But you only have so many hours in the day. Working more is one (less than ideal) option. Working faster is another, but leads to mistakes.

However, there’s another way. One tool is proven to help mechanical engineers design better, faster and more accurately—while improving performance.

What is a 3D Mouse?

A 3D mouse is used by your non-dominant hand in tandem with a standard mouse for a balanced, cooperative design workflow.

You move the 3D mouse’s controller cap to simultaneously pan, zoom and rotate 3D content. Your standard mouse is freed from model navigation to click and select items or parts of a model.

This isn’t a novel way to work or a luxury. This two-handed work style fundamentally improves the way you work in 3D. Users report average productivity gains of over 20%—and engineers at top companies like Boeing, BMW, Airbus, Honda and Ford work with 3D mice daily to take advantage of their proven benefits.

Mechanical Engineering and 3D Mice: A Perfect Pair

Anyone who works in 3D applications can benefit from using a 3D mouse. But 3D mice have some specific benefits for mechanical engineers, including:

1. Superior 3D navigation.

With a 3D mouse, tilt, pan, zoom and rotate parts and assemblies intuitively using the device’s controller cap. It’s like holding the model in your hand. The result is a deeper connection to your 3D content—which fuels creativity and improves accuracy.

2. More productive design sessions.

CAD users who design with 3D mice report average productivity gains of 21%. Without a 3D mouse, users have to manipulate their 3D content with the standard mouse and keyboard. While doing this, they can’t use the standard mouse to select parts of the model or menu items.

On the other hand (no pun intended), 3D mouse users can simultaneously position their 3D content with the 3D mouse while using the standard mouse to select, create and edit. Add in the fact that 3D mouse users move and click the standard mouse a lot less and it’s easy to see that it’s not only a faster way to work, it’s also more comfortable, reducing the risk of repetitive strain injuries.

Are you an engineer who wants to boost your productivity? Learn more about 3D mice below.

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Written by: 3DConnexion