No I don't mean the kind that come indoors now that it's cold either as they'll get no love here... I currently have an older, simple Logitech wireless mouse (2 clickers & ribbed scroll wheel) that has a bluetooth adapter that plugs into one of my 3 USB ports on my machine. However, I am using this laptop constantly now for design/drafting purposes with AutoCAD C3D and in doing so I have noticed that I'm frequently needing to hit either "enter" or "escape" keys quite often to complete a command. Granted I know that sometimes it is just as easy to right click & select those commands in CAD to either stop or complete an action but I am very funny about my habits once I pick them up - I only smoke Marlboros once I've started drinking more than 2 beers & if I catch a whiff and if I don't get to burn one then I get to be antsy until I've bought a pack of my own. Maybe I'm crazy or maybe it is chemical desire developed. But I digress...
?ÿ
All that being said, I have noticed that nowadays it is not uncommon to have all 3 USB ports plugged up with various gadgets (thumb drive for data dump, external hard drive for random dead file pulls if I need a bit of recollection or the MiFi plugged in to charge to keep the internet) but no matter what I sometimes I have to swap items out quite frequently. Easy enough to do but the short BT adapter currently sticking out of this 15" laptop irks me as I pack the machine up each morning & evening in a bookbag when it sometimes catches. So, the plan is to buy newer/fairly cheap wireless mouse that has its own BT talk directly to the BT receiver in the laptop I'm using. However, I got to wondering if the newer, gaming mice that I see with extra buttons on the side might perform keyboard commands that you could program to them? Or if there are certain mice designs that just seem to work better for drafting? Keep in mind I want something that won't give me carpal tunnel haha. But being able to program commands to a mouse for repetition would be the cat's meow for the lazy draftsman when he's got to repeat that command a couple hundred times (copying then rotating water & sewer lateral blocks or random notes/multileaders). I'm open to any recommendations
I recommend a docking station to help with your transportation and USB port shortage.?ÿ
?ÿ
USB splitters are pretty cheap too.?ÿ $10-15
I have 2 of these, work great and portable. Amazon $12.
And a programmable mouse would help also. ?????ÿ
I have two of the Logitech MX Anywhere 2 mice and one of the older MX anywhere for my old computer with all the functions programmed the same. Don't leave home without one!
Check out mouses with the keyword "MMO". Those tend to have lots of buttons. I use a Logitech G600, 12 side buttons that you can bind macros and CAD commands to, with another button that gives those 12 buttons a different command when you hold it down. I can almost draft 1 handed
?ÿ
And get a USB splitter for your USB port issue.
Two Logitech M510. One for office and one in the laptop bag. I have "escape" programmed in one of the thumb buttons.
?ÿ
@flga-2
thanks I bought that exact USB hub but I typically keep it on the desk connected to my various drives and other necessary USB connected items. May need to buy another
Do you not find the wireless mice heavy, inertia to move??ÿ Especially those with 2xAA batteries, a real pain if you are doing a lot of cad work.?ÿ
Most of the CAD guys I work with use wired gaming mice.?ÿ I'm using Razer Deathadder Elite.
I really like my 3dconnexion Cadmouse.
my current Logitech is an older, simple design that only uses 2AAA batteries & weighs very little. Honestly wired mice drive me absolutely insane after years of struggling with them while drafting
I have the same combo.?ÿ The one thing that drives me crazy it that the scroll wheel button is mechanically different on the two.?ÿ On the Anywhere it changes the scroll from stepped to free wheel and the little middle button is the pan (in my setup) button.?ÿ Just the opposite on the desktop version.?ÿ This appears to be a physical thing and not a configurable setting.?ÿ Am I missing something?
I love my Spacemouse for 3D work.?ÿ It takes a bit to get the hang of using it with the left hand but is worth the work.
I'm also using a Razer Deathadder Elite.?ÿ My husband has a different Razer mouse for gaming and I used his for a few days when my last wireless mouse finally quit working.?ÿ I really, really like the ability to program the buttons.?ÿ I chose to get the Deathadder for my own setup because it has a lower profile and fits my hand better than many of the other programmable ones that I tried.?ÿ That eliminated the pain I was getting in my palm and wrist.?ÿ The gaming mouse also responds better and the reactions within CAD feel...smoother, I guess.?ÿ The gaming mice have a lot of customizable options, depending on which model you get.?ÿ I would definitely recommend going to a Best Buy (or whatever you have near you) that have some models out for you to try.?ÿ Their sizes and shapes tend to vary quite a bit, and finding a good fit for your hand will make so much difference.?ÿ I will caution you, though, that if you're going to be using this mouse with an Apple/Macintosh computer you're probably going to want to look for some brand of gaming mouse other than Razer.?ÿ The company has basically stopped offering up-to-date support for Mac users.?ÿ *Edit to add that the Razer I'm using is a wired mouse, but I don't find it to be cumbersome at all.?ÿ The Razer has a very long, very flexible cord.?ÿ?ÿ
I know some monitors have usb ports built in. I have my monitor plugged into my laptop and use the usb ports on the monitor. Also to comment on your move then rotate issue, there is a command MOCORO that allows you to move, copy and rotate all in the same command. Check it out.
I use a j5 create usb port hub and a Beltech N52 gaming pad. I have all of those buttons programmed with a CAD or Carlson command. And a regular wireless mouse.
?ÿ
@geoff-ashworth?ÿ oh wow that's a new one on me I'll have to look into it! The other 3 were dreadfully slow haha
@geoff-ashworth (al) for align works pretty good too and ctrl+z is my favorite 🙂 .
@lsitnj?ÿ - I typically try to use align for when something of that nature is required. But his recommendation has me curious now