Getting Started with Rotatrix Hybrid

These instructions are for Rotatrix Hybrid (the solder-in edition that keeps the trackball's wireless mouse modes). Check your edition →

Self-install kit? Start with the assembly guide →

Rotatrix requires a wired USB connection. Before plugging in, ensure the power switch on the left side of the device is in the middle position (Wired USB).

The Bluetooth and Kensington wireless USB dongle modes use the stock controller, not Rotatrix. Using them simultaneously with USB won't damage the device, but behavior may be unpredictable as your computer will receive multiple mouse inputs.

Download & Setup

By downloading and using the Rotatrix software, you agree to the Rotatrix Software License.

Need help finding your key?

You should have received your download key in the email sent when your unit shipped. If you can't find it, email david@rotatrix.com with your order number or Rotatrix serial number.

Latest Release (1.5.1) changelog

Platform	Download	Published	SHA-256 ? A fingerprint to verify download integrity. Compare against the output of shasum -a 256 (macOS/Linux) or Get-FileHash (PowerShell). Click a hash to expand.
macOS (Apple Silicon)	🔒 Rotatrix-1.5.1-macos-arm64.pkg Enter your download key above to unlock downloads.	Jul 9, 2026	`f31b6cf94373a89fc749a4b9661b86876569a55a02a0b5d14216b6607ff6ece4`
macOS (Intel)	🔒 Rotatrix-1.5.1-macos-x86_64.pkg Enter your download key above to unlock downloads.	Jul 9, 2026	`2bb9669df1cf78ac12e15ada0e640e0a0ba1fc3761a256d95b87365f66a355d3`

The installer has changed. If you have version 1.4.0 or earlier, move the old Rotatrix app to the Trash before installing this version.

Older releases

Platform	Download	Published	SHA-256 ? A fingerprint to verify download integrity. Compare against the output of shasum -a 256 (macOS/Linux) or Get-FileHash (PowerShell). Click a hash to expand.
macOS (Apple Silicon)	🔒 Rotatrix-1.5.0-macos-arm64.pkg Enter your download key above to unlock downloads.	Jun 19, 2026	`04916db897ea040679d72a761eda7f557bfe25d5b6305285ee2a5a3355ed5dc4`
macOS (Intel)	🔒 Rotatrix-1.5.0-macos-x86_64.pkg Enter your download key above to unlock downloads.	Jun 19, 2026	`d8a66315445a8f7ad158cb272abadf7505a8a074b3198a3cc4271dbc322ceb1a`
macOS (Apple Silicon)	🔒 Rotatrix-1.4.0-macos-arm64.dmg Enter your download key above to unlock downloads.	Jun 12, 2026	`f04b65e17fbdc4c90d6b0d8825cb9105d4a42acee78bea7321436516bc3252c7`
macOS (Intel)	🔒 Rotatrix-1.4.0-macos-x86_64.dmg Enter your download key above to unlock downloads.	Jun 12, 2026	`19201de8ebb8826a267529a1ba2967c280a1b1a7476f7285287cd6af64693559`
macOS (Apple Silicon)	🔒 Rotatrix-1.3.1-macos-arm64.dmg Enter your download key above to unlock downloads.	May 18, 2026	`c986bc2bdcff8e54f257ea44e08d3cbb0582c8cee68d9c0ad618029c5614bbae`
macOS (Intel)	🔒 Rotatrix-1.3.1-macos-x86_64.dmg Enter your download key above to unlock downloads.	May 18, 2026	`9bc1bdd7ecc3961f7b3476682141d078f037faf5505c186e8f78bad55ec82c06`
macOS (Apple Silicon)	🔒 Rotatrix-1.3.0-macos-arm64.dmg Enter your download key above to unlock downloads.	Apr 20, 2026	`8a464b3a0e69816ffee9c7c608d5f8df38de07dc972cb07e4ca9d791418fc15d`
macOS (Intel)	🔒 Rotatrix-1.3.0-macos-x86_64.dmg Enter your download key above to unlock downloads.	Apr 20, 2026	`92fdbfbea73866229e72541c2bf511a59f1ae0b5880d2ea0303f77216fa6b85d`
macOS (Apple Silicon)	🔒 Rotatrix-1.2.1-macos-arm64.dmg Enter your download key above to unlock downloads.	Apr 7, 2026	`b669cbbdd5ef35d9381da8865b6524916b9c3fa50f5141eea6e796cb94daad6e`
macOS (Intel)	🔒 Rotatrix-1.2.1-macos-x86_64.dmg Enter your download key above to unlock downloads.	Apr 7, 2026	`fd340727d1728b7fc9b8374962227da6488548294d1815f62617db5b3fbda5b5`
macOS (Apple Silicon)	🔒 Rotatrix-1.2.0-macos-arm64.dmg Enter your download key above to unlock downloads.	Apr 6, 2026	`533a796ebe8c8b12482526bec646723badbbb98df4accd29ae7d48d58fe83cdd`
macOS (Intel)	🔒 Rotatrix-1.2.0-macos-x86_64.dmg Enter your download key above to unlock downloads.	Apr 6, 2026	`480a655c357067448601682225ee2bda85f839f44dfd4fd6e4ec6d12584ad434`
macOS (Apple Silicon)	🔒 Rotatrix-1.1.1-macos-arm64.dmg Enter your download key above to unlock downloads.	Mar 24, 2026	`ad635c5fbc1065c2acd5e0dd3a35b8308c8516bd1005ade90757509175942d83`
macOS (Apple Silicon)	🔒 Rotatrix-1.1.0-macos-arm64.dmg Enter your download key above to unlock downloads.	Mar 24, 2026	`75ce5866c0877cce74bb08b65e4bddd23f4c9af8c93d0f108c09494009d826d1`
macOS (Apple Silicon)	🔒 Rotatrix-1.0.0rc2-macos-arm64.dmg Enter your download key above to unlock downloads.	Mar 18, 2026	`eca6af9dbd6f8587885d101eda74669d829b144f718994bdc4cb0e79a1444210`
macOS (Apple Silicon)	🔒 Rotatrix-1.0.0rc1-macos-arm64.dmg Enter your download key above to unlock downloads.	Mar 18, 2026	`31872fe22ff8068cb581819c72213bdb8094738701b4ca863caa00e6b7e2eeba`

Setup

Open the downloaded disk image (.dmg).
Drag Rotatrix to your Applications folder.
Open Rotatrix from Applications (not from the disk image).
On first launch, macOS will prompt you to allow Accessibility permissions. Rotatrix uses this to switch modes based on the keyboard hotkeys and modifiers you configure. Grant the permission, then restart Rotatrix.

If the prompt doesn't appear, or you accidentally clicked Deny, go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility and turn the toggle for Rotatrix ON. Then restart Rotatrix.

When running, Rotatrix adds a menu bar icon in the upper right of your screen — red when connected, gray when disconnected. Click it to open the app or quit.

Latest Release (1.5.1) changelog

Platform	Download	Published	SHA-256 ? A fingerprint to verify download integrity. Compare against the output of shasum -a 256 (macOS/Linux) or Get-FileHash (PowerShell). Click a hash to expand.
Windows (64-bit)	🔒 Rotatrix-1.5.1-win-x86_64.exe Enter your download key above to unlock downloads.	Jul 9, 2026	`3500f48e302bfd9083da981787e5db0002ee24d8b959497de9f838dbc07fb5ed`

The installer has changed. If you have version 1.4.0 or earlier, uninstall it (Settings > Apps, or Control Panel) before installing this version.

Older releases

Platform	Download	Published	SHA-256 ? A fingerprint to verify download integrity. Compare against the output of shasum -a 256 (macOS/Linux) or Get-FileHash (PowerShell). Click a hash to expand.
Windows (64-bit)	🔒 Rotatrix-1.5.0-win-x86_64.exe Enter your download key above to unlock downloads.	Jun 19, 2026	`81cd417b45a780a1b020322913d994ef52934d9173968ca3b414adea0e7e7ca2`
Windows (64-bit)	🔒 Rotatrix-1.4.0-win-x86_64.exe Enter your download key above to unlock downloads.	Jun 12, 2026	`e087378e97eb428d4dda650a3809102b25005a73cdc72b5e1eb0b662dcaea7e2`
Windows (64-bit)	🔒 Rotatrix-1.3.1-win-x86_64.exe Enter your download key above to unlock downloads.	May 18, 2026	`854b7cf5e3096408f568b19c6caa7d5f276c913a9433dbf892b61ee3cbcc398e`
Windows (64-bit)	🔒 Rotatrix-1.3.0-win-x86_64.exe Enter your download key above to unlock downloads.	Apr 20, 2026	`d4dd309bbaa7df6a4e996e62dde8b1bb5689d334409e300a0ce1a26e718865e5`
Windows (64-bit)	🔒 Rotatrix-1.2.1-win-x86_64.exe Enter your download key above to unlock downloads.	Apr 7, 2026	`eb5ea3b19d9d603bfc90171c981bf8b1004b2e59b84dbf9cead3550e962c99a5`
Windows (64-bit)	🔒 Rotatrix-1.2.0-win-x86_64.exe Enter your download key above to unlock downloads.	Apr 6, 2026	`216b533db1b4f74aad666c6e09bf272a6570ac780752ab3f77f7c734bb1c8d0d`
Windows (64-bit)	🔒 Rotatrix-1.1.1-win-x86_64.exe Enter your download key above to unlock downloads.	Mar 24, 2026	`5b90446279adc7516e23033cd69133270d8b0758ae40efb89357e31e182eb6f2`
Windows (64-bit)	🔒 Rotatrix-1.1.0-win-x86_64.exe Enter your download key above to unlock downloads.	Mar 24, 2026	`c01cc9baeaae819d4610422ddb5e009ea2439979c037fa76366dd6471d59162c`
Windows (64-bit)	🔒 Rotatrix-1.0.0rc2-win-x86_64.exe Enter your download key above to unlock downloads.	Mar 18, 2026	`1e94f4c69ba6cf99a4c80a8c6dc8d1be7fb58564e1997b2b3531326cf36e6f5f`
Windows (64-bit)	🔒 Rotatrix-1.0.0rc1-win-x86_64.exe Enter your download key above to unlock downloads.	Mar 18, 2026	`d9687e12971090938631ee0b321fac56842a2eba297314bd04abde08716c0620`

Setup

Run the downloaded installer.
You may see a "Windows protected your PC" warning from Microsoft Defender SmartScreen. Click More info, then click Run anyway.
Follow the installer prompts.

When running, Rotatrix adds a tray icon in the bottom right of your screen — red when connected, gray when disconnected. Click it to open the app or quit.

The icon may be hidden in the overflow area (click the ^ arrow in the taskbar to reveal it). You can drag it out onto the taskbar for easy access.

Latest Release (1.5.1) changelog

Platform	Download	Published	SHA-256 ? A fingerprint to verify download integrity. Compare against the output of shasum -a 256 (macOS/Linux) or Get-FileHash (PowerShell). Click a hash to expand.
Linux (x86_64)	🔒 Rotatrix-1.5.1-linux-x86_64.AppImage Enter your download key above to unlock downloads.	Jul 9, 2026	`7e0e5cbae055262ba723c59404549107d186a8cf1217cfd449cff3e46f68059a`

Older releases

Platform	Download	Published	SHA-256 ? A fingerprint to verify download integrity. Compare against the output of shasum -a 256 (macOS/Linux) or Get-FileHash (PowerShell). Click a hash to expand.
Linux (x86_64)	🔒 Rotatrix-1.5.0-linux-x86_64.AppImage Enter your download key above to unlock downloads.	Jun 19, 2026	`b95e5c64a40d325b945069bb6250d5a7ed6649709030b28e50bb55aa38cd6dc7`
Linux (x86_64)	🔒 Rotatrix-1.4.0-linux-x86_64.AppImage Enter your download key above to unlock downloads.	Jun 12, 2026	`652e027bb330a3100267665f4a31bbf257b8edb696fe97c5d7c02355a8545c59`
Linux (x86_64)	🔒 Rotatrix-1.3.1-linux-x86_64.AppImage Enter your download key above to unlock downloads.	May 18, 2026	`55bf62dd6bfbb73f38148b472823ca5efa553ca11b75a027ee75353e0104a046`
Linux (x86_64)	🔒 Rotatrix-1.3.0-linux-x86_64.AppImage Enter your download key above to unlock downloads.	Apr 20, 2026	`3c3001551fb330ee4753c32cd1055b1140556d9591086ca97087ef80fa3d33e4`

Setup

Make the downloaded AppImage executable:
```
chmod +x Rotatrix-*.AppImage
```
Run it by double-clicking, or from the terminal:
```
./Rotatrix-*.AppImage
```

When running, Rotatrix adds a tray icon to your system tray — red when connected, gray when disconnected. Click it to open the app or quit.

Tray icon support depends on your desktop environment. GNOME requires the AppIndicator extension; KDE, Cinnamon, and most others work out of the box. On desktops without tray support, launch the AppImage again to open the config UI.

Install Integrations

Rotatrix has integrations for Fusion, Blender, Onshape, FreeCAD, Inventor, and Rhino. Install them from the Integrations tab in the Rotatrix app — each integration has an Install button and setup instructions.

After updating Rotatrix, revisit the Integrations tab and re-install your integrations to make sure you're running the latest version.

Support

Email david@rotatrix.com or join the Rotatrix Discord to chat with me and other users. DM me your name or email on Discord to get the Verified role and access to #verified-owners.

Privacy

The Rotatrix application is local-first: the configuration UI and the axis data protocol used by integrations run on a local-only web service on your own machine.

The app checks our update server for new releases. Rotatrix also collects anonymous usage statistics to help improve the product — no keystrokes or personal data are collected. You can turn this off anytime under Config > Global.

Troubleshooting

Ball not responding

Especially right after plugging in, try a power switch flip: turn the switch to any wireless mode (e.g. the left position), wait a second, then back to the middle position (Wired USB) and try again. This clears transient startup issues.

Ball stutters or drops out periodically

Check that the power switch is in the middle position (Wired USB). If the wireless controller is active at the same time, it can interfere with tracking.

Ball motion isn't 1:1 (too fast or too slow)

On the Status page, the on-screen ball moves too fast or too slow compared to the actual ball. This usually means the base device's DPI is wrong. The Rotatrix controller requires the base device to be set to 800 DPI. This can only be changed when the Kensington controller is connected via wireless USB or Bluetooth:

Plug in the Kensington-provided USB dongle.
Set the power switch to the TOP (wireless).
Press the DPI button on the right side of the device. After each press, the blue light blinks to indicate the current mode (1, 2, 3, or 4 blinks).
Press until the blue light blinks twice (800 DPI).

Device not detected by the Rotatrix app

Ensure the power switch is in the middle position (Wired USB) and that the USB cable is fully connected. Try unplugging and replugging the cable, or a different USB port.

Stock device settings

Wirelessly, only limited functionality is available — the stock mouse functions provided by Kensington. Rotatrix features require a wired USB connection.

Pair Bluetooth

Move the power switch to the bottom position (Bluetooth).
Press and hold the DPI button until the blue light starts to blink quickly.
Pair with the device from your computer.

Re-pair stock Kensington dongle

Normally, the dongle provided with the device should automatically connect when the power switch is in the TOP position. If you need to re-pair the dongle for some reason:

Set the power switch to the TOP (wireless).
Press and hold the top-left button and the Bluetooth pairing button (right side) together for 3 seconds.
Both the green LED (left) and blue LED (right) will flash quickly, indicating pairing mode. The dongle should reconnect automatically.