A three dimensional (3D) maneuvering device generates 3D data by irradiating a variably tinted two dimensional (2D) reference surface. The tri-stimuli color index data (e.g. CIE 1931 RGB) is a reliable and high definition source of such tinting. By mathematical conversion, the color index data on the 2D surface is mapped into 3D positional data, i.e. (x, y, z) to be used by a computer, a 3D rendering device or an electronic or electromechanical device such as a 3D printer. The 3D maneuvering device has high sensitivity, high resolution, and immunity from the noise caused by human vibrations. A rotational motion vector is derived by comparing the relative motion vectors derived from a pattern recognition process of surface features on the same reference plane with the positional data derived using the color index data. Thus, a single gestural movement of the operator's hand provides both the translational and rotational motion data simultaneously.