3D connexion problems with Onshape?

Stephen_Blizzard

Does anyone have a definitive answer to solve the 3D connexion issues with Onshape? My devices only work intermittently which is super frustrating because it will start out working and then stop. I think the problem is happening when I open a second browser or start changing between different parts/documents.

TimRice

What 3DConnexion device are you using and on what OS? Please ensure you have installed the latest drivers from their website:

https://www.3dconnexion.com/service/drivers.html

Stephen_Blizzard

Hi Tim, I'm using the space navigator. I have the latest drivers installed on a windows 10 64 bit OS.

peter_veenman

I have the same problem with my SpaceNavigator. I am using the latest driver from the 3Dconnexion website. At one stage my device didn't work properly when I started Onshape. It only allowed me to enlarge and reduce and even that was very slow and not at all smoothly. Never had that problem before. To see if it was the device that was faulty I stopped Onshape and started Sketchup Make 2017 and found that my SpaceNavigator functioned normally. When I then started Onshape again my device worked OK. When I stopped Sketchup the good behaviour still continued until I hibernated the system and and upon waking up the device then didn't work anymore. After a reboot the device works properly with both the 3Dconnexion demo and training software and with Sketchup but not with Onshape unless I start Sketchup first. This makes me think that there may a problem with the way Onshape deals with 3Dconnexion devices. Or has it something to do with the fact that I upgraded from Windows 10 version 1803 to version 1903? I now habitually start Sketchup first before firing up Onshape. 

Stephen_Blizzard

Hi Peter, I've never had a problem with my 3D connexion device in SolidWorks. But I notice when I'm trying to trouble shoot and I open the properties app where you can set up the buttons it often says the name of the browser not Onshape. Happens on both Chrome and Microsoft Edge.

TimRice

@Nuno may know more but I believe the application that runs and connects to Onshape may be stopping on your computer. You can search and run 3DxNLServer in Windows and then hard refresh your browser and the 3DConnexion device should connect again. 

Stephen_Blizzard

Thanks Tim.
Would I have to run that 3DxNLServer every time? I've seen this happen a few times a day. Sometime the device stops working within a few minutes of opening a document.
I couldn't find @Nuno.

Nuno

Hi @Stephen_Blizzard,

[...] But I notice when I'm trying to trouble shoot and I open the properties app where you can set up the buttons it often says the name of the browser not Onshape.

I think @TimRice is correct: the issue you describe is consistent with the "3dxnlserver.exe" proxy terminating unexpectedly. In this case, it is up to 3Dconnexion to address the issue and I suggest that you get in touch with my colleagues at tech support.

Stephen_Blizzard

Thanks Nuno. I'm not convinced this is the (only) problem. When I do a simple stop and then start of the drivers that should fix this shouldn't it? But when I do the problem is still there. 
Just this morning, my navigator was working fine. I had multiple browser tabs open (Chrome) and then I open this additional tab via clicking on the email link and the next thing I know the navigator stops working. I stop the driver and start it up again and the properties show it's in Chrome not Onshape again and not working. 
I've logged a ticket with 3D connexion. Has anyone else logged a ticket?

3D

I've been trying to get a Space Explorer working with very limited success: If you put the shortcuts in for TLR &F views, it works for that - as for the 6 directions, zoom might work but that even is intermittent...

EvanReese

I had issues with mine, and had a ticket with 3DConnexion for several months! I'm on MacOS. Someone at Onshape (probably @TimRice
) suggested I use the Spotlight Search to find 3dxNLServer. once found just hit enter, which restarts it. After that just shift+refresh Onshape and it almost always works again. Not ideal, but it's become pretty habitual for me to hit Command+space (for spotlight)  -> 3dx (autocompletes to 3dxNLServer) -> Return -> shift+refresh. Takes like 2 seconds. I realize this has been described above, but it's worked for me. let me know if this works for you

Stephen_Blizzard

Hi 3D and Evan_Reese, 

I had my ticket answered from 3D Connexion. For me the solutions are to shift-refresh the browser (Chrome) tab. 

Then if that doesn't work, I have to close the browser, hit the start menu (windows 10 64 bit), go to the 3D Connexion tools and stop the driver, wait 10 seconds, Start the driver and then open the browser again. The second process was the recommended action from 3D Connexion.  

Since 3D Connexion's last couple of driver updates it been a lot better. Most times shift-refresh works. So make sure you're on the latest driver too.

EvanReese

Glad to hear it's working better.

David_Bower1

I have this message from 3D Connexion.

Open Windows Defender Firewall and select the first option "Allow one app...".

Add two .exe files, 3DxSmartUi.exe and 3DxService.exe, from the following directory (each file must be selected in turn from the path):

   C:\Program Files\3Dconnexion\3DxWare\3DxWinCore

Add the exceptions for all networks (domain, private and public).

Reboot