Spatial Freedom Pty Ltd.: Astroid 6000

Spatial Freedom designs, develops, manufactures, and markets the Astroid® spatial controller (3D mouse) and Spatial User Interface (SUI™). The business is focused on the CAD market. It delivers technically superior, innovative, and aggressively priced tools that accelerate the CAD user’s productivity. Our team introduced the world’s first spatial controller in 1987, and this technology benefits over 300,000 CAD users, including JPL for interplanetary control of its Mars rovers. Recent innovations include the Astroid sensor and scroll hat, the integrated nature of the Astroid software, and new patent-pending motion algorithms incorporated into the Astroid Spatial User Interface (SUI™).

The Astroid® consists of a ball, a scroll hat, and eight buttons built into an ergonomic base. It provides natural spatial control of a SolidWorks® model — you push and twist the ball in any direction to naturally move the 3D model around on the screen.

Natural spatial control allows you to concentrate more on designing and less on positioning. Your productivity increases. Less time is spent getting the view you need. You are able to explore a 3D design more effectively.

Since its introduction in 1987, technology has been embraced by CAD users. Companies are reaping the benefits of the increased productivity and are insisting that their engineers work with spatial controllers. Now the Astroid extends these benefits further with its superior motion, better feel, and its integration with the SolidWorks® user interface.

There are two modes of interaction: object control and pan/zoom control. Object control has a "motion handle", a small graphic showing the center of rotation and zoom that can be positioned anywhere. Pan/zoom control does not rotate and is very useful when sketching a profile. It is the only mode used for 2D drawings. Intelligent motion algorithms automatically adjust the sensitivity to deliver the same pixel-space motion for a given push or twist. Such attention to detail makes the Astroid experience one you won’t want to give up.

Bottom line: only an Astroid spatial controller enables you to get the most out of your investment in SolidWorks®.