion controllers. The users can configure the mouse and controllers to however best suits their habits and the ROI is substantial. Great for customizing in CAD, CAM and many other programs/apps as well. Not to mention both pieces of hardware are extremely reliable and robust.
No cordless units at all, as that takes additional support hardware (batteries 'n such) plus affords another potential source for being hacked should the input hardware be wireless. Response time, reliability and no worries of interference with other devices either.
Demo’d a couple of the 3DConnexion CAD mice for a while here and my end users couldn’t get rid of them quick enough. The opinion here, mine included, is that 3DConnexion has a long way to go to get away from an '80’s shaped and feeling mouse.
“When you don’t know what you’re doing, its best to do it quickly.” ~Jace Robertson~
I like my Logitech M570, find it really comfortable, travel across three screens with the flick of a thumb. Yes, it would be nice if it had more buttons.
I liked the idea of the LOGITECH MX ERGO, I think that was supposed to have more durable switches than the M570, but then they put in a lithium ion battery for planned obsolescence!
I second the Mx Master. it’s treated me well and lasts forever before needing a recharge.