Rotatrix Wired — Self-Install Kit (Intl Preorder)

Use it with Semiens Solid Edge. Not officially supported so I needed an input translation layer. Once that was mostly functional I'd say this mouse lives up to the hype. It is indeed very intuitive. Only complaint I'd had for the default configuration is the zoom/scroll effect being a bit more difficult to use precisely as a wheel but I'm sure with time this can be learned.

I bought this because it's supposed to solve the rotate/pan/zoom funkiness in Fusion, and it's awesome! The software is surprisingly polished and easy to program. Using the trackball in Fusion is completely natural, it's about a 3 second "get used to it" period. You can also program scroll for all your other apps, particularly long spreadsheets, etc, I can use a mod key like option, or I can use a twist motion on the trackball itself. Seriously well thought out software and intuitive use everywhere. I love it.

It was a bit of a pain to put together, but I got it working in the end.

The kit is a bit pricey, and you need to be comfortable with physically damaging a high-end trackball. If you're not careful, you could also damage the electronics. So if you're not confident doing that sort of thing, I'd give this DIY kit a miss.

I do wish it worked better with Alibre Design, as that's what I use. Hopefully that'll be addressed in the future.

The one question I keep coming back to is: why isn't it open source? I'm sure a community of capable people would be happy to help develop it.

3.5/5

I can definitely see the potential. For me, it'd be a 5/5 if it were a bit cheaper, open source, supported more CAD packages, and was easier to get up and running.

Then again, it's still a fairly new project, so we'll see how it develops. I like the idea, and that's why I bought it.

I bought my first 3d navigation aid over 20 years ago. it was called a 3D Connexion Space Pilot and consisted of a base with buttons and a large ball above it. I had assumed that I would rotate the ball and the object on screen would rotate by the same amount but the ball was simply a knob on top of a joystick. I felt deceived, the company had tricked me with ‘window dressing’!
I knew what I had expected was technically possible, I had seen a demonstration of a virtual sculpting device with haptic feedback, but no company developed this idea for the CAD market and it seems that 3D Connexion have had a virtual monopoly on 3d mice.
That is until the launch of Rotatrix.
This device (and I don’t use these words lightly) is an absolute Game Changer. I love moaning about things, but i fail to see how I can criticise this product. it works perfectly every time, and I have not encountered any bugs in the software. The only gripe I can make is: Why the hell has the CAD community had to suffer for so long without it?
I bought the ‘hybrid’ version kit. Assembly video and printed instructions are straightforward for anyone with some soldering experience. However, if you do not need to use your trackball as a 2D wireless mouse I would recommend the wired version, it looks like a more elegant solution.
Sparse information on how to bind keys in the software, but I easily sorted it out on Discord and I am sure that pretty soon some helpful person will make a YouTube video.

...anyone want to buy my old Space Mice??? I don’t see me ever using them again!!!

Self-assemble kit is solid. Instructions were easy to follow. As a noob to soldering the only part I had a bit of an issue with was tining and soldering the microchip without getting to hot but there was a note in instructions to be careful and all went well.

Haven't had as much time to use it as I would like but initial software setup and function on Ubuntu and OSX was smooth.

I use my Rotatrix every day at work, its the next best thing to being able to reach out and grab parts to move them in 3D space. The ability to change between modes quickly and easily makes navigating my CAM environment a breeze, and the intuitive control means I don't end up working at weird angles because the mouse didn't do what I intended.

I bought the kit and found it very simple to install and get working (I have a background in electronics), the instructions were some of the most well written I've seen, and the materials provided were great.

The Rotatrix has definitely sped up my workflow!

Rotatrix is instantly intuitive and makes 3D navigation feel natural, buttery smooth and fun. I use Rotatrix with Rhino and Blender and it has been a transformative experience. Models on screen often feel like they are in my hand when I am navigating a scene with Rotatrix.

The wired kit installation is very straightforward and only takes a few minutes thanks to excellent video instructions. Using the Rotatrix app also is a delight making connecting to Rhino and Blender a seamless experience.

David is very accessible and super-responsive with feedback. He is quick to address bugs or usability issues with software and firmware updates.

A lot of thought, work and care has gone into making Rotatrix a very polished and high-quality product. I would highly recommend this to anyone considering it for CAD and 3D modeling.

Not to hard to put together and I recieved help on discord very quickly for the issues I did encounter. Very intuitive 3D controller and the software is highly customizable. 5 stars for me!!!

The rotatrix has been a great addition to my workflow. I came from a spacemouse and love using this way more. The kit was super easy to assemble. I just wish it worked with Revit as well!

Wonderful! This almost completely erased the Human-Machine Interface struggle, navigating through your designs just became as easy as breathing.
I really feel like I'm getting some more time to focus on the essential of 3D designing, instead of spending time fighting against the camera.
Having a 1:1 movement ratio is the real plus of Rotatrix compared to other products that uses linear acceleration.

Would 100% recommend!

It wasn't working for me. The batterie was discarged very quick, when connect to USB, it wasn't working well when switchet to USB. Altogether, good idea but not for everybody. Then reverse the installation, broke the switch. On the end, my 1 year old trackball plus your stuff landed in the bin.

Great customisation. Really well documented installation and multiple options to customize with applications. Currently I'm using with FreeCAD.

Soldered a kit together for a friend and took it for a test drive. Liked it enough to order my own. I use it with Fusion 360. Have used a space mouse for years, like the idea of not needing to switch from the gimble to the keyboard with my left hand with this system. Going to take some getting used to but I think it will be worth it.

I use the Rotatrix mainly with FreeCAD, Greate device for all 2D and 3D work!

I’ve used it for cad design and my workflow has been forever changed!!

The idea is very good but still a little bit frustrating. Wired kit take away wireless connectivity but get rid of the coolest Kengsington effect which is the click sound when rotating. On the software side the soft use the same port as the 3DMouse so it became impossible to use both device at the same time.

It definitely is a great tool and I could see it being used by many people.
Unfortunately, it is not for me. There is nothing that I hate, it's really that it isn't for me. But I do see how good it is. I recommend it for everyone that is looking for something like that.

The Rotatrix works very well! Great integration with Fusion360.
Took only a few minutes to install and a few moments to get working.

I use my Rotatrix with OnShap and FreeCAD. It has improved my workflow in both. I find myself using it more and more as my daily pointer input as well. It’s built on a solid foundation and the mod itself is a super clever! I use my hybrid with the wireless adapter on my laptop and wired on my desktop.

The kit was easy to fit into the trackball although it did take me a minute to determine which was the correct way up to insert the ribbon cable.

It's nice to finally be able to use a single device with CAD rather than having to swap between two devices, standard trackball and spacemouse, to work on designs.

I use it with OnShape for all of my CAD work. This is the most intuitive and easy to use/comprehend 3D mouse I have ever used. They learning curve is an hour or so at most to build what little "process memory" is needed. Ive used many of the leading brands "3d mouse" such as Space Mouse and they are so much harder and cumbersome to use. The Rotatrix is the closest I have felt to actually having the part in my hand and manipulating it in real time. Needless to say, I HIGHLY recommend giving this tool a try, I guarantee you will not be disappointed! I will never use another mouse for all of my CAD needs ever again.

It feels awesome. It's so intuitive -- like rotating an object in your hand. It's made navigating complex 3D models trivial. Switching from mouse mode to Rotatrix mode is easy and quick to get used to.

Post purchase support is also fantastic. I ran into an issue with OnShape integration, but I had no issues getting in contact with David, who let me know an update was about to come out that would fix my problem.

I've used a Spacemouse before, and never really figured it out. Rotatrix has quickly become an essential part of my workflow.

This is revolutionary!!! I have struggled for years to convince my colleagues and employees of the value of the 3dconnexion space mice. I powered through the learning curve and they are quite natural to me now. But everyone struggled with the velocity based controls on 6 degrees of freedom at the same time. And most gave up before they could reap the benefits.
But Rotatrix is the complete opposite of that! It is more intuitive and EASIER to learn, than controlling 3D objects on a 2D screen with a 2D mouse and several buttons and keys, which are always different in each and every CAD program!
I am using it with onshape which is also pretty new to me, as I lost access to the commercial fusion licence. I quickly and intuitively changed the configuration to my personal preference and after minutes, I used the device as if I was working with it forever.

I never found my way to trackballs and find normal mice much more intuitive. But for this application you have found the perfect use case for this obscure input device!
I really hope you don't fall between the cracks with this. I think you made an awesome product in every aspect! Using off the shelf hardware and making it open for 3rd party developers is a very smart move, I think. The market is rather small and developing new hardware would be a huge risk.
I am not impressed by celebreties, but I would hassle you for your autograph if I ever met you! David, you are a wizard and I tip my engineer's hat to you!

I do like it but still getting used to it. Scrolling could be more responsive