Joysticks: Guide to Setting Up

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Revision as of 15:46, 3 January 2021 by Cholmondely (talk | contribs) (→‎Thrustmaster TM4: Edited)

Cholly's guide to Setting up Joystick Configurations in Oolite 1.90

Introduction

This guide deals only with assigning in-game functions to the axes and buttons on a joystick/throttle.

For setting up an axis profile (to correct a drunken bias - or to achieve more precision in flight) - read Dizzy's guide to Setting up Joystick Axis Profiles

Important Points

*Be careful of what you assign to buttons/axes on the base of the joystick/throttle. You will need to let go of the joystick/throttle to get to the buttons on the base. If this is in the middle of a combat, you could find yourself well and truly stuffed, as you can no longer steer/change speed. So avoid assigning functions such as witchspace fuel injectors (i)

Some definitions

1. stick, 2. base, 3. trigger, 4. extra buttons, 5. switch (2-way), 6. thumbwheel, 7. hat switch (4-way), 8. suction cup
Hat switch in green at top, Thumbwheel in yellow at bottom
  • Axis
An analog-type input where the axis setting selects the amount of change (not available for purely keyboard inputs)
There are at least 4 types of axis:
The usual two axes of a joystick (forwards <–> backwards & left <-> right) - x & y above right
Some joysticks have twist as well (clockwise ↔ anti-clockwise) - z above right
A thumbwheel - 6 above left
A mini-joystick - not shown above - can look identical to the hat switch, but with very different operation - will add two more x & y axes
  • Button
On/Off: Either (i) keep pressed for the effect (Fuel Injectors) or (ii) press for on and then press again for off
There are at least 6 types of button:
A button that looks like a button! - 4 above left
A switch (operates like 2 buttons) - 7 above left
A trigger (operates like a button) - 3 above left
A hat switch (operates like 4 buttons) - 6 above left
A button incorporated into a mini-joystick - not shown
A rotary switch where one turns the knob to select one of a number of options - not shown
  • Hat switch (used to be called a coolie hat switch) - see buttons
  • POV switch (Point Of View switch – same as hat switch) - see buttons

Examples

note right fore-finger on trigger & left thumb on throttle
Joystick Map

Logitech Extreme 3D Pro

  • The Logitech joystick has a 3-way axis for the stick (including the 3rd twist axis) and another throttle axis on the base.
  • There are twelve buttons: 6 on the stick (including the trigger and button 2 on the left of the stick where the thumb rests) and 6 on the base.
  • The hat switch on the stick is actually an 8-way switch which can function as a mini-joystick giving another 2 axes if desired.
  • The software for the Logitech joystick allows the buttons to be programmed to operate macros if so desired.

Cody's settings: Cody uses this joystick with a keyboard. The precision toggle is not used because the axis profiles were set so as to no longer need it.

  • Axis 1 - roll (left/right arrows)
  • Axis 2 - pitch (up/down arrows)
  • Axis 3 - not used (twist): Cody favours the Rollers in the Roll vs Yaw crusades
  • Axis 4 - not used (throttle)
  • Axis 5 - (hatswitch) used instead as buttons - for views - left & right (F3 & F4)
  • Axis 6 - (hatswitch) used instead as buttons - for views - up & down (F1 & F2)
  • Button 1 - (trigger) - fire laser (a)
  • Button 2 - docking - request docking clearance (shift-l)
  • Button 3 - missile - arm missile (t)
  • Button 4 - missile - fire missile (m)
  • Button 5 - take snapshot (*)
  • Button 6 - missile - cycle missile (y)
  • Button 7 - next ASC compass target
  • Button 8 - not yet used
  • Button 9 - docking - Blue Danube docking computer (c)
  • Button 10 - docking - fast docking computer (shift-c)
  • Button 11 - Activate .oxp equipment (n)
  • Button 12 - Prime .oxp equipment (shift-n)

Thrustmaster TM4

note that joystick and throttle units have not been seperated

There are some 3 very similar Thrustmaster entry-level HOTAS (Hands on Throttle and Stick) sets: T.Flight 3, 4 & X. They seem mostly designed for those using gaming consoles as the buttons on each are quite limited in number.

They are very nicely designed - nice curves, screw holes at the bottom for attaching to something heavy like a desk (if so desired), an Allen key (living in a base recess) to separate the two halves of the throttle and joystick, a simple knob to stiffen up the joystick etc. Another point is that since the joystick and throttle are wired together, they only occupy one USB slot on the dreaded computer.

  • The TM4 joystick has a 3-way axis for the stick (including the 3rd twist axis - disable-able with a screwdriver), a throttle axis on the left, and a fifth axis (rudder) on the back of the throttle stick.
  • There are 13 buttons: 4 on the stick (including the trigger) and 6 on the throttle and 3 on the base of the throttle.
  • The hat switch on the stick is a regular 4-way switch.
  • The software for the TM3/4/X hotas is needed. It allows the PS button on the base of the throttle to toggle between vanilla PlayStation mode (where the empower the twist joystick z-axis and the throttle's rudder axis are disabled) and Joystick mode where everything works.

Cholly's settings: Cholly uses this HOTAS with an Elgato Streamdeck, so the confusing missile controls are there where they can be clearly labelled.

  • Axis 1 - (Joystick left/right): roll (left/right arrows)
  • Axis 2 - (Joystick left/right): pitch (up/down arrows)
  • Axis 3 - (throttle): speed (w and s)
  • Axis 4 - (twist on joystick): not used Cholly finds 3 axes on the same stick too confusing for words
  • Axis 5 - possibly unbought pedals?
  • Axis 6 - (rudder on throttle): yaw - (, & .)
  • Button 1 - (trigger on joystick): fire laser (a)
  • Button 2 - (L1 button): witchfuel injectors (i)
  • Button 3 - (R3 button): roll/pitch Precision toggle (sort of ctrl but as a toggle)
  • Button 4 - (L3 button): Toggle ID (r)
  • Button 5 - (square on button): ECM (e)
  • Button 6 - (x on button): Activate first fast equipment (defensive) (Tab)
  • Button 7 - (circle on button): Activate second fast equipment (offensive) (0)
  • Button 8 - (triangle on button): toggle weapons (shift-hyphen: _)
  • Button 9 - (R2 button): zoom scanner (z)
  • Button 10 - (L2 button): reset scanner (shift-z)
  • Button 11 - (Share button): hyperspeed - Torus jump drive (j)
  • Button 12 - (Options button): hyperdrive - Witchspace drive (h)
  • Button 13 - (PS red/green LED button): not used (as disables rudder yawing)
  • Hat Switch - (on joystick): used as 4 buttons - for the 4 views - (F1 - F4)

CH Combat Stick & Throttle Pro

Links

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