🎮 DIY CAD Navigation Joystick

Control Fusion 360 & SolidWorks like a SpaceMouse

Build your own compact controller to navigate 3D models smoothly using a joystick and an Arduino Pro Micro.

Video link :

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/p/DVbsQ88Du6n/

Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/shorts/4Inih6Rcrp0

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🧰 Materials Required

• ✅ Arduino Pro Micro (ATmega32U4)

• ✅ Analog joystick module (KY-023 or similar)

• ✅ Jumper wires or thin electrical wire

• ✅ Soldering iron + solder

• ✅ 8 × M2.5 screws (for enclosure)

• ✅ USB cable (USB-C or Micro-USB depending on board)

• ✅ 3D printed enclosure parts

💡 Why the Pro Micro?

➡️ It supports USB HID, allowing it to act as a mouse.

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🖨️ 3D Printing

Suggested Parts

• Bottom case

• Top cover

• Joystick mount

• Ergonomic thumb cap

Recommended Settings

• Layer height: 0.2 mm

• Infill: 15–20%

• Supports: Not required

• Material: PLA or PETG

💡 PETG recommended for durability.

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🔌 Wiring Diagram

The joystick module has 5 pins:

🔧 Assembly Steps

Capture d’écran 2026-03-03 à 18.42.44.png

1️⃣ Solder the wires

• Solder wires to joystick pins.

• Ensure no short circuits.

2️⃣ Mount the joystick

• Insert joystick into the printed mount.

• Route wires through the cable channels.

3️⃣ Connect to Pro Micro

• Wire according to the table above.

• Secure the Pro Micro inside the enclosure.

4️⃣ Close the case

• Assemble the enclosure.

• Fasten using the 8 M2.5 screws.

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💻 Arduino Code (Mouse HID)

Upload this sketch to your Pro Micro.

Code for Arduino IDE :

Hackman3D Joystick CAD Controller

PAN / ORBIT toggle + axis invert

**********.com / @Hackman3D

#include <Mouse.h>

#include <Keyboard.h>

#define X A0

#define Y A1

#define SW 2

#define DEAD 25

#define SENS 100

#define TICK 10

#define LOCK 150

bool pan=0, moving=0;

int prev=HIGH;

unsigned long tToggle=0, tTick=0;

inline void apply(){

if(!pan) Keyboard.press(KEY_LEFT_SHIFT);

Mouse.press(MOUSE_MIDDLE);

}

inline void releaseAll(){

Mouse.release(MOUSE_MIDDLE);

Keyboard.release(KEY_LEFT_SHIFT);

}

void setup(){

Keyboard.begin();

Mouse.begin();

pinMode(SW,INPUT_PULLUP);

}

void loop(){

unsigned long now=millis();

int b=digitalRead(SW);

if(prev==HIGH && b==LOW && now-tToggle>LOCK){

tToggle=now;

pan=!pan;

if(moving){ releaseAll(); apply(); }

}

prev=b;

if(now-tTick<TICK) return;

tTick=now;

int dx=(analogRead(X)-512);

int dy=-(analogRead(Y)-512);

if(abs(dx)>DEAD || abs(dy)>DEAD){

if(!moving){ moving=1; apply(); }

Mouse.move(dx/SENS,-dy/SENS,0);

} else if(moving){

moving=0;

releaseAll();

}

⚙️ Setup in Fusion 360 & SolidWorks

Fusion 360

• Hold middle mouse button to orbit.

• The joystick emulates mouse movement for smooth navigation.

SolidWorks

• Works directly with middle mouse orbit.

• You can map additional shortcuts if desired.

💡 Tip: adjust sensitivity by changing the divisor in the code.

Fusion 360 Joystick By HackMan3D (all PC and Mac CAD soft)

Fusion 360 Joystick By HackMan3D

0.2mm layer, 2 walls, 15% infill