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How to Use a Joystick in Game (A Tutorial)

SystemSystem Member, NoReporting Posts: 178,019 Arc User
edited January 2014 in Controls and User Interface
Ok by popular demand here it is:

1) To be safe download any software that the manufacturer of your joystick supplies.

2) Bind any buttons you can to keystrokes using this. Odds are the actual joystick movement will not bind to a key in this. But do the ones ya can. If you can't find one or it doesn't work, move to step 3.

3) Download and install Joystickcurser

4) Using this you can bind your X, Y. Z and R axis to keystrokes. Also your pov switch and any buttons the joystick software wouldn't. Go ahead and do that now. I have yet to get the throttle to work.

5) Before starting the game, start the joystickcurser program so it runs in your tray. Same with your joystick software. If you made any settings that you saved in them be sure to load them in the software.

6) Start the game up and go to your key bindings tab. Doing this in space makes life easier. Now set your bindings.


Example: Click in the "Fire All Weapons" bind area. Now pull the trigger on your joystick. It should now be bound to a keystroke.

Do the same for your ship movements. Instead of pulling the trigger, move the joystick in the direction you want. Go thru and bind the rest of the buttons etc..


Play the game and enjoy your joystick. :D If you found this helpful please make a post so the thread stays near the top allowing others to find it easily. Engage !


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Added for Logitch Joysticks

jtkerry wrote: »
I have a Windows 7 Pro AMD Quad Core PC w/ 4GB RAM and an ATI Radeon HD 2400XT 256MB . I have a Wingman Extreme 9 button Flightstick w/8 way hatch. Windows 7 detected and installed it was when I upgraded ti Win7, and the stick calibrated and worked fine in ST:Legacy. Not so in STO, but I wasn't surprised by this. I have a number of avid MMO gamers around me, and the said not to expect support on this. I read the forums and was hearing that you had to get software from the manufacturer of the device you use, and the software would create the inter face. So, the following is what I did for my Logitech...

1. Download the LGS v5.08 (Logitech Gaming Software) and install it with the device attached:

http://logitech-viva.navisite.net/web/ftp/pub/techsupport/joystick/lgs508_x64.exe

Install STO if you haven't. Setup and launch STO with all the present patches - click "engage" and go into the game. Then close the game.

2. Configure the LGS software withall your settings, but DO NOT SET THE THOTTLE. I did and it was slightly on. When I rebooted, it started filling the text boxes in any open window with Q's. Then in the upper left is an area to link and launch software from the LGS program - point it to the GameClient.exe file on your C:\drive (the easiest way is to search for the file and figure out the location). Launch STO from the Logitech software once, and let it NOT find the server and go to a login screen. go to the upper right hand corner and reduce to a window.

3. Launch the game from the normal STO Desktop Icon - login - patch - engage. Wnen you get to the character selection -reduce this screen from fullscreen to a window. Close the other login window. The Logitech window should still be open. Select you character and play the game. The flightstick will work with a fraction of about a 1/10 of second delay. I seemed to notice it at first, but after the first space battle you don't seem to notice it as much.

Your mouse is now able to be devoted to moving views and your flightstick can handle ship/character movement and weapons. I found that I also use the mouse for shields. I just center the mouse and divert energy to all the shields at once when needed.
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments

  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2010
    Great Post!

    I do have a question about setting up the POV control stick though. I am not sure which movements to bind to this stick. While flying I would like to be able to change where my camera is heading to make it easier to see enemies that are off the screen instead of waiting for my ships POV to slowly move around.

    I have a Saitek Cyborg X Flightstick. Any help would be great, thanks! The POV is pretty much the only thing I am having trouble with.

    Another thing.. My Siatek software has the option to configure the X, Y with Mouse X, Y movement, but I was not able to get this working. Am trying to get better control of the ship movements in space. Wanted the X,Y to act more like the mouse while I am holding down the left and right mouse buttons in space.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2010
    A friend of my uses this program for binding key to his joystick. I haven't tried it yet but it seems to work well for him.

    http://xpadder.com/
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2010
    A friend of my uses this program for binding key to his joystick. I haven't tried it yet but it seems to work well for him.

    http://xpadder.com/

    I just downloaded this software. letter tonight I will give it a shot. I was using something else but it didn't seem to have the customization I want. This program looks like it will give me what I am looking for. Thanks for the link.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2010
    Cool let us know how that works, I was looking at that myself. Would be nice to get the throttle working.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2010
    FYI - Logitech users should use the Logitech Profiler that Logitech includes, it supplies some pretty advanced functionality.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2010
    Okay . . .

    /bind F6 throttleset 0.25

    Makes it so that F6 sets the throttle to 0.25

    With that, you can bind the F-keys to throttle settings.

    You can go backwards with throttleset -1

    With Logitech's "Zone" feature, this goes a long way to being able to control the throttle of the ship via the joystick's throttle. I have the bottom zone set as -1 for reverse, then the rest set from 0 to 1 in 0.25 increments, which I think reflects the keyboard controls.

    BTW, when using the Logitech Profiler the key for full impulse should be recorded as a command, including recording pauses - otherwise, there seems to be some bug that resets the throttle.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2010
    I have a Saitek and its software has close to the same thing. I'll give it a whirl, thnx.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2010
    Valk_ wrote: »
    I have a Saitek and its software has close to the same thing. I'll give it a whirl, thnx.

    I am trying to get mine all worked out too now that I ma home from work.

    Sietek cyborg X Xpadder combo. This is what IA m working with right now.

    I am new to this joystick thing so I am having trouble getting my x,y axis to act like my mouse does while holding down left+right mouse buttons. Any suggestions?
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2010
    By the way - any time a key or key combination seems flaky or doesn't work right, record it with pauses. Sometimes it seems the game doesn't seem to recognize stuff that's done too quickly.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2010
    Anyone else with a Sietek Cyborg X having problems getting the software config application to run correctly in win 7 x64?

    The utility opens up but does not detect my device as it should and will not let me use or test a created profile.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2010
    just did all my button assignments, about to test it out i might have an idea for the throttle. we'll see i'll let you know how it works.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2010
    Were you able to get the x,y axis to work as the mouse flight control works? I am still trying to work this out. Using W,S,A,D feels just too clunky.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2010
    Locutis78 wrote: »
    Were you able to get the x,y axis to work as the mouse flight control works? I am still trying to work this out. Using W,S,A,D feels just too clunky.

    i mapped wsad (i always used edwr, but same thing) to the axis on the joystick and for the throttle i assigned full impulse the the space bar and mapped that to my center top button on my stick. for throttle i mapped throttle up secondrary to the number pad + sign and throttle down to -. then assigned those to the throttle. its not smooth though. when i push the throttle up, it only goes up 1 increment at a time, but usually you're full impulse or you're not. so i don't have to mess with the throttle until i get in close. i use auto fire on my phasers (at present i have the constitution class, so i only have 1 fore and 1 aft array) then i mapped the fire all wepons to the trigger in case they decide not to and for the torps. i mapped alot of skill buttons to thenumber pad numbers then to the stick, but i don't remember the order
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2010
    oh and i can't do anything with the camera yet, but reach for the mouse and move it manually. so that part still sucks, but i did the starbase 24 fleet action and the stick rocks. great idea!
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2010
    Here is what I did for the mouse camera.

    Mapped x,y, mouse axis to the stick movement. To get it to follow my camera I made one of my keys act as a toggle for holding down left+right mouse buttons. Walla, it worked however, now when I am flying around my computer crashes. I am not sure why this is so I ma trying to do the same thing in other software and see how it works. It was really nice while it lasted though. I am more of a mouse user then wasd. I always prefer mouse look.

    Got stuck in the queue now though and I do not seem to be moving forward at all.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2010
    Hmmm I may have to try that.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2010
    After further testing in the SSD mapping the left and right click to a button with mouse view movement on the stick works great. really nice. much better then WASD. Camera follows me as I am flying around as if I was using the mouse.

    Now if I could figure out why I crash to blue screen of death. It's only while playing STO. It may not even be related to my joystick.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Try typing /maxfps 60 see if that helps.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Bump by request.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    This is a good thread. Bump for the new people joining us in game now!
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Mapped all of my keys to my logitech extreme 3d pro the same way everyone else in this thread is suggesting. I used the Logitech profiler and I'm running the game with the profiler open. None of my keymappings seem to work at all. I see a lot of people using the saitek, but has anyone had any success with the Logitech Extreme?
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Might wanna try the joycurser thinger. I was previously using the same profiler you are on a similiar stick along with the joycurser.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    CobraA1 wrote: »
    Okay . . .

    /bind F6 throttleset 0.25

    Makes it so that F6 sets the throttle to 0.25

    With that, you can bind the F-keys to throttle settings.

    You can go backwards with throttleset -1

    With Logitech's "Zone" feature, this goes a long way to being able to control the throttle of the ship via the joystick's throttle. I have the bottom zone set as -1 for reverse, then the rest set from 0 to 1 in 0.25 increments, which I think reflects the keyboard controls.

    BTW, when using the Logitech Profiler the key for full impulse should be recorded as a command, including recording pauses - otherwise, there seems to be some bug that resets the throttle.

    How...

    I am using the a freedom 2.4 with the logitech profiler and so far all I can get the throttle to do is full forward is e and full reverse is q. How do you get these "zones" you're talking about defined? I found a property that listed a slider bar as Zone, but I can't figure out what it is doing.

    Thanks in advance.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Mapped all of my keys to my logitech extreme 3d pro the same way everyone else in this thread is suggesting. I used the Logitech profiler and I'm running the game with the profiler open. None of my keymappings seem to work at all. I see a lot of people using the saitek, but has anyone had any success with the Logitech Extreme?

    Near as I could tell, the only solution for that was to set the profile as persistent in the global optios, up on the meny bar.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    whitman911 wrote: »
    Near as I could tell, the only solution for that was to set the profile as persistent in the global optios, up on the meny bar.

    THANK YOU! I saw that option but I thought it meant something else (I figured it meant apply to all games) so I left it alone. I'll try it tonight.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    whitman911 wrote: »
    How...

    I am using the a freedom 2.4 with the logitech profiler and so far all I can get the throttle to do is full forward is e and full reverse is q. How do you get these "zones" you're talking about defined? I found a property that listed a slider bar as Zone, but I can't figure out what it is doing.

    Thanks in advance.

    Having the same problem with the throttle in the logitech profiler. I mapped forward to E and backward to Q. Of course I can't get anything working yet. Going to try the joycursor suggestion and the persistent profile suggestion tonight then play around with it some more.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    or, just allow the key bindings option to accept joystick input.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Added a post by JTKerry to original tutorial for Logitech.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Having the same problem with the throttle in the logitech profiler. I mapped forward to E and backward to Q. Of course I can't get anything working yet. Going to try the joycursor suggestion and the persistent profile suggestion tonight then play around with it some more.

    From personal experience, this is horrible.
    I've got a Logitech (Extreme 3D Pro), and mapping the throttle to Q and E results in nothing but a constant string of qqqqqqqqqq or eeeeeeeeeeeeee, depending on which direction you move the throttle in. Makes chatting impossible.

    Unfortunately, I have the same problem with using WASD on the joystick axes. I use the stick to maneuver around, and I get stuck with a never-ending stream of wwwwwwwwwwwww that only goes away by restarting. The configuration utility when I first installed it indicated that the stick wasn't off; it was centered just fine, tracks just fine, and it doesn't seem to be a hardware issue.

    As for binding everything else, here's what I've found that works great for the Logitech:

    Throttle
    Use the /bind f5 throttleset 0, f6 throttleset 0.25, etc. method. Like a charm, with the caveat that I never got Full Impulse to work 100%. I think I'm just going to keep that one on the keyboard for now, since it's only used between fights.

    Power Activation
    Put powers in certain spots in the big tray (3 on the complexity popout) and bind Ctrl+1 or Alt+2 to the buttons. I can reliably activate any power this way with zero difficulty.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    I have a Logitech Freedom 2.4 Joystick with a throttle and POV button and the ability to map each to something in game.

    I do not totally understand the directions that are being posted. I know its silly and should be common sense, but could someone please give a step by step in how you would map your "Fire All" key/icon in game to the "Trigger" button on my joystick.

    I have the profiler program, but just can't seem to grasp the concept. Especially with mapping my up, down, left, right movement....I will try the other program mentioned, but I should be able to use my Logitech profiler to do it all.

    Please don't flame me.
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