Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: Chaoticone on September 22, 2006, 04:03:01 PM
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Hello All, I'm new to all of this. I have installed Mach3 on my knee mill. It is insane what Mach3 will do for the money. Hats off to Artsoft!!!! I installed a gamepad for a pendant. All of the analog axis work great. I can creep and I can rapid. My question is, I'm trying to use the only ava. axis left for a gain control for my other three axis. I have set it up as axis gain in the hid keys as well as the joystick controls and put all kind of numbers in the misc. settings. Still nothing. Can someone shed some light on this?
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Sorry, I dont understand that one. Whats an axis gain and how are you setting it up.?
Art
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As I said, I'm new to all of this so please bare with me. As I understand it I can set up one axis of the gamspad as an axis gain. In keygrabber under joysticks, you set the axis as an axis gain. Also under hid keys, translates to, special keys. There is also axis gain here. I was thinking I could use this as a gain override for the other axis. If this is so I could push the other axis to 100%, override it with the axis gain and really creep for touch offs and such. It goes over this In the mach2 customization download on page 8-8.
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Ill have to wait for someone else to answer this one, Ive never used keygrabber.
Art
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I'm gonna take a stap that you are referring to feed override? Sort of a way to increase or decrease your axis feed rate from what you have defined as standard. Take a look at what the screen set is using for + and - feed override and try assigningthose keystrokes to your HID with Keygrabber. If I've guessed wrong, please let me know.
Regards,
Jeff
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Thanks Jeff, I have looked at that and actually reset those in screen design. I have the increse as T and the decrese as K. I set up the axis to key these as a two stage typematic. That works great, however when I move one of the analog axis to the extreme it still rapids. The analog works great, it will move .0001 at the time if I can control my finger good enough. I would like to set it up so that if I use the axis I'm using for my gain to run the slow jog to .1 the the other axis will move ever so slowly even if pushed to the extreme limit.
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Sorry Jeff. No, I'm not speaking of feed override, I set these up on the d-pad, that works great. I was refering to the slow jog. I bring this up with the tab key. The mpg screen.
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I'm still not sure what you are trying to do, so I'll answer a bit generically.
The Keygrabber software translates from the button you are using into the virtual keystroke that you select to match it. Each time you press the button, the matched keystroke is sent to MACH. You can check your work by using the keyboard to send the same keystrokes. If it works from the keyboard, then the issue lies with either the setup or the capabilities of Keygrabber. If MACH still doesn't behave the way you expect when you are sending the keystrokes directly from the keyboard, then it's either a setup problem (maybe a typo in the screen setup on the MPG assigning the keystroke or some incompatibility with the specific character key you've chosen) or you are trying to make MACH do something that Art has not written in (it's always his fault anyway :-) ), or a confusion on your part about how the specific function is designed to work.
I know this isn't the specific answer, but it's the best I can do since I don't really understand what you are trying to accomplish. At least it gives you a way (hopefully) to troubleshoot the problem. If you can go into some detail of step-by-stem what you would like the tool to do and what specific steps you are taking to try this procedure, I think it may clear some of the fogs of confusion away for Brian, Art, myself and others.
Hope this helps a bit.
Jeff
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Thanks Jeff. The Mach 2 customization documentation goes over this on page 8-7 (very bottom) and continued on 8-8. I'm running mach3 version R1.84.001. I set axis 2 as my Z, axis 3 as my X and axis 4 as my Y. I would like to set axis one as my axis gain. When I built a pendant with some joystick switches I had a button that = the shift key for rapid. The other n.o. switches = my direction (arrow) keys for the X and Y. Page up and page down for the Z. The analog sticks are set to the same key strokes only there is no rapid (shift key). In keygrabber under joysticks, if I rapid at 60IPM (set up in motor tuning) I set the gain to 100% the the joystick moves the axis at 60IPM. If I set the gain to 10% the fastest the joystick will jog is 6IPM. All of this is right. If I assign a button or joystick axis as (axis gain) go to the misc. settings in keygrabber and set the joystick sensitivity buttons so that up = 100% and down = 10% then when I press the button (or move the joystick axis) I should be able to jog at 60IPM or 6IPM. I have not been able to make this happen yet.If you will send me an e-mail with your phone number I would gladly call you.
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I am not sure if the "slow Jog rate" on the Tab screen works for a joystick or not, give it a go and see. If it does then you could set up a couple of buttons to increase/decrease the jog rate. What you will need to do is use screen 4 to add the buttons to your screen on every page you wish to be able to control the jog rate. You can make them invisible or offscreen if you dont want to see them. The slow down uses the OEM code 112 and hotkey of 219 which is the [ key. The increase button uses OEM 111 and Hotkey 221 which is the ] key.
This is possibly not what you are looking for but each press of the button will step up (or down) the jog rate percentage.
Hood
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Also forgot to say that you could use screen 4 to place a DRO on each screen so that you can keep an eye on the Jog speed percentage, the OEM code for the DRO is 3
Hood
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Thanks Hood. That does work, I did that a couple of days ago. I used axis one for this and it did control the jog rate in the tab screen. When you press a keyboard key it does just as it should. However the anolog joysticks hardly notice the change from .1-100. One thing I did note is that with the jog rate at 100 you can move all three axis at the same time. When you lower the rate you can still jog two axis at once but the second one you command is the one that is affected by the rate change.
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How do you find the keygrabber, I found it very easy to set up and been able to set the feedrate very handy but I found the time delay most annoying, does anyone else find this to.
I've tried Arts joystick plugin, that works so well just ashame it only does two axes and no buttons, I guess I have to watch his SDK video again and learn how to add more controls.
I've also tried a program called JoyToKey this worked well for the buttons but I couldn't get the analog bit working properly so it was all or nothing on the stick but it was instent.
Cheers
Chris
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Hello Chris,
I find the keygrabber to be really nice and easy to set up. I had the Gamepad set up in less than 20min. It's killer. I can do the following from a $16.00 gamepad I bought at Walmart.
1,2,3. Jog my X,Y,&Z in analog. Slow to fast.All three at the same time if slow jog is at 100%
4,5,6. Zero my X,Y,&Z axis DROS with an interlock.
7,8,9. Feed rate +,-,& instant return to 100%
10. Step mode. This works good if you want to move one axis at the time and the axis do step with the keyboard but not with the analogs.
11. Go to Zero with an interlock. Sends all three axis home.
12. Program rewind.
13. Cycle start.
14. Feed hold.
15. Cycle stop.
16. Flood coolant toggle. On,off.
17. Single block.
18. Block delete.
19. Optional stop.
20. Raise and lower my slow jog rate with analog. This is what I'm having problems with.
This does raise and lower my slow jog rate on the second axis I command, but not the first. If I,we,anybody can get this going it will be complete and super nice.
It also has a self retracting cord and plugs in to a USB port. Can't beat that!!!!!!!!! My only concern is, how is it going to hold up, and I know it's not coolant proof.
I have not noticed any delay at all with any of this. I can run my mill efficiently from this simple gamepad. This is the way to go. I built a simple pendant with two 4 position joysticks and two mom. push bottons in a box. I used an Ipac emulator and got it to do exactly what I wanted, just not enough of it. I got every thing from Automation Direct (except the emulator, it came from Ultimarc) and still had $195.00 in it.
On your time delay. Do you have your up and down keystrokes as typematic? If you do you can go to the misc. settings and get that delay out. I have mine set as two stage typematic and my settings are
Go into keygrabber, Misc. settings
Typematic
Initial delay 300 this is where I suspect your delay is coming from. This is in Milli seconds. It's purpose is not to confuse Mach (I think).
First Rate 10 per second repeat rate
Number at first rate 5. After it sees (this value) strokes it jumps to second rate.
Second Rate 100 per second repeat rate.
Hope this helps,
Brett
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If you have a time delay with Keygrabber (I don't and I have not heard of anyone else who has), I would take a look at the services and software packages that you have loaded at system startup. There may be a non-related conflict between two packages (two anti-virus packages at the same time as an example) which are fighting for control or some other abnormal things that are loaded. Another possibility is that you may find that you have some "malware" which intercepts ksystrokes which has become resident on your system. This is not a good thing (from a security standpoint), but can generally be removed with the better anti-spyware programs (you might run more than one in indevidual scans and then choose one to keep resident with periodic scans from the others). Free ones include Microsoft Defender (download from www.microsoft.com) and Spybot Search & Destroy (available from http://www.safer-networking.org/). Good commercial ones are available from Webroot (Spysweeper at www.webroot.com) and the Kaspersky Labs anti-virus package I think adresses them as well.
From everything I've seen, your slowdown problem is not related to the IPAC or Keygrabber and I encourage you to eliminate any software conflicts or unwanted security risks as a slow response time on your gamepad may be the least of your eventual problems.
Hope this helps,
Jeff
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Hi
I've tried Brett's settings, this has help a little but I've still got a noticeable delay.
Initial delay Brett's 300 Mine 0
First Rate Brett's 10 Mine 0
Number at first rate Brett's 5 Mine 0
Second Rate Brett's 100 Mine No Value
What an IPAC? I don't have one I think, do I need one?
Jeff thanks for the reply, I'm fairly sure this isn't a conflict or malware problem as it's on a freshly loaded system fully formated and then fully optimised as per Art's text file, I've also checked whats running while I'm using keygraber and I can't see anything.
Oh I should probably add I'm using a joystick that plugs into the back of the sound card in the game port not a USB one.
Thanks again
Chris
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Chris,
Never mind the IPAC (I must have been tired when I wrote the response. The IPAC is a keyboard emulator that I use and interface to Keygrabber, but has nothing to do with your application :-) )
Assuming you have a reasonably fast PC, if no one else experiences a delay, but you do, and assuming that the application is set up the same, then the problem is likely to be similar to one of the things I mentioned.
The only other thing that comes to mind is some sort of an interupt issue. Take a look at start/control panel (may have to hit "settings" to find it)/System/device manager (may have to hit "hardware" to get here). See if you have any items or drivers with exclamation marks or red "X"'s. If so, you should correct the issue and problem may go away.
Jeff
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Hey Fellas, I used to use the DPAD but when ART wrote a plugin for the ShuttlePro pendant I decided to get one and give it a whirl. It works GREAT and I think will solve all the problems you are going through. Even if you don't have the Shuttle Pro pendant you can download and install the plugin and play around with the configuration screen to see just exactly what you can do with it. The Jog wheel (actually there are 2 jog wheels) works very similar to a mpg- check it out!
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The Other Sid,
Where do you get the shuttle pro pendant and how much should it cost? I did look at the plugin and config. screen. This may be the cure for my problem. I would like to say that my problem is very small. The game pad is nice and really easy to set up in Keygrabber. I'm just trying to get it perfect.
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Chris,
Make sure you set your initial delay in misc. settings to 300 and not 3000. Also, did you load any drivers with your gamepad? I did not and remember reading somewhere that you should not. If you have, uninstall those and go straight to Keygrabber. Keygrabber should still recognize your gamepad. I have mine plugged in to a USB port. If the above doesn't work you may want to try that.
Let me know if this works.
Thanks,
Brett
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Check out this thread regarding info on the Shuttle Pro
http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php?topic=1220.0 (http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php?topic=1220.0)
Sid
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Thanks Sid,
I checked that out. It looks pretty neat. I just wish I could get the game pad right. I think it is a bug with Mach or Keygrabber. It does exactly what I want it to do to the second axis I command but not the first. That is if you are moving more than one axis simultaneously.
Brett
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Hi
I think I might of sorted it, I updated the video card drivers for the lastest ones this morning and it seams a lot better, but it's still not good enough for me to be confident using one of the buttons as a stop or feedhold button. You can sometimes flick the button on and off quick enough that the keygrabber doesn't respond.
I tried setting up one of my axes as a axisgain to see if I could help Brett out with his problem but I too had no joy getting it to work I could even get it to work on a second axis as Brett does as my will only let me move one axis at a time.
Thanks
Chris
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Hi Chris,
I know I've asked before, but are you sure your intial delay in misc. settings (in keygrabber) is set to 300? I wish I had a gamepad that would plug in to my gamecard, all of mine are usb. How big is the delay? 1sec., 5sec., 1/2 sec. ?
Brett
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Have sent you a PM
Hood
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I got it!!!!!!! :D!!!!!! :D!!!!!!!! ;D It was so d%$# simple. In Keygrabber, joysticks, you set up the axis you want to be your axis gain as selectable axis!!!!! I Changed some other stuff too. I'll post more later.
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I am interested in your setup, I have used a gamepad with some success but not as well are you seem to be doing.
Can you post your *.grab file, it is were keygrabber saves your settings.
Thanks Arnie
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Here is a copy of my grabber file and my screen set. I changed some of my hotkeys. I will be posting in more detail later. If you can't find your way around screen designer, please wait until I get everything posted. :-[
I also changed the way I was using the last axis. I know this is confusing but I will clear it up in detail later. ::)
I find the keygrabber to be really nice and easy to set up. It's killer. I can do the following from a $16.00 gamepad I bought at Walmart.
1,2,3. Jog my X,Y,&Z in analog. Slow to fast.All three at the same time.
4,5,6. Zero my X,Y,&Z axis DROS with an interlock.
7,8,9. Feed rate +,-,& instant return to 100%
10. Step mode. This works good.
11. Go to Zero with an interlock. Sends all three axis home.
12. Program rewind.
13. Cycle start.
14. Feed hold.
15. Cycle stop.
16. Flood coolant toggle. On,off.
17. Single block.
18. Block delete.
19. Optional stop.
20. Toggle through step mode rates.
More info. to come later.
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Latest screen set, grabber file, and screen pics.
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I have a little more info. The right joystick, left to right is the one we use for axis gain and other things. 1st, In screen design, set your Jog mode button to Hot key Ctrl J.
1. In neutral = 1st axis rapids, second and third moves at slow jog rate. Pull up this page by hitting tab key in Mach. Double click this number and change to 1.0 % and hit enter or, raise and lower by the [ and ] keys.
2. Hold to right = All 3 axis in rapid
3. Hold button 6 ( interlock ) and hold right (in that order) = Step mode
4. Hold button 6 ( interlock ) and bump left (in that order) = Changes cycle jog step from 1.0000 - 0.0001 by one decimal place per bump.
Brett
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I just have to make a trip to Walmart. That looks like a nice setup.
Arnie
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I meant to add this earlier. If you are like me, I have a shortcut to Mach on my desk top. If you will right click on the icon, click properties, you can modify your target name to this. Just replace the Mach3.exe with keygrabber.exe. When you click on the Icon now it will go to Mach through Keygrabber.
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Hello all,
Recently, I have been getting quite a few questions on the gamepad. I thought I would put in a reply to make it easier to find. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
Brett
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This is the latest screen set and grabber profile. The screen set has the zero height probe and the default page up and down for the z axis. I had to change the default grab file's name. Just rename it Default.grab and drag it into your Mach3 root folder.
Brett
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Ok, I tried everything but my gamepad only works x+ x- y+ y-. Help me map other keys.
I mapped keys with pageup and pagedown but it worked only once and then nothing.
Plugin is joystick.m3p. Mach3 trial version. Gamepad is Fantasy usb pad.
Can't find this in keygrabber like #27
(http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1391.0;id=1040;image)
but set keys in keygrabber #28
(http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1391.0;id=1051;image)
Thanks
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Hello All,
Yet another version of joystick key mapping.
Just recently I wanted to utilize my joystick to use with Mach3, I did search for the information in this forum and most results were pointed to this thread.
After I read and tried, it took me for few minutes to get the concept how the KeyGrabber works and how to use it with Mach3. I made a short survey and mostly asked myself what I want from this joystick and the below is my preference.
(http://i389.photobucket.com/albums/oo335/vrasak/JoyStickDrawing1.jpg)
(http://i389.photobucket.com/albums/oo335/vrasak/JoyStickDrawing2.jpg)
(http://i389.photobucket.com/albums/oo335/vrasak/collectionOfjoystick2.jpg)
From pictures above, if your local IT stores have these joysticks, it’s better to choose number 2 and 3 that will work with my mapping. While the number 1 has got only 1 stick to work but the others are just a dummy, has nothing inside.
The number 4 seems to have more buttons which include 2 extra function buttons for gamer, Turbo and Clear at the middle instead, KeyGrabber gets nothing from this 2 buttons.
you can download 1024W.set and Default.grab files from this link (all files are included in Mach3_JoyStick.rar ).
http://www.cncroom.com/forum/index.php/topic,31.msg90.html#msg90
my position right now is Holding and I can not upload any files to the forum. Sorry about this.
Regards,
Weerasak
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Very good Weerasak :) , It would be hard to find a better $15 alternative IMO. You are now an active member and may upload your files if you wish.
Brett
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Hi Brett,
you are the famous man, thanks for your knowledge.
Here in Thailand, I bought a joystick the number 2 only 5 us$ (150 baht) and I believe in China, people can buy half of this price.
Do you know where I can find KeyGrabber's manual or document? I need to learn more about it.
thanks
Weerasak
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Thanks Weerask,
There isn't any documentation specifically for Keygrabber that I know of other than a paragraph or 2 in the mach2 Customization manual. It can be found here.
http://www.machsupport.com/docs/Mach2_6.11_Custom.pdf
Thanks for shareing your set up with us.
Brett
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Hi Brett,
I have this document in my computer but I've never looked into.
In Appendix 3, the whole chapter talks about KeyGrabber, that is more than enough for me.
thanks for pointing this out.
Weerasak
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thanks for pointing this out.
No, thank you for pointing this out.......
In Appendix 3, the whole chapter talks about KeyGrabber
I had forgotten about that.
Good luck! Your off and running with it now. :)
Brett
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I rushed out and got a Logiteck game controller, configured Keygrabber, even used Screen Designer to add a few keyboard shortcuts to my MachBlue screen.
Everything works !
Except --- now when I plug the controller in the "Reference All" doesn't work. each axis jogs a centimeter or so and then stops. If it does encounter a home switch - it doesn't back off it???
Same thing when I jog with the keyboard - jogs for a bit , then stops??
Unplug the controller and everything works again again!
Anybody that can help me?
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Do you have one of your buttons set up to place Mach in MPG step mode? You have to be careful when working with screens. I would guess you have assigned the hot key for jog step to something else and haveing two functions assigned to the same hotkey is freaking Mach out.
Brett
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I don't fully understand what you are saying - this is all still complicated for me.
When I opened my screen set with ScreanTweak ir warns: "Screen #2 (MDI) has duplicate label: $Persistent" Is this par of my problem? Although it refers to "Label" not shortcut.
Here is my shortcuts from MachBlue the screen that I use:
Screen 1 - Bitmap file: '' Hotkey is: <Alt-S>
Screen 1 - Bitmap file: '' Hotkey is: <Sp>
Screen 1 - Bitmap file: '' Hotkey is: <Alt-R>
Screen 1 - Bitmap file: '' Hotkey is: <F10>
Screen 1 - Bitmap file: '' Hotkey is: <F11>
Screen 1 - Bitmap file: '' Hotkey is: </>
Screen 1 - Bitmap file: '' Hotkey is: <Ctrl-O>
Screen 1 - Bitmap file: '' Hotkey is: <'>
Screen 1 - Bitmap file: 'None' Hotkey is: <Shift-val=1064>
Screen 1 - Bitmap file: 'None' Hotkey is: <Shift-Ins>
Screen 1 - Bitmap file: 'None' Hotkey is: <Shift-val=1063>
Screen 1 - Bitmap file: 'None' Hotkey is: <Shift-val=1036>
Screen 1 - Bitmap file: 'None' Hotkey is: <Shift-val=1061>
Screen 1 - Bitmap file: 'None' Hotkey is: <Shift-val=1062>
Screen 2 - Bitmap file: '' Hotkey is: <'>
Screen 2 - Bitmap file: '' Hotkey is: <Home>
Screen 2 - Bitmap file: '' Hotkey is: <Ctrl-V>
Screen 2 - Bitmap file: '' Hotkey is: <F11>
Screen 2 - Bitmap file: '' Hotkey is: </>
Screen 2 - Bitmap file: '' Hotkey is: <F10>
Screen 2 - Bitmap file: '' Hotkey is: <Num->
Screen 2 - Bitmap file: '' Hotkey is: <Num+>
Screen 3 - Bitmap file: '' Hotkey is: <Alt-N>
Screen 3 - Bitmap file: '' Hotkey is: <Ctrl-W>
Screen 3 - Bitmap file: '' Hotkey is: <Alt-S>
Screen 3 - Bitmap file: '' Hotkey is: <Sp>
Screen 3 - Bitmap file: '' Hotkey is: <Alt-R>
Screen 3 - Bitmap file: '' Hotkey is: <'>
Screen 4 - Bitmap file: 'MillBitmaps\verify2.jpg' Hotkey is: <Ctrl-V>
Screen 4 - Bitmap file: 'MillBitmaps\Safez.jpg' Hotkey is: <Ctrl-Z>
Screen 4 - Button caption: 'JoyStick (Ctrl-S)' Hotkey is: <Ctrl-S>
Screen 5 - Bitmap file: 'None' Hotkey is: <Ctrl-Alt-J>
Screen 5 - Bitmap file: 'None' Hotkey is: <9>
Screen 5 - Bitmap file: 'None' Hotkey is: <0>
Screen 5 - Bitmap file: '' Hotkey is: <'>
Screen 6 - Bitmap file: 'None' Hotkey is: <Alt-U>
Screen 6 - Bitmap file: 'None' Hotkey is: <Shift-S>
Screen 6 - Bitmap file: '' Hotkey is: <'>
screen 7 - Bitmap file: '' Hotkey is: <Home>
Screen 7 - Bitmap file: '' Hotkey is: <'>
Screen 8 - Bitmap file: '' Hotkey is: <'>
Screen 9 - Bitmap file: '' Hotkey is: <'>
Screen 10 - Button caption: 'Jog ON/OFF Ctrl-Alt-J' Hotkey is: <Ctrl-Alt-J>
Screen 50 - Bitmap file: 'None' Hotkey is: <Alt-C>
Screen 50 - Bitmap file: 'None' Hotkey is: <Alt-B>
Screen 50 - Bitmap file: 'None' Hotkey is: <Alt-A>
Screen 50 - Bitmap file: 'None' Hotkey is: <Ctrl-J>
Screen 50 - Bitmap file: 'None' Hotkey is: <Alt-J>
Screen 50 - Bitmap file: 'None' Hotkey is: <Ctrl-Alt-J>
Screen 50 - Bitmap file: 'None' Hotkey is: <9>
Screen 50 - Bitmap file: 'None' Hotkey is: <0>
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It sounds like a real good possobility to me. The only way to know for sure is to dig into your screen set. If you have the buttons on the game pad set up the same as default keyboard strokes, you can try the standard screen set to help trouble shoot.
Brett
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I just got a keypad, wireless, nice stuff:
http://www.targus.com/Uk/product_details.asp?sku=AKP07EU
Any hints on how those "quicklaunch" buttons work on the top of it? It would be nice to reconfigure those for MACH, too...
I intend to study the Mach2 customization manual that Brett recommended... anything else to read to be able to have a setup similar to his gamecontroller? (but on my keypad)
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I think I got one of those or maybe a cyber sniper and windows recognized it as a keyboard. I have seen xkeys set up that work really slick though. The x keys are programable them selves. Can use for a series of keystrokes too. Let us know how you get on with it. You can modify your screen set so that you use other than default hotkeys (although I wouldn't if I didn't have to) to add flexibility. The main thing is that your device be recognized by keygrabber if using keygrabber, have a plug-in for it, be recognized by windows as a keyboard and just use it to take the place of a standard keyboard, or be able to write a plug-in for it.
Brett
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Hi Brett,
Anyone who can give some giudelines how to make a plugin? I guess it is something else than the Visual Basic scripting...
I myself have experience only in assembly code programming of PIC controllers, but I have a friend who can write drivers for HID devices, I suppose he can give support, I just need to give him info on what I want, and with what I want...
So I need some info on where to start with this plugin stuff...
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You can find the SDK in the downloads tab at top of this page. You can find a ton of info in the Mach SDK plugin questions and answers board. Videos and documents can be found in the supprot top at the top of this page.
Brett
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Reading this thread inspired me to try using Keygrabber with my Saitek AV8R-01 joystick. Prior to this, I've been using Art's joystick plugin but it allows me to only control the X and Y Axis.
The AV8R joystick has a usb connection and five axes of control: Joystick axis 1 - left & right motion, Joystick axis 2 - up & down motion of the stick, Joystick axis 3 - left throttle, Joystick axis 4 - right throttle, and Joystick axis 5 - clockwise & counter clockwise twist of the stick.
I set up axis 1 to control the X-axis, axis 2 to control the Y-axis and axis 5 to control the Z-axis. Saved the settings and started Mach3 from within Keygrabber. All was good (well almost). The joystick controlled the axes as expected. However, when I restarted Mach3 through Keygrabber, the axis 5 setting was reset to "disabled". I did check the time & date stamp on the default.grab file and it corresponds to the time that I changed it. I went back and reassigned axis 5 and axes 3 and 4, saved and restarted Keygrabber. Axes 1-4 were as assigned, axis 5 was again reset to "disabled" Anyone have a clue why this is happening and how to get around it?
The second problem that I encouter ed was with jogging more than one axis simultaneously. With the plugin, I could move the X and Y simultaneously. With Keygrabber, I can only jog one axis at a time. I checked that the slow jog rate is set to 100% Any suggestions here?
As a reference, I'm running Mach3 Rev R3..042.029 under XP. The version of Keygrabber.exe 4.0.0.11.
Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated.
Andy
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Andy, I'm wondering if axis 5 is a true analog signal. Might be why it is dropping out on you. You can't jog multipul axis in analog, that is done in jog mode. You can still use the same axis to jog the axis you normally would in analog if you can figure out a way to use a key modifier.
Brett
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Brett
Thanks for the reply. The 5th axis works just like all of the others. I can control the direction and speed of the Z-axis depending on which direction and how far I twist the stick. The problem is that Keygrabber won't save the setting for the 5th axis. Whenever I bring up Keygrabber, the 5th axis appears in the Joystick table but it is always disabled. So I assign it to the Z-axis, start Mach3 and I'm good until next time. All five axis appear under the "Joystick" tab of Keygrabber.
I'm not sure that I understand your reference to analog mode. The joysick has five axis that have variable postions, not just on/off like the switches. The single stick can be moved left or right, moved forward or backward, and twisted clockwise or counterclockwise. These motions can be done simultaneously. These show up as axis 1, 2, and 5 in Keygrabber. There are also two sliders (Saitek calls them throttles) that show up as axis 3 and 4 in Keygrabber. There are a bunch of buttons and switches that appear under the "HID buttons" tab of Keygrabber. I've been able to assigned a few of these without any problems.
From reading the thread, I got the impression that your were able to achieve motion in multiple axis simultaneously. When I run the same joystick using Art's joystick plugin and I move the stick diagonally, the mill table moves diagonally. Under Keygrabber, if I do the same thing, the table will move only in one axis. It seems to depend on which direction I started moving the stck first. I have to return it to the neutral position before I can start movement along the other axis.
Andy
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Hi Everybody,
Did anyone resolve this problem?
I am was about to go through the same procedure as astr and would appreciate any guidance on this subject.
Regards,
Simon
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Hi. I'm interested in this too. I experienced the same behaviour as Astr said.
Can anyone say something about this point?
Thanks in advance.
Alberto
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You can do this in Keygrabber. (Move multiple axis at once)
Go to the Misc Settings tab, there should be an area marked "axis lockout".
If you select "When Pressed", you should have simultaneous axis movement, while "When Released" limits to one at a time.
I disabled multi-axis movement on my machine. The way I zero, I found it too easy to accidentally move an axis that I wanted to stay in position. Maybe with a different controller it wouldn't be an issue though.
Hope that helps,
Z
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Thanks for the information.
Here's another question..... How can I zero the X and Z axis using the joypad in Mach3Turn?
I mean, I found that "x", "y", and "z" will zero the DRO in the MILL screen but I was not able to do the same in the Turn screen set.
Can anyone help me please?
I tried to use Mach3screen but I found that in the X and Z zero button is stored a call to a routine that is not present in the Mill screen.... I don't understand. They don't even work from the keyboard...
Thanks.
Alberto
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You can do this in Keygrabber. (Move multiple axis at once)
Go to the Misc Settings tab, there should be an area marked "axis lockout".
If you select "When Pressed", you should have simultaneous axis movement, while "When Released" limits to one at a time.
I disabled multi-axis movement on my machine. The way I zero, I found it too easy to accidentally move an axis that I wanted to stay in position. Maybe with a different controller it wouldn't be an issue though.
Hope that helps,
Hi.. Could you tell me where can I find this keygrabber to use my CNC Router with a game joystick ?? Thanks. Seba:)
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If I recall correctly, keygrabber is included with mach3. There should be an EXE file in the main mach3 directory. It has a smiley face icon :)
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Hello all,
i tried the method suggested to make mach3 launch with keygrabber.
It does not work. It tells me the file path is not valid. despite i can run kerygrabber and mach3 from keygrabber icon and keygrabber is in the right directory...
benergy
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You have to make sure the spacing is exactly correct in your target address for your shortcut.
Hood