SpaceNavigator

What is it?

The 3DConnexion SpaceNavigator is a 3D navigation device or 3D Mouse with six degrees of freedom which can be used in conjunction with Second Life's flycam mode.

Setting up the SpaceNavigator for use with SL's flycam mode

The SpaceNavigator works with SL's flycam mode using the latest 3DConnexion driver. See the Flycam wiki page for detailed instructions.

See also

• SPACENAVIGATOR video tutorials by Torley - The "watermelon guru" presents a special mixed-reality demo just minutes after opening the box! Covers the basics, the 3 modes, advanced customization, and more.

SpaceNavigator is not known to work with the Second Life Linux client. See VWR-5297 and 3DConnexion forum post.

A solution for Mac (April 07)

SL forum thread (restricted access)

Six degrees of freedom (wikipedia)

Tenebrous Pau has had success using the SpaceNavigator in conjunction with a community-provided driver (which makes the SpaceNavigator appear to Windows like a Game Controller).

• The RBC9 driver, a community-provided joystick driver for SpaceNavigator (March 07). Note: The RBC9 driver is not needed to make the SpaceNavigator work with SL; just use the latest 3DConnexion driver.

• A blog post with recommended settings for the RBC9 driver

• A demonstration video

• A relevant 3dconnexion forum post

Note: Tenebrous Pau reports that as of Second Life 1.20.0 84432 (possibly earlier), the SL viewer has built in support for the SpaceNavigator, including controlling your avatar, manipulating objects in build mode, and using the flycam. This works for him on Vista 32-bit, with the latest 3DConnexion drivers (no need for RBC9). Update: It also works with Vista 64-bit. (Domchi Underwood)

Some links pertaining to this:

• Press release from 3Dconnexion - "3Dconnexion 3D Mice Coming To Second Life"

• A video by Beast Linden - Demonstrates controlling your avatar, build mode, and flycam