Configuring the 3Dconnexion SpaceNavigator for Second Life

Finally, the SpaceNavigator works in Second Life with the SL Viewer Joystick Flycam function. Huh? What does this mean? Well, it’s possible to use the SpaceNavigator for more smooth camera control than using a mouse while filming machinima. Note that the SpaceNavigator doesn’t give you as much control as a mouse does, but the camera does pan more smoothly.

Runitai Linden wrote the controls for the Flycam feature and instructions for getting it to work with your SpaceNavigator can be found on the Second Life Wiki. To set to the Joystick Flycam config window you will first need to access the Client menu in the SL Viewer. If you don’t see it in the drop-down menu across the top of the window use the key combination CTRL+ALT+D and it should appear.

It took me a few tries to get my camera under control. After a combination of setting the Joystick Flycam settings according to the wiki, restarting the SL client, and re-enabling the Joystick Flycam feature I was able to get things working pretty well without causing the camera to spin wildly. If you happen to find yourself in a tailspin, simply hit the ESC key to return to your normal trailing camera view.

Don’t forget to check that you have a current version of the SpaceNavigator driver. The easiest way to do that is to use the Update Wizard installed with the 3Dconnexion software.

Happy panning/zooming.

Photo courtesy of Rev Dan Catt on Flickr

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