Stop Fighting Your Model: How 3Dconnexion’s SpaceMouse® Makes SketchUp Smoother and Smarter

After years of working in SketchUp, I’ve realized that one of the biggest slowdowns in the design process isn’t the modeling—it’s the navigation. Trying to orbit around your model, line up the perfect view, or walk a client through a space smoothly…

For me, the thing that changed all of that was using the SpaceMouse® from 3Dconnexion.

It’s now such a regular part of how I work that when it’s not plugged in, I instinctively reach for it anyway. It’s helped me design faster, present more clearly, and just stay focused without constantly fiddling with the view.

I’ve recently partnered with 3Dconnexion to share a testimonial, and I wanted to pass it along to the SketchUp Trainer community.

Here’s why I think it’s worth sharing:
 

Why better navigation leads to better modeling, better presentations—and a better client experience

If you’ve spent any time working in SketchUp, you know how important navigation is. But when you're deep in a model, the last thing you want is to feel like you're wrestling with your own design just to get the right view.

We’ve all been there—you're orbiting around a space, trying to get the perfect camera angle, and suddenly you're inside a wall… or you've flown off into the void. Now you’re wasting time just trying to get back to where you were. It’s frustrating, it’s distracting—and if you’re presenting to a client, it can undercut even your best work.

That’s why I rely on the 3Dconnexion SpaceMouse® every day. It’s become a core part of how I design, navigate, and present—so much so that when I’m working without it, I constantly catch myself reaching for it out of habit.

 
Why Traditional Mouse-Only Navigation Slows You Down

When you're only using a standard mouse and keyboard in SketchUp, you spend a surprising amount of time just correcting your view:

• Re-orbiting after colliding with geometry
• Re-panning after sliding past your focus point
• Re-zooming to fix awkward camera angles

All of that breaks your flow. It pulls you out of the design process, and in a client-facing scenario, it makes your presentation feel clunky.
The software isn’t the problem—it’s the input method. And that’s where the SpaceMouse comes in.

The SpaceMouse® Difference: Two-Handed, Total Control

The SpaceMouse® gives you six degrees of freedom: pan, zoom, and orbit all at once using your non-dominant hand—while your dominant hand stays focused on modeling.

That might sound small, but in practice, it’s a complete shift in how you interact with your model. Instead of stop-and-go clicks and zooms, you’re smoothly gliding through your design. It feels more like flying a drone than driving a camera.

Whether I’m designing a space or walking a client through a proposal, this kind of movement makes a huge difference.

Why I Recommend the SpaceMouse® to Every SketchUp User

• Smoother Workflow
  No more jerky resets or hunting for the right view—just intuitive, fluid motion that keeps you in the zone.
• Better Presentations
  Clients notice how smoothly I move through models. It feels professional, intentional, and cinematic—like I’m guiding them through a well-composed experience.
• Ergonomic Comfort
  All that zooming, panning, and orbiting takes a toll. The SpaceMouse spreads the load between both hands and significantly reduces strain.
• Real Productivity Gains
  I spend less time fixing views and more time designing. It’s one of those tools that quietly saves minutes every hour—and that adds up fast.
  
  

Final Thoughts

Using the SpaceMouse® isn’t just about making navigation easier—it’s about staying fully connected to your work. It removes friction from the design process and lets you stay focused on the ideas you’re building.
Once you’ve experienced that level of control and comfort, it’s hard to imagine going back.

💡 Member Perk: Get 10% Off 3Dconnexion Tools

If you're a SketchUp Trainer member, you can grab an exclusive 10% discount on the same tools I use every day: the SpaceMouse® and CadMouse Pro Wireless.

The affiliate link and discount code are available inside the Community Hub.

Not a member yet? Now’s a great time to join and unlock:

Unlimited access to all SketchUp & Enscape courses (2025 updates included)

Twice-monthly live Office Hours

A supportive Community Hub

And special perks—like this 3Dconnexion discount

👉 Join SketchUp Trainer Membership Today