Tiny CAD manipulator.

Tiny but powerful – control Fusion 360 with a joystick! A 3D printed DIY CAD manipulator inspired by SpaceMouse.

In my search for the perfect CAD manipulator (similar to a SpaceMouse), I tested several DIY projects available online. The main issue I found was their size – all of them were simply too large for my desk.

At some point, I discovered a design based on a gyroscope. It was smaller and simpler, but while waiting for the parts I realized: I don’t actually need all axes. By sacrificing the Z-axis, I could make the whole device much more compact.

That’s how the TinyCAD Manipulator was born – built using a single analog joystick like this one and an Arduino Pro Micro (ATmega32U4) like this.

Features

Compact size – smaller than most DIY alternatives.

Affordable – cost is under $5.

Dual function joystick:

Normal mode → orbit around X and Z axes in Fusion 360.

Press the joystick → switch to pan mode (move along X and Y axes).

Printed in standard PLA with a 0.4 mm nozzle.

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