Product Reviews

Manipulating objects or scenes in three dimensions is always tricky on a flat screen. All 3D software will allow you to pan, rotate and zoom, but only one of these operations can be carried out at a time: this means multiple actions have to be taken to position an object correctly in space. All that might be about to change, though, thanks to SpaceNavigator's innovative control system.

SpaceNavigator is a solid metal device about the size of a golf ball, mounted on a chunky, weighted base. Gripped with the left hand - or whichever hand you don't normally use with the mouse - it senses a range of movements in three dimensions, which are translated directly into manipulating the scene in front of you.

The controller can be pushed forwards, backwards or sideways, tilted, pulled up or pressed down, and twisted. Having so many axes of movement means that several actions can be registered together, and that's the key to working effortlessly in 3D. Panning, zooming and rotation of objects can all be controlled simultaneously, without recourse to modifier keys or tool changes.

Like any new piece of hardware, SpaceNavigator takes a while to get used to. However, we found that within 10 minutes our original jerky motions had become smooth and intuitive, as we were able to effortlessly control the position and angle

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of 3D objects.

The concave sides make the controller easy to grip, while the reassuring weightiness stops the device from toppling as you manipulate it. A blue ring glows beneath your fingers, and two buttons - one on either side - may be configured to perform whatever tasks or macros you choose. These settings are made via the comprehensive control panel, which also allows you to change behaviour on a per-application basis. A Configuration wizard guides new users through the process, teaching the use of each of the degrees of motion.

SpaceNavigator works only with those applications for which drivers have been built specifically to recognise it. The list is growing: at present, it includes FormZ, Maya, the 3D Layers feature in the Extended version of Photoshop CS3, as well as Google Earth, Google SketchUp and Apple's QuickTime VR.

It's not a long list - Poser and Bryce are conspicuously absent at present - but it does show the range of applications to which SpaceNavigator can be put. In some applications, it's manipulating a single object - and in Photoshop, where the 3D controls are rudimentary at best, the device offers a smoothness of movement that greatly eases the process. In Google Earth and SketchUp, SpaceNavigator manipulates the scene itself, and the effect feels as if you're flying a helicopter over the landscape.

The decision to have the device operated by the weaker hand is a brave one, but well chosen: you can carry on working with the mouse or stylus, while intuitively changing the viewpoint with the other hand.

With its impressive build quality and elegant controls, it's surprising that SpaceNavigator is available at such a reasonable price. Whether you enjoy exploring Google Earth, or model buildings in SketchUp, or are getting to grips with the new 3D features in Photoshop, it's a no-brainer: SpaceNavigator makes a difficult task both intuitive and enjoyable.