Rotatrix
Rotatrix is a modified Kensington SlimBlade Pro trackball that captures full 3D rotation, letting CAD and 3D design professionals rotate, pan, and zoom models directly with the ball while keeping their other hand on the keyboard. The device includes deep native integrations with applications like Fusion 360, Blender, Onshape, and Rhino, with per-application configurable mappings and smart pivoting around the user's point of focus.
- Consumer Electronics
- Hardware
Funding
Founders
Founder details are not available yet.
Product
Problem
Traditional 3D navigation in CAD and design software relies on indirect methods—two-axis mice require workarounds like gizmo clicks, edge grabs, or keyboard shortcuts, while dedicated 3D controllers like the SpaceMouse use rate-based joystick input that feels disconnected and requires taking a hand off the keyboard. These approaches slow workflow and disrupt the designer's focus.
Solution
Rotatrix is the only trackball that tracks full 3D rotation, built on the Kensington SlimBlade Pro with custom hardware that continuously and simultaneously captures all three axes of motion. The same ball moves the cursor, rotates the model, pans, and zooms, with a configurable keyboard modifier or device button switching between modes. The real innovation lies in deep, native integration with each supported application, making each movement precise and predictable. Users can twist for smooth zoom, snap to axis-aligned views with a single button, and maintain keyboard access for shortcuts while navigating.
Target Audience
The primary customers are professional engineers, CAD users, 3D artists, and makers who work in applications like Fusion 360, Blender, Maya, Inventor, and Rhino and need faster, more intuitive 3D navigation.
Features
- Custom hardware modification tracking all three rotational axes simultaneously on a Kensington SlimBlade Pro base
- Deep native integration with Fusion 360, Blender 4.2+, Onshape, FreeCAD 1.0+, Inventor 2022+, and Rhino 7 & 8, on Windows 10+, macOS 15+, and Linux
- Smart pivoting that rotates the model around the point where the user is looking, preventing the model from swinging out of control
- Per-application, per-mode configurable mappings, bindings, and behaviors
- Twist control for smooth, continuous zoom without scroll wheel steps
- Single-button snap to any axis-aligned view, replacing numerous keyboard shortcuts
- Perpetual software license tied to the device, not the computer