3D Mice

Definition - What does 3D Mice mean?

3D mice are devices allowing multifaceted navigation using ultrasound technology and offering at least three degrees of freedom (dfs). They allow a user to work with both hands simultaneously and are typically used in three-dimensional applications, such as computer-aided design (CAD) and game consoles like the Wii.

3D mice have several degrees of freedom of movement. They allow a user to zoom, pan, and rotate 3D imagery simultaneously, without the use of keyboard shortcuts or any software interface. Additionally, the user is not required to alternate hands when navigating.

This term is also known as a 3D mouse (singular).

Techopedia explains 3D Mice

There are various types of 3D mice, including:

  • 3D ring mouse: An ultrasonic computer mouse worn on the finger. The curser is used by pointing and moving the index finger. Zooming is done by moving the hand to and away from the screen.
  • 3D trackballs: A hand-sized sensor ball device, which is mostly used to move 3D models. High-tech trackballs provide 6 dfs, three axes of rotation and translation, spring-loaded centering, and other various buttons.
  • 3D motion controllers: A motion-sensing device using an optical sensor and an accelerator technology, which produces spatial coordinates by gesture recognition and pointing by the user.

The 3D ring mouse was basically the first 3D mouse introduced in the late 1990s by Kantek. It was a ring worn around a finger. It allowed the thumb to access three buttons and used a base station. Despite the great advancement in technology, the 3D ring mouse was discontinued due to its lack of sufficient resolution.

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