Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. => Finished Plugins for Download => Topic started by: area51 on February 05, 2011, 01:17:57 PM

Title: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on February 05, 2011, 01:17:57 PM
New USB JoyPad plugin version 2.0

This is a major release with a lot of new functionality and improvements. The focus has been on simplicity – making it real easy to set up and use.

The list of news is long, but here are some highlights:

Jogging:

Buttons:

Macros:

General:

The complete list can be found in the User manual.

To install JoyPad version 2.0 plugin and setup program, download the RAR file JoyPad_Plugin_2.0.rar, containing the following files:

                      JoyPad User manual 2.0.pdf  JoyPad User manual version 2.0
                      JoyPad.m3p                          JoyPad plugin version 2.0
                      JoyPadSetup.exe                  JoyPad button definition and template program version 2.0

Please make sure that you first read the user manual.

Most of your questions regarding installation and usage will be answered here.
This version was developed along with Nader Atifeh in a joined project.
Nader has done a fantastic work on making templates, graphics, User manual and a lot more.

Please take your time to test it and share your experiences with others. I will also keep a record of the bugs, requirements, suggestions for improvements and enhancements for the future version. Minor bugs will be fixed, but don't expect a new version within a short period  ;).

This version could be used for most users and for a long period of time.

Any question about this plugin should be posted to this thread. I and Atifeh will try to answer all your questions in this forum, but encourage everyone to participate in answering questions.

It is after all a “Spare Time” project along with other projects, so don’t expect fast response…

Hope you will find this plugin useful, and, be safe.

Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: BOOMER52 on February 08, 2011, 04:22:33 PM
I'm having no joy with extracting the PDF manual.  I've downloaded the .rar file twice and extracted twice with the same result.  The manual will not open and defaults back to a File Download window ad nauseam.

I used a trial version of BitZipper for the extracts... I'll try and find another free extractor and see if that solves the issue.

BOOMER52

PS  Just now extracted and attempted to view the PDF manual using Extract Frog... same result. NO JOY.  Double clicking on desktop icon brings up an Explorer window for a 3 second interval which then closes and is replaced with a pop up FILE DOWNLOAD window.  Clicking on OPEN or SAVE results in a repeat of the above...???
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on February 08, 2011, 04:30:17 PM
Hi Boomer52,

Try using WinRAR from http://www.rarlab.com/ (http://www.rarlab.com/).
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: BOOMER52 on February 08, 2011, 05:28:25 PM
Problem solved...!  Nothing to do with the .rar extraction... everything to do with having a good version of Adobe Reader on the hard drive...!

Thanks for the help!

Steve  (BOOMER52)
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: BOOMER52 on February 09, 2011, 02:16:27 PM
I've been attempting to install this new USB plugin without success.  Here's my experience and quandry...

I had problems (not related to the app) right from the start.  I extracted the three files from the .rar download but couldn't get the PDF manual to open.  That took several hours and a couple PM's to resolve... turns out I had a corrupted Adobe Reader and a reinstall solved that issue.

First let me point out that I have two Dell Pentium 4 PC's running Windows XP... one is my design PC and the other is dedicated as a controller.  I only run Mach3 on this one and it isn't internet connected! Now that I was able read and follow the Manual install instructions I was informed that the computer required Windows Installer 1 and something called dotnetfx 3.5.  I performed a SEARCH of my hard drive to see if I needed to download these files and when the search came up with nothing for both items I used the supplied link in the PDF (Microsoft Download Center) found and downloaded the Windows Installer 1 app.  I then tried to locate the dotnetfx 3.5 app in the Microsoft Download Center but came up empty.  A GOOGLE search provided me with multiple sources but I would like to point out that in the Microsoft Download Center the app is called .NET Framework 3.5... NOT dotnetfx 3.5!  I downloaded .NET Framework 3.5 and ported both files (Windows Installer 1 & .NET Framework 3.5) to my CONTROLLER PC with a USB memory fob.  I double clicked the Windows Installer 1 icon and a pop up window appeared which told me I had a version that was newer than the one I was attempting to install and I didn't need an install.  The only choice was an OK button... so I clicked OK.  My first quandry... does this USB JoyPad and game device plugin REQUIRE Windows Installer 1 or will a newer version work...???  I'm unwilling to replace whats on my computer with the older Windows Installer 1 as I have no idea how that will effect my computer's operation.  OK... now my hope lies in a big MAYBE.... MAYBE the plugin will work with a later version of Windows Installer??? Nothing else to do but cross the fingers and go on to the next file....NET Framework 3.5.  Here's quandry number two and toss in a dose of frustration.  I double clicked the install icon and it gave me the typical AGREE / DISAGREE to terms popup.  I clicked AGREE and off it went to attempt to do an INTERNET install of the program!  This computer is NOT connected to the internet so that failed!  I'm at a loss as to what else to do so it's back to KeyGrabber for me.

Steve (BOOMER52)
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: atifeh on February 09, 2011, 04:12:03 PM
Hi Bommer52,

One way that you can make sure that the Joypad plugin works, is to install Mach3 on your second computer. It will not actually be connected to the machine, but you can check out its features offline. You can later uninstall all the software that you don't need.
The windows installer that you will require is: WindowsInstaller-KB893803-v2-x86 . Do a search on this.
Your situation is like mine. I do not have anything, not even a virus killer on the computer that is connected to the machine. So for the dotnetfx35, you will need to download the whole 197 Mb on the second computer and install it on the machine computer.
Of course Area51 is more knowledgeable and you can take his word.

Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on February 09, 2011, 04:35:47 PM
Boomer52,

Simpel test:
  1 - Install Mach3; if it runs you have what Mach needs.
  2 - Run JoyPadSetup.exe; if it runs nothing more is needed.
  3 - Connect the USB game device; if it shows up in Control Panel -> Game Controllers, nothing more is needed.

Windows Installer 3.1 and dotnetfx 3.5 (.NET Framework version 3.5) is standard free Microsoft packages for Windows.
Newest version of Windows Installer will do. JoyPadSetup.exe will tell you if donetfx 3.5 is missing and needs installation (se atifeh post).
If game device is missing in Control Panel, follow the instruction that came with the game device.

Hope this helps.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: BOOMER52 on February 09, 2011, 05:08:56 PM
Thanks for the additional attemts to correct my issues but still NO JOY. The JoyPad MP3 file installed and showed up in the config menu... but running JoyPad Setup.exe gave me an Application Error popup window saying the application failed to initialize properly (0xc0000135). Click on OK to terminate the application.

As much as I'd like to get this to work I've exhausted my limited computer smarts and do not wish to impose this lack of cerebral ability any further on you both  I do want to thank for the effort. Much appreciated!

Steve (BOOMER52)
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: kabowers on February 13, 2011, 08:05:03 PM
Thanks for the fine work. Downloaded fine and the documentation opens fine in Samatra.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: mutski on February 14, 2011, 10:09:58 PM
I just tried to install the plugin myself. It said installed ok. But now I can't start Mach3. Everytime I click on Mach3, the splashscreen appears then a second later the whole computer freezes. Even the mouse won't move. I have to hold down the power button to reset the computer. I've tried this about 10 times now with varying combinations. Controller power on/off. Joystick plugged in/not plugged in. Any ideas? At the very least, how do I uninstall the plugin so I can at least get Mach going again.

Cheers - Matt
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: atifeh on February 15, 2011, 09:11:38 AM
Hi mutski,

This is weird. Normally when you disconnect the gamepad, Mach3 should load. I've encountered such problem when I used Mach2 classic screen on Mach3. I would suggest that you once again reinstall Mach3 and check if the problem is solved.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on February 15, 2011, 04:21:28 PM
Hi mutski,

uninstalling is easy, just move or delete the JoyPad.dll file in the Plugins directory (C:\Mach3\Plugins\).
When JoyPad.m3p is installed, it is just renamed to JoyPad.dll and moved into the Mach3 Plugins directory.

If you still have problems after removing the JoyPad.dll file, it is not caused by the plugin.

Hope this helps.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: mutski on February 15, 2011, 05:27:44 PM
Hi guys. I believe I found the problem. When I pulled the computer out to plug the joystick into a rear USB port, it must have dislodged my PCI parallel port card slightly (it's not bolted down because the card came with a full size bracket and my computer has half size brackets. I've been meaning to use the CNC to mill out the hole).

I tried reinstalling Mach and it loaded fine, but when I changed the settings over from the onboard parallel port to my extra card mach just crashed again. I then check the address in control panel and it was missing altogether. That's when I opened up the computer to discover it not sitting properly. I've now got Mach running again, although I haven't tried the joystick plugin. I'll do that today sometime.

Cheers all - Matt
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Johnny Storm on March 21, 2011, 12:59:37 PM
I having problems, I made a custom board with a usb joypad and installed the plugin and it´s works, but I want to control Z axis with the same buttons with I control the feedrate of my board when Alt Left is pressed. But the JoyPadSetup.exe dont have that function, I look in the M800.m1s file and found something like that: ' <-- Put your own script code here, but how asign a macro for diferents buttons, all in the same M800.m1s ????
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on March 21, 2011, 08:05:43 PM
Nice use of a gamepad  :)

First script must be activated for the shift + button combination (-- Execute Script --) in JoyPadSetup program as described in the manual (restart Mach to load the changes).
To test if assignments work, use the default generated M800.m1s macro. It will write out pressed button and shift state to Mach3 status line.

All buttons assigned to script will call the same M800 macro but with different parameters - as an example the script for the two button combination B1+AL and B2+AL could be:

Code: [Select]
If Button = B1 And AL Then
  ' The script code for B1 + AL
  ' This script part is only executed when Button is B1 and AL is True
  Message "M800: You pressed B1 + AL"
End If

If Button = B2 And AL Then
  ' The script code for B2 + AL
  ' This script part is only executed when Button is B2 and AL is True
  Message "M800: You pressed B2 + AL"
End If

End ' End macro here

The value of Button will depend on the button pressed and AL will only be true if AL was pressed - this way you can write script for the two buttons using If  statements.

- Joakim
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Johnny Storm on March 21, 2011, 08:11:23 PM
Nice use of a gamepad  :)

First script must be activated for the shift + button combination (-- Execute Script --) in JoyPadSetup program as described in the manual (restart Mach to load the changes).
To test if assignments work, use the default generated M800.m1s macro. It will write out pressed button and shift state to Mach3 status line.

All buttons assigned to script will call the same M800 macro but with different parameters - as an example the script for the two button combination B1+AL and B2+AL could be:

Code: [Select]
If Button = B1 And AL Then
  ' The script code for B1 + AL
  ' This script part is only executed when Button is B1 and AL is True
  Message "M800: You pressed B1 + AL"
End If

If Button = B2 And AL Then
  ' The script code for B2 + AL
  ' This script part is only executed when Button is B2 and AL is True
  Message "M800: You pressed B2 + AL"
End If

End ' End macro here

The value of Button will depend on the button pressed and AL will only be true if AL was pressed - this way you can write script for the two buttons using If  statements.

- Joakim

Thankyou, and thankyou too for share the plugin :D
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Johnny Storm on March 29, 2011, 03:09:38 PM
Nice use of a gamepad  :)

First script must be activated for the shift + button combination (-- Execute Script --) in JoyPadSetup program as described in the manual (restart Mach to load the changes).
To test if assignments work, use the default generated M800.m1s macro. It will write out pressed button and shift state to Mach3 status line.

All buttons assigned to script will call the same M800 macro but with different parameters - as an example the script for the two button combination B1+AL and B2+AL could be:

Code: [Select]
If Button = B1 And AL Then
  ' The script code for B1 + AL
  ' This script part is only executed when Button is B1 and AL is True
  Message "M800: You pressed B1 + AL"
End If

If Button = B2 And AL Then
  ' The script code for B2 + AL
  ' This script part is only executed when Button is B2 and AL is True
  Message "M800: You pressed B2 + AL"
End If

End ' End macro here

The value of Button will depend on the button pressed and AL will only be true if AL was pressed - this way you can write script for the two buttons using If  statements.

- Joakim

Thankyou, and thankyou too for share the plugin :D

Hi I'm in trouble again, the script works very well, but... when I push the button for Z+ or Z- in my joypad the Z axis moves and never stop!!! y have to press the STOP buton before the torch crash, do you know how to do when i release the button Z+ or Z- the axis stop?

this is the macro:

If Button = B3 And AL Then
DoOEMButton(311)               'this is for Z up
End If   

If Button = B4 And AL Then
DoOEMButton(312)               'this is for Z down
End If
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on March 29, 2011, 07:14:39 PM
It could be that you are in continuous jog mode. In the plugin joystick step mode I explicitly select incremental jog mode before step jogging.

Try this:

Code: [Select]
If Button = B3 And AL Then
  DoOEMButton(205)               ' Set Jog Mode Incremental
  DoOEMButton(311)               'this is for Z up
End If   

If Button = B4 And AL Then
  DoOEMButton(205)               ' Set Jog Mode Incremental
  DoOEMButton(312)               'this is for Z down
End If

- Joakim
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Johnny Storm on March 29, 2011, 07:21:27 PM
It could be that you are in continuous jog mode. In the plugin joystick step mode I explicitly select incremental jog mode before step jogging.

Try this:

Code: [Select]
If Button = B3 And AL Then
  DoOEMButton(205)               ' Set Jog Mode Incremental
  DoOEMButton(311)               'this is for Z up
End If   

If Button = B4 And AL Then
  DoOEMButton(205)               ' Set Jog Mode Incremental
  DoOEMButton(312)               'this is for Z down
End If

- Joakim

Thanks it works!! but the movement is in steeps if you know how do the same but in continous movement I will be very very happy :D
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on March 29, 2011, 07:30:40 PM
Great!

The continuous movement puzzle I will leave to more skilled script programmers...  ;)
I'm sure it can be done somehow.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Johnny Storm on March 29, 2011, 07:38:52 PM
Great!

The continuous movement puzzle I will leave to more skilled script programmers...  ;)
I'm sure it can be done somehow.

Thanks :)
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: TDAY on April 05, 2011, 11:30:17 PM
Hello,
 What USB Joypads work? Was looking on Ebay and found a few, but what works? And is plugin working with latest Mach Version?
Troy
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Johnny Storm on April 05, 2011, 11:46:16 PM
Hello,
 What USB Joypads work? Was looking on Ebay and found a few, but what works? And is plugin working with latest Mach Version?
Troy

In theory any modern USB joypad works, i have a Logitech and work's great.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on April 07, 2011, 04:39:31 AM
Hello,
 What USB Joypads work? Was looking on Ebay and found a few, but what works? And is plugin working with latest Mach Version?
Troy

Any game device recognized by Windows as Game Controller with buttons and joysticks will work, including the cheap game pads found on eBay.
I have tried a couple and they all worked - even the one I bought for less than $5.
To test a device - just plug it in and see if it is listed in Control Panel -> Game Controllers. If listed it can be used by the JoyPad plugin.

There is no restriction to only USB game devices, as long as the device is listed as Windows Game Controller it can be used - this means that ordinary Joysticks, wireless and similar devices can be used too.

Yes - JoyPad plugin supports the latest Mach3.

In addition to Mach PP (Parallel Port) the plugin supports SS (Smooth Stepper) hardware motion controller.

Tip - If you want to build your own custom control panel/device the base setup could be one of the cheap USB Game Devices found on eBay, disassembled and reassembled in your own casing or mounted on your own panel.
A lot of inspiration can be found on the web on how to build one...  ;)
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: atifeh on May 05, 2011, 04:58:43 PM
So far it seems everybody is happy with the plugin. Since this plugin was designed to  provide cheap solutions for all users, therefore it has the flexibility and  potential to become more sophisticated.

We would like to have your comments and ideas on:

What brand of Gamepad do you use? an attached picture would be very useful.
The manual and your suggested improvements.
Any custom layout that you have designed and to your experience deemed more appropriate, which could be incorporated in the manual.
Keys that you feel should be incorporated in the menu.
A picture of the machine that you are using it with the gamepad.
Any experience that could be shared.

Best regards,
Nader
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: TDAY on June 02, 2011, 06:36:59 PM
Got a Logitech Dual Action. Tried jogging, but when i push either the SL or SR, Z axis jogs in minus direction, even before i use the joysticks.
All is working correctly in the Windows Game controller.

Any ideas where to start. :)
Thanks,
Troy
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on June 02, 2011, 07:21:06 PM
Hi Troy.

Make sure to calibrate your Logitech Gamepad in Windows game device setup. This ensures there is no movement when the sticks is centered (zeroed) and you press SL or SR button.
If the movement of an axe is in the opposite direction it can be inverted in JoyPad setup as described in the User Manual.

Hope this helps.

- Area51
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: TDAY on June 02, 2011, 08:35:38 PM
I did the calibration. But when i push the SL or SR button , Z jogs in minus direction.
Troy
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: TDAY on June 02, 2011, 09:28:46 PM
Uninstalled plugin and Joypad from windows and reinstalled, all works now :)
Thanks,
Troy
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on June 03, 2011, 07:26:59 AM
Great!

Sometimes Windows works in mysterious ways...  ;)
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: TDAY on June 05, 2011, 12:00:15 PM
Got a pic of my setup with the Logitech. The Control device iam using is a KFLOP from Dynomotion. This board takes my Linear Scales and closes the loop with my 906 oz/in steppers.
 Problem i have is when jogging machine with the Joysticks. When i let off of Joystick, the axis comes to a very hard stop with a "clunk" from the stepper,no matter how slow or fast i jog. This sometimes causes a lost step and throws Mach into fault.Also at times, my Geckos G203V drives will fault out because of this hard stop. There is no problems during axis movement, the problem is only when you let off of jogging.

Machine jogs just fine when using the arrow keys on my keyboard.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Troy
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: TDAY on June 05, 2011, 02:22:06 PM
If i slowly let off of Joysticks from a full speed jog, then there is no "clunk" or missed step.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on June 05, 2011, 07:52:56 PM
Hi Troy,

I would like you to test using Mach PP (Parallel Port) instead of the KFLOP controller - is that possible in your setup?

- Joakim
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: TDAY on June 05, 2011, 08:03:49 PM
Hi Troy,

I would like you to test using Mach PP (Parallel Port) instead of the KFLOP controller - is that possible in your setup?

- Joakim

Yes, but i should pull my previous post, as i think the majority of my problem is some settings in my C program for the KFLOP. Once in awhile i will get this same problem when jogging with my keyboard. Using the gamepad just makes the problem happen more often. That remindes me... if i quickly let go of joysticks, thats when i get the hard stop, but if i control the joystick so it does not snap back to 0, then i get much better results. I believe iam getting some sort of bounce when i let go off joystick, causing a sudden jerk back and forth. Make sence? :)
Any how,I ll get back with you when i get this pinned down more.

Thanks,
Troy
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on June 05, 2011, 08:23:24 PM
Yes it make sense :)

I will look forward to hear more about your findings.
I have never tested the plugin with KFLOP but expect it to work. I am very interested in knowing if there are any problems.
Nailing the problems down helps me fixing them in the plugin. Thanks.

- Joakim
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: TDAY on June 06, 2011, 10:38:25 PM
Yes it make sense :)

I will look forward to hear more about your findings.
I have never tested the plugin with KFLOP but expect it to work. I am very interested in knowing if there are any problems.
Nailing the problems down helps me fixing them in the plugin. Thanks.

- Joakim

Its KFLOP settings thats causing the issue. Iam gonna let this go for now, and just learn to control the Joysticks too center and not let them spring back.

On another note.. Is there a way to assign Gcode too a button?
Thanks,
Troy
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on June 08, 2011, 02:44:09 PM
On another note.. Is there a way to assign Gcode too a button?
Thanks,
Troy
Yes! :)

Assign script to a button or button combination and let the script generate G-Code.
On page 32 ff. in the manual there is an example of assigning script to an unused button - to generate G-Code you just write Script code like:

Code: [Select]
Code("G01 X0 Y0")
Code("G01 X100 Y100")
...

This will send the G-Code:

G01 X0 Y0
G01 X100 Y100

Combined with the power of March VBScript you can make very powerfull and flexible G-Code programs.

- Joakim
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: TDAY on June 08, 2011, 11:01:40 PM
On another note.. Is there a way to assign Gcode too a button?
Thanks,
Troy
Yes! :)

Assign script to a button or button combination and let the script generate G-Code.
On page 32 ff. in the manual there is an example of assigning script to an unused button - to generate G-Code you just write Script code like:

Code: [Select]
Code("G01 X0 Y0")
Code("G01 X100 Y100")
...

This will send the G-Code:

G01 X0 Y0
G01 X100 Y100

Combined with the power of March VBScript you can make very powerfull and flexible G-Code programs.

- Joakim

Ok, ill give that a go, my script code skills are very weak, so be ready for questions. ;)
Thanks,
Troy
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: TDAY on June 08, 2011, 11:08:41 PM
Ummm... i dont like jumping around from one issue to the next, but have you noticed when jogging with Joysticks as Continuous or Step, ( if you have no G Code open in Mach), that the G Code Line Number DRO will toggle from +0.0000 to -1.0000? It happens after axis has stopped. Its more noticeable when doing Step jog.
Havent notice it effecting anything yet. Does anyone else see this?

Thanks,
Troy
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on June 13, 2011, 11:26:11 AM
Hi Troy.

Haven't noticed that behavior - I will try it when my workshop comes in order again after installing the new lathe.
Do you experience any side effects?

- Joakim
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: TDAY on June 13, 2011, 11:54:49 AM
Havent noticed any thing as of yet.
Troy
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: LAMEIII on July 10, 2011, 11:58:50 AM
Hi all,

I'm a newbie that just purchased a Logitech Attack 3 joystick which appears to be a 3 axis 11 button which I want to set up. When I ran the joypadsetup.exe I got a message that no button map file was found. When I clicked OK it brought up "Device Button Assignment" screen and I'm not sure which choice to select.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.


LAMEIII
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: atifeh on July 11, 2011, 03:36:20 PM
Hi,

If the pre-assigned game devices do not match your game device, which seems this is the case, you should select the:
-- User Defined Gamepad --
Then, assign buttons as you see fit. You can use the relevant Appendix for this purpose.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: LAMEIII on July 13, 2011, 01:26:08 PM
atifeh,

I looked again this morning at the Mach3 config plugins and see that my joystick is recognized as "Microsoft PC-Joystick Driver" by the joypad Plugin. It is showing that X and Y are mapped while Z is not mapped but gives me a drop down box allowing me to choose mapping to Mach Z, A, B, or C.

If I run the Joypadsetup.exe it still shows " no button map" file found and brings up the "Device Assignment " screen. 

Do I still need to do the user defined gamepad or since the joystick is recognized by the joypad plugin in Mach3 I don't need to do anything else.
I can't really try using the joystick since I'm using my computer that is not hooked up to my cnc until I'm sure the steps I've taken are correct.

LAMEIII
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: atifeh on July 13, 2011, 03:09:28 PM
Hi LameIII

First of all, please describe the type of machine you intend to work with. Is it a 3 axis or 2 axis?

I am not familiar with the Logitech attack3 joystick, but I did a preliminary research on that and at a first glance, it seems that it is actually a two axis proportional stick with a throttle, which I think is a "one direction axis". By that I mean there might be no increase/decrease relative to a neutral point. There is a handle twist on another model, which I think it could be used as an axis. This should be the cause that you had you X and Y axes mapped, but not the Z axis.

The view switch seems to be the HAT or the D-PAD. And please remember this cluster could not be re-assigned.

Upon installing, the device assignment page will appear anyway. There, you should either select a predefined device assignment or define the functions at your discretion by selecting the "User Defined". I would suggest that you choose a predefined setting. e.g., 3 Axis Mill. Next you should check your "Device Button Mapping". Obviously it differs a lot with the conventional gamepad, so you better choose the "User Defined Gamepad". Then check the relevancy of each button of a standard gamepad to your joystick. After clicking on OK, you should assign you desired Mach3 functions on the "Device button assignment" accordingly.

I would suggest that you install Mach3 on whatever computer you have your hand on. No need to attach it to a machine. You can still run it in test mode. Later on, you can uninstall all or you can simply delete the plugin.

I would also urge you to read the manual, from page 10 to 28.

Please let us know of your progress.

Nader
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: LAMEIII on July 13, 2011, 11:42:23 PM
Gentleman,

I appreciate all of the information but I think I've jumped to soon in getting the joystick without a little more research. In addition I'm way over my head in trying to assign buttons.

I think I'm going to wait awhile and maybe look into getting some other device. I don't care for the two handed units.

Again, thanks for your help up to this point and you may hear from me again in the future.

LAMEIII
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: zafarsalam on July 15, 2011, 10:38:01 AM
Hi,

It's a very useful plugin you've programmed here. I've been playing with it on my laptop and love it's functionality. I'll try it on my machines tomorrow.

Is it possible to map the joysticks to a userdro like pokeys does. I am not sure how much effort is required for this. This plugin stuff is all mumbo jumbo to me. If it can be done then it will be very useful for inputting analog values into Mach.

Zafar
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: TDAY on August 30, 2011, 04:51:57 PM
 Have a question on using the JoySticks. How are they supposed to work? Do i 1st press and hold either the 5 or 6 button, then move the joysticks? Or move joystick then hold 5 or 6 button? If i do the first, sometimes i get no movement on any axis but X. When i do the 2nd (move joystick then hold 5 or 6 button) then  axis jog with no issues. Seems like it should be, hold 5 or 6 button then move Joystick. Can the order be changed?

Troy
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: atifeh on August 30, 2011, 07:07:38 PM
Troy,
The right order is to press the "SAFE Button" (i.e. 5 or 6) and then move the joystick.
Did you check that your analog button is ON? Because if it is not, some gamepads do not work properly.

Nader
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: TDAY on August 30, 2011, 08:12:06 PM
 The 'Mode' button? If i turn on the Mode button then the X Y joystick does nothing, and then the PN,PW,PE,PS buttons become XY direction.
Its a Logitech Dual Action.

Troy
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: atifeh on August 31, 2011, 10:26:33 AM
Troy,
Please check the 5 and 6 buttons to be the "SAFE" buttons, otherwise you might have mapped the "ALT" buttons to work instead of the "SAFE". You can check it through the "Control Panel/Gamepad".

Nader
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: TDAY on August 31, 2011, 11:22:12 AM
Just to be sure i selected the 3 axis mill config and checked the button map and all is correct. But still have the same issue.

Troy
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: atifeh on September 04, 2011, 12:01:17 PM
Troy,
Today I tried to simulate your problem. Of course my gamepad differs from yours. My observation was that: activating an axis and THEN pressing a safe button sends the same message to the programme. Check if you have changed any line in the M800 macro.

Cross check if the same SAFE or ALT button that is assigned in your gamepad setup, is the same that is activated in the Windows/ gamepad device. I had an experience, that for two identical gamepads, Button assignments differed! I just defined those buttons in the custom mode and the problem was solved. Check the mapping according to page 22 of the user manual.

Please see if this can solve the problem.

Joakim himself would be the main reference to this problem, as he is the creator of this plugin and his gamepad was identical to your model.

Nader
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: TDAY on September 05, 2011, 01:49:30 PM
Macro is unchanged and all button mapping is correct. To be sure iam going to remove plugin and macro then reinstall plugin.Also remove GamePad form Device Manager and reinstall it.
Ill let you know what happens.

Thanks,
Troy
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: TDAY on September 05, 2011, 03:01:52 PM
After reinstall of plugin and GamePad, then selecting the 3 axis mill button map, all is still the same.

 If i have the "Mode" button on, Z axis is the only axis that will jog. If i turn off the "Mode" button then i must move a axis stick and then a Safe button( 5 or 6), in order for axis to jog.
What else to try?

Thanks,
Troy
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on September 07, 2011, 07:55:06 AM
Troy,

is there any other plugins installed in Mach3?
Multiple plugins accessing the same device will give unexpected results.

To remove plugins from Mach3, just move the files from "c:\Mach3\Plugins" to a sub directory or another part of the disk and restart Mach.
The three files necessary for the JoyPad plugin are JoyPad.dll, JoyPad.Button.Setup and JoyPad.Device.Setup; they have to stay in "c:\Mach3\PlugIns" directory for the gamepad to work.

- Joakim
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: TDAY on September 07, 2011, 02:19:20 PM
Removed all of plugins. But i do not have a JoyPad.Device.Setup, the 3 files i have is JoyPad.dll, JoyPad.Button.Setup and JoyPad.Button.txt

After removing all plugins I still get the same results on 2 different computers. Watching closer when i have 'Mode' button on, if i hold 5 or 6 safe button and move left joystick to the left, all axis DROs go to 0.0000

Whats next?

Thanks,
Troy
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on September 07, 2011, 07:23:50 PM
If the DRO's all goes zero the left joystick acts as the POV buttons (left 4 buttons) as if you have pressed SL+PW - the mode button on my Logitech Dual Action JoyPad shift the functions between POV (PW, PN, PE and PS) buttons and the left joystick.

Tip: To see which buttons is pressed in Mach3, select the "All buttons script" assignment in JoyPadSetup program, delete or move the macro "M800.m1s" and restart Mach3. When button or combination of buttons is pressed on the gamepad the "Status" DRO will display the button combination.
Ex. "JoyPad plugin -> STOP, Shift: SL, Button: PW". This text is displayed when safety left (SL) and POV west (PW) is pressed on the gamepad.

Hope this helps.

- Joakim
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: TDAY on September 07, 2011, 08:21:25 PM
I got the same results as you described, when using the "All Buttons Script".
 How does your Logitech work when using Joysticks with mode button off? With my Logitech i get much better and stable results by first moving joystick and then holding SL or SR button. But this can cause a sudden move if i have the joystick pushed to far. Is this how yours works?

Thanks again,
Troy
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on September 08, 2011, 12:59:28 PM
Is the same result?: You get button responses when using left joystick or the joystick is working as joystick?

The joystick is read 10 times per second and the jogging speed is calculated and set but only if SL and/or SR is pressed, else speed is decelerated to zero.
If you hold the joystick at max position and tap the SL or SR you will get fast acceleration/deceleration to/from max jogging speed.

Have you been through the gamepad calibration process in the control panel?

- Joakim
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: TDAY on September 08, 2011, 10:12:26 PM
Is the same result?: You get button responses when using left joystick or the joystick is working as joystick?

The joystick is read 10 times per second and the jogging speed is calculated and set but only if SL and/or SR is pressed, else speed is decelerated to zero.
If you hold the joystick at max position and tap the SL or SR you will get fast acceleration/deceleration to/from max jogging speed.

Have you been through the gamepad calibration process in the control panel?

- Joakim


When i have 'Mode' button on, I get button responses from left Joystick while holding SL or SR.I did the gamepad calibration also.

Troy
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: atifeh on September 10, 2011, 05:29:04 PM
Troy,

Try to re-configure the joypad in the configuration menu, but this time interchange the assignments, e.g. assign X to Y, Y to Z and Z to X. See if the problem shifts. My point is that it might be something wrong with the gamepad itself.

Nader
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Vogavt on December 05, 2011, 08:09:11 PM
Not sure if this is the correct place to ask this but I have Win2000 on my PC that controls the machine. I notice on eBay that the controllers I'm looking at state "Compatible with XP, Vista & 7".

Before I buy one, I was wondering if anyone has ever used this type of device on this operating system (Windows2000)?

I have the Fang Gamepad by Ideazon (http://"http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823161023") and it works fine, but it's picked up as an HID (I believe). It states is will work on Windows 2000/XP Home/Professional/x64.


Anyone?
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Vogavt on December 05, 2011, 08:55:17 PM
Sorry, that was for WinNT, not Win2000.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Vogavt on December 20, 2011, 06:09:09 PM
Well Old dopey me.... It was Windows2000 after all and sadly it isn't supported for .Net 3.5.  :(

http://wxmesg.blogspot.com/2007/11/microsoft-framework-35-no-support-for.html

I've tried every trick I could find on the net to get it to install on Win2K and I haven't found one yet. Unfortunately I'm looking at a controller I just purchased that's apparently going to collect dust unless this app can be made to work with .Net 2.0.  I can't even get .Net 2.0 SP1 to install.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Johnny Storm on March 28, 2012, 07:19:15 PM
It is possible skip the "ALT" button??      I'd like to move the joystick without pressing the Alt button
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on March 29, 2012, 07:41:06 PM
Shift and Alt buttons are considered safety buttons and used to activate the two joysticks.  Shift activates continuous jogging and Alt activates step jogging.
It is a design decision to force a key activation along with the joysticks to prevent accidental activation of machine movements if the game pad is dropped or pushed.

This functionality is hard coded can't be disabled in the current version.

You can always pin down one of the Alt or Shift buttons to operate the joysticks without pushing the safety buttons - but I won't recommend it...
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Johnny Storm on March 29, 2012, 07:45:03 PM
Shift and Alt buttons are considered safety buttons and used to activate the two joysticks.  Shift activates continuous jogging and Alt activates step jogging.
It is a design decision to force a key activation along with the joysticks to prevent accidental activation of machine movements if the game pad is dropped or pushed.

This functionality is hard coded can't be disabled in the current version.

You can always pin down one of the Alt or Shift buttons to operate the joysticks without pushing the safety buttons - but I won't recommend it...


Thanks area51
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: pedropin on April 30, 2012, 08:18:59 PM
Good day to all.
Install the USB joypad all very well but I can not activate with the USB joypad function (Auto Tool Zero).
Some of you can help me
File part of M800

'==========================================================================
' <-- Put your own script code here.
If SL And (Button = BE) Then
DoOEMButton 1017
Message "Todos los ejes cero"
End If

If SL And (Button = BW) Then
DoOEMButton 707
 Message "Eje Z = 0"
End If
End


The code blue function good (Goto Zero)
The red code does not activate the function (Auto Tool Zero)

Thank you very much.
Pedropin
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on April 30, 2012, 09:44:53 PM
Hi Pedropin

For the M800 macro to be called (red code), the button combination SL + BW must be set to -- Execute script -- in JoyPadSetup program and Saved (you maybe have to restart Mach3).

Try changing the red code in M800.m1s to:

If SL And (Button = BW) Then
  Message "JoyPad SL + BW pressed!"
  Sleep(5000)
  DoOEMButton 707
  Message "Eje Z = 0"
End If

If you see the text JoyPad SL + BW pressed! displayed for 5 seconds, the code is called when the button combination is pressed.

I'm not familiar with the "DoOEMButton 707" - but if it is a nested call to a macro, the code will not be executed by Mach. Mach will not allow macros to call macros.

Hope this helps.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: pedropin on April 30, 2012, 10:19:10 PM

area 51
Thanks for your prompt help.
The message Joypad SL + BW pressed! shown for 5 seconds.
but the function is not active (Auto Tool Zero)
You said that     (Mach will not allow macros to call macros)   



thanks for your help
pedropin
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on May 01, 2012, 04:32:05 AM
Great :)

Try searching the forum for "Auto Tool Zero" - there is a lot of posts about that subject.
I'm sure you can find the answer there.

- Joakim
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: zkmiller on June 10, 2012, 04:22:44 PM
I just downloaded version 2.0 and am trying to get a GigaWire joypad (it shows up as a generic joystick in control panel/game controller)  to work.  When I launch JoyPadSetup.exe I don't get any buttons on the bottom of the window -- no 'Device Button Map, 'View in Notepad', 'About', 'Save', or 'Exit' button. Do I have a different setup program or something? I am running it on a Dell Vostro laptop with Windows XP Pro SP3. I'm not having much luck getting this setup and working consistently. Any suggestions appreciated.

Thanks,

Zeke
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Johnny Storm on June 10, 2012, 04:53:56 PM
Get a Logitech joypad, are cheap and works greath :)
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on June 10, 2012, 08:59:19 PM
Looks like the problem is with the installed version of .NET Framework.
By default the framework is not part of Windows XP and needs to be downloaded and installed from Microsoft (see user manual):

 http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/ (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/)
Look for dotnetfx 3.5 download.

The JoyPad plug-in is not dependent on the framework and should run without.

- Joakim
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: zkmiller on June 11, 2012, 07:45:34 PM
Thanks for the input. I have .NET 3.5 and .NET 4.0 installed.   :(
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: mcateercustom on June 12, 2012, 12:10:15 AM
I saw someone on a video using a playstation 3 remote how would i go about using mine? its not wireless it just plugs into usb port.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on June 16, 2012, 11:16:00 AM
Zkmiller:
The JoyPadSetup.exe program is a standard Windows program as is not dependent on Game Device or March installation. You could run it on another Windows installation to generate/edit the setup files and the copy them to the Mach installation.

Mcateercustom:
If the device shows up in Control panel -> Game devices it can probably be used with the plugin.
The JoyPad plugin use devices listed in Windows as Game Devices. There is no direct contact between plugin and the actual device.
If Windows supports the device there is a good chance that JoyPad plugin can use it to control Mach.
The devices can be Wireless, Bluetooth, USB or connected to the old Joystick port  :)

- Joakim
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Captain Midnight on July 21, 2012, 01:48:06 AM
I have plugin installed, and buttons work, sticks are calibrated. I can get step jogging, but no amount of effort can get continuous jogging to work. What should I look at, or test, or try? I really want to make this work.
Thanks
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on July 21, 2012, 06:09:52 AM
Make sure you have pressed the Mode/Analog button on the JoyPad to activate analog joystick input - I often forget this. On my low budget  JoyPad this setting gets reset when unplugged/powered off.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Captain Midnight on July 21, 2012, 04:06:02 PM
Yes, I did that. All the buttons and joysticks are recognized under setup. All buttons work, just not joysticks.
Thank you
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on July 23, 2012, 07:56:45 AM
Are you using parallel port (PP) output?
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Captain Midnight on July 23, 2012, 11:58:01 PM
No, ethernet.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on July 24, 2012, 06:03:47 AM
There is no standard way of controlling continuous jogging from plugins, but some good recommendations from other plugin developers. These are implemented in the JoyPad plugin and tested with PP and SS (SmoothStepper).
Other motion hardware plugins will properly work but have not been tested. (I need a sample hardware + software to test)

Try setting March3 up to use the PP driver - simulation mode will do.
If continuous jogging works here then JoyPad plugin is configured correct and working as expected.
The problem is then the motion hardware plugin and/or the communication between hardware motion plugin and JoyPad plugin.

Hope this helps.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Steambuilder on August 12, 2012, 06:34:11 PM
I am trying to setup the JoyPad plugin for Mach3Turn. How can I get the pages changed so I can control them on PN, PE, PS, and PS. I want to setup Manual, Auto, Cycle and Tool Table respectively. I will use another button for the Diagnostics page. I think it is a script that I want to write, but can't find the page oem numbers(if that is what I need). Also when I list the scripts in the m800.m1s file, do I have to separate them with anything?  I am green when it comes to writing scripts along with using Mach3.

Thanks!
Doug
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on August 13, 2012, 05:28:58 PM
I have never used Mach3Turn (M3T) myself, as my lathe is manual (not converted yet). JoyPad plugin should be working with M3T.
Try setting up the pages from Mach3Mill (M2M) in JoyPadSetup program and see what they point to in M3T.
If that is not working VB script can be used. A lot of the codes for scripting is covered in the manual and a lot more can be found in the forum, along with help making script.

JoyPad plugin uses one script for all button actions and you have to catch each button in M800.m1s:

Code: [Select]
If BText = "BN" Then
  Message "You have pressed Buttom BN"
End If

This code will catch BN and any combination of AL, AR, SL, SR. If you like to only catch BN + AL the If statement must be:

Code: [Select]
If BText = "BN" And AL Then
  Message "You have pressed Buttom BN + AL"
End If

You separate the script by using If statements. All buttons share the script file m800.m1s; this makes it easier to reuse code between buttons and maintain the code.

Note: Buttons will only call the script file when set up to Scripting in JoyPadSetup.

If you make a button assignment for M3T (template), please post it in this forum - it does not have to be perfect or fancy. I would make it easier for others to contribute  :D

- Joakim
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Steambuilder on August 14, 2012, 11:52:56 AM
Thanks area51 for the reply. I have put the following code in the M800 file but no luck.  I got the screen numbers from Screen4. I don't want to use any of the SL, SR, AL or AR buttons to get to these screens. Am I missing something below
Thanks
Doug


'==========================================================================
' <-- Put your own script code here.

If BText = "PN" Then
DoOemButton(4)
End If

If BText = "PE" Then
DoOembutton(2)
End If

If BText = "PW" Then
DoOemButton(15)
End If


'END ' Uncomment END to end execution of script here.
     ' Or delete text to end of file.
'==========================================================================
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Steambuilder on August 16, 2012, 01:57:54 PM
Problem Solved!
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Steambuilder on October 11, 2012, 11:09:55 AM
When I first start Mach3 Turn on my computer, my wireless Logitech Joypad using this plugin does not respond. After closing the program and opening it up again everything works fine. Does anyone know what I could do to correct this problem.
Thanks
Doug
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on October 11, 2012, 08:42:26 PM
It could be that Windows takes longer time recognizing the wireless gamepad than the wired one.
What happens if you wait some minutes before starting Mach3 after Windows start up?

- Joakim
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: polska on December 14, 2012, 12:34:08 PM
Hi All,
Since last weekend I have downloaded the JoyPad v2.0 rar file 3 different times extracted with proper software,  and for some reason I have difficult time to install the JoyPad.m3p plugin. Tried in two different computers one is running WinXP with all the updates included the .net and win installer and second PC running Vista. I'm getting "access is denied" message in Vista compute,r and "not found" on other running XP. The JoyPad.exe is running and so the manual PDF file. I tried the plugin install from desktop, Mach3 folder, and the plugin folder it self. NO JOY!  :( I'm out of ideas...  I the past I was able to install few plugins and never have any issues in doing so. This one does not want to play. Multiple times rebooting the computers didn't help either... Any ideas ?...  Any suggestions/help would be MUCH APPRECIATED. Thanks.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: atifeh on December 14, 2012, 12:47:13 PM
Hello Polska,

What was the exact "not found message" on WinXP?
Please be advised that you should install all the required .NET's. The lateset version would not suffiice.

Regards
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: polska on December 14, 2012, 01:54:07 PM
Hi Atifeh,
Thank you for quick response. The exact message in XP is "not found"..  Reinstalled  .net file with correct 3.5 version of the .NET file. Still the same message 'not found' ..

Best..
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: atifeh on December 14, 2012, 02:43:10 PM
Hello Polska,

Have you installed .NET versions: `1.1 , 2.0, 3.0 too? On one occasion I found that these should also be installed.
Also please Check in your Settings/Add-Remove Programs to see if .NET's are installed properly.

Regards,
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: polska on December 14, 2012, 04:20:19 PM
Thanks again for quick reply Atifeh. Reinstalled the Mach3 and the plugin installed OK.

Best.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: polska on December 16, 2012, 04:15:30 PM
Hi All,
 The plugin loaded fine , calibration is was done, but in order to use joystick the sequence in with the Alt button and the joystick activation is reversed . So after pushing the joystick and pressing the Atl button the X or Y axis starts at maximum speed. Very unsafe. Frankly I'm plane Jane no peanuts guy . I liked allot  plugin that was written by Art, it was good enough for what I need. could move X-Y axis safely when I want it to... Now after installing a ESS the plugin no longer works. I wish Art would resurrected it. I appreciate the effort put forth by all the people who created it, but for my way of thinking the joystick usage should plain and simple and just be able to move the axis safely..    
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: atifeh on December 16, 2012, 05:59:44 PM
Hi Polska,

You can reduce the maximum jogging speed as a percentage of the maximum speed. You have set it near 100% of the max. speed.

Regards,
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: polska on December 16, 2012, 06:51:29 PM
Hi atifeh,

Sorry I wasn't very clear in my explanation. I'm aware of the option settings in the plugin configuration area. Full rapid speed is not the problem. The problem I'm having is the joystick is not operating as the PFD manual says it should operate.  To use the joystick the sequence in with the Alt/Shift button and the joystick activation is reversed, according to the manual Shift and Alt buttons are considered safety buttons and used to activate the two joysticks. Shift activates continuous jogging and Alt activates step jogging.. First the Shift button should be depressed and I should be able to make the axis move with the joystick.. Not the other way around like I'm forced right now. Joystick wide open first and then press the button..
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on December 16, 2012, 10:27:10 PM
Hi Polska.

If I understand the problem correct, the joysticks will allow movement even when the Alt and Shift safety is unpressed?
(Normal operation is continuous movement if Shift is pressed and step movement if Alt is pressed when joysticks are activated).
If yes, what is the button states in control panel for button 5, 6, 7 and 8 (they should all be off when unpressed)?

If there is a bug in the plugin I would like to fix it...

- Joakim

Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: polska on December 17, 2012, 08:04:37 AM
Hi Polska.

If I understand the problem correct, the joysticks will allow movement even when the Alt and Shift safety is unpressed?

No, The axis moves only after SL/SR or AL/AR is pressed as it should be. As I understand I should first press either of those buttons and then proceed with joystick.
In my case it does work in the opposite way Activate joystick and the n press the button in order to see the axis respond..

(Normal operation is continuous movement if Shift is pressed and step movement if Alt is pressed when joysticks are activated).
If yes, what is the button states in control panel for button 5, 6, 7 and 8 (they should all be off when unpressed)?

If there is a bug in the plugin I would like to fix it...

I got a hunch the problem lays on my side, either I'm doing something wrong or the joystick it self is faulty, although it does calibrate like it supposed to
during calibration.

- Joakim



@ Joakim
Could I ask for a favor? Could you Sir write a simple plugin just for XYZ movement based on the same joypad? Those two joystick(B3 B4) movable actuators provide enough variable speed
in itself to be able maneuver safely.. B3-XY axis, B4 Z axis...

Appreciate the help
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on December 17, 2012, 10:48:57 PM
Hi Polska.

I am not sure which features to remove to make the plugin simpler.

The plugin has two base functions: 1) Controlling axis via joysticks 2) Programming buttons with predefined actions or macros.
Function 2 can be turned off by setting all button functions to All buttons disabled in the JoyPadSetup program.

Function 1 is controlling axis movements of up to 6 axis in either continuous or step mode. Setup is done in Mach3 via setup menus.
There is only a minimum setup: Axe map (Device axe -> Mach axe), Max speed, Invert axe and Single axe movement lock.

Continuous jog is selected when pressing one or both of the Safe buttons (button SL and SR) - the same goes for step jog with one or both of the Alt buttons (button AL and AR ).

I think the plugin is as simple as it practically can be.
Removal of options to invert, scale, map and select between continuous and step will remove needed functionality in my opinion, but I could be wrong...

The plugin will work, even if the .NET framework and JoyPadSetup.exe is missing or not installed as long as JoyPad.m3p is installed. Buttons will then default to Logitech JoyPad 3-axis mill setup. JoyPadSetup program will only work when .NET Framework is installed.

Minimal setup with joysticks only:
1) Install JoyPad.m3p plugin (double click file).
2) Copy attached JoyPad.Button.Setup to Mach3 PlugIn directory from attached ZIP file Disable_All_Buttons.zip.
3) In Mach3, configure JoyPad plugin in plugin menu.

All buttons except SL, SR, AL and AR is disabled and there is no need for JoyPadSetup.exe program or .NET Framework to be installed.
Maybe this is the setup you are looking for?

- Joakim
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: polska on December 18, 2012, 08:18:20 AM
Hi Joakim,

Thank you for the quick reply and a detailed explanation. According to this statement " Continuous jog is selected when pressing one or both of the Safe buttons (button SL and SR)
- the same goes for step jog with one or both of the Alt buttons (button AL and AR )." There is definitely something is wrong with my joypad. For one, when pressing the "SL" button alone the y axis start moving very slowly by itself, second- it absolutely does not respond to joystick movement at all.  And it behaves as described in previous posts. The same joystick worked great connected to other machine controlled by the  plugin that come with Mach3, that was written by Art. Since old PC quit working and I had this Dell computer available even thou I needed to buy the ESS because lack of the parallel port. So long story short. Thanks for the help, I definitely look for new joypad hopefully this will fix this.

Yes, I will definitely disable the buttons. Thanks


ps; Not sure you celebrating this holiday or not if you are, then Merry Christmas to you and others ;D , if not, just ignore it.. ;)

BR
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on December 19, 2012, 09:49:49 PM
... There is definitely something is wrong with my joypad. For one, when pressing the "SL" button alone the y axis start moving very slowly by itself, second- it absolutely does not respond to joystick movement at all. ...

This often happens if the joysticks is not calibrated in the the Control Panel (wrong zero makes it drift). Maybe the missing movement also has to do with calibration...

Remember that the JoyPad plugin must be the only plugin installed in Mach3 using the JoyPad/joysticks - if more than one plugin/program is competing for control it can give unexpected results... :-[
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: polska on December 20, 2012, 07:39:47 AM
It was tested and calibrated in windows itself and it appeared to be working fine. And it was/ is the only joystick plugin installed. I removed plugin that come with Mach3..

Best Regards..
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: donrecardo on January 02, 2013, 12:28:41 PM
Hi , I just downloaded the plugin

I ran joypad.m3p and it said plugin installed ,  I can see it in config plugins  so I enabled it.

When I run Joypad setup.exe it tells me " no button map file found , using defaults , which I OKd

When I try to save it tells me .... error saving button assignments to file, check if Joypad.Button.Settup is open or write protected.

What am I doing wrong ?

Don


Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on January 02, 2013, 08:21:28 PM
.... error saving button assignments to file, check if Joypad.Button.Settup is open or write protected.

What am I doing wrong ?

This normally means that write permission to write the button map file or destination folder is missing.
Try running Mach3 as administrator and saving the configuration.

- Joakim
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: donrecardo on January 03, 2013, 05:18:47 AM
Thank you for your help but unfortunately
I still get the same result.

I ran Mach3 as Admin and enabled the joypad plugin
I saved the config
I even ran joypad setup exe as admin but still it said
there was no button map found , and when I tried to save it said
it cant write to the file

Could it be because I am on a windows 7 64bit OS ?

Don
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on January 03, 2013, 08:26:54 PM
Could it be because I am on a windows 7 64bit OS ?

Windows 7 64 bit is properly the reason for the access problems. Security is much tighter in Windows 7.
I think there is an option for running programs in compatibility mode - you could try "XP Windows".
Hope it helps.

- Joakim
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: nicad on January 24, 2013, 11:53:30 PM
I am having a very buggy time getting this to work reliably. Usually ends up running off. Read on..
Running Win XP, SmoothStepper, Mach 3.043.xx on lathe.
Input device is an industrial USB joystick "CH Products IP DESKTOP USB 12-Button Joystick". Windows sees it fine as a 3axis, 12 button input device. Calibrated it in to zero.
Installed this plugin today, read through most of the manual, and configured the buttons all to be "ignored" except the Safety and Alt (Controller button mapping is not intuitive, but I messed with it till I think I got it).

It will jog just fine, but when I select the continuous motion mode button, it will work for about 4 to 5 moves and then it'll get stuck in one direction and NOT STOP no matter what I try. Usually happens if I let up the button while it's moving. Cycle Estop to back online and the machine took off in some wild direction. I'm too young for a heart attack.

Looks like it could be useful but needless to say I won't be going near this plugin until I know what it going on.
Going back to Contour USB pendant for now.
Any ideas?

Thanks-
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: nicad on January 28, 2013, 05:19:43 PM
Update- Seems that the stuck runaway is due to the "Inc. Jog" being active when trying to move in continuous motion jog. Inc. Jog gets turned on when I hit the Alt button to jog in steps, but then never gets turned off, and that messed up the continuous jog. If I manually turn it back off in Mach, then the continuous motion jog seems to work alright.
Is this normal?
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: japolta on February 26, 2013, 11:04:42 AM
I love the plugin!!!
Help though please....
I am running an older XP system.   I cannot get any changes I make to the joypad buttons to stick.  For example,  I followed the manual and changed BW (w SR) to be executed script.  The configuration goes to user defined and I save it.  I have been doing this with MAch 3 active and then restart mach3.  The change doesn't stick and the default 3 axis buttons retain.  I must be missing something simple.  Any insight would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: NACK on March 24, 2013, 10:47:25 AM
I am having a very buggy time getting this to work reliably. .....

Subscribe to the nicad. I have a similar situation. If "JoyPad" project conceived as a free, invite the author to put the source code for collaborative editing and revision. Thank you.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Jake Hoback on March 25, 2013, 08:23:41 PM
Hay yall,
I just downloaded this and tried to get it to work on my Tormach PCNC1100 and it keeps giving me an error that says something to the effect that the controller is not saved, then it wont let me save the button lay out.

Any help would be great!

Thanks, God bless
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Jake Hoback on March 25, 2013, 08:24:22 PM
Same problem here!
Hi , I just downloaded the plugin

I ran joypad.m3p and it said plugin installed ,  I can see it in config plugins  so I enabled it.

When I run Joypad setup.exe it tells me " no button map file found , using defaults , which I OKd

When I try to save it tells me .... error saving button assignments to file, check if Joypad.Button.Settup is open or write protected.

What am I doing wrong ?

Don



Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: MadTooler on March 25, 2013, 09:09:18 PM
Update- Seems that the stuck runaway is due to the "Inc. Jog" being active when trying to move in continuous motion jog. Inc. Jog gets turned on when I hit the Alt button to jog in steps, but then never gets turned off, and that messed up the continuous jog. If I manually turn it back off in Mach, then the continuous motion jog seems to work alright.
Is this normal?

Same here, almost.  I cannot get Mach to respond with Inc. Jogs (I mean holding one of the Alt keys while moving an analog stick it does not move).  It only changes the jog settings to Inc. which results in runaway movements when I use SL and SR.

I am running the latest version of Mach on an XP machine.

Is there any near future revision for this?  Seems kind of major.

Thanks.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on March 25, 2013, 09:22:03 PM
(Addressing the problem saving configuration files)

Try running the JoyPadSetup program as administrator, this could help in some configurations...

Thank you for reporting the problems. I get the same error on my workstation running Windows 7 x64 and no Mach installation, but not on the old Windows XP SP3 with Mach3 installed in C:\Mach3 (wokshop).
I will look into the problem and post an update when the solution is found.

Until then it is possible to:

I know this is not optimal solution...  :-\

- Joakim
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on March 25, 2013, 09:41:19 PM
Attached is a .ZIP file with the two configuration for Logitech JoyPad and Standard 3 axis mill.
Copy the files to Mach Plugins directory on your Mach3 installation.

To edit the files on another pc with a Windows installation:


- Joakim
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Jake Hoback on March 26, 2013, 11:33:39 AM
Ok tried what you said I think? Still get the same message

It says

"Error saving button assignments to file. Check if 'JoyPad.Button.Setup' is open or write protected

I believe I set this up as admin. When I first tried, I opened the files on the desktop and one of them disappeared and gave me a popup that says plugin installed.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Jake Hoback on March 26, 2013, 11:46:31 AM
Ok so I messed around with it and I can move the axis and such in Mach but I still can't save to button layout, so I'm stuck in default. The z axis goes really slow even in rapid and it doesn't rail stop, it kinda slows to a stop.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Jertona on March 26, 2013, 06:23:54 PM
Hi,
I have been successfully with a saitek rumble game pad. Using X Y Z and various key presses.

Perhaps a slight mod would be after using joystick in incremental step that it resorts to continuos mode and not stay in step mode, this would allow the key board keys to move axes normal and not in step mode.

I have now purchased a Microsoft wireless xbox360 game pad.
Apart from all the buttons being mapped in totally different places the major problem is DEAD ZONE for joysticks.
There is NO dead zone on this game pad. ie the dro s continually drift.
I have searched Internet for dead zone and it would appear this is a major problem with Microsoft wireless Xbox 360 game pad.
Does anyone have cure for this or know how to change dead zone from within joy program ?
The plan is to strip all bits out of pad and put in dedicated box with proper Switches .
Thanks for any help in advance.

Jerry
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on March 26, 2013, 06:37:59 PM
This may help understanding setup/config files and jog speed:

The JoyPad plugin is kind of a two part plugin - Part one is handling and controlling of jogging and part two is handling of button assignments/actions.
Part one, jogging, is set up in plugin configuration (in Mach Config) and part two is set up via the JoyPadSetup program.

The configuration files are only used for part two, assigning buttons. Joysticks will work without the setup files.
The plugin setup is saved along with the normal Mach configuration and not in the *.Setup files.

Maximum jog speed is determined as a percentage of the maximum motor speed in Mach motor tuning and the current jog speed percentage (Mach jog panel).

Current jog speed (axis) = Joystick position (axis) * Max motor speed (axis) * Max speed in JoyPad configuration (axis) * Mach Jog panel

Jog speed will never exceed the specified max speed in motor tuning for the given axis.
Acceleration is taken from Mach motor tuning for the current jogging axis.

The JoyPad plugin has only been tested with Smooth Stepper (SS) and Parallel Port (PP) - other USB/Extension boards may or may not work.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Jertona on March 28, 2013, 08:06:26 AM
A bit more information regarding the dead zone or lack of it on microsoft xbox wireless x360 game pad for PC.
If I select from plugins the ART-FENERTY VER 1.0A controller ( this only has 2 axes and no button control ) then the sticks perform perfectly with a correct amount of dead zone,( no drifting of dro's ) but selecting from plugin the JOAKIM HJORT version and I am back to drifting of DRO'S with no dead zone.
Hope this is of use to someone out there who may be able to help...
Thanks

Jerry
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on March 28, 2013, 10:10:28 PM
Have you done the calibration in the Control Panel -> Game Controllers?

I have had drifting problems if I forget to calibrate the joysticks.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Jertona on March 29, 2013, 07:54:19 AM
Hi,
Thanks for quick reply.
Yes I have run the caliibration prog.
It is a known problem with the Microsoft xbos wireless games pad for PC that there is no dead zone adjustment.
As it works okay with the ART-FENERTY VER 1.0A plugin with no drift and a good dead zone area, I was hoping it would work okay with the JOAKIM HJORT version  ( need the buttons !! ). But no luck

Thanks in advance to any advive or fixes that can be offered.

Jerry
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on March 29, 2013, 01:09:11 PM
Hi Jerry.

I will put it on the ToDo list for next plugin release release.
How much dead zone is needed for reliable operation (% of full)?

I could add it as a check box in the plugin configuration.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: MadTooler on March 29, 2013, 01:21:31 PM
If it was possible to have the deadzone adjustable that would be really cool.  I am running with a "Rock Candy" PS3 controller I found at best buy.  It nicely matches the logitech profile without the need for any additional drivers in both XP and Win7.  I decided on this one instead of the logitech after reading a lot of reviews on the two and the bonus of a much longer cable.  Anyway, it's main flaw, besides being cheesy gaudy, is that the analog sticks are tight to get moving.

Side note... I initially had been using my PS3 wireless bluetooth controller.  That thing has a great feel on the analog sticks.  It was really, really, really smooth with the JoyPad pluggin.  I only went to a plugged in version because of dealing with recharging and the MotionInJoy driver needed that some find suspect.

Any thoughts on my previous post about runaway axis when in Inc. Step mode?
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Jertona on March 29, 2013, 01:59:32 PM
Hi,
Ref dead zone,
I dont know how to workout percentages but the numbers stack up as follows as measured as raw dats from my microsoft xbox wireless gamepad.

If one end reads 00000
the other end reads 65000
I would like NO OPERATION between 26000 and 39000. ( this gives a margin, see below )

(When released to go to center on its own from 0 end reading is 27000
When released to go to center on its own from 65000 end reading is 38000)

( these joysticks are fairley crap at mechanical self centering )

As Madtooker suggests perhaps there could be 3 different percentages selectable ( only a suggestion )

Thanks in advance and for listning, very much apperciated...

Jerry
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on March 29, 2013, 07:41:35 PM
Jerry:
Than you for the feedback.
With the numbers you specify the dead zone (DZ) will be 20% of full engagement. I will put that on the ToDo list  :)
When and how it will get implemented is not decided yet...
The plugin compiler environment is not up and running right now as it is Visual Studio 2008 C/C++.
Normally I program in C# and the environment I have is the newer Visual Studio 2012.

MadTooler (and others):
I have tried to replicate the problem on my setup, but it won't fail  :-\ ...
To find the bug in the plugin code I need a simple and repeatable step by step way to provoke the error. Preferable when Mach3 is in simulation mode (no output driver) - this is also much safer to experiment with  :)

Please post the step by step instruction here in the thread. Thanks.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Jertona on March 30, 2013, 09:39:43 AM
Thanks Area51,

Looking forward to next release.

Jerry
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: MadTooler on April 02, 2013, 02:54:20 PM
MadTooler (and others):
I have tried to replicate the problem on my setup, but it won't fail  :-\ ...
To find the bug in the plugin code I need a simple and repeatable step by step way to provoke the error. Preferable when Mach3 is in simulation mode (no output driver) - this is also much safer to experiment with  :)

Please post the step by step instruction here in the thread. Thanks.


area51,

It is 100% repeatable on my system.  Anytime the jog mode is in Step then the axis appear to begin running to no end when engaged via the SL/R safety and the relative analog stick movement.  This happens whether it is a very small quick movement with the stick or a long held movement.  To get it back to normal, I hit the reset and switch back to Cont. Jog Mode and make sure not to try the Alt R/L.

The problem does not appear to exist in Cont. Jog Mode.

I am running Mach3 Version R3.043.066 on an XP(tablet) laptop.
Smooth Stepper USB.

Attached is a shot of both the pluggins on my system and the settings within Mach for your pluggin:
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: etet100 on April 03, 2013, 07:35:14 AM
Hi. Sorry for my poor english.

Is there any way to configure standard digital buttons on my joypad as z-axis jogging buttons ? My joypad has 2 digital joysticks but second one in visible in OS as 4 simple buttons. These buttons are configurable but i have no idea how to control jogging with this.

Thanks
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on April 03, 2013, 02:07:33 PM
I have a JoyPad (Chinese) where the POV (four left buttons) and the left joystick are switched when the "mode" button is pressed. A LED indicates the selected mode.
Maybe it is the same for your game pad.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on April 03, 2013, 09:21:52 PM
MadTooler:

MadTooler (and others):
area51,

It is 100% repeatable on my system.  Anytime the jog mode is in Step then the axis appear to begin running to no end when engaged via the SL/R safety and the relative analog stick movement.

Have tried to duplicate the error condition on two system setups:
1) Windows 7 fresh install and newest Mach3 with simulated output (no output driver).
2) Windows 7 existing install with Smooth Stepper USB mill setup with extra A axis.

Used both Logitech Dual action JoyPad and Chinese low cost JoyPad.

I switch to step mode (In MPG panel with TAB) and use SL or SR and joystick - this should give run-away.
In the same panel switch to cont. mode this should give normal operation and do the test - no run-away.

I can't provoke any run-away even combining with step jogging, Mach restart, Reset button or jog on/off.

Do you get the same error when there are no output driver (no PP or Smooth Stepper)?

I would like to have a test environment to track the error down, preferable with the simulated output (can't debug with Smooth Stepper driver active).
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: etet100 on April 05, 2013, 04:38:40 AM
I have a JoyPad (Chinese) where the POV (four left buttons) and the left joystick are switched when the "mode" button is pressed. A LED indicates the selected mode.
Maybe it is the same for your game pad.

Pushing MODE button has no effect at all. LED is always off, i don't see any change in joystick behaviour. I suspect that this is fake led and button.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: etet100 on April 05, 2013, 02:41:32 PM
Ok. There is something wrong with button. I managed to enable analog mode.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: SteelWolf on July 16, 2013, 11:01:51 AM
Hi,
I have the same problem (I only read the last 2 pages though)

I switched to the Smoothstepper Ethernet today and noticed the runaway when trying to continuously jog with the joypad.
Upgrading mach3 to 043.053 didn't help

The error occurs when the mode is set to single step! No runaway on cont.
The problem would be solved if everytime I try to cont.jog with the joystick (pressing R/L 1), mach3 would switch to Cont and back after releasing.
Is there a easy way to implement this function manually or in the plugin? I now always have to check if cont. mode is on..
Very dangerous situation.

Any quick solutions for this?

PS: It worked without problems without the ESS
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: gthomann on August 10, 2013, 04:57:54 PM
I downloaded version 2.0 and have tried everything to get the PN, PS, PE, PW buttons to work on my joystick.  They will not.  Do you have to use keygrabber to make them work?  The buttons on the right side, BN, ... do work.  The users manual seems to be of little help.  Also, there is one thing about joypad I do not like at all - you have to push the Safe key to jog the axes.  I do not like programmers to force their values on me.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: etet100 on March 13, 2014, 06:15:26 AM
Hi. Sorry for my english !

I'm working on simple mach 3 console. I'm going to use one of existing projects (atmega8 usb joypad - 4 analog
axes and buttons 1 to 12)

I need limited functionality:

- jogging (3 analog axes)
- start, stop (= emergency stop), tool height probe, goto 0, goto home, rewind g-code

Starting each of the functions (except of stop/e-stop) will require pressing common "safety button".

Is it possible to configure joypad plugin 2.0 to do this ?
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Machine Guy on November 14, 2014, 09:49:29 PM
Area51, I also have the same problem with the runaway jogging after using the step jog.  It stays in step mode and will runaway unless i remember to switch it back via the Tab menu.  I am also using the ethernet smoothstepper.  If it helps i can send a video or something, but it is pretty much just what MadTooler has talked about.  I am anxiously awaiting a fix, as i see the wonderful potential in the plugin you made.  Thanks!

Brian
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: SteelWolf on November 17, 2014, 08:17:05 PM
Its one of the most usefull plugins for me at the moment
I wrote a script that changes back to cont mode all the time..
Not the best solution :/

I'd actually even pay for a Plugin like that (or the fix)
It would also be nice to be able to set custom functions on button like a M-script and not just the built-in ones.

Greetings,
Max
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Bluet1001 on February 10, 2015, 10:52:42 AM
Problem opening joypad setup

I have downloaded the joypad setup from this site but when i push joypad setup it says:"JoyPadSetup.exe-.NET Framework Initialization Error, Unable to find a version of the runtime to run this application". What can i do to fix this problem?

I use XP and have .NET Framework C++ 4.0 installed.

Best regards Tom
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on February 10, 2015, 06:27:45 PM
Hi Tom

As the written in the manual you need the .NET Framework 3.5:

Quote
You will need Windows installer 3.1 and dotnetfx 3.5 to be installed on your computer, prior to installing the JoyPad plugin. Download these components from Microsoft website: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/ (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/)

I think that will remove the error.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: JustinHoMi on May 25, 2015, 03:33:19 PM
I'm having some trouble after installing the plugin. After opening the config program, it won't save my settings. It says that JoyPad.Buttons.Setup is either open or write protected. The user is admin. Where is this file supposed to be stored?

Justin
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on May 26, 2015, 06:52:44 AM
Hi Justin.

It seems as a Windows file security problem, please see reply #104 and #115 ff. in this thread.
Try to run the setup program by right click it and "run as administrator" - If everything else fails, you can always make and maintain the setup files on another PC with the setup program and then copy the files to Mach3 PlugIn directory.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: JustinHoMi on May 29, 2015, 01:32:08 PM
I figured it out. The Tormach version of Mach3 resides in C:\PCNC3\, but this plugin has the config path hardcoded to C:\Mach3\Plugins\. I created that path, and no more error.

Justin
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: JustinHoMi on May 29, 2015, 03:32:36 PM
I'm having another problem now. It saves the configs, which I can confirm by closing the program and opening it back up again (all settings saved). The issue is that when I try to actually use the controller in Mach3, it doesn't respect any of the customizations that I've made in the Device Button Map. For instance, my start button is button 5. If I change the left trigger to be button 5 instead, the start button still activates it, and the left trigger doesn't do anything. But like I said... it does actually save those settings into the config file. It just doesn't seem to use the config file.

This is Windows XP.

Any ideas?
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: JustinHoMi on May 29, 2015, 03:56:32 PM
Found a BUG.

When it saves the config, it uses an absolute path of C:\Mach3\Plugins\

When the plugin loads the config, it uses a relative path of <programdir>\Plugins.

So, every time I save the config I have to copy it from C:\Mach3\Plugins\ to C:\PCNC3\Plugins\.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on May 30, 2015, 09:46:01 AM
Hi JustinHoMi

When JoyPadSetup reads or writes the configuration files, the location of Mach3 are found in the registry under the key:

Code: [Select]
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mach3\EXE]
"Path"="C:\\Mach3"

and the the sub directory for PlugIns is used. In this case: "C:\Mach3\PlugIns".
If the installation path is not found the default path are used (in this case the same): "C:\Mach3\PlugIns"

Your installation of Mach3 is located at "C:\PCNC3" and the registry should read:

Code: [Select]
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mach3\EXE]
"Path"="C:\\PCNC3"

and the setup files saved at: "C:\PCNC3\PlugIns".

If Mach3 are copied instead of installed on the PC, the registry will not be correct configured and JoyPadSetup will try to use the default at: "C:\Mach3\PlugIns".

I think this is what happens.

Hope this helps

- Joakim
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: richcam1 on July 13, 2015, 11:32:17 PM
Hi Area 51.  I like the plug in.  It was a little tricky to install to Windows 8.  The OS has the other elements (windows installer and dotnetfx).

I am having a control issue.  When I move a joystick the machine moves but does not stop when I release the joystick and it springs back to center.  (Yes, I have calibrated my game controller).  I can briefly move the joystick in the opposite direction and it will stop the machine movement.

Can I fix this?  If so how?

My Set-up:  3 axis mill, ESS (either net smooth stepper) and I have a CNC4PC pendant installed.  I did try disabling the pendant plug-in, that did not help.

Thoughts?
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on July 14, 2015, 07:59:51 AM
The JoyPad plugin works with PP and USS as that was the hardware I hat to test it with.

The behavior you describe has been reported in this thread for ESS Controller - Someone got it to work, I think it was something with switching the jogging mode before using the sticks, but you have to read through the postings in this thread to find the solution.
Let us know if you get it to work and how  :D

The real fix would be to update the plugin, but that requires that I have an ESS Controller, a test setup and time to do the programming...
For me this was/is a spare time project with no earnings.

I can understand that is was tricky to get things working in Windows 8. Maybe you could make a post, explaining how you got it installed - others might struggle with the same problems and could use your input.

- Joakim
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: richcam1 on July 14, 2015, 12:33:36 PM
Ahh, I figured out what is going on thanks to "Nicad" in post #109.  I think it is a bit of a bug.  It works fine in "Continuos jog" and then fine in "incremental jog" but when you want to switch back to "Continuos jog" Mach does not switch the jog mode to "continuos" it is staying in "incremental". 

If I switch it in Mach it works fine, if I don't the machine runs away.

Can you put in a tad of code to tell mach to switch to "continuos jog" mode when the user pushes that combo of buttons?

Thanks much!

BTW, I and others would be fine with giving you donations for making this plug-in and maintaining it.  Perhaps a paypal account or something where we can donate?

Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on July 14, 2015, 07:22:30 PM
As I have no way of trying this my self, I want to be sure, where things goes wrong:

1) Manually setting Jog Mode to Cont. in dialog before jog continuous on JoyPad: Working OK.
2) Manually setting Jog Mode to Step in dialog before jog stepping on JoyPad: Working OK.
3) Manually setting Jog Mode to Cont. in dialog before jog stepping on JoyPad: Working (and mode changes to step).
4) Manually setting Jog Mode to Step in dialog before jog continuous on JoyPad: Runaway (and mode stays in step).

To prevent runaway the jogging mode has to manually be set to Cont. before using continuous jog on the JoyPad.

Is this correct?

I have looked at the 4 years old code and there are no quick fix. Would you be willing to test a beta plugin if I could make a bug fixed version?

Thank you for the suggestion on making a donation button - that would make it possible to buy the missing test hardware. If anyone have experience in that field I would like suggestions on how to best do that (PM me please  :)).
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: richcam1 on July 14, 2015, 10:26:20 PM
Hi Area 51,

I made a video to show how it is reacting on my machine :)

https://youtu.be/o4c8EIynfd8

I would be happy to try beta versions!

I have never set-up a donate thing but, I will throw you some $ if you figure it out.

Let me know what you think of the video...
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on July 15, 2015, 09:59:27 AM
Great video!
Clearly explains the problem - Thank you.

I will make a quick test to see if the problem can be fixed by updating the jog mode prior to jogging.
First have to reestablish my old develop environment to compile a new version...
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: richcam1 on July 15, 2015, 11:24:56 AM
great, let me know if I can help!

Its a very useful plug-in makes my machine easier to use and faster to work on.

Perhaps a crowed finding page for donations?
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on July 17, 2015, 11:42:02 AM
Thank you - I would appreciate your help in testing.
I send you a PM with a link to a test version I think removes the problem.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on July 30, 2015, 09:52:54 PM
First, I am happy to announce that the JoyPad and Game device plugin for Mach now has its own homepage! :D

http://joakim.dk/joypad

As a bonus you will find an updated plugin in the download section, fixing the run-away problem seen when using the popular Ethernet Smooth Stepper (ESS).

If you find the JoyPad plugin and JoyPadSetup program useful, please consider using the donate button - you decide how much the plugin is worth to you.
Plugin development is a spare time project with no funding... but there are expenses...

richcam1 has been alpha testing the updated plugin on his installation and reported that the problem seems to be solved. Thank you.

Try the plugin - only the jogging code has been altered.
Remember to enable the plugin in Mach menu Config -> Congfig Plugins any previous setting is preserved.
If you have any problems, just reinstall the previous plugin version.

User this thread for feedback.

- Joakim
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: richcam1 on August 01, 2015, 07:56:39 PM
Yeah, I have been using my ESS machine with no problems with a generic PS3 USB wired controller with no problems!  It is great to have joystick control! 

Great Joakim!  I would encourage others that find this plugin useful to donate something to Joakim!

Rich
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Jarhead on August 03, 2015, 09:36:49 AM
I really wanna get this plugin working but I'm having some problems understanding the mapping. I'm using a Logitech Wingman rumblepad, It doesn't have the standard NESW buttons but instead, has six buttons and only two "index finger" buttons. How do I know which actual buttons correlate to the plugin buttons?
Shouldn't there be a "Device Mapping" section that recognizes which button I press and tells what that button correlates to??
 
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on August 03, 2015, 10:24:07 AM
Use the Game Devices dialog in Control Panel/Devices and Printers. I will show the button numbers when pressed.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Jarhead on August 03, 2015, 10:53:22 AM
Use the Game Devices dialog in Control Panel/Devices and Printers. I will show the button numbers when pressed.

Yeah but that's how Windows sees them, not how your plugin sees them. IOW, you have a button named B1, in Windows, that's my Button 9. Wouldn't it make so much more sense if your plugin would just highlight the button that's pressed, then we can map it as we want to. Instead of having to go through and determine which of the joypads buttons correlate to the plugins buttons, etc.
Just press a button on the controller, the plugin tells what that button is, then we map it to what we want it to do. Would make a good plugin great!

On another note, it appears that I have to push an axis, then press the safe button to get that axis to move. Then to move another axis, I have to push in that direction, then the safe button. Is that the desired operation?? I saw earlier in this thread someone else showed this same behavior but there was no resolution posted.
Just to be clear, if I hold down the safe button, then push in a direction, nothing happens. If I push in a direction, then press the safe button, that axis will move, if I then push in another direction with the safe button still depressed, nothing will happen. I then have to release the safe button, press a direction, then the safe button to get a movement.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on August 03, 2015, 08:52:52 PM
The JoyPad plugin was made to support Logitech JoyPad/Gamepad and similar devices. Button mapping can be done with the right 4 buttons.
Normal operation is press one of the Safety buttons while moving the thumb sticks for continuous jogging and one of the Alt buttons for step moves. If your game device moves otherwise, button mapping is not the only difference between the two devices.

Compatible JoyPad devices are cheap on eBay - I have seen prices as low as $5.
I would properly not thrust my "more than $5" CNC machine to be run on one of the cheapest devices...
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Davek0974 on August 14, 2015, 10:44:29 AM
HI

I have a CNC Plasma and just ordered a joypad, looks like it will work great.

Is there any way to load g-code with the joypad or does that still need a mouse etc??

I can see i could script the "Load G-Code" button to a trigger button but what then as i will be in windows not Mach3??

Possible or a dream :)
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on August 14, 2015, 07:23:19 PM
Scripts can be executed from button press. All scripts must be placed in the M800 macro - the User Manual explains how to execute script from buttons and place it in M800.m1s.

But you can assign "Reload Last File" directly to a button, if you use the same file name for more than one job. Then you will only have to use keyboard and mouse for the first job.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Davek0974 on August 15, 2015, 02:58:15 AM
thanks, i guess to do what i want, the load-file dialogue would have to be part of Mach and not windows.

the load-last sounds promising though
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on August 15, 2015, 04:38:45 AM
Yes, Mach has to load the gcode file. If it can be done with script, a button on the JoyPad can be assigned and the script placed in M800. The "Reload Last File" is a way to do it without script.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Davek0974 on August 20, 2015, 08:46:46 AM
Is it possible to gain access to ALL functions ??

It would be good to be able to disable the built-in Step-Jog function as i never use step-jog and if accidentally started it seems it can only be stopped by doing a normal jog or waiting.

Also using the right joystick up/down to be able to control THC volts would be good, I have this scripted on the right buttons but the stick would be nice :)

The right stick up/down seems to control feedrate?? I prefer this on buttons and have it scripted but is there a way to disable the federate on the right stick??

Thanks for the plugin BTW it is a very nice addition.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on August 20, 2015, 05:58:36 PM
Thank you.

Buttons can be assigned standard Mach functions or call the M800 macro script - All functions accessible from Mach script are available to be programmed.
ESS and some other motion controllers experienced problems with the step mode (Alt + Stick) - this has been fixed in the latest update. This update can be downloaded from the plugin homepage: http://joakim.dk/joypad.
The sticks axis can be assigned to Mach axis, but the POV can be assigned up/down functions as feed override or spindle speed.

Some game pads have a mode button, switching one of the sticks with the POV, maybe this has happened for your right stick.

I hope to get donations on the plugin home page to be able to make updates and add new features.  :D
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on August 25, 2015, 08:22:00 PM
Davek0974: Did you get it to work with the new plugin version?
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Davek0974 on August 26, 2015, 02:20:27 AM
Hi

no, i already had the new version.

I still cannot stop the step-jog feature, I never use this and it's pretty annoying as once you start a step-jog, the only way to stop it is a normal rapid jog. It also upsets keyboard jogging because it switches the jog mode from continuous to step.

Other that this issue its a damn fine little plugin :)
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on August 26, 2015, 05:53:00 AM
The step jog function simulates the corresponding keyboard step jog to be compatible with the different motion controller plugins.
A ability to turn step and/or continuous job on/off could be in a feature update, but is not possible in the current release.

I anyone knows a safe way to do step jog without changing jog mode, I would like to know how to do it :-)
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Davek0974 on August 26, 2015, 06:43:25 AM
Yes but on the keyboard, it stays set for continuous jog, on the joypad, as soon as you accidentally press that button it changes the setting to step mode and that then affects the keyboard.

Yes, the ability to turn it off will be great, I will wait for that time.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Robert M on September 04, 2015, 09:24:43 PM
area...
as any Logiteck rumble pad users reported issue installing your new version ?!
I tried ( in March plugin folder, replacing the existing dll) and.....well, to my surprise, nothing works, meaning, my Rumblepad joysticks did not make ANYTHING axes move ?!?!
Put back the old dll....all came back ??!!
Any ideal what's up ?!

PLUS....
I use it for a router CNC !
Again, is it my rumblepad or ...??...when I use my Z stick ( right joystick) to make my Z move up & down, it will only be moving with left to right stick moves ( I've set it up on the Z-axe selected, not the R axe in the config setup ).
If I use the R-axe option in set up, it's ok, meaning, up & down stick makes my Z up & down as expected ?
I'd run R....but hate the slow ( 30%) fixed setup !!!

Can I....either...over right the 30% on the R-axe....or, do something about the situation on the Z-axe with thr R-axe option ?!

Thanks, later
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on September 05, 2015, 10:55:10 AM
The plugin must be re-enabled in the "Config Plugin" Mach setup menu after you replaces the .dll file in the plugin directory. This is because the plugin has a new version number (and new plugin title).
Setup will be preserved from the old version.

The maximum speed of any axis can be set in the plugin configuration as a pct. (0-100%) of max. speed for the axe. This value is combined with current jogging speed, set in the fly-out jogging panel.
Example: Max speed for Z is 100 units/min, Z speed in plugin config is set to 30% and jogging speed is set to 80% (fly-out) - This gives a max of 100 * 0.30 * 0.80 = 24 units/min.

Hope this heps.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Robert M on September 05, 2015, 01:35:29 PM
"Hope this heps."
Yes & no !

Yes...as I get good info that I'll try for the new DLL, and thank you for it

But..
As for setting up my joystick movement, I'm afraid I did not explain my self clear !
I know we can set the pct of jogging in the plugin config table in %.
As for the R-axe, isn't it pre-set at only 30% ? so, if I set this on at 50%, it will be 50% of that 30% preset !?!
A - How my I overwrite this 30% Z-axe pre-set to say, 80% or 100% ?
B - on the other hand, If I choose the R-axe option in the config, I get 100% vs a preset 30 %....but the down side, it will only function if I move my Rumblebad joystick side to side, not up & down ?..., as I tried to explain, when I use this option, I have to move the Z-joystick ONLY side to side vs up & down to get my z to travel !!

Hope I'm "clear-er" on my present worries !
Thks...  ;)
Any way I ( or you) may correct this unpleasant situation ?!
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on September 05, 2015, 08:58:31 PM
There are no presets or internal limits on any axe in the plugin. Valid axe scale range are 0 to 100% of the maximum speed for the given axe (Mach Motor Tuning menu). This value is only reduced by the percentage set in the jogging fly-out dialog.

Have you calibrated the Rumble Pad in Windows to get center, dead zone and scale corrected?

As all axis are treated equally in the plugin (same algorithm), the limit on your Z axe must be somewhere else. Try restarting Mach after setting the scale to 100% in Config Plugin. Are the scale values still at 100% after restart of Mach? (could be write-protection on Mach profile).
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Chugggs on September 14, 2015, 01:55:45 PM
Hello,

I am using version 2.0.6.0 with a Logitech F710 and am wondering if its normal for the operator to have to press buttons to wake up the controller before Mach3 starts to avoid a "Gamepad not found! ... Please connect a gamepad, calibrate in Control Panel and restart." error ?  Is there a workaround ?

Thanks in advance
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on September 14, 2015, 06:22:46 PM
This message is shown if Windows reports that there are no active GamePad attached to the system and JoyPad plugin is enabled.

"Activate" the GamePad before starting Mach or ignore the message - on my installation the message disappears after a few seconds and the plugin will work when you use the GamePad.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: bonervz on February 11, 2016, 09:29:19 AM
I am writing to the forum in hopes I can solve an issue with Mach3 and a gamepad as a controller.
Before I disclose my issue a little background.
The game pad is a Logitech Dual Shock Game pad.
I have tested on 2 PC's.
PC#1 For CNC Machine. Windows XP Pro SP3 on IBM Netvista P4 w 2GB Ram, 160GB HD
PC#2 Test Machine. Windows 7 Pro on Lenovo W520 w 32GB Ram, 250GB SSD C drive, 2 x 1 TB mirrored Data drives.

I have Mach3 installed on both machines including the JoyPAD v2.0 plugin by Joakim Hjort.
Also have Joystick 1.0a by Art Fenerty installed on both machines.

My issue. The joysticks do not activate the motors. All the push buttons seem to work ok and using the ALT-LEFT trigger button and then moving the left joystick works to change screens using joystick. Pushing the right joystick button activates the E-Stop. It seems that only the jogging is not working.

This behavior is the same on both computers.

If I activate the Joystick 1.0a plugin by Art, the motors respond to the movement of the joysticks on the Logitech gamep pad.

I have tried uninstalling and installing several times, combed through the manual, and seached the forum and internet and cannot seem to find a solution.

I would appreciate any suggestions the forum has regarding this issue.

All the best. ???
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on February 11, 2016, 11:55:09 AM
Are you using the Parallel Port (PP) or some controller for motion control?

The actual jogging of motors is handled by the motion control driver, not Mach3.
Having more than one Joystick/Gamepad plugin active/installed at the same time will not work as they compete for control.

- Joakim
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: bonervz on February 11, 2016, 02:30:34 PM
Joakim thanks for your reply.
The one peice of information I forgot to mention. My apologise.
The IBM Machine that the CNC is connected to has an onboard PP which is connected to a 5 Axis breadboard. Typical chinese variety of board from ebay.
It is the type that has the game port for a external controller/pendant.

There is only 1 logitech USB gamepad. I know it's working because i can use it with another joystick plugin. And while using it with the Joypad V2.0 plugin in, only the hard buttons work, not the XY axis of the pots. The pot buttons also work.
Am I missing what you are saying about the mach3 not controlling the drivers, it does control the controller that the drivers are connected to?

Thanks again.

 
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on February 11, 2016, 04:52:23 PM
Is the GamePad joysticks working and calibrated in Control Panel -> Game Controllers?

The reason for mentioning the Mach3/controller is that some controllers work and some don't. Testing with the PP eliminates problems with the controller driver.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: bonervz on February 11, 2016, 04:55:03 PM
Yes, calibrated, work just fine.

Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on February 11, 2016, 05:01:13 PM
And the plugin is activated and enabled in Mach3 plugin setup?
And the plugin is the only plugin in plugins directory of Mach3?

If yes, everything should work...
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: bonervz on February 11, 2016, 05:12:44 PM
yes,
i have tried all of that and it sould work.
i totally agree.
But sadley, it doesn't.
Thanks very much for your time.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on February 11, 2016, 11:46:08 PM
NP. If you find a solution, please post it here in the forum.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: paulus.v on March 06, 2016, 04:47:30 AM
Hello, I am using this wonderful plugin for some time and never had any issue with it. But as my gamepads worn out there is one annoying thing. In single axis jogging, if one joystick is not perfectly centered, the movement of the other axis is restricted. Is there any workaround for this situation? Something like setting up a percentage of the movement from center to be regarded as 'zero'.

My apologises if this situation has been discussed before in this thread but I couldn't find it in my quick search.

Paul
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on March 06, 2016, 09:18:32 AM
Yes it is a long thread... :-)

The only center/scale/dead-zone setup for axis is in Windows Control Panel, Game controller calibration/setup.
Maybe a workaround can be found in a third party Gamepad/JoyPad driver for Windows for your Gamepad.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: paulus.v on March 06, 2016, 04:24:08 PM
Thank you for your fast reply.

As I'm not into gaming, the first and only game played with a gamepad being Mach3, I didn't knew such terms as 'deadzone'.

Now I have already tried a bunch of software/tweaks with no success. The deadzone setting works perfect inside the respective software but not in windows gamepad test or Mach3.

Has anyone managed to setup the deadzone in winXP?

I see that many games have deadzone setting... how hard it is to implement a deadzone setting in the plugin? Or is it impossible?

Thanks!

Paul
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on March 06, 2016, 05:38:43 PM
Hi Paul.

It is possible to implement dead-zone, but there have only been few requests for this feature.

Plugin development is time consuming, has expenses and only very few donations... Sorry.
The plugin is free as-is.

- Joakim
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: dreikant on March 08, 2016, 09:46:41 AM
Joakim, thank you very very much for your great plugin.
I have one problem only: When I first start Mach3 Jog works fine and as expected. When I use step movements, and try to jog afterwards, the machine will continue jogging at full speed into the initial direction, even after letting loose of the controller. That is very unnerving, for obvious reasons.
Why is that so?
Also, stepping is VERY slow - how can I set the speed for jogging?

Thank you very much
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on March 09, 2016, 01:53:37 AM
The JoyPad plugin Home at http://joakim.dk/joypad has the latest version that should fix that problem.

The stepping speed is the same as when you uses the keyboard to step - same settings in M3 applies.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Yura_74 on April 23, 2016, 01:11:34 PM
Great thanks area51 for you useful plugin.
But I can't make workable script.
If i make like this

Code: [Select]
'========Go to Home======
If SL And SR And Button = PW then
Message ""Let's go to zero on the machine coordinates""
DoOEMButton (138)
End If

'======Ref All step by step=====
'If SR And Button = PW Then
'Message "Ref All step by step"
'DoButton( 24 )
'DoButton( 23 )
'DoButton( 22 )
'DoButton( 25 )
'End If

When I press  SL + SR + PW
Also work SL + PW branch
How do I exclude the implementation of the second branch
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on April 23, 2016, 08:51:09 PM
Yura_74:

Thanks.

You can inset the VB code:

Code: [Select]
END ' <--- Stops code execution here!To stop executing the script at any place. Try this code:

Code: [Select]
'========Go to Home======
If SL And SR And Button = PW then
  Message ""Let's go to zero on the machine coordinates""
  DoOEMButton (138)
  End ' <--- Stops code execution here!
End If

'======Ref All step by step=====
If SR And Button = PW Then
  Message "Ref All step by step"
  DoButton( 24 )
  DoButton( 23 )
  DoButton( 22 )
  DoButton( 25 )
  End ' <--- Stops code execution here!
End If

There is nicer ways to do it, but this way your code are nearly unchanged.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Yura_74 on April 23, 2016, 11:03:00 PM
To stop executing the script at any place. Try this code:
Yes it works :) Thanks
Quote from: area51
There is nicer ways to do it, but this way your code are nearly unchanged.
it is much more difficult? I want try it.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on April 24, 2016, 08:09:28 AM
It would be something like this:

Code: [Select]
If SR And Button = PW Then ' SR and PW activated
  If SL Then ' SL activated
    '========Go to Home======
    Message ""Let's go to zero on the machine coordinates""
    DoOEMButton (138)
  Else ' SL not activated
    '======Ref All step by step=====
    Message "Ref All step by step"
    DoButton( 24 )
    DoButton( 23 )
    DoButton( 22 )
    DoButton( 25 )
  End If
End If

SR and PW has to be activated in both cases, but if SL is also activated, zero machine coordinates else ref all...
(Indentation helps understand what is going on in the code  ;) )
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Yura_74 on April 24, 2016, 12:51:04 PM
It's works too.
But, maybe useful to create matrix in m800 with variants of key buttons. And user can write his script in certain cell.
Or it is not often required.  :)
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on April 24, 2016, 01:01:59 PM
A complete matrix would be very large and difficult to navigate (there is a limit to how big a script file can be).
Better to just write the parts you need...
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: lucasmroque on October 18, 2016, 07:22:08 AM
Hi. First, i would like to thanks Joakim for everything he did and does for this community.
Second, i want to comment my problem, hope someone can help me: I have a controller wich works fine. Under windows calibration everything appears normal. After install plugin, activate in Mach3 and all that stuff, everything works fine BUT!!! the continuous jog. I can switch between Step and Continuous and in step it does what it should, and directions are correct, as configured in Plugin Config. But for the other mode, it is like the moving knob for X Y Z motion is not working.
Is there something you think i could be doing wrong?
Thanks again!!!
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: paulus.v on October 18, 2016, 02:54:13 PM
I can switch between Step and Continuous and in step it does what it should, and directions are correct, as configured in Plugin Config. But for the other mode, it is like the moving knob for X Y Z motion is not working.
Is there something you think i could be doing wrong?
Hi! Try to deactivate the "single axis movement" in the JoyPad config in Mach3 (Config Menu > Config Plugins > JoyPad > CONFIG). If this way will work, then your controller knobs are not resting in the exact center all the time.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: lucasmroque on October 19, 2016, 09:03:29 AM
Hi. Thanks for the help, but it isn't working. I did what you said.
When i calibrate the joystick knobs at middle point i gives a number of X:127 and  Y:127 for left one. At top left position X:0 and Y:0. And at bottom right X:255 and Y:255. Is this usual for all joysticks? Or this is maybe causing the problem because the programing is considering different numbers or conditions for the behaviour of this knobs.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: paulus.v on October 19, 2016, 09:19:29 AM
127 is the correct position. Should work fine.

You said that the incremental jogging is working... The only difference between incremental and continuous is the use of the 5, 6, 7 and 8 buttons. 5 and/or 6 for continuous and 7 and/or 8 for incremental. Check in the plugin setup page is everything is set correctly. Usually there is a desktop shortcut for the plugin settings page.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: lucasmroque on October 19, 2016, 09:48:26 AM
I am sorry, do you refer to CONFIG from Config Plugin in Mach3 for the this plugin or other plugin setup?. I don't fully understand...
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: paulus.v on October 19, 2016, 03:37:16 PM
Another setup. JoyPadSetup.exe. Usually it is on desktop. There you can chose from different gamepads or manually assign different functions for each button or combinations. Check the JoyPad user manual pdf for more information.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: lucasmroque on October 20, 2016, 06:50:01 AM
OK. I understand now. I have changed buttons 5-6 to 7-8 and viceversa and still the same. Do you think this could be related to Hotkey configuration in Mach3? I will try to assing X Y Z movement with keygrabber to the knobs to check if this problem continues.
Thanks very much for your help. 
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: JoshM on March 21, 2017, 09:40:24 AM
Just wanted to provide a bit of feedback on my experience with this Joypad plugin, but first I wanted to thank you guys for the effort you've put in to developing this useful tool!  

So, I purchased a two-pack of very simple retro SNES game controllers to use on two Taig desktop CNC machines.  I downloaded the joypad plugin, and overall it was relatively easy to modify the provided example script to determine which button combinations are pressed, and then to display messages, and take certain actions.

One potential issue I note is that on this style of controller, it has the "X-Y joystick" portion, the SELECT, and START buttons, the BN, BE, BS, and BW buttons, and the SL and SR bumper buttons, but there are no AL or AR buttons.  I believe this limits me from using STEP JOGGING mode in X/Y directions.  I chose this controller because it has very few buttons or joysticks because I wanted limited functionality to mimic what I have used the keyboard to do--setting up my X, Y, and Z axis values, and moving the table away from the Z-column to allow me to move work, etc...  My intention was to have the XY in the obvious location, and then to use the SL or SR with BN for Z upward, and with BW for Z downward.  I specifically picked a very limited joypad to limit the number of inputs to avoid confusion--I already have complete support from the keypad for unusual or complex activities...

I had hoped to use the SL or SR with BE and BS to toggle the jog between step and continuous, and perhaps to cycle through the step sizes.  As I look further at this, it seems that toggling the jog-mode (CTRL-J in Mach3) is not supported (nor is explicitly setting the mode to continuous or step).  I believe my only option for moving the Z up or down is through scripting GCode.

Am I misunderstanding the limits of the plugin?  If I'm not, I'm surprised by a couple of choices.  First, limiting the mapping of Z output to only work on 3-axis or greater joypads, when all have available buttons, and this very closely maps use of keyboard.  Second, is the many options that seem far less useful from a joystick, though great for a keyboard (edit gcode, shifting screens, etc...).  Third is fixing the X/Y with assumption all joypads have AL and AR buttons.

Any feedback on how best to use this plugin is greatly appreciated.

Best Regards,
Josh  
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: JoshM on March 21, 2017, 12:38:11 PM
On further reading, I realized that the "Special Commands" that are in Gray in the manual are not unsupported, rather they don't have their own dedicated function from the drop-lists. 

That said, some of them are not working for me.  I tried the example from the beginning of the thread, implementing Z-Up as:
   DoOEMButton 205
   DoOEMButton 311
   Message "Z Up"

   and for Z-Down as:

   DoOEMButton 205
   DoOEMButton 312
   Message "Z Down"

I see the text messages but I get no activity.  If however, I use something like\:
  DoOEMButton 2

or

 DoOEMButton 3

I see the screens change when the buttons are pushed...

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Regards,
-Josh
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: JoshM on March 22, 2017, 01:18:40 PM
Not sure if anyone has a suggestion, but I'm confused.

The joypad plugin is working because I can decode the buttons and get appropriate messages in from the script, but the DoOEMButton(311) commands are ignored. 

Within the VBEditor, if I run the script, the DoOEMButton(311) or DoOEMButton(312) actually move the Z-axis as intended. 

I worked around this for the Alt+Up/Down buttons, by reading the Jog Increment Size DRO (828 index) and the current Z-axis DRO (802 index) and inserted code to move the Z up or down by that amount.  Weird to have to work around this to achieve the result, but it's working.

I'm not sure how to work around continuous jogging to make it work though because I would need to turn the jogging off when the button is released, but the joypad script is only called when a button is pushed.

Anyone advice would be appreciated a bunch.

Best Regards
-Josh
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: DIYCheepskate on April 21, 2017, 02:02:32 AM
I really appreciate this plugin.
I was unable to donate using the Donate button on your webpage at :

http://joakim.dk/joypad/download/

Error "Some required information is missing or incomplete. Please correct your entries and try again."

Is there any other way to donate ? Thanks

-Allen
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: bruedney on June 04, 2017, 01:23:51 AM
Hi Joakim

Firstly thank you so much for this plugin it has been working for me for a couple of years now.

However I have just had to change PC's and have upgraded to Win 7 and also downloaded the latest version of the plugin.

Everything set up fine and I started using the machine again but ....

If I continuous jogged in any direction and then left the joystick in the direction and changed from Cont to Step the machine would jog for about 0.7mm before switching to Step mode.

I went through every setting I could find and could find nothing different to the XP machine except the version. Win 7 had the latest plugin (2.0.1) and XP had 2.0.

I installed 2.0 and my problem went away.

Is this a bug in 2.0.1 or maybe an bug in 2.0 that works well

Cheers
Bruce

Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on July 25, 2017, 10:59:59 AM
Due to hacking (again!) my JoyPad PlugIn (http://joakim.dk/joypad) download site is down  >:(

I restored the backup, but it got hacked again a few hours later...

To get it running again, I have to rebuild the site on a clean web server, but

Should I rebuild the site and why?

Regards
Joakim
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: bruedney on July 25, 2017, 06:49:24 PM
If you rebuild I will commit to a donation - this is a great plugin - (although as indicated I am using version 2.0 as I had issues with 2.0.1)

Cheers

Bruce
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on July 25, 2017, 07:11:43 PM
Bruce:
Thank you for your commitment, I really appreciate it!  :)

I think your problem maybe a calibration issue in Windows 10 of the joysticks.
The major fix from version 2.0 to 2.1 is when using Ethernet SmootStepper, if you are using another motion controller, version 2.0 will work just fine.

I will make an announcement here in the forum when (if) the download page comes up again.

Regards
Joakim
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Hagrid on August 12, 2017, 04:14:04 PM
Can you put the JoyPad download on Dropbox or similar and post a link?

Through a story of comedy and tears, it has taken me years to get my Logitech F310 gamepad and my *working* CNC router in the same room at the same time, only to find that I didn't have the plugin and cannot download it!
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on August 12, 2017, 07:51:38 PM
Dropbox or similar file sharing does not provide the ability to present the JoyPad plugin and associated documentation in a good way.
It will also remove the possibility of donations and support for further development.

I'm working on a new home page, but it's volunteer work and therefore takes time. Be patient.

If you have enjoyed JoyPad plugin and would like to support, it can be done at http://joakim.dk - thanks  ;)
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: bruedney on August 14, 2017, 10:00:01 PM
If you have enjoyed JoyPad plugin and would like to support, it can be done at http://joakim.dk - thanks  ;)
Done! Great plugin
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on August 15, 2017, 07:28:05 AM
Thank you for your support  :) It is really appreciated!
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: DirtDiver on October 23, 2017, 05:14:20 PM
Is it possible to get the latest version?  I'm using the Ethernet Smooth Stepper and running into the dead zone issue.
I'm happy to make a donation to get the updated version.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on October 25, 2017, 08:38:10 PM
Thank you for your support. It is really appreciated!
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on October 26, 2017, 03:49:31 AM
Hi Jokim,

It has been a while now - why has your website not been rebuilt ?
If you wish to keep the plugin free why not post it as a zip file for others to download from here ?

Tweakie.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: DirtDiver on October 26, 2017, 03:46:18 PM
Is it possible to get the latest version?  I'm using the Ethernet Smooth Stepper and running into the dead zone issue.
I'm happy to make a donation to get the updated version.

Quick update, the new version fixed my issues with drifting on the ESS.

I would encourage people that use the plugin to make a donation.  Let's support Area51 and his efforts.  I know this plugin makes my life a lot better.
Now if I can convince the kids it is NOT a game to drive the CNC around I'll be all set.


Thanks again Area51.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on October 26, 2017, 10:10:10 PM
DirtDiver:
I am very pleased to hear that the problems with ESS are resolved with the latest PlugIn!
The CNC machine is also a kind of toy, just for adults only...  ;D

Tweakie:
In a previous post, I explained why I did not think that a .zip file on the site, DropBox or similar solution is a good idea.

All:
The construction of a new web server with web site has taken longer than expected and has been interrupted by other tasks.
Summer semester is a time for me, where I'm more outdoors and working with many of my other volunteer projects, so work on the website took a break. There is only so much time...
I would like the website to run again, as I also plan to use it for my other projects  :)

In the down period, there have been only two inquiries and donations, which I interpreted as falling interest in my JoyPad PlugIn after Mach4 has been released. I could of course be wrong...  :-\

Hope it explained a little about what has happened.

If you can not wait for the website, send me a PM with your email (or donate), and I'll send you the latest version of JoyPad PlugIn.

- Joakim
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: scj on April 19, 2018, 08:20:57 AM
Hi, I'd want to use my joypad in my cnc machine.
With PP joypad works fine but now I want to add a USB smoothstepper but I don't know if your joystick plugin is compatible with new USS plugin.
Can you help me?
Thanks
Regards
Simone
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on April 19, 2018, 08:44:03 AM
I only have the old USS plugin - maybe someone else in the forum can answer.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: scj on April 19, 2018, 09:06:29 AM
Mmm, the solution is test it. Ok, next days I'll try to attach uss in my machine.
Thanks.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Tarzan on April 23, 2018, 04:01:34 PM
I made a donation and also downloaded the plugin. I was able to get my Logitech 710 controller to work, but I can’t figure out how to change  my X and Y control from the 4 way rocker to the left joystick. The z is running on the right joystick. The problem I am having is that either the 4way rocker on the left upper part of the contol is off or on, no slow and faster. The joystick makes it so the z axis can be jogged progressively faster or slower by the amount of lever action. The   X and  y  only jog fast or are stopped.
Is there a way to change this?
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: area51 on April 24, 2018, 12:12:10 PM
Most JoyPad Game controllers has a Mode button to switch between POV (4 way rocker) and left joystick - and sometimes a LED to indicate selected mode.

On my older USB JoyPad, I use this button to switch x and y movements from POV (point of view) to left joystick, maybe it is the same for the Logitech 710.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Tarzan on April 24, 2018, 12:30:07 PM
Great. I will try that. Thank you for the reply.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Tarzan on April 24, 2018, 09:37:28 PM
I just wanted to report back that changing the mode does in fact make the left joystick work for x&y. Thanks again.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: ftec on October 30, 2018, 02:32:44 PM
Is this plugin available these days? There is only a request to donate on the site, but no link to download.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: kvid on April 21, 2019, 05:18:28 PM
Can someone please share the latest version of the plugin?
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Jptalon on June 13, 2019, 03:15:46 PM
Thanks!
I have donated and am looking forward to getting the plugin
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: vccvdd24 on June 25, 2019, 04:27:39 PM
Is there any configuration for the plugin to jog both 6 axis with one Joypad (not simultaneously) with different buttons for every axis??
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: RWGR on July 10, 2019, 10:05:17 AM
TOTAL noob here, would like to donate and get the pugin. Link please?
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: alexzkter on November 13, 2019, 11:03:14 AM
Hi,

Is there a way to move rapidly (like when you press the shift key) by holding the SL and SR keys and just jog if only one of the latter safety keys is pressed? Same thing for the Z axis, obviously.

Thanks..

Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on November 14, 2019, 01:16:25 AM
Hi,

Is there a way to move rapidly (like when you press the shift key) by holding the SL and SR keys and just jog if only one of the latter safety keys is pressed? Same thing for the Z axis, obviously.

Thanks..



From the TAB key flyout increase the Slow Jog Rate to 100% (or a figure that you are happy with).
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: alexzkter on November 14, 2019, 06:22:36 AM
Hi,

Is there a way to move rapidly (like when you press the shift key) by holding the SL and SR keys and just jog if only one of the latter safety keys is pressed? Same thing for the Z axis, obviously.

Thanks..



From the TAB key flyout increase the Slow Jog Rate to 100% (or a figure that you are happy with).

Thanks, but I was looking to accomplish this without having to interact with my computer, thus without affecting the slow jog speed. I was planning to use both the keyboard and the joypad, so if I changed this value then I would have to reset it afterwards when using the keyboard which is kind of annoying.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on November 14, 2019, 06:51:16 AM
The keyboard jog keys have ASCII values of;

left 37, up 38, right 39, down 40, pageup 33, pagedown 34   if you add 1024 to these values that makes them the same as shift+key.

Can you re-configure your joypad with the revised values ?
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: alexzkter on November 14, 2019, 08:58:39 AM
The keyboard jog keys have ASCII values of;

left 37, up 38, right 39, down 40, pageup 33, pagedown 34   if you add 1024 to these values that makes them the same as shift+key.

Can you re-configure your joypad with the revised values ?

As far as I know, you can't change the behavior of the thumb joystick. It's hardcoded, isn't it?. You can only change the scaling of the X and Y axes by changing the plugin config on Mach3.



Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: grillomarc on February 11, 2020, 09:18:13 PM
Hi I'm a hobbyist miller and I'm new in the forum. I apologize in advance for my English ........
I installed the plug-in for joy-pad on my self-built cnc, it works very well but I have a problem ..... when I turn on the spindle the joy is deactivated and I have to disconnect and reconnect the USB socket to turn it back on. so every time i launch a g-code i have to do this. does it depend on some setting or is it something more serious?
i work with old pc with windows xp, connected to the milling machine through the parallel port
as hardware I have a 4-axis sainsmart tb 6560 controller and a 1.5 kw liquid cooled spindle driven by a "Chinese" inverter controlled with a 0-10 volt home made pcb. Can anyone please help me?
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: ewidance on May 16, 2020, 04:00:02 PM
I had some problems with poor cables between VFD and spindles spindles. It was about electomagnetic noises.. Uses ferrites, shielded cables, mains filter.. Did you try first to disconnect spindle and try to switch on spindle comme it mach 3? Does it still hang? If yes problem is elsewhere. If not, it's a noise problem...
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: papaxiclas on April 12, 2022, 05:59:47 AM
Hello!
Updated my hardware for a smoothstepper ESS and now I have the already identified problem with the jog. As far as I could find there is an updated version of the plugin which corrected this issue but the creators webpage is offline. Does anyone know how to contact the creator to get a copy of the updated plugin or any other way to get this working correctly?
If that is not possible can someone confirm the original 2.0 plugin works correctly with the mach4 and ESS? I might just upgrade to mach4...

Thanks
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: nikoscnc on May 05, 2022, 03:25:56 AM
Hello to anyone,

Please could you inform me where I can find the 2.1 Version?
The website of Joakim is down and I cannot have a contact with him.

I'm using Mach3 with ESS and the previous version doesn't work.
Thank you in advance!
Nikos
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: papaxiclas on May 05, 2022, 07:53:26 AM
Hello!
Contact Joakim directly via PM on the forum that he will arrange that for you.
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: nikoscnc on May 05, 2022, 11:59:08 AM
Thank you very much for your response.
I contacted with Joakim, everything is fine.

I installed it and tried it with my ESS, it works perfectly but I cannot understand how to assign the other button of my joypad for XY Touch, for Z touch and for Zero the axis.
I must assign them by the M800?

Thank you in advance!
Nikos
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: nikoscnc on May 05, 2022, 03:00:12 PM
To explain what I would like to do

On my screenset I have an XY probe button and also a Z probe button.
Behind the buttons I have a script for each job. Until now I am using the mouse (clicked) to work each probe.

How can I assign these two probes in two buttons of the Joypad?
I didn't found a solution for that.
Any help would be highly appreciated!

Thank you,
Nikos
Title: Re: USB JoyPad and game device plugin - New Version 2.0
Post by: Alloush1980 on May 22, 2023, 06:53:55 AM
Hi
I am facing a problem with assigning auto tool to a button
kindly help me to solve it..
for example i want to assign the Alt Right and BE button to do auto tool zero...
knowing that my code for my Auto tool zero is the following:
'chengdu xhc tec. probe z surface macro
FeedCurrent = GetOemDRO(818)    'Get the current settings, OEM DROs (818)=Feedrate DRO
ZCurrent = GetOemDro(802)   'OEM DROs (802)=Z DRO
GageH = GetOEMDRO(1001)   'OEMDRO(1001)=Gage Block Height
ZNew = ZCurrent - 300      'probe down 20 mm

Code "G90F200"         'slow feed rate to 100 MM/MIN
SetOemDRO(818,200)
Rem Code "G4 P1"         'Pause 1 second to give time to position probe plate
Code "G31 Z" &ZNew
While IsMoving()
Sleep(10)
Wend
Call SetDro (2,GageH)      'DRO(2)=Z DRO

FinalMove = GageH + 10
Code  "G0 Z" &FinalMove
Code "F" &FeedCurrent        'restore starting feed rate   
SetOemDRO(818,FeedCurrent)

so how to write it to M800.m1s
Thanks, appreciate ur reply