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LCARS touchscreen Control app for PC

SystemSystem Member, NoReporting Posts: 178,019 Arc User
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. Create buttons of any shape and size (not just rectangles). Add button text and multiple button 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.

- 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. The video above is made in native mode.

- No messing with registry and shady System32 DLL files. Works as a standalone executable. No install needed, just run it.

- Full networking is in.

- Android 1.6 and up is supported, WM6, WM6.5 is supported

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

The full version is $9.9.

This post has been edited to remove content which violates the Cryptic Studios Forum Usage Guidelines and Cryptic Studios Infraction Policy ~WishStone
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments

  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    Be cool if they actually released a STO keyboard that looked like the LCAR screens.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    I think there is some gamepad, where you can add a custom made paper overlay, but I can't seem to find it now.

    I made this LCARS up, just to test the app. The circular buttons are the powers 1-10, the arrows are for control, hit the rectangles the arrows point and the ship turns constantly. Hit the arrow and it turns just a little bit. The +/- are speed control, the mode select is high impulse. The 341 is the F. The 38 is fire all, 72 fires torpedoes and 99 fires beam weapons. Ext set is Scan. 160 is next target, 172 is previous target.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    This would be awesome if it worked on touchscreens
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    It does work. I use it on my secondary 15" LCD touchscreen right now.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    Pendra37 wrote: »
    It does work. I use it on my secondary 15" LCD touchscreen right now.

    Great... now I have to buy a touchscreen :D
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    add sounds on to it..will be siiickk
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    AtomicFB wrote:
    Great... now I have to buy a touchscreen :D

    You can get them pretty cheap now like ~10" screens for around or under $200 and an Acer 22" for around $300.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    Little progress update on the features so far:
    - Runs on Windows PC
    - Customizable interface layout. You can load up any picture and use it as an interface.
    - You can easily assign commands to buttons on your layout picture.
    - Complete macro control included, button Press/Up/Down/Wait/Switch and duration.
    - Same button can control multiple apps simultaniously.
    - Add multiple sound files as a feedback and the app will randomly play one after you press the button or the action is finished.
    - Change the layout completely in 2 clicks.
    - It is compatible with any PC touch screen displays.
    - It can be placed over the main game window so 2nd screen is not required (but come in handy if you want full immersion).

    I still want to add the Command input method and ability to Launch apps.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    Wow, this sounds awesome. I might have to buy a touchscreen now. When do you plan on releasing this?
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    I guess around the end of next week. Unless someone gives me some new feature ideas of course. It also works with simple LCD and mouse click, too. The touch screen is for immersion :).
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    id be down to look into a touch screen purchase of a small caliber to try this out.
    i dont see a link to see any screenies though....

    btw...i use and like the LCARS you did to replce the bland blue...awesome job.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    ps: are you able to assign names or chg titles to the specific buttons you want to use?

    will there be a tutorial on how to assign keybinds for thos of us not far into programming?
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    Would it be possible to assign different control interfaces for different ships? Like if I'm using a Galaxy class you could have it set to a TNG style LCARS with appropriate sound fx, but when you switch ships, say to a TOS Connie, it would automatically switch interface layouts to one you previously specified, say a TOS layout with TOS sound fx?
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    So I'm thinking about getting a touch screen.
    I'm thinking this one right here...

    not a bad price, but it is small.

    What do you think?
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    Zodi-emish wrote:
    So I'm thinking about getting a touch screen.
    I'm thinking this one right here...

    not a bad price, but it is small.

    What do you think?

    Oooooooo! I like it. Now to find the money.......
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    Zodi-emish wrote:
    So I'm thinking about getting a touch screen.
    I'm thinking this one right here...

    not a bad price, but it is small.

    What do you think?

    That's pretty hot. I wonder how sensitive it is... like... could it be used for drawing, too? Probably not--and cool all the same--but it'd definitely be on my shopping list since my drawing pad recently broke.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    Pendra37 wrote: »
    What did I miss, what else do you want to see in an app like this?

    Though a programmer myself, I have no idea what would be involved in this and it may simply not be worth it, but....

    If this can have a similar functionality as the IPad version in which the commands can channel over USB from a laptop/secondary computer, and effectively work as a controller, you might increase the "customer" base, as it were.

    Then anyone who has a laptop but not a secondary monitor can use it, and it sounds like it could be customized for any game by the user? You'd have just one-upped the IPad application. Especially if it can run on an IPad through a Windows emulator of some sort.

    I stand by the comments I made about the IPad app that I think a touchscreen interface will never be ideal for fast-paced MMOs where your eyes need to be on the main game screen, but with customization your app can scale far beyond use in MMOs and games.

    I could totally see myself designing and mapping a custom desktop to sit beside my main monitor. There's really a lot of potential here, and it could be quite marketable.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    Rikaelus wrote: »
    That's pretty hot. I wonder how sensitive it is... like... could it be used for drawing, too? Probably not--and cool all the same--but it'd definitely be on my shopping list since my drawing pad recently broke.

    Here is a review about it on Youtube...

    It does look like a nice monitor..
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    Zodi-emish wrote:
    Here is a review about it on Youtube...

    It does look like a nice monitor..

    Agreed. Just to note this from the FAQ, though:
    Any software that requires 3D hardware acceleration cannot be displayed properly on USB monitors including Mimo. This includes RealPlayer (in Expansion Mode), games with 3D graphics, and programs based on the DirectX or OpenGL graphics engines. Other multimedia players including Windows Media Player will work with Mimo monitors.

    An important limitation to note and to make sure expectations are set right.

    We should make sure this little app isn't using one of those. I doubt it is... but better safe than sorry.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    I have an HP TouchSmart laptop, but I run STO on my desktop(Matrox Triple Head, 3 x 22" Widescreens). Would it be possible to have a driver loaded that would allow me to run the LCARS app on my laptop as an "over the network" keyboard?

    I think that'd be cool.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    Will there be a tutorial on how to assign keybinds for thos of us not far into programming?
    Sure thing, but I tried to keep it as simple as possible.
    I could totally see myself designing and mapping a custom desktop to sit beside my main monitor. There's really a lot of potential here, and it could be quite marketable.
    That is the main reason I decided to make this. The app is designed to be an universal, easy to use on screen controller which can work with mouse clicks and touchscreen as well. It can macro control anything you specify. EVE, WOW, Photoshop etc, even multiple app simultaniously with the same button.
    Would it be possible to assign different control interfaces for different ships? Like if I'm using a Galaxy class you could have it set to a TNG style LCARS with appropriate sound fx, but when you switch ships, say to a TOS Connie, it would automatically switch interface layouts to one you previously specified, say a TOS layout with TOS sound fx?

    Someone has to make a layout UI and map the commands first. After that, of course. It would not change automatically thou, you would need to press a button first.
    We should make sure this little app isn't using one of those (3D stuff). I doubt it is... but better safe than sorry.
    If the MiMo can display Calc.exe, it can display this app as well. Adding animated surfaces is a cool idea thou. I will see to it, but the compatibility will remain.
    I have an HP TouchSmart laptop, but I run STO on my desktop(Matrox Triple Head, 3 x 22" Widescreens). Would it be possible to have a driver loaded that would allow me to run the LCARS app on my laptop as an "over the network" keyboard?
    Sorry, it would not work that way at the moment. It is not all that hard to implement. My problem is that, it would create a slight security concern. You would need to allow your desktop to accept control commands through the network.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    One of my secondary plan is to mate it with the mods I have. If everything goes as planned, you would be able to control your in-game mods with this.
    Press a button to turn on and off your impulse trail. Press another button and you will see the correct viewscreen image on your bridge. Even the matching loadscreens may work with this.

    Also I started to implement an ambient sound mode. Add sound clips and the app will randomly play them at random intervals.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    Pendra37 wrote: »
    Sorry, it would not work that way at the moment. It is not all that hard to implement. My problem is that, it would create a slight security concern. You would need to allow your desktop to accept control commands through the network.


    Could you add it as an option? I'd love to be able to run this on a second PC. It would need a client app running on the main PC.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    I'm working on bluetooth support right now and that should work I think.
    The PC version is almost ready and works great! I just need to add a copy protection and set up the distribution infrastructure. After that I will make a video and port it to smartphones and pads like Android, Win6, Win7 and maybe IPhone.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    I rigged up my old camera and made a video about the application in action:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0C-YvOGWXg

    And these are the command sheets I made so far. You can see them in the video.

    Space:
    http://www.sto-advanced.com/new_lcars.jpg

    Ground:
    http://www.sto-advanced.com/new_lcars_gr.jpg

    The feedback sounds are from Star Trek Armada 1. I didn't use ambient chatter at the end. ST Armada has only a tiny amount of generic sound.

    I have to admit, the whole experience was much better then expected. This was the very first time I actually played the game this way and it felt pretty natural. Since I mapped everything I need in this game into the console I didn't have to use the keyboard at all.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    Sweet. Trekkies rule.
    :cool:
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    this looks good I will have to check out a small touchscreen monitor soon :)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    That is frikken bad TRIBBLE!!

    The only thing that would stop me from getting a touch screen is the same reason I don't get sophisticated keyboards. I'd be afraid to brake it (I tend to abuse keyboards when I'm getting really into a game...not angry German kid, just pushing buttons harder than necessary), and I'd have to wonder when else I'd use it.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    Hm it is not as bad as it seems. I was afraid of the same thing, like I woud break the screen when my turn rate was inadequate. But it turned out that I need to apply more pressure to activate the touchscreen then to press a regular keyboard button. Odd, but not a probem unless you try to punch the screen.
    Plus the turn is switched anyway. I press the button and the ship turns until I press again.
    Today, I played STO with keyboard again just to feel the difference. I hated it after 10 minutes and switched back to touchscreen LCARS.
    The application still needs some polish, but I feel there is no going back. I even made an on screen keyboard (the app is so powerfull it took only 10 minutes) and made it as my primary keyboard.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    where did you get the sound effects?
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