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LCARS touchscreen Control app for PC

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  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    And more to the point can we have an option to not use them. That is an awesome app by the way.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    The sounds are from Star Trek Armada 1.

    Each macro command has the Option to use about 20-30 different sound files. Any wave file you specify would do. The sound it plays is picked randomly from the pool. You can add the same file multiple times so that sound is more likely to be played. Or add one (or more) Silent file so you receive sound notification occasionaly, not all the time.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    Just added support for Down until pressed type events. With that, WASD type control is possible, but only in native mode.
    The app is quite stable and I'm really out of additional ideas here. It seems like a release candidate to me, however, I can't figure out a good name. Up till now I called it STOck for STO control keys, but since this version is absolutely universal I dont think that is a good name anymore.
    Anyone has any suggestion?
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    As this is Windows based, it should probably be easier to adapt for your purposes than an iDevice.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    As this is Windows based, it should probably be easier to adapt for your purposes than an iDevice.

    I will use my venerable Win CE 6 device at first. Mainly because I have that at home. The next one will be Android and the final will be the Isomething port.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    Pen, you should team up with the guys making the Ipad app...

    I honestly like your button layout better than theirs since they don't allow for keyboard movement control on theirs...
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    Pendra37 wrote: »
    I will use my venerable Win CE 6 device at first. Mainly because I have that at home. The next one will be Android and the final will be the Isomething port.

    Cool. I just thought I'd bring it up in case you had plans for a Linux variety.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    Can I get a download link for this app? I want to test it without touchscreen, and then with a touchscreen when I purchase one in a few weeks.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    Do you havea link for the download ide love to test this out
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited November 2010
    Anyone with an USB touchscreen can help out a little here, please? I need some simple data logs. There is this little USB monitoring tool here: http://www.sto-advanced.com/SimpleHIDWrite.exe
    With that app, you can log the communications of USB HID devices (such as a keyboards, mouses, joysticks, touchscreen).
    What I would like you to do is launch the app, select your touchscreen and "draw" some crosses onto the screen. Then save then log please.

    After that please turn off your touchscreen's the mouse control. You may be able to do that using your driver's settings. Or if there is nothing like that, please go to the Control Panel/Mouse and disable the touchscreen mouse control there.
    Then go the the USB monitoring tool, select the touchscreen and "draw" some crosses onto the screen again. Then save then log please.

    I would be very grateful if you could send me the log files and the type of touchscreen you have!
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited November 2010
    Heh, now I need to research some little touchscreens.

    Great work as always, Pendra!
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited November 2010
    Pendra37 wrote: »
    Anyone with an USB touchscreen can help out a little here, please? I need some simple data logs. There is this little USB monitoring tool here: http://www.sto-advanced.com/SimpleHIDWrite.exe
    With that app, you can log the communications of USB HID devices (such as a keyboards, mouses, joysticks, touchscreen).
    What I would like you to do is launch the app, select your touchscreen and "draw" some crosses onto the screen. Then save then log please.

    After that please turn off your touchscreen's the mouse control. You may be able to do that using your driver's settings. Or if there is nothing like that, please go to the Control Panel/Mouse and disable the touchscreen mouse control there.
    Then go the the USB monitoring tool, select the touchscreen and "draw" some crosses onto the screen again. Then save then log please.

    I would be very grateful if you could send me the log files and the type of touchscreen you have!

    So I guess you're not going to post a link for us to try the app, eh? Me buying a touch screen device is dependent on whether or not I like your app. Yes, that's right.. my entire decision on a $100+ peripheral hinges entirely on your LCARS application. If I like the app, I will either buy a touch screen device, or hook up a second monitor and make it my primary display while using a touchscreen conversion kit on my notebook display for the LCARS app.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited November 2010
    So I guess you're not going to post a link for us to try the app, eh? Me buying a touch screen device is dependent on whether or not I like your app. Yes, that's right.. my entire decision on a $100+ peripheral hinges entirely on your LCARS application. If I like the app, I will either buy a touch screen device, or hook up a second monitor and make it my primary display while using a touchscreen conversion kit on my notebook display for the LCARS app.

    Well, currently, the app has a major problem with STO's mouse control. If you are in mouse look mode for whatever reason, STO locks the cursor INSIDE its client window. To top this, STO occasionally locks the mouse inside the client even if you are not in mouse view (mainly in space mode). I can't think any reason why the STO client should work this way, but it does.
    Now if you hit the touch screen while the mouse is locked inside, the app will not do enything. That, I consider a show stopper in case of STO :(. Works cool for other games, like HL2 thou, but not with STO.
    I went around this, by adding a native mode. In that mode, the app uses and processes the raw input data from the touchscreen. It works for most Serial touchscreens (I have one of those), but not for USB. Fortunately, I have a component that can monitor the HID devices from the USB ports. Also the touchscreen calibration method is smart enough to handle any regular input data. But without an USB touchscreen, I can't link them together.
    Using the logs, I would be able to verify the concept and implement this USB support.
    With that implemented, I could safely say tha app is 100% STO compatible. Also 100% compatible with touchscreen in mouse mode and 99% compatible in native mode (obscure or rare devices don't count).

    In the meantime, I added some other, very important features such as:
    - Visual feedback. An image, you specify, is displayed until the macro is active. It is extremely usefull in for looped stuff.
    - Customizable text label. In the current version, button texts were added to the overlay. Not easy to swap, if you needed to. But with that, you just add an unmarked overlay and change button text on the fly.
    - Spec button picture. With that, you don't even have to mess with the overlay that much. You still need to have an overlay, but you have a way to swap graphics on the fly.

    These stuff are done by now. Some bugfix and some testing (I like that part :D) and I'm really out of stuff to add.

    You do want one for the space part. Trust me on that. I could forget all the idiotic hotkeys (now what does alt+ctl+F5 do?). I have switching turn (hit: Start to turn, hit again: Stop turning) and WASD turn. I can fully customize the auto firing. I can turn Shield reinforcing ON permanently. It is sooo much better that way. The keyboard feels like stone age after this.

    On ground, it is hit and miss. When things get REALLY tense (7-8 klingons incl swordmasters charging you), I start to miss the multitouch. Keep in mind, that I play in FPS style fast action, thou. In tactical mode, it should be fine. In normal battles, it is OK. I can plow through non insta gib mobs on Advanced, using my Sci toon without problem.
    It also works great for RP. I have every emote mapped, I can sit on anything easily and even the Sit in the Captain's chair is set up (that takes 2 presses not 1).

    It is utilitarian and extremely immersive at the same time. The ground layout needs some work, but the space layout feels great.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited November 2010
    Ok the first release is up: http://www.sto-advanced.com/yhtk

    Among various bugfixes and polish, a major new feature was added: Mouse Control!
    With that you can control or even macro the camera movement.
    You can also macro mouse clicks.

    Now that mouse click thing doesn't work in case of STO because of the weird mouse control of the game, but works in other games and apps.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited November 2010
    AtomicFB wrote:
    This would be awesome if it worked on touchscreens

    Ever hear of "Touch Buddy"? I have several mates that use it for Flight sim games like IL2, Blackshark, and FSX

    Fully customizable....all you need is a touchscreen. I'd have given it a go but the prices of touch screens are....well insane.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited November 2010
    This is by far one of the coolest things i've ever seen. I'm so considering buying a touch screen now just to use this thing, its not even fun, I hate you now man lol making me spend more money. I am like totally slack jawed at this.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited November 2010
    That touch buddy is not bad, but it takes a lot of time and experience to create a half decent layout.
    YHTK is very streamlined and lot more intuitive. Ok the mouse control needs some extra care, but I just added it yesterday because I had a few hours to burn.
    You can create a complete LCARS setup in 10-15 minutes with all the weird shape buttons. You can do that because YHTK analizes the the layout you want to use and auto generates the buttons for you. You don't have to actually select areas. The computer does that in a sec.
    You just point the button and click some macro together. No coding of any kind is required. Also buttons can be any shape and size, not just rectangles. The layout change is much more immersive, as well.

    On the other hand, YHTK can't set up multiple result switch graphics (like rotating switches) only ON and OFF states. But that can be added easily. No Server-Client yet, but it is coming very soon. Video, ehh that can be added easily as well, but I didn't really see the point.
    The browser and PDF support is quite different. The app can launch your regular browser or PDF reader and minimize itself to a simple profile change button.

    Touchscreen prices went down considerably lately. You can get a decent used 15" touchscreen for around $150 or a slightly scratched one with some dead pixels fo $100 or less from EBay. Or just get an addon panel for $120 and put it onto your 2nd LCD.
    But even brand new touchscreens are pretty inexpensive. You can get them for around $200 or up.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited November 2010
    Pendra37 wrote: »
    Watch it in action http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0C-YvOGWXg :D

    I'm looking for idea feedback and some testers here with touchscreens (USB and Serial alike).

    Features so far:
    - Runs on Windows PC (single and multi monitor supported).

    - Supports every game and application. STO, WOW, EVE, Home control apps, Photoshop, 3D Studio...

    - Fully customizable layouts. Create and use as many layouts as you like. Add button text and graphics dinamically.

    - Fast interface layout change, like Ground layout, Space Combat layout, virtual keyboard...

    - Powerfull, quick and easy to use macro support. Chain, switch, loop, console commands, mouse movement... you name it.

    - Customizable visual and audio feedback. You can add a pool of sounds and the app plays one randomly (immersion). You can also add visible "macro running" markers t buttons.

    - Works with simple mouse clicks.

    - Works with every touchscreen in mouse mode. Problem is that STO messes up you mouse control big time. For example mouse mode doesn't work while you are in mouse look in STO.

    - Adding native support for various USB and Serial touchsreens to fully support STO and other apps, that mess up your mouse control. So the touch screen will work even if you are in mouse look. I need testers to make sure the app is compatible with every available PC touchscreens. The video above is made in native mode.

    - No messing with registry and shady System32 DLL files. Works as a standalone executable.

    - networking is coming.

    Unlimited time, full feature trial version will be available. It will, however, shut itself down after 10 minutes.

    The full version will be $15. Testers with touchscreens will get it for free of course.


    wow... Awesome work !
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited November 2010
    Pendra37 wrote: »
    Watch it in action http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0C-YvOGWXg :D

    I'm looking for idea feedback and some testers here with touchscreens (USB and Serial alike).

    Features so far:
    - Runs on Windows PC (single and multi monitor supported).

    - Supports every game and application. STO, WOW, EVE, Home control apps, Photoshop, 3D Studio...

    - Fully customizable layouts. Create and use as many layouts as you like. Add button text and graphics dinamically.

    - Fast interface layout change, like Ground layout, Space Combat layout, virtual keyboard...

    - Powerfull, quick and easy to use macro support. Chain, switch, loop, console commands, mouse movement... you name it.

    - Customizable visual and audio feedback. You can add a pool of sounds and the app plays one randomly (immersion). You can also add visible "macro running" markers t buttons.

    - Works with simple mouse clicks.

    - Works with every touchscreen in mouse mode. Problem is that STO messes up you mouse control big time. For example mouse mode doesn't work while you are in mouse look in STO.

    - Adding native support for various USB and Serial touchsreens to fully support STO and other apps, that mess up your mouse control. So the touch screen will work even if you are in mouse look. I need testers to make sure the app is compatible with every available PC touchscreens. The video above is made in native mode.

    - No messing with registry and shady System32 DLL files. Works as a standalone executable.

    - networking is coming.

    Unlimited time, full feature trial version will be available. It will, however, shut itself down after 10 minutes.

    The full version will be $15. Testers with touchscreens will get it for free of course.

    hey Pendra37, check out the Shout out i made for you.

    http://forums.startrekonline.com/showthread.php?p=3142802#post3142802
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited November 2010
    Hey thanks for the Shout out :)!

    In the meantime I added the multi state switch graphics support and enabled the quick main picture change. With that added, you can create more accurate and more immersive UI way faster and easier with YHTK than with TB.
    I feel that tomorrow will be a great day to implement networking support.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited November 2010
    I own an HP touchsmart, and I've been following this thread... I'll try to give it a go sometime soon, let you know what I discover about how it works.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited November 2010
    I have a Planar PT1510MX and I would like to be a tester for you Pendra. And I have access to other touchscreens as well from my work.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited November 2010
    I added a port data capture memo into the app. To test, please DL the app from here
    http://www.sto-advanced.com/yhtk/YHTK_DIAG.zip
    then launch it and hit Native mode.
    Select your Touchscreen's COM port from the list. You can see that COM port number if you go to Start => Control Panel => Mouse => Hardware => Properties .
    If you can't open the correct port it is because your TS is using it. You need to disable it. You can do that at Start => Control Panel => Mouse => Hardware => Properties, as well. You can re-enable it any time.

    Afterward you should be able to select the port your TS uses.
    Now you see a memo and a button. Touch your TS somewhere (anywhere) on the screen. Numbers should start to run in the memo box. If they don't run, that is a problem.
    If they do, keep pressing the TS for a few secs. Then draw some horizontal and vertical lines. Finally, save the log with the button and send the diag_log.txt file to yhtkapp at gmail d com.
    Please specify the type of touchscreen you have in the mail.

    Afterward, I will modify the app and send it back for testing. If it works OK, you will receive the full version.

    Ps.: Anyone who would like to test the app out and I didn't have the chance to reply please follow the steps above and send me the log.

    Also if the COM port, your TS uses is NOT listed (For example COM17) then please do this:
    There is this little USB monitoring tool here: http://www.sto-advanced.com/SimpleHIDWrite.exe
    With that app, you can log the communications of USB HID devices.
    What I would like you to do is launch the app, select your touchscreen and "draw" some crosses onto the screen. Then save then log please.

    After that please turn off your touchscreen's the mouse control, like explained above. Then go the the USB monitoring tool, select the touchscreen and "draw" some crosses onto the screen again. Then save then log please.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited November 2010
    When I do what it says and hit native ts support, an error message pops up saying file not found.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited November 2010
    Thanks for the feedback! One damn try is missing. I will upload my calibration file in a moment.

    In the meantime, finished with the complete Networking stuff and added support for Windows Mobile 6.
    With that, you can use any Windows pads or touchscreen laptops with WiFi or LAN cable as a controller. Native mode is not even needed in networking! I have to fix up the Down until pressed event thou, because it works in native mode only at the moment.

    To test it out, I quickly turned my X600 smartphone into an actual Tricorder. I can use that in-game for scanning, analyzing and healing/buffing/debuffing while not in combat.
    The whole thing was very responsive even when I ran multiple copies (Touchscreen, Phone, my GFs computer) and the game. There was no to minimal lagging.

    Tidy up the code, Android support, Win Mobile 7 support and Isomething support.
    Hm I may be able to sleep next week, cool!
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited November 2010
    As cool as this is, is Advertising paid software allowed on these forums?
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited November 2010
    Well, I suppose it is OK since Tap To Play was allowed to do the same. On top of that I didn't put a direct link and made a full feature, unlimited time trial version .
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited November 2010
    Are you saying that the program isn't compatible with windows 7 64 ultimate yet?
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited November 2010
    Sorry, when I said Win7 I meant Windows Mobile 7. This M$ product naming (Win7 - WinM7) was a baaad idea.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited November 2010
    Where are you uploading the file?
This discussion has been closed.