Messages

81

Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / Re: XBox360 Controller Plugin New User Info

« on: November 24, 2009, 01:11:19 PM »

Hi Troy,

You should see some options such as "Jog - Right Stick SideToSide","Jog+ Right Stick UpDown", etc.  Try those.  If that doesn't do what you want, let me know.

Lee

82

Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / Re: New Version 2.32 XBox360 Controller plugin available

« on: October 29, 2009, 12:00:56 PM »

Hi Hunserv,

Either way will work.   Sorry for the delay in responding.  Have been super busy.

Lee

83

Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / New Version 2.32 XBox360 Controller plugin available

« on: October 15, 2009, 12:43:26 AM »

Hi,

A new version of my XBox360 Controller plugin is available under downloads.  It is version 2.32.

Changes from previous version:

1. Jogging speed now more closely matches the keyboard at all motor tuning settings and different kernel speeds.  Previously, depending on your kernel speed setting and your motor velocity, it might be considerably slower than the keyboard.  Now it should be about 90% to 95% as fast as the keyboard at all settings.

2. I have renamed 2 of the button choices from :
     Run File renamed to Cycle Start
     Pause renamed to Feedhold.

This was primarily for my benifit to help me match it to the screens I am using.  One less mental translation to make.

Hopefully, you will find it useful.

Lee

84

Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / Re: XBox360 Controller Plugin New User Info

« on: October 14, 2009, 03:14:23 PM »

Yes the buttons are the same.  The next updat that will appear today or tomorrow renames Run File to cycle start and Pause to Feedhold.  Once you are up and running the button options will soon become clear.

Jog Override appears on different screens depending upon which screenset you have.  You will usually see 100% and a plus and minus button near it.  The default is 100% and at that point the triggers do not do anything.  I use the Insomniac screen and the jog override is on the second tab.

If you check the Wiki under Resources on this site you will see documentation that lists all the codes.  There are also some good manuals describing all about how Mach works.

Lee

85

Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / Re: XBox360 Controller Plugin New User Info

« on: October 13, 2009, 12:16:33 PM »

1. I would get the controller from EBay.  It is cheaper and some vendors will ship for free.
2. One button for Cycle start/feedhold is not something I care to implement.  However, I think adding the seperate choices of Cycle start and feedhold is a good idea and I will look at it and see if I can implement it.
3.Triggers are analog also.  Check manual for how they are used.
4. Configuring the pushbutton on the thumbstick is not something I want to do.  The 4 direction switch (thumbpad) is already configured. Check manual.


Lee

86

Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / Re: XBox360 Controller Plugin New User Info

« on: October 12, 2009, 01:46:49 PM »

The problem is not the ProductId and VendorId but rather trying to support different users pc configurations.  If you have a ProductId and a VendorID I can certainly add it and send you a copy of the modified plugin.  But, if it doesn't work right, you will have to troubleshoot it yourself.

Your suggestion could be done but it would involve considerable rework and I would have to charge for it.

FYI - the EBay selling price is usually about $40.00 US. for the wireless controller package.

--------------------------------------
Well, I am not a programming guy, but if only Vendor and Prodct ID-s are to be added, then can't you just make 2 fields in the config window for them, and (if I get it well) other controllers could be used as well? (and these infos can be read out at the driver info in windows, no?)

87

Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / Re: XBox360 Controller Plugin New User Info

« on: October 12, 2009, 12:22:28 PM »

Hi Hunserv,

First, the pictures were attached as links in the narrative.  I guess the forum stripped them off.  Anyway the thing to search for on EBay is "Xbox360 Controller For Windows".  For the wireless, you need the the controller of course and also the little white rectangular wireless receiver that is often shown in the pictures.  It has the Microsoft logo on the top and a small white button near the middle.  The official name for the receiver is is "Microsoft XBox 360 Wireless Receiver For Windows".  I have tried to make some other brands work but the problem comes down to drivers and header files supplied by the vendor.  All I have to do on my end is add the ProductID and VendorId.  But if the vendor supplied header files are are different on 2 different Mach users pcs then the plugin may work fine on one pc and not work at all on another.  So I have found it easier to just say "Microsoft Only". 

The plugin supports Custom OEMs and Custom Macros.  You can download and install the plugin and look at the config section even if you do not have a controller plugged in.

Good luck
Lee

88

Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / XBox360 Controller Plugin New User Info

« on: October 04, 2009, 08:07:01 PM »

The following is a general explanation for those who have basic questions about the XBox360 Controller.  If you are considering the XBox360 Controller plugin, hopefully, you will find this information useful.

Answers to questions I received:
1.       Microsoft makes an “Xbox360 Controller for Windows” as well as a plain Xbox360 controller.  They also make a wireless version.  They are really the same controller.  The difference is the adapters they ship with the product.  The Xbox360 controller for Windows comes with a USB adapter.  I have included some EBay pictures below.  You want to get a Microsoft brand not a Logitech or anybody else’s version.
2.       If you have an Xbox 360 you can use the wireless controller but you need to buy the little rectangular transmitter shown in the wireless pictures below.  You can find those on Ebay also.  Microsoft makes a Wireless Charger for the Xbox 360 controller.  It has a USB end.  You do not want to use that one on a pc.   It is only for use on the Xbox 360.  You cannot use an older Xbox controller.  It has to be 360.
3.       It will work off of any pc that has a USB port and can run XP or higher.
4.       It can control the jogging of all 4 axes.  The buttons can be assigned to macros.  It is a lot easier than pushing the buttons on the keyboard to jog.
5.       If you go to the Mach site and pick ”Plugins” under the “Downloads” choice.  Then go to the bottom and pick the plugin.  Also pick the setup guide.  It will give you all the info you need.  Click on the plugin and it will install itself.  All it really does is copy a file “Xbox360Controller.DLL” into the C:\Mach3\Plugins folder.  You can do the same thing by going to Lee’s files and downloading the Zip file and then unzipping it and then copying it into C:\Mach3\Plugins.
6.        Click on the blue “DirectX redistributables” link to go to Microsoft’s site.  Download and install the redistributable (even if you are running Vista or Win 7). After installing the download, you can connect the Xbox360 controller (if you are connected to the Internet) and then allow the pc to go on the net and find the driver.  If you are not connected to the net then download the “Xbox360_32Eng.exe” file and run it.  Then connect the Controller.
7.       It does not hurt to install the “DirectX redistributable” even if you do not have a 360 controller.

Thank you.
Lee

89

Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / Re: Shuttle Pro Plugin Problem or maybe 10 macro problem

« on: October 04, 2009, 12:23:54 AM »

The only way to disable the ShuttlePro is to delete it.  The "Disable" choice in the Config Plugins does not work.  You need to exit Mach and then go to the Mach3\Plugins folder and delete the ShuttlePro.dll (or move it out of the folder to some other folder for saving). 

Another thing you can do is get a program such as XML Notepad (free from Microsoft) and use it to edit the Mach3Mill.XML file (or Mach3Turn.XML).  In there you will find all the settings for Mach as well as all the settings for the ShuttlePro.  There you will be able to selectively remove any ShuttlePro settings you want, such as a macro assigned to a particular button.  As a past programmer, you should be able to easily figure out the XML layout.  The name of the XML file is based upon the name of the icon you use to fire Mach3.  For example, if you made a copy of the Mach3 Mill icon and called it "MyMill"  then you would edit the "MyMill.XML file in the Mach3 folder.

Hope that answers your question.
Lee

90

Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. / Re: XBox360 Controller Plugin Update Available

« on: October 03, 2009, 11:52:35 PM »

A new version of my XBox360 controller plugin has been placed in the files section of the Yahoo Mach3 site.  It is under VS2005-VS2008 and then under Lees' Files.  It is named XBox360Controller.zip.  Brendin has been testing it and it is working fine.  I am looking for others to download it and test it.  Please give it a try and let me know what you find.  It should track just slightly slower than the keyboard at any frequency and at any motor tuning settings. Previously, it would slow down as you increased the frequency from 25000 to 45000.

Thanks,
Lee