17 replies to this topic

[d3dreaper]

Update 8/12/14:
Beginning to start getting "proper" ideas for how i'm going to implement certain functions...
For example: A 2 pedal setup that allows for three buttons to be pushed (twist left, twist right, center/push down)






Update 8/8/14:

Spoiler

I received my chair and it is quite comfortable.. I'm thinking i won't be adding any padding to it as it is really comfortable as is. I also settled on ordering a pair of Saitek ST290 Joysticks since they where cheap and ambidextrous. Plus i think the style of them fits decently... If i ever get ahold of any decomished flight control grips i will definitely swap them out but until then... Next todo... Order the teensy among other small odds and ends to begin the electronics side of things
Updates as the chair design happens (which possibly won't happen again till next week.

Update: 8/5/2014:

Spoiler

So I've decided to go with the Teensy setup as it seems to be the easiest as far as knowing exactly what i'm connecting and setting up.
I've also ordered this



And have a coworker of mine looking out for some legitimate flight control sticks for me to use in the build.
Like this:





Next update: When I get my seat I'll start the framework for everything.

Original Post Below

Spoiler

Yea yea... another typical joystick post.... Not quite though... My question is more along the lines of building
a controller setup that fits my playing style. My questions lie inside mainly development of a controller and not how to get a flight stick to run with Hawken.

Would it be better to attempt to solder a pair of old flight sticks to a 360 controllers pads_
**Similar to this**

Or would it be better in the long run to build a controller utilizing the teensy_
**For example**

If i go the teensy route what should I not do to keep it legal_ I'm not wanting to get banned because i'm ingnorant to the technicalities in whats considered cheating_ I know the obvious ones (autoaiming, speed boosts, adding credits and generally manipulating the game itself in a manner not intended to be fair)
If i go the teensy route, I would have no problem sending any code i right to the devs to make sure its ok (though the code in the teensy just sends info to windows as to how it interacts as a HID similar to how the 360 controller does or a keyboard).
I'm hoping my end result would be an interactive cockpit in itself with hopes of adding floor hydraulic pistons to give it motion as well (though that may end up being a far fetched dream)...

And before anyone says it.. yes a keyboard may be considered superior for winning (mainly because everyone is accustomed to the layout from the many FPS games on the PC), but I'm looking to have fun and be creative in this game.

Edited by d3dreaper, August 11 2014 - 09:41 PM.

[Infyrno]

I'd say go for the first one, the teensy one seems a lot more complex but I'm not sure if it'll be more rewarding or not.  If you feel like putting up with it, i'd say go ahead, otherwise, do the first one.  I myself am not a hands on person and would probably go do the teensy route but try my best not to gamebreak anything

[d3dreaper]

The reason i'm considering the teensy is because, eventually, i'd like to figure out how to display information on an led screen (like health, amount of items left, etc) as well as LED indicators for hit locations. And (if i'm understanding the builds correctly) the only hard part of the teensy would be writing the code for it to run. The reason i'm considering the (essentially) xbox controller mod is because i'm worried about stepping over boundaries with a custom build.

<Addendum> I just realized(noticed_) the 360 controller pcb is a multilayer type and i can't cut it....

Edited by d3dreaper, August 01 2014 - 10:04 PM.

[Infyrno]

d3dreaper, on August 01 2014 - 10:03 PM, said:

The reason i'm considering the teensy is because, eventually, i'd like to figure out how to display information on an led screen (like health, amount of items left, etc) as well as LED indicators for hit locations. And (if i'm understanding the builds correctly) the only hard part of the teensy would be writing the code for it to run. The reason i'm considering the (essentially) xbox controller mod is because i'm worried about stepping over boundaries with a custom build.

<Addendum> I just realized(noticed_) the 360 controller pcb is a multilayer type and i can't cut it....

Damn, that'd be so sick.  Make me one too
So, it sounds like you can't do the first option because the 360 controller isn't using a usable pcb.  I guess you're just going to be stuck with the teensy option.  Good luck

[d3dreaper]

Infyrno, on August 01 2014 - 10:19 PM, said:

d3dreaper, on August 01 2014 - 10:03 PM, said:

The reason i'm considering the teensy is because, eventually, i'd like to figure out how to display information on an led screen (like health, amount of items left, etc) as well as LED indicators for hit locations. And (if i'm understanding the builds correctly) the only hard part of the teensy would be writing the code for it to run. The reason i'm considering the (essentially) xbox controller mod is because i'm worried about stepping over boundaries with a custom build.

<Addendum> I just realized(noticed_) the 360 controller pcb is a multilayer type and i can't cut it....

Damn, that'd be so sick.  Make me one too
So, it sounds like you can't do the first option because the 360 controller isn't using a usable pcb.  I guess you're just going to be stuck with the teensy option.  Good luck

There's always the off-brand controllers as well (alot of which are poorly made on a single layer pcb)

Also I'm thinking as my build comes along (slowly), I'm going to use this topic as my updates page for it.

[Infyrno]

d3dreaper, on August 01 2014 - 10:25 PM, said:

Infyrno, on August 01 2014 - 10:19 PM, said:

d3dreaper, on August 01 2014 - 10:03 PM, said:

The reason i'm considering the teensy is because, eventually, i'd like to figure out how to display information on an led screen (like health, amount of items left, etc) as well as LED indicators for hit locations. And (if i'm understanding the builds correctly) the only hard part of the teensy would be writing the code for it to run. The reason i'm considering the (essentially) xbox controller mod is because i'm worried about stepping over boundaries with a custom build.

<Addendum> I just realized(noticed_) the 360 controller pcb is a multilayer type and i can't cut it....

Damn, that'd be so sick.  Make me one too
So, it sounds like you can't do the first option because the 360 controller isn't using a usable pcb.  I guess you're just going to be stuck with the teensy option.  Good luck

There's always the off-brand controllers as well (alot of which are poorly made on a single layer pcb)

Also I'm thinking as my build comes along (slowly), I'm going to use this topic as my updates page for it.

Sounds good to me

[spo0n]

Players use autohotkey to completely automate the incinerator, and the devs, even if they cared about such, do not have the time to fix it.

You would, most likely, be the only person using actual hardware modifications, making tracking you down and doing anything about it a very low priority.  Add to that the awesomeness of your setup (or what you want your setup to be) and they should really encourage such changes.

If you want to be invisible why not use both options_  Have the microcontroller interface through the 360 gamepad, and then you have the best of both worlds, though it would be more complicated.

Joystick+mouse is the best combination for both precise movement and aiming, good luck

[d3dreaper]

Update: 8/5/14
Ordered some stuff and updated original post to reflect upon this


Also... If someone could help me figure out how to resize an image that'd be awesome cause it doesn't seem to be sticking for me...

Edited by d3dreaper, August 05 2014 - 07:20 AM.

[TwentyFirstPilot]

That joystick looks awesome. I appreciate the wear and tear on it. Such is fitting, especially when you consider you're going to use it for Hawken.

Edit: Nevermind, misread your post.

Edited by TwentyFirstPilot, August 08 2014 - 02:53 PM.

[d3dreaper]

Update 8/8/14:

I received my chair and have settled on ordering a pair of Saitek ST290 joysticks seeing as that they were
Ambidextrous and fairly low cost

Work on frame will commence next week as will ordering the teensy and various other buttons and LEDs.
Next update will involve progress on the development of the chair.Also will update OP with pics as soon as I get home.

Edited by d3dreaper, August 08 2014 - 04:11 PM.

[SoldierHobbes11]

All in favor of the Hawken Arcade machine_

[EM1O]

I gotta an old Saitek st290 sitting to the right of my mousepad. (MechWarrior. heh.)
that's just eerie, dude.

[d3dreaper]

well the st290 was the only ambidextrous stick i could find that wasn't $50+ (i'm a broke mutha-f******) lmao
I would really love the hotas warthog or a legit flight grip but for now they'll fit just fine


Right now i'm trying to design up a 3 button swivel pedal system (twist left, twist right, and push down for third) I may post up my blend snapshot if i can get it right.

[d3dreaper]

New photo added to OP for the basis for my pedals.

[phed]

What were you planning on using the pedals for_  Dodge and boost_  You could add push forward for flight (with a spring return) and if you made it strong enough you'd really be on to something.

[d3dreaper]

The pedals were going to be set up with dodge left, dodge right, 180 turn.

And i'm going to be holding everything to center with trampoline springs.

Edited by d3dreaper, August 15 2014 - 07:37 AM.

[d3dreaper]

Bit of an update: I've ordered the teensy 3.1 and am waiting on other parts as well. Taking some time to learn more about the coding side of things on it as I have an idea of how it's going to be wired up. I've never had a fully functioning code outside of 'hello world' and  basic math so we'll see how much fun this turns into.

[d3dreaper]

Giving an update on my build.
I've recieved my teensy, still waiting on my perfboard and a couple other parts.
Trying to figure out this code to include my keypad as a valid output (it shows an output in the serial monitor but wont show it anywhere else)
If any knows anything about arduino coding let me know. that would be most helpful.