Solidworks Orbit Shortcut
Leonides Suttle
I was looking into switching to Fusion 360 for our company, and upon playing with the demo, changing the settings to be like SolidWorks, and gave it a shot. I will not purchase the software because the free orbit is unusable. It doesn't pick the CG of the part, it doesn't pick the center of the mouse, it picks some random spot in space, so my whole model is whipping off the screen when I try to rotate it. It works perfectly in SolidWorks, but is infuriating to the point where I have given up. Thought I'd share in case you care about fixing broken things.
Fusion is not supposed to be the "same" as SolidWorks; it's supposed to be different and better. There are some areas where it's better and some areas where it's not. Things like easy collaboration, integrated version control, and upcoming cloud simulation are better but different. It's up to you to decide which you prefer.
Having to use a mouse and a key to orbit is a problem for me. Orbiting seems like a feature (to me anyways) that is in use constantly and should be accessible through mouse only actuations - of perhaps simultaneous left/right buttons held down while dragging to orbit. Lesser cad systems have this, which I am switching from. Mousing to orbit is much easier than mouse and shift key.
The second problem is that when you do set the pivot point (using something other than the SWX key shortcuts) you have to click MMB, then release, then click again to actually orbit. But don't don't click too fast or it will zoom to fit screen instead.
After a year or so I've settled down from seriously irritated to just moderately annoyed (although this post is bringing me back to seriously irritated). I've brought this up in multiple forum posts and in the ideastation, and not many people (users) seem to care, therefore it's not a priority for AD to make it better. At least there is an item in the bug database to fix the issue with being able to set the pivot point when using the SWX key shortcuts.
I found that when switching preferences Pan/Zoom/Orbit to Solidworks, the orbit issues that I originally had went away. I didn't realize that changing the preference to SWX activated the MMB to orbit. My original issue/complaint was that I did not like having to use SHIFT and a mouse to orbit - which is the default setting in preferences for Fusion.
Here, sextant08 is also asking for better access to Orbit with mouse-only interface (no keyboard). It's a pretty obvious -- and obtrusive -- problem. If you look around other threads, there are probably a lot of people who have a similar complaint.
We have an initial implementation that we're testing now, and we're expecting to release it in coming months (if not weeks...). We'll be looking forward to feedback once the new behavior is available.
I'm just now looking into the app and I find the orbiting to be a bit of a nisance. I normally orbit my model holding down the right mouse button. Is there a way to manage the navigation? I'm not very impressed with the preferences options.
I have been using it now for about a month (not all the time, using AutoCAD aswell) and still cannot accept that the middle mouse button is orbit and not pan while in part/assembly. I am getting used to holding ctrl when I want to pan but I still don't believe it is the best way to navigate a model.
You can set all these functions up however you want to. I have never used the mouse for anything other than zoom(wheel). I used to instantly setup my space bar as 3d orbit and use the ctrl+ number keys as well. Ctrl+8 is Normal To. 7 is iso, 1-6 are the standard views. I use a 3d mouse at home and work and wouldnt go back now. You can also use your arrow keys if you want. the arrow keys rotate the model in 15degree increments(you can change this) about its origin. Holding down Alt rotates about your viewing axis. Holding ctrl down pans it.
The middle button does two different things depending on if you hold it down or if you just scroll it. at least thats what i have found. I feel like setting up a keyboard stroke(like space bar) for 3d orbit works best with no 3d mouse.
See goomba i have never used the mouse buttons for orbit which is why i used the space bar. Even in inventor i never did the 3rd mouse button for anything other than zoom. just personal preference i guess:)
I prefer to change the zoom/pan behavior by going into the 3DConnexion Control Panel and set zoom to be up down on the puck which then makes pan more natural forward away just like left right. (if that makes sense)
Goomba, i think you have 2 buttons on the navigator right? I suggest setting one up as the "S" key so you can fill your shortcuts with all the standard tools you use. The other one for most people would probably be fit, in case you get a little crazy with the rotating:) I use the explorer at home and the pilot pro at work and if i had to do it again i would have spent the extra for the pilot pro for home too. All the extra buttons are really worth it. I have 10 function buttons, 10 view buttons plus fit. ctrl,shift,alt,esc plus a few others. I could do without the lcd but it is nice to have too. The only button i really like on the explorer is the 2d button you can press when you start sketching.
+1 on the 3D mouse. SW license should just include the Connexion IMHO. I have space navigator too... I dont even have it on the desk when I'm doing 2d drawings and most days I barely touch it. However, once you start doing assemblies its worth its weight in gold.
I agree the "S" key setup is a must. The LCD and the top controls around it are useless. So are the press+hold functions, they are too slow and I didnt see a setting to change the dwell in the current driver.
Once you get acclimated to the setup and start getting a work flow, you will want to customize the order and contents of your 'S' contextual menu. That is one cool thing about SW... you can put any command in any toolbar as you see fit. Once you get your tool bars, shortcuts and contextual menus all laid out DEFINITELY do not forget to export your setup. SW is buggy sometimes and nothing is worse then losing your settings and trying to rebuild.
I wish SketchUp would allow an option based on user preference for the function of the middle button / wheel on a mouse. Right now, SketchUp uses the middle button to Orbit and SHIFT+middle button to Pan.
I sincerely hate having to use the clumsy shift or ctrl+wheel button to orbit in Autodesk applications and Archicad (with no way to change to the SketchUp way there). I just almost never pan in 3D views. But I am all for more opportunities for the user to configure the interface to suit him/her.
In addition to the mouse buttons, other things that should be user configurable include
The result is that I am constantly ticked off and slowed down because I pan when I meant to orbit or vice versa. I have to actually stop and think about which program I am using and what I want to do. Being able to set a user preference would help greatly.
I just picked up a Microsoft Surface Pro 4, and it is so amazing for Sketchup. However, I do most of the work with the pen, and having the ability to pan one handed with the mouse in the other hand simultaneously sure would be nice. Having to move my hands away from the screen anytime I need to move the camera is obnoxious, and a more touch screen friendly camera movement ability would be great.
I really wish they would allow a keyboard shortcut to replicate a middle-button click. I also am transitioning from a Dell Latitude to a Surface Pro 4 and the old Dell had the middle button clicker which was awesome for 3d modeling without a mouse. Most new laptops separate the middle scroll button and usually have continuous track pads without designated clicking zones. Seperating the keys is better for 3d modelers and anyone who works with the Adobe products.
I just wish SketchUp 2018 would allow a user to have the space-bar replicate a middle wheel click so I could just hold it down while orbiting and use my other hand on the track pad for clicking. Also just orbiting by holding down a key is a lot easier on the hand then having to use the middle wheel button on a mouse over time so it would be better with a mouse also. Again, the old Dell was great at this and excessive middle wheel clicking noises were reduced.
Hello everyone! I'm writing for the first time now. This forum was of great help with everything I had problem in Archicad, but now I have a problem for which I can't find solution.
I recently bought Logitech MX Anywhere 2S mouse and it never crossed my mind that mouse in 2023. doesn't have middle click - wheel click. Without it I can't use pan and orbit as I used to. First thing I tried was to use Logitech softvare to assign middle click to some other button on mouse, but that didn't work, for some reason Archicad doesn't recognize it as wheel click. What is worse, it does change cursor to look like orbit is activated, bude it doesn't orbit or pan.
You can set the square button below the wheel to act as middle mouse click. Install the logi options+ app, then you should be able to assign the button as middle click. I have the same mouse and it works fine. Should work fine on both operating systems.
I understand. What about better touch tool? It's only available for mac, but it could solve a part of the problem to begin with. you could also try setting a keystroke action (default Archicad shortcut is: O) to the middle button in options+ (or better touch tool) and see if that solves the problem.
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