3.7.3 Navigating with the Space Navigator

In this exercise you'll learn about options for navigating NX with the space navigator. (figure "Space Navigator")

The Space Navigator offers an intuitive navigation and movement of objects within NX and has six degrees of freedom.

Note:

To use the space navigator, you'll have to load its driver before starting NX. To do so, click Start -> Programme -> CaX -> 3Dconnexion -> Driver -> Start Driver.

This symbol is now displayed in the task bar (additional icons; next to date). Double-click it. The window 3Dconnexion Control Panel pops up. You can adjust preferences using different tabs:

Gerätekonfiguration: change the Velocity and direction of zooming
Anwendungskonfiguration: reverse axes
Tastenkonfiguration: assign functions to the lateral keys
Erweiterte Einstellungen: disable specific axes, change velocity or reverse specific axes

navigation axes

Get familliar with Erweiterte Einstellungen (advanced options) to get an overview of the six axes of movement of the space navigator. (figure "navigation axes")

When you are finished with your work, stop the driver by clicking Start -> Programme -> CaX -> 3Dconnexion -> Driver -> Stop Driver before log out.

Attention:

You have to start the driver before starting NX, otherwise the space navigator won't work.
When the driver and NX are running, the space navigator is always active. Even when using another program (like Firefox), you can move your 3D-model in the background.