User:Toussaint/2D-3D mouse

A mouse which has both 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional navigation capabilities (accomplishing optional 6DOF) can be accomplished through at least two approaches:


 * a ring-topped analog stick separate from the scrollball or trackball.
 * A raised, graspable, touch-sensitive trackball which switches from 2D scrolling mode when one finger contacts it to 3D acceleration when more than one finger touches it at the same time.

Either method - graspable trackball or analog ringstick - should preferably be placed in the upper middle of the mouse for ambidextrous or dexterity-agnostic navigation.

3D widgets
As the avatar serves as the 3D equivalent of the 2D mouse cursor, the controls of the mouse should be extended to control elements of 3D environments. The 2D-mode clicking of 3D objects in order to present a 2D-mode dialog widget should be reduced by a number of means:


 * allowing the mouse buttons to immediately trigger general options when clicked.
 * designing a more ergonomic and realistic shape of the mouse to reflect the manipulation and self-initiated movement of 3D objects.