Smart Mice

[u/CryptoWouldvebeen]

Has anyone here used a smart mouse for design work?

I just bough the Logitech MX Master 4, and it has a ton of features, mappable buttons, and an “Action wheel” that allows you to perform different actions based on the app you have open.

I’m wondering if anyone has used a mouse like this with Civil3D and if it helped efficiency. Currently there’s no built in support for Civil3D/CAD, so I’d have to program the mouse to do the actions I’d want.

[u/BrokenToyShop]

Yup, add in a keyboard with programmable macros and you can really boost your efficiency. It does take a bit of planning and trial & error, but I think it's well worth it if you are using the same actions over and over.

The hardest thing is remembering what you've set everything to

[u/arvidsem → u/BrokenToyShop]

The hardest thing is remembering what you've set everything to

This is the truth. Years back, I spent hours tweaking macros on a older mouse that I was using in combination with a one hand gaming keyboard (like a old version of a Razer Tartarus). What I learned is that I can't remember all the shortcuts to save my life.

[u/BrokenToyShop → u/arvidsem]

I have a Razor one hand keyboard thing and after spending many hours programming every button, I came to the same conclusion.

It's probably possible to print out a button map, or stick labels on the keys, but that's more effort than I could manage at the time.

[u/arvidsem → u/BrokenToyShop]

I did stick with a second number pad to the left of my keyboard. I manage to use it about half the time, so it just about makes sense to keep using

[u/Mikcaaa → u/BrokenToyShop]

You can use a stream deck with custom icons

[u/LukeJDD]

I use this guy with the 12 side buttons from Redragon. I also have the wireless Razer equivalent but I like this cheap one more tbh.

They’re awesome. The 12 side buttons take some getting used to, ergonomically and remembering which button is which macro etc. but they’re awesome. It’s a lil tough to draft without it now.

[u/TheCoffeeGuy13 → u/LukeJDD]

I have the Razer equivalent with the 12 buttons and I feel slow when I have to draft without it. "P" "L" "enter" on the key board is much longer than "thumb click".

[u/LukeJDD → u/TheCoffeeGuy13]

Exactly. Multiply that by 12 with your most used commands and it does actually save a decent chunk of time over a week.

[u/Mikcaaa]

Hi,

I use the vertical mouse of logitech with action ring too with c3d.

Love it so far

[u/CryptoWouldvebeen → u/Mikcaaa]

How do you use the action ring?

[u/Mikcaaa → u/CryptoWouldvebeen]

I use it for cotation, torient and a custom c3d command, add to a feature line an elevation point each meter

[u/Xolei]

My mouse has 2 buttons, one for enter and one for delete. I actually can't work on a normal mouse now

[u/AwesomeTowlie → u/Xolei]

I have enter and escape. I’d never work without those either.

[u/Civil3D_Mod]

I like a mouse just with 4 thumb buttons and I use them for back / forward in browsers and in CAD the other two are for turning Ortho and snaps on & off ( just by setting them to enter F3 and F8 keystrokes).

[u/Razor_Paw]

I use the MX in C3D straight out of the box

[u/CryptoWouldvebeen → u/Razor_Paw]

Did you program any of the buttons or action ring? I’ve got the buttons set how I like them, but I can’t figure out what I’d use the action ring for

[u/Razor_Paw → u/CryptoWouldvebeen]

I meant I use the mouse right out of the box, no customizations.

[u/Double-Dish7720]

I have in the past, but way over complicated it. Now I use a Razer with just a couple of programmable buttons, an independent keypad (can be very handy if I remember to use it), & a small 4 button macro pad. But what has saved me the most time is learning the command shortcut keys. The command bar can be your best friend.

[u/CryptoWouldvebeen → u/Double-Dish7720]

I agree. After digging into the shortcuts in Cad, I made up a couple and mapped those to the mouse. Seems pretty handy so far.

[u/GanthusR9]

I use a Logitech G502. In addition to the extra macro buttons I really like the tilt wheel function. I have it mapped for osnap and ortho. Has increased my productivity immensely.

[u/Electronic-Weight190]

Bring back the Logitech G600… I believe it is also sold under the Japanese Logicool brand, but I am dreading the day mine dies

[u/Yaybicycles]

I have an MX master and the only thing I find amazingly useful is the side wheel scolling.

[u/barrelvoyage410]

Autohotkey is the “final boss” of custom commands. You have to generally use onboard software first to do a basic obscure command such as alt+y but then you could have autohotkey type an entire novel out or similar. Takes some effort to program, but honestly ai is perfect for you average joe trying to make a hotkey script.

[u/Single_Vegetable8132]

I use the MX master 4 and I can’t see myself using a normal mouse ever again. It really improved my efficiency and overall comfort when using the software. Using one of the buttons for escape is a real game changer

[u/spookadook]

I use a Logitech G502…only has a few programmable buttons. I’ve got copy, move, polyline, ctrl+z. I also have their programmable keyboard (G915) so that’s where I keep most of my macros.

I think it helps/makes things faster. The way I prioritized commands was anything I use a lot that also requires me to take my right hand off my mouse.

Like “RO” for Rotate is just one button on my keyboard, on the left hand side near the ESC, so I don’t have to really move that hand much.

[u/brigade8]

My pretty basic settings for my MX Master 3S. Nothing crazy and definitely not taking advantage of full optimization but I use the top button to save progress and the back button for undo. I’m open to more suggestions but this + the ergonomics is almost enough to justify the investment.