ZBrushCentral

RSI Wrist supports and CAD / Z-Brush work

Had anyone here got RSI (repetitive strain injury)? How do you go about supporting your wrist whilst sculpting?

I’m sure I can’t be the only one who has made a career from CAD work but over time has developed some muscular skeletal problems. My wrist has recently become a real problem and I need to start thinking about additional support to enable me to continue working. Mouse work causes me most discomfort and I find using the Wacom with Z-Brush is a welcome relief. Through the course of a standard day I do have to flip between traditional CAD and Z-Brush. I’m thinking about how best to support my wrist. If I use some kind of support splint I wonder how restrictive I will find it when sculpting. I’d be grateful and interested to hear how others have overcome this issue.

Have you tried a trackball mouse?

Hi Doug - thanks for the suggestion. I’ve never tried one… just had a quick google and there seem to be a lot on the market. Are there any brands or styles you would recommend? :slight_smile:

This is the one I’m currently using, had it about 6 years. Might be cheaper ones available. http://www.porterelectronics.com/servlet/the-242/D67-dsh-00001-MICROSOFT-MOUSE-OPTICAL/Detail?gclid=CjwKEAjw0a2eBRDVrabv9vWJ90USJACsKRDHbGoor7jsTAGIEEurXmHWYxR3ieeUwJIXysJQ37jCThoC3L7w_wcB

Much appreciated – Thank you Doug.

You’re welcome, stuff can build up in the recess for the ball causing it to drag but it’s easily cleaned out unlike the gunk that builds up in the older style mice :wink:

You can use the Wacom in CAD. I use mine sometimes when I don’t want to switch back to the mouse. I just set my pen buttons to be right click and middle click. Helps with the strain.

I’ve tried a few times to use the Wacom with Rhino V5 but found it quite tricky (the mouse has been quicker). What CAD software do you use if you don’t mind me asking? Just wondering if I need to put more effort in to learn to use the wacom with CAD. :slight_smile:

The pen is great, but if I have to dial in to a small value, I’m probably going to grab the trackball mouse. That’s in ZBrush or any of the other software I don’t use as much :wink: Enabling snaps in the other program might help, depends on what your doing really.

Just tried the wacom again with Rhino… I can make it function but it really feels like drawing with the wrong hand. I’ve worked with technical CAD far longer than creative apps, perhaps it’s a bit of a mental block. I find the pen really easy to use for creative apps. I will look to visit PC world shortly and see how the tracker ball mouse feels. :slight_smile:

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=old+MS+Trackball+Mouse&qs=n&form=QBIR&pq=old+ms+trackball+mouse&sc=0-19&sp=-1&sk=#view=detail&id=1FDD1478B4CD264C3C1C9DE1AC13285DE0BA51F7&selectedIndex=51
Was the mouse before, worked well except gunk build-up inside from hands being less than optimally clean.

Hi Doug,

Thanks again! You’re a star!

I couldn’t believe that PC World had nothing on display or on the shelf to buy. One is not amused. Spotted a couple of tracker ball mice online and also noticed some vertical mice. At the moment the vertical mouse has tweaked my interest from the point of view that it is not dissimilar to what I’m used to using. Have you any experience of them? :slight_smile:

Ref: https://evoluent.com/vm4s.htm

You’re welcome. Nope, sorry, haven’t used one of the other style. BestBuy(maybe the best shot too?) or possibly WalMart might have 1 on display.
Hoping this one holds out for a few more years :wink:

I’ve just checked the ASDA website (I’m in the UK - Walmart own ASDA), they don’t appear to have anything either. It’s hard work at times trying to see product before buying it. Nevermind, it’s how things are now, I suppose. :confused:

My assumption is that you’re right handed. The Logitech (a couple of them) look like they would be a good choice to me. Would be nice to check the fit to your hand though :wink:

Yes - I’m right handed and have a fairly small hand - 178mm from wrist to middle finger tip. It would be nice to size them up, otherwise I’ll just have to ‘guess’. Although I’m not very keen on guessing when some of these mice cost £70 - £120… although it hurts enough to make me do that.

http://www.trackballworld.com/
My hand is lots bigger than yours, ~20.3 cm. from base of thumb(at wrist center) to middle finger tip.
This one may be too pricey>I don’t think I could use a mouse without a scroll wheel on it :wink: > http://www.trackballworld.com/40-155.html

I’ve decided to take a £67 punt on Evoluent Vertical Mouse 4 small. I will let you know how it goes… as there may be others looking for similar solutions. :wink: