Why is creating 3D easier with a mouse instead of a track pad?
TSasha Smith
Posts: 27,246
in The Commons
Why is creating 3D content easier with a mouse instead of a track pad? I have a notebook but it seems that I have to bring my little mouse with me in order to create 3D content and art. Is it just me or is that true?
Also do I really need a mouse pad for the mouse? or is that an extra thing to carry around for no real reason?
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Comments
I never carry a pad with my laptop. Most mice work fine on any smooth surface.
Track pads just generally are bad at everything. I can tolerate them for web surfing and light word processing. Beyond that I want a mouse.
A mouse can click either button and track with one hand - I find that more awkward with a track-pad (could just be a question of practice I guess).
A mouse pad helps depending on the surface - some surfaces don't work well with a mouse so the pointer doesn't move as it should.
It depends on what you are used to. I switched from a Mac laptop to a Windows desktop and am always frustrated at the lack of precision with the mouse. Also, zooming with a track pad is way easier/faster.
Personally I find everything easier to do with a mouse than with a trackpad. I hate trackpads. Apart form the lack of precision with movement I often find that they register clicks when I am just trying to move the pointer. Maybe I'm just pressing too hard, does anyone else have this problem? I make a point of never visiting an online store with a trackpad in case I end up accidentally buying something.
I find most mice don't need a mousepad if you have a reasonably clean flat surface to put them on but if you are moving around a lot it could be useful. If you only work in a small number of places you could just try the mouse in each one to see if you need one.
I bought an adjustable laptop stand with a mouse panel on the side so I can use the laptop on my lap and have somewhere to put the mouse. It's a bit big to carry around so I only use it in the house.
For me it's the clicking and dragging... It's easier to left click and move a mouse than use two fingers or two hands on a trackpad.
As others have said, a mouspad is not necessary for most surfaces... the exceptions being glass or very reflective surfaces. But in those cases, I usually use a piece of paper.
Interesting, unlike what others have noted, I always bring along a mouse pad. It seems like I always end up with the surface I`m trying to use either being too rough, glossy (glass), or just unpleasant to use the mouse on. I have a thin light mouse pad with a non slip backing that I just just keep in my laptop bag. It's always there in case I need it. I also do a lot of presentations to large groups, so ensuring I will have a good mouse surface helps reduce the set up stress a lot.
Mouse mat depends; laser mice often dont need, but the surface they are used on can affect this - glossy surfaces don't work well; what is needed is some diffuse, yes diffuse. :)
I loathe track pads - I always have a mouse with me when using work's laptop; then again, I use a mechanical keyboard with my laptop too.
3D apps tend to be designed with something other than a trackpad in mind (thankfully). They're like using a built in fan a high end processor might come with - ok for emergencies but not for serious use.
Because you're resting part of your hand on the desk, which lets you pause easier when moving.
Yes, I like these too, but I'm still a little better with a mouse. I generally despise trackpads and never use them, except on my Macbook. I love that one ;).
Laurie
....yeah I use an ergonomic trackball which is very precise and accurate. Much nicer than a mouse and way more comfortable on the wrist and hand.
The great thing about PC mice is they can come in any flavor to suit your needs. With multiple DPI settings, button configs, you name it, you can find something that works for you. It is just a matter of finding that something. For me, my favorite mouse has been the Logitech G602. It is wireless, but you wouldn't know it from its performance. Its just comfy for me, and it has some extra buttons that make life easier, but not so many buttons to be confusing. I love having the ESC button on my mouse, and other useful buttons within such easy reach (of course you can map them however you want). It has amazing battery life for a wireless mouse, it can last for months on the non gaming mode, and even in gaming mode it can last a solid month. And though it is considered a gaming mouse, it does not look like one, which I consider a major plus, LOL. Get good rechargeable batteries, like Eneloop, and never worry about buying batteries again. Seriously, I have not purchased batteries in like 3 or 4 years, and that was only to buy more Eneloops to make sure I had enough for the whole house.
For people who suffer from RPI, there is a mouse with an interesting concept. The RBT Rebel was crowd funded on Indiegogo last year.. This mouse, or rather, "rabbit" as they call it, has buttons that make use of different parts of fingers closer to the palm, rather than your finger tips. This makes repeated clicks easier to do, and idealy cuts down on the stress placed on the finger toips. I believe the concept is sound, however I have never used one myself. I don't suffer RPI. But I have still considered getting it some day, as I am curious to how it performs, and a couple of gamers swear by it. But you certainly don't need to be a gamer to see benefits.
...RBT Rebel, interesting concept. I like my trackball as it has a high DPI rate and I don't have to move it about.
Assuming you mean RSI (repetitive strain injury)? Interesting looking mouse, might try one.
For me the mouse works a lot better too. The track pad is too limiting in therms of where I have to hold my hand, how much sensitivity I can set it for, etc.
Regarding the mouse pad, I'd say that most of the time you never will need it. However there are always exceptions. I used to travel a lot and whatever shiny surface they use on the desks in Marriott hotels just won't work with an optical mouse, for example. Likewise my wife just put a new christmassy tablecloth on our kitchen table and now my mouse wont work there anymore. When that happens I can often get by with using a pad of paper or soemthing as a mousepad but never as reliably as a real one. I recently decided to see if I could find a really thin one that I could toss in my backpack just to have for such emergencies but haven't found one Ilike yet.
I had a little portable trackball for giving presentations years back and loved it. But I hated all the full sized trackball I found at the time. I haven't really paid attention to the market since, are there now good quality trackballs?
I have this mouse. You use your thumb only. The ones with the large ball where you have to constantly pick up your hand are really no better on my wrist than a regular mouse ;).
Laurie
I use this one, have for years but its no longer available and is beginning to look its age, I do suffer with RSI so am on the look out for a new one that fits me; The Rabbit one looks interesting
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Logitech-Cordless-TrackMan®-Optical-MouseWare/dp/B00006B9CR
Maybe I can save up for a new mouse.
That and the newer model both look really interesting, except for the newer model's price, but both are wireless. I'm at my desk at my day job pretty much 8 to 10 hours a day. I get that these are rechargeable but I'd still prefer a wired option. It's not like the thing moves around like a mouse.
Well, wireless works for me as I like to surf around on the laptop while I watch TV sometimes. Having a mouse that I don't need to move around in limited space is kinda nice. LOL I can just put it on the arm of the couch and go :)
Laurie
That is the one I use and although I spend as much time at my PC as you and wanted a corded option also, the battery life is exceptional for me. They had a sale on these at bestbuy a year ago and I got 4 of them just in case, LOL.
I've used these on all my PCs for many years. I'll never go back to mice again. The switches wear out over time but you can replace them yourself:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06XFNWMCX/?coliid=I3BHRE6FPXJY3R&colid=2W782UWUOX9DW&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
The M570 is not rechargable, it uses a single AA battery but it lasts for months even with heavy use. I don't like rechargable stuff anyway, when the battery dies it often cannot be replaced or it is very difficult, so you have to trash a maybe otherwise well functioning device. I've heard though that the battery in the Logitech MX Ergo lasts very long.
If you use rechargable batteries, Eneloop is fantastic. They can be recharged over 2000 times, runs very long on a charge (much longer than a similar alkaline battery), and keeps the charge for years (still 70% after 5 years).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eneloop
I've been using Eneloop for a while. They are by far the best batteries I've owned. Anyone who used any number of battery powered devices should get them.