Current 3Dconnexion drivers use a totally different xml configuration structure to pre v10 drivers.

(For pre v10 drivers see my earlier article: Mice in Space!)

The 3d Input Toolbox is still useful with SpaceMouse operations in MicroStation, see the end of this article for brief notes on that.

The file contains the default button actions and macros used by 3Dconnexion drivers which look like this for my SpacePilot Pro, this screen will vary according to the device that you have:

Buttons 2 to 10 are assigned to 3Dconnexion macros which are sequences of keys. New macros can be added to the Ctrl + Alt macros that are delivered, e.g.:

As the macro records each key down/up combination this is best suited to simple sequences as every keystroke or mouse click is recorded.

As far as I can see you have to get it right first time or start over (unless you like editing xml, in which case take a look at "C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\3Dconnexion\3DxWare\Cfg\MicroStation.xml").

Adding key combinations pre-set in MicroStation's Function Keys dialog is easy, as are Position mapping sequences such as the example above.

the middle column contains mostly 3Dconnexion specific settings except the Fit button which drives MicroStation's Fit All.

The four modifier keys, Esc etc do what you would expect baut can be remapped if you need them for another function.

The primary view commands, iso, Top, Front, etc., are delivered with the driver. They should be pre-assigned to the appropriate device buttons, for instance the SpacePilot Pro has a button pad with appropriate icons for the rotations indicated.

I found that as well as the obvious assignment error (visible in the screenshot above) of the T button to 'Iso View 2' instead of 'Top View', the combinations: Shift + R; Shift + T ; and Shift + F did not work as shown. The workaround is to reassign them to another view then set back to the correct one. Then they worked as expected. This may be specific to my device (new several years old) and not occur for more recent models.

The changes made are stored in "C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\3Dconnexion\3DxWare\Cfg\MicroStation.xml".

This file also appears to store individual button states, e.g. speed settings, so if you want to create a file to share, start with a clean one and add only the changes that you wish to share.

To use your file with other applications, e.g.:MicroStation CONNECT Edition make a copy named MicroStationCE.xml.

In this file change the Signature section to display the required name (this is just a text string) and the executable from ustation.exe to MicroStation.exe (this is the primary executable for MicroStation CONNECT Edition). the exe filename must match that of the target application:

   <Signature>

     <Name>MICROSTATION CONNECT Edition</Name>

     <ExecutableName>MICROSTATION.EXE</ExecutableName>

     <Transport>S80</Transport>

   </Signature>

Similarly for AECOsim Building Designer:

   <Signature>

     <Name>AECOsim Building Designer V8i (SELECTseries 6)</Name>

     <ExecutableName>AECOsimBuildingDesigner.exe</ExecutableName>

     <Transport>S80</Transport>

   </Signature>

Other applications will follow the same format.

3Dconnexion Delivered Commands

The base configuration for MicroStation is stored in:"C:\Program Files\3Dconnexion\3DxWare\3DxWinCore64\Cfg\MicroStation.xml", don't be tempted to modify this file! The user file, also called MicroStation.xml, references this application level file, changes made at the user level are applied over the defaults provided.

Downloadable 3Dconnexion Profiles

Config files for MicroStation V8i, MicroStation CONNECT Edition and AECOsim Building Designer SS6 can be downloaded from 3Dconnexion SpaceMouse Profiles for v10 Drivers.

These contain macros for the following Function key combinations:

• F1 > F12
• Ctrl + F1 > Ctrl + F12
• Alt + F1 > Alt + F12
• Ctrl + Shift + F1 > Ctrl + Shift + F12
• Ctrl + Alt + F11 and  Ctrl + Alt + F12 (the F1 to F10 macros are included with the delivered driver)

Radial Menus

A couple of generic Radial Menus are delivered with the drivers, new radial menus are strightforward to create, just pick Radial menus > New Radial Menu then assign the available commands or keystroke macros.

The behaviour of the keystroke macros will depend upon the active Function Keys .MNU file. The active file can be set at organization or project level or for individual users dependiong on how you approach these things. The function of the 3Dconnexion macros can be modified by changing the .MNU file, this is probably easier than modifying the 3Dconnexion cfg files.

If you like the look of radial menus but don't have a SpaceMouse check out MicroStation Screen Menus!

Editing the 3Dconnexion xml

For reference fro anyone who wants to dive into the xml, the mapping between keys and 3Dconnexion xml are as follows:

3d Input Toolbox

To help control the SpaceMouse movements there is a set of tools, how they work is described in MicroStation help > Getting Started > Fundamentals > Graphical Input > Graphical Input with a 3Dconnexion Device.

To lauch the toolbox either Ctrl +T to open the Toolboxes dialog, tick 3dInput, or key-in: VIEW NAVIGATION 3DINPUT TOOLBOX.

It's worth keeping this docked if you frequently use a SpaceMouse.

The base configuration for MicroStation is stored in:
"C:\Program Files\3Dconnexion\3DxWare\3DxWinCore64\Cfg\MicroStation.xml"