Dec 26, 2018 - The best mouse for 2019: 6 top computer mice for designers. Logitech MX Master. The best mouse for designers. Apple Magic Mouse 2. The best mouse for Apple devices. Anker Vertical Ergonomic Optical Mouse. Anker Vertical Ergonomic Optical Mouse. The best ergonomic mouse for creatives. Logitech MX Ergo Wireless. A graphic designer should be able to maintain the correct hand posture to enable him or her use the mouse for long hours. When choosing the best ergonomic mouse for graphic designers in 2017 and beyond, you must consider the way the cursor moves on the screen.
Recently I asked many CAD software users regarding their opinion of the best mouse for CAD software and which one they themselves use or prefer to use and I got some really thoughtful responses. Although I am not an expert when it comes to technical aspects of a mouse but on the basis of specifications, reviews, responses from CAD users and my own opinion I am listing ten best mouse for CAD software users. Overview I have noticed that large mouse which fits properly in your hand is comfortable to work with. Dedicated keys for Pan, Zoom, and other functions is an added advantage but too many dedicated keys generally become an overkill unless you really like a programmable mouse with lots of dedicated keys. Resolution or sensitivity is another parameter on which quality of a mouse can be judged but so far all mice offer an acceptable value of resolution or DPI and I believe that this parameter can be ignored when considering a good mouse.
Lets now have a look at some mice which are used by many CAD professionals and which came as a good recommendation from them. Logitech MX Master 2S This Logitech mouse is new in the MX master series of mouse offering a high precision of 4000 DPI and according to Logitech, it works even on smooth surfaces like glass. The ergonomic design is quite comfortable on hands and its seven dedicated buttons including the button for fast scrolling and horizontal scrolling add to the comfort.
This mouse comes with a rechargeable inbuilt battery that lasts quite long on a single charge and it can be charged again by using the micro USB cable. The most remarkable feature of this mouse is its three computer support, so basically you can connect this mouse with up to three computers using Bluetooth or USB receiver and share information (like copy paste) between the connected devices.
TeckNet M002 Nano Wireless Mouse This mouse can be called as a close competitor of 3D connexion CAD mouse. This manufacturer promises a smooth navigation from this mouse even on smooth and reflective surfaces like glass and polished metal or wood. The mouse has an ergonomic design for easy and comfortable grip and it comes with dedicated zoom keys near the thumb. It can also be used wirelessly with the Nano receiver directly on your workstation without any software installation. The mouse is also very inexpensive and its price is similar to the price of a simple 3 button wireless mouse.
Razer DeathAdder Chroma This one is another impressive special purpose mouse which is marketed as gaming mouse by the manufacturers. This mouse features a very ergonomic design and rubber side grips. This mouse also boasts a resolution of 10000 DPI which is the highest resolution among the mouse compared here. The mouse also has five programmable keys which are again good for enhancing your productivity manifolds. This mouse is also one of the favorites of, CAD manager at Norton healthcare and a regular AUGI contributor.
This is what Melinda says about the mouse “I am currently looking to get a Razer. Several CAD users I know are using the Razer DeathAdder and they absolutely love it. That’s why I’m leaning towards getting it.”. Kensington Expert Wireless Trackball Mouse This mouse is also similar to the Logitech M70 wireless trackball but in this case, you have less wrist comfort when compared with the Logitech thumb trackball mouse. This mouse also promises great precision tracking due to the large size of its trackball. One of the biggest advantages that this mouse has is its ambidextrous design which can be used by both left handed and right handed person.
The mouse can be connected to your workstation with a standard USB Nano receiver or with Bluetooth. Standard 3 button mouse Although we now have many options to choose from when it comes to CAD mouse still I see many CAD users using the old school 3 button mouse. Most of the CAD veterans whom I asked about their preferred choice of CAD mouse said they are happy with a simple 3 button optical mouse mostly Logitech., BIM Manager at Alberici Constructors and Lynda.com Revit course author said he has a preference for the large and quiet mouse but he is not specially aligned towards any specific brand or product model., CAD Services Manager at Haley and Aldrich and also a regular AUGI world magazine contributor prefers a standard 3 button wireless Logitech mouse, he also prefers to keep a backup mouse always with him whenever he is traveling. Owner of CAD Trainer Guy, LLC and Senior Application Engineer and owner of CAD-notes.com both have a preference for a simple and comfortable 3 button mouse with scroll wheel, preferably Logitech. 3D connexion space pilot pro This is a secondary mouse which should be used along with any standard mouse.
This device is best suitable for 3D cad users who need to navigate in 3D space frequently. The device offers six degrees of freedom which is great for navigating in 3D space and for positioning cameras. It also comes with wrist rest pad which can be comforting for most CAD users.
The pre-configured quick view keys offer additional advantage which can facilitate quick view changes. This device also comes with programmable keys that can be customized according to your need. The 3D connexion Space pilot pro is not a replacement for a standard mouse, it is designed for navigating in 3D space and it is best used in conjunction with a standard mouse. This device was suggested by, Adjunct Professor at LA Trade Tech College. He loves to work with a multi-button mouse and this mouse offers exactly that, dedicated and programmable keys for an easy workflow. 3D connexion space navigator Once again a secondary mouse which is suitable for 3D modeling users who want intuitive 3D navigation with better and precise camera control. Just like space pilot pro this device also offers navigation in six degrees of freedom with fewer features compared to Space Pilot Pro and should be used along with a primary mouse.
This device can be best used with CAD mouse, the task of precise navigation can be controlled with this space navigator whereas other tasks can be done with CAD mouse or standard 3 button mouse. This device was suggested by from CADsetterout.com. He prefers this mouse with Autodesk Inventor although, for AutoCAD he prefers a simple 3 button optical mouse but, for specialized needs related to fluidic navigation in 3D space he prefers space navigator. This is what Paul says about the device “For Autodesk Inventor work I supplement with a Connexion 3D space navigator mouse. It’s ideal for manipulating a 3D CAD model on screen. It saves hours spent fiddling with the view controls and makes 3D modeling a far more intuitive experience.”. I am a mechanical engineer and I have worked with Design, Manufacturing and Training industries but now SourceCAD is my full-time work and I use it to train students all over the world.
I also train corporate clients and help them develop the skill set of their workforce. I am Autodesk AutoCAD Certified Professional and an Autodesk expert elite member. I am a regular contributor of AUGI World magazine and apart from SourceCAD I also develop AutoCAD video courses for Pluralsight and other E-Learning businesses. I started CAD in 1997.
I quickly moved to the Logitech Marble FX (absolutely the best input device ever created), but Logitech canned it. Finally, I moved to, from left to right, a Belkin N52, the Logitech diNovo Media Desktop Laser keyboard, the MX-1000 mouse, and then the separated number pad was far right.
Best setup ever Almost loved the MX-1000 as much as the Marble FX Today, I have (from left to right) a Razer Tartarus V2, a simple Logitech K740, and Elecom HUGE trackball. You did make a mistake by leaving the HUGE off the list. The USB is a solid piece. Very ergonomic. Nice button layout. The problem that takes it from a 5-star to a 3-star is the fact that the MouseAssistant software that comes with it doesn’t allow buttons 6-7-8 to work with AutoCAD. I suspect it’s a Direct X issue since while researching I ran across some reports of those buttons also not working in some games.
Good morning Sir. One way too much productive and free (i.e. No need to purchase any additional mouse) method (for maybe hobbysts, & not for so high level professionals requiring 6 degrees of freedom) is missed by everyone above. I am using a standard wireless 3 button mouse (with nano unifying receiver) named Logitech M235 for 3D designing in AutoCAD.
But the thing is that I use it along with a 3rd party software called “X-Mouse Button Control” ( ) which allows me to map certain mouse actions to some other action and not mouse buttons (i.e. On top of windows, and not for specific mouse) and have different profiles for different apps (which means that it can be a life savor literally). I have imitated this function “dedicated middle mouse button which is an alternative to pressing mouse wheel” from 3D connexion CAD mouse, since I agree that it’s difficult to press “scroll wheel” (let alone scrolling it simultaneously). So, What I have done is that I have mapped the “right button” to “middle click” (and on pressing a hotkey, it works as default “right click”) only when in AutoCAD workspace, means that it will work as default anywhere else.
What more, by doing this, I can pan using my touchpad even in emergency times (i.e. In case I don’t have a mouse). I’m with Donovan on this one; I have been a CAD operator / small business owner for the last 16 years and have progressed through many mice and keyboards. Logitech Performance MX was one of my favorites then the G602 and for the last 6 years it’s been the G700s along with a G910 keyboard and Set of G933 Headphones w/ mic. Running Logitech Gaming Software. I have also tried some razer products but could never find enough of all of the same brand of equipment such as Logitech. The Razer Nostrama was very nice for a while but was just too much to deal with when having to type small notes for my drawings so that’s why I got the G910 keyboards.
That’s my 2 cents. I have been using Razer Death Adders for years now. They are comfortable, and track well. I love the on the fly sensitivity adjustment and well as the extra 2 buttons on the thumb side. I set up the back extra button for delete, and the front is for sensitivity adjustment.but you can map any key or function to them. Having the delete key on my mouse, as well as setting up right click as enter with time sensitive right click (in AutoCAD options/user preferences/right click customization) has greatly increased my productivity. The only negative is I find the Razer mouse buttons seem to wear out faster than they should (my current Death Adder 2013 is starting to exhibit right mouse click issues).
I pair the Death Adder with a Razer Sphex mouse pad. Its paper thin, and self adheres to the desktop. You calibrate the pad to the mouse in the Razer software and it tracks flawlessly, and with the super slick feet on the mouse there is no drag at all.
Overall I love the Razer mice, but I wish they made the buttons a little more robust. 3Dconnexion SpaceMouse Pro (or SpaceNavigator) on the left, Logitech G600 MMO Gaming Mouse (20 programmable buttons, x2 if you use the G-shift button) on the right. Get rid of your keyboard with the integrated 10-key, it forces your typing position to be a few inches off-center. 3D Mice are actually useful in 2D operations, when properly supported. Adobe Acrobat/Reader & Photoshop, Dassault Draftsight, Altium Designer, among others, natively support it in 2D, and it relieves you of a lot of wheel scrolling and repetitive keyboard stresses. The Logitech Gaming Software is surprisingly capable, in terms of macro management.
Sure, 20 or more buttons are a lot to remember, so I keep a few lookup tables available in case I get lost. I also use the G600 from Logitech. When I discovered this a few years back, it was a game-changer.
I love it, and wish that I discovered it years ago. The Logitech gaming software allows you to create a separate profile for every software application.
It now has 3 ‘modes’ per profile, which allows a total of about 58 programmable buttons, then add the ‘G-shift’ key and you essentially double that number. That can be a lot to keep track of, but you have total freedom to program it in any way you want. I use a separate profile for all of my programs, like Bluebeam, AutoCAD, Revit, Navisworks, Excel, and windows explorer/web browsers for general navigation, etc. One drawback with the Logitech mouse, and perhaps other programmable mice, is that you can’t use it with a VDI (virtual desktop infrastructure) because the host computer doesn’t recognize the functionality when you plug it in.
This is my experience with a 10zig thin client. Anybody have any success with using a programmable mouse on a VDI setup? The Razer Naga is another programmable mouse, marketed for MMO games, but works with other software. “but too many dedicated keys generally becomes an overkill unless you really like a programmable mouse with lots of dedicated keys.” Perhaps I’m one of them who love many programmable keys. I’m using Autocad everyday and my favorite mouse is Logitech G502.
This mouse moves smoothly, accurately, and most important, its 11 progarmmable buttons often help me avoid searching keys in keyboard. With its built-in scripting system I now has registered over 20 cad commands frequently used on my G502, which are accessible via one-click or two keys combo. Not to mention some re-position of keys improves the operating experience a lot, i.e. Set the pan function to the thumb button (or “DPI-Shift” key by Logitech) feels much better than pressing on the wheel.
I’m not saying that the more buttons, the better. I’ve tried some models with more buttons like G600 from the same manufacturer, which has 20 buttons but they are two crowed and too easy to mis-touch.
Competences from other brands hardly have a similar scripting system which can vastly broaden button functions. In all, with this mouse (and assistance from other softwares, like AutoHotkey, etc) I now operate much faster and more comfortable in Autocad, and I’m rather satisfied. Just a clarification here. The 3D connection devices are not a replacement for the mouse. They are a tool for your left hand when using 3D software. Basically it runs your view (rotates / manipulates the 3d object), while you are free to work with your cad tools as usual with the mouse.
I can tell you that as a Solidworks user, I can’t imagine not using a 3d mouse device for view control. Think of it like peeling an apple, where your mouse is the peeler (using a CAD tool), and the 3D control is like your left hand manipulating the apple. It is an absolutely incredible time saver. Now think about peeling an apple without your left hand. Grab peeler, peel, drop peeler, rotate apple, grab peeler, peel repeat That’s life without the 3d mouse. I recently got myself a Red Dragon (cant remember the exact model name) 5 button gaming mouse and I love it.
The feel of the mouse is what I love most of it, but the speed and sensitivity is something to get use to. Only the thumb buttons are programmable but I have not yet assigned any commands to them for I use my keyboard shortcuts. I have been working with a standard 3 buttom Microsoft optical wired mouse (always wired because getting stuck without batteries in the middle af a deadline is a pain) for almost 10years befor I got the new one and I have to say there is nothing wrong with the old fashion 3 button, infact I have seen some people draw some amazing stuff using the 3 button grandpa mouse.
A mouse is an awesome investment but like my granddad told me, “it is not the tools but the user that makes an expert”.
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