Custom controller for FL

[Dab]

Won't be as good as a keyboard and mouse for pvp, but it'll feel cooler to fly around that way, that's for sure.

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[Error]

I was checking on joysticks- Saitek offer good options, however havent figured out how to make it to work with FL?
Can you help me there?

You can use GlovePie or other similar software to remap both the buttons and the analog inputs (joystick + sliders/rotaries) to either keyboard or mouse input. That's what I've been using for my experiments with FL and a Saitek X52 Pro, at least.

[escopton]

Won't be as good as a keyboard and mouse for pvp, but it'll feel cooler to fly around that way, that's for sure.

NEVER underestimate the power of 'getting used to it'.

OP: GREAT JOB! I always dreamt about this:)

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[Apache600]

Again, thanks for all the positive feedback, it's much appreciated. This controller does take a little getting use to, but it does make for a different gaming experience. It is a lot of fun to use for the larger ships like transports or gunboats (and up).
I hear some of you making mention of aiming with a joystick. A novel idea, but i think the mouse is a far more effective tool. When i play FL now, i primarily just use the mouse, and this new control panel.
For those of you who want to know how i did this, well, I'll include an image showing the unit with the back panel removed.
Someone made mention of using the Teensy board earlier, great idea ... but i don't think freelancer recognizes any inputs other then the mouse and keyboard. I am not a software guy, and couldn't even begin to fathom what would need to be written (or how) in order for FL to detect something else. Saitek joysticks would fit under this same realm, since those inputs are not recognized in game.
Someone else mentioned making a toggle switch so that the arcade joystick could be used for steering while in turret mode. I certainly like that idea, and will look to find a way to incorporate that into the next one i build.

If there is anyone who might be interested in having me build one of these for them, feel free to PM me. I would have to come up with an idea of a price after figuring out what kind of customization you'd want, but i'll warn you ahead of time, it probably won't be very cheap... these are 100% custom, and take a long time to build.

[Lobster]

I would totally pay for one of those.

[guideX]

That's awesome!

Use XPadder, I do it a lot with my tablet, because it's not convenient to use a keyboard with a tablet pc.

http://xpadder.com/

It takes a long time to configure, but once you do just right, it's like heaven:)

Hello all,
I've been a long time freelancer fan, and absolutely love what the modding community has done with discovery. I wouldn't consider myself a good player .... at all, i just enjoy roaming around and exploring new areas (which usually just leads to me getting shot to pieces by the sectors controlling factions).
I've always desired to use something other then the keyboard when playing this game. I can't tell you how many times i've wanted to fire a torpedo, but instead have found myself charging up cruise thrust. Or instead of hitting F to bring my shields back, i'd hit V accidentally and see who it was that was causing all that ruckus.
After spending a whole lot of time on planning and construction, i have finally finished my custom control panel for freelancer. After a little bit of trouble shooting this morning, she is now working perfectly.
Here's 2 pictures of it, hope the URL's work.
While this control panel is plugged in, i can still use the regular keyboard to type messages or for inputs that i don't have bound to this panel. And i still have the mouse plugged in for all the normal functions that it is needed for. The controller is set up to be used by the left hand.

- Glenn

http://i.imgur.com/HppnC.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/DJRUv.jpg

[Error]

Someone made mention of using the Teensy board earlier, great idea ... but i don't think freelancer recognizes any inputs other then the mouse and keyboard. I am not a software guy, and couldn't even begin to fathom what would need to be written (or how) in order for FL to detect something else.

That's the exact reason why I'm planning on using a Teensy - it can easily emulate a mouse and/or a keyboard since it's a USB native chip. You can use it to convert any kind of input (buttons, analog inputs, other sensors) into keystrokes, mouse movements, MIDI note/CC messages - nearly anything you want, really.

If you're interested I'd suggest skimming through this page for an example of how it's been used in a project that's somewhat similar to yours (converting buttons into keyboard output) with a simple and readable code example, even if you've never programmed (in C) before - it's well commented throughout.

EDIT: Here's the "official" example.

[Adam_Spire]

Speaking of which, Im trying to build this because of Disco.

Remember the old Star Wars Joystick Yoke?

The flight controls are perfect for cockpit and flight view, not so much for turret steer.

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Sometimes, when all you want is to gain your freedom, you must be willing to risk it all.

[Apache600]

Hey Error, check this site out

http://www.desktopaviator.com/Products/M.../index.htm

seems similar to the teensy, but might prove to be a little different. I like how you can use a throw switch, and it only activates the key for a brief moment (2235-DP).

[Dashiell]

epic. hahaha. epic

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