Starting a Console
After the Success of using the I-PAC for the missile firing, I decided I want to have a full Weapons Console with lighted push buttons. Currently I am just trying to work out some lay outs for the main board.
This is a first idea. The monitor on the left would be about a 15" Over all width would be around 32." All buttons would light up. The large, blue, round thing in the lower right had corner would be a track ball because i think the look of a mouse kills the future spaceship feel. I'm not sure if a track ball is better, but at least it sorta fits in. The big red button would be a fire all tubes button. I'm also toying with the idea of making the main screen a touch screen for targeting ships. I split up the weapons tubes because most all ships only have two tubes. The only thing you would use 3 and 4 on is the missile ship. I rigged my original test console to have four buttons top down and 3 and 4 just got in the way.
The measurements are guestamets, and the console feels a little jumbled yet. I'll probably try a mock up and a number of different graphics before I settle on an end style. I'm also not sure how many, if any "atmosphere" lights or switches should be added. Buttons and indicators that really wouldn't do anything but add to the board. I guess if it feels jumbled already, probably not the best idea.
This is a first idea. The monitor on the left would be about a 15" Over all width would be around 32." All buttons would light up. The large, blue, round thing in the lower right had corner would be a track ball because i think the look of a mouse kills the future spaceship feel. I'm not sure if a track ball is better, but at least it sorta fits in. The big red button would be a fire all tubes button. I'm also toying with the idea of making the main screen a touch screen for targeting ships. I split up the weapons tubes because most all ships only have two tubes. The only thing you would use 3 and 4 on is the missile ship. I rigged my original test console to have four buttons top down and 3 and 4 just got in the way.
The measurements are guestamets, and the console feels a little jumbled yet. I'll probably try a mock up and a number of different graphics before I settle on an end style. I'm also not sure how many, if any "atmosphere" lights or switches should be added. Buttons and indicators that really wouldn't do anything but add to the board. I guess if it feels jumbled already, probably not the best idea.
I would suggest putting the controls on either side of the screen. It would allow a player to comfortably rest both hands on the controls while looking forward at the screen. I love the style. Good work!
Design # 2
Found a nice big 4" red button on line. Not even sure how I'll get the fire all butt on working yet, but it seems to be a nice blend of humor, cliche, and actual usefulness so I figure why not.
Larger Pic Here
Auto_Pilot, One way to use the Big Button, you could map it to a key like the Spacebar (or whatever) and use an AutoHotKey script to fire each tube, one at a time, consecutively .
Space::
Send {SHIFTDOWN}{1}{SHIFTUP}
Send {SHIFTDOWN}{2}{SHIFTUP}
Send {SHIFTDOWN}{3}{SHIFTUP}
Send {SHIFTDOWN}{4}{SHIFTUP}
return
So where would you have to put that AutoHotKey script in?
I assume it doesn't go in the Controls file because that just looks like the designated keys for the event that happens. This would have to be a new event to put in the program somewhere right?
I assume it doesn't go in the Controls file because that just looks like the designated keys for the event that happens. This would have to be a new event to put in the program somewhere right?
This is separate from the I-PAC software. This is a AutoHotKey script that is ran before Artemis is started. The AutoHotKey script works around the limitation of the controller.
I haven't used the I-PACs before, but from what I can tell, it's only designed to operate 1 key per button press, not a series of keys. I've only used GroovyGameGear.com's version, the KeyWiz. The KeyWiz also has the same 1 key per button limit.
I haven't used the I-PACs before, but from what I can tell, it's only designed to operate 1 key per button press, not a series of keys. I've only used GroovyGameGear.com's version, the KeyWiz. The KeyWiz also has the same 1 key per button limit.
[Last edited Dec 11, 2012 20:15:48]
Ah, it's a program, I thought you were just talking about hot keys in general in Artemis. Got ya.
You are correct, the IPAC only works with 1 key per button. In fact I already had to change out the fire keys on my test module and redo the "controls" document in Artemis to H, J, K, L instead of shift +1 through shift + 4 because of it.
Thanks for the link, I'll have to test that out and see how it works.
You are correct, the IPAC only works with 1 key per button. In fact I already had to change out the fire keys on my test module and redo the "controls" document in Artemis to H, J, K, L instead of shift +1 through shift + 4 because of it.
Thanks for the link, I'll have to test that out and see how it works.
Oh Heck Yeah that works. Nice!
I like your weapons panel though I might do a couple of things different just to break up the control types. You could make the missle type selector be a rotary knob with 4 selections. You could make the energy to torp and torp to energy be momentary toggle switches with the flip up cover. Like this one
Commander Brandr
Commanding Officer of the ship Calamitous Intent
-------------------------------------------------------
Check our crews adventures at http://nerdneerdowells.com
Commanding Officer of the ship Calamitous Intent
-------------------------------------------------------
Check our crews adventures at http://nerdneerdowells.com
Got the mock up for the Weapons console. Current issues include, the momentary switches for turning torp to energy and energy to torp do not seem to work, and the screen will need to move to be at a coorect angle for the viewer. Other than that, everything lights up and tested fine!
Love it! that's fantastic, man - I love the handles.
NICE CONSOLE! Looks good.
So do you have a link to the button you used for the fire all button. That is something I would like to include in my build.
So do you have a link to the button you used for the fire all button. That is something I would like to include in my build.
Commander Brandr
Commanding Officer of the ship Calamitous Intent
-------------------------------------------------------
Check our crews adventures at http://nerdneerdowells.com
Commanding Officer of the ship Calamitous Intent
-------------------------------------------------------
Check our crews adventures at http://nerdneerdowells.com
Cmdr.Brandr, I've got several different sources for the buttons. Twisted Quarter being one of them. Remind me tomorrow and I'll give you a list.
Love it!
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