Input Devices

1. What InputDevices does Java3D suppport natively?
2. Using Serial Devices with Java 3D
3. Where can I find code for my Joystick/HMD/etc?

Return to the main FAQ page for more questions and answers.

1. What InputDevices does Java3D suppport natively?

Java3D does not contain direct support for every known 3D input device as this would be an almost impossible task to keep track of. Instead, it provides a interface for you to implement. Implement the InputDevice interface where you may define all the properties of the device and its information. The new device driver is registered with the system with the call

  PhysicalEnvironment.addInputDevice(InputDevice);

A virtual joystick example is included in the Java 3D examples download.

2. Using Serial Devices with Java 3D

You can try using the Java Communications API which is available from http://java.sun.com/products/javacomm/

NCSA has used it here to communicate with an Ascension Flock of Birds, and a SpaceOrb 360. See an explanation of what a Space Orb 360 is here.

Drivers for this are available in NCSA Portfolio.

3. Where can I find code for my Joystick/HMD/etc?

j3d.org maintains a page of all known InputDevice implementations