SpaceBall

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This article is about the computer hardware device.

For the video game featured on LG brand mobile phones, see SpaceBall (game).

SpaceBall is a 6 degrees of freedom input device developed by 3DConnexion. The device is designed to ease navigation in 3D computer models, and is therefore primarily used by CAD and computer graphics professionals. The OpenGL Utility Toolkit has native SpaceBall support, although it is not implemented in all of the GLUT distributions.

[edit] Device connection error

Older versions of the Spaceball, ie 2003 & 3003 models, that use a Serial connection are no longer supported by the manufacturer yet they still work using previous driver revisions. Sometimes a device connection error occurs when starting the device driver application, this can be solved by following the procedure below, extracted from 3DConnection's support forum: http://www.3dconnexion.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=136

1. Verify the motion controller is connected to the machine.
2. If it is still not working, try the following steps to specify the COM port. This solution is only valid for a serial device. Changing the com will not affect a USB device.
3. Go to Start...Programs...3Dconnexion...3DxWare...(right click) on "Start Driver" go to "Properties."
4. Edit the "Target" line.
   1. Old Line: "C:\Program Files\3Dconnexion\3DxWare\3DxSrv.exe" -SearchWarnDlg
   2. New line: "C:\Program Files\3Dconnexion\3DxWare\3DxSrv.exe" -com 1
5. Apply changes and close properties window.
6. Return to "Start Driver" and select it to start the driver.

[edit] References

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