Harware switches/buttons via USB

[MadeInTheShed]

I have a 128 button (configured as 64 pushbuttons, 16 toggle, and 4 rotary encoders), 8 axis joystick controller that I built years ago to control a flight simulator cockpit.
I am wondering if I could use this controller to set up hardware switches, and buttons to control Mach3.
Before I rip the cockpit apart, or build another board to test this, can anyone advise if Mach3 can be setup to accept external button presses from a Joystick?

Jon

[TOTALLYRC]

Originally Posted by MadeInTheShed I have a 128 button (configured as 64 pushbuttons, 16 toggle, and 4 rotary encoders), 8 axis joystick controller that I built years ago to control a flight simulator cockpit. I am wondering if I could use this controller to set up hardware switches, and buttons to control Mach3. Before I rip the cockpit apart, or build another board to test this, can anyone advise if Mach3 can be setup to accept external button presses from a Joystick? Jon

There is a utility inside of mach3 called key grabber that wiil do what you want.

I use it with a logitech USB gamepad and it works well.

Once you get it set up you will need to configure your start up files so that Mach3 starts via Keygrabber so your joystick is active all the time. I am not sure if all of your buttons will be available to you but take a look and see.

Mike

[MadeInTheShed]

Thanks Mike, Im playing with that now, but Keygrabber does not recognizes my Joystick. I can see it in Windows, but it does not show up in the HID device list.

[MadeInTheShed]

But............

If I use the 'keygrabber' that I used to use for the flightsim, I can emulate key presses to Mach3.



Now I just have to work out what all the keyboard shortcuts are............

Maybe I should RTFM

[whitehedr]

I think Hoss has several posts in his thread "X2 finished for now " that tells how he did keygrabbing for his console. The thread is located in Benchtop Machines in the Metal Working Forum. Here is a link. It is a fabulous read.

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30385

RWW

[Rhino3Master]

If you still have any problems with recognizing your joystick, you can map your Mach3 commands to the keyboard and use a keyboard emulator called "JoyToKey". Then you have to configure which button of your joystick will act like a desired key
http://www.electracode.com/4/joy2key...%20Version.htm