Falcon ‘haptic 3D mouse’
Haptics is about being able to ‘touch’ and ‘feel’ a virtual object, and Anarkik3D uses haptic technology to enable you, the user, to feel the 3D model you are creating on your computer using our hapticated software.
The technology has been around longer than you’d think. Anarkik3D tried a Falcon haptic 3D mouse in 2007, tested one for 3D modelling in 2008 and started developing it with Cloud9 as the Falcon is affordable for designer makers, robust and available. The outcome is Anarkik3DDesign.
Research into haptics
Our ealier Research Programme proved that using a haptic device allows designer makers and artists to work more naturally as ‘feeling’ their creations builds on the skills they already have from manupulating physical materials. Anarkik3D chose to work with the Falcon as it ideal for creative people, creative communities and schools.
The Falcon ‘haptic 3D mouse’ provides the very real sensation of 3D touch and feel through an interactive resistance known as ‘force feedback’. When you move your cursor to interact with a virtual object, motors in the device are activated to give resistance and are updated approximately 1000 times a second. This means that when you manipulate a virtual object you can feel the surface resist in real time, just as you would with a real world material.
A more natural way to work
It is this force feedback that enables artists and designers to explore a virtual object – its form, its surface texture, edges, depth, and elasticity. As the device’s grasp moves in three dimensions, this allows artists to feel three-dimensional form as the user can move the cursor to feel all sides of the object, including inside.
This is a much more natural way of working than many other CAD packages. It is so intuitive that even after a long break, you can easily pick up Anarkik3DDesign again where you left off.
The Falcon is therefore essential for using Anarkik3DDesign 3D modelling programme and can be purchased separately from HapticsHouse. HapticsHouse ship from the USA but you could also look for a local 2nd hand Falcon device.
