X-Arcade / Tankstick and Keyboard Control of BigBox

[Triclinic]

I am using Bigbox and a X-Arcade Tankstick on Windows 7x64. The tankstick simply sends keyboard commands to the emulators. The difficulty I have is changing the button (or kbd input) for selecting and starting games in BigBox. Can someone direct me to the method (or lack of) ability to specify which keystroke will select, or escape in BigBox. Thank you.

[Maddoc1007]

@Triclinic Go into options in BigBox, schroll down to controller buttons, then across to select (see image) press enter, now you click on the button you want for that entry ie select do the same for the back button and the play button.

[Triclinic]

Maddox1007...thanks for the reply...I'd found that and tried it... Does this work for you with the keyboard? It appears to only want a joystick entry...it doesn't respond to any keyboard stroke. Donnie

[DOS76]

Sorry in advance if this isn't what you are looking for but it sounds like maybe JoyToKey or X-Padder would help you out.

[Maddoc1007]

@Triclinic the Keyboard controls for navigation through BigBox are for select use the Enter key and for going back you use the Back or the Escape key and for navigation Up/Down Left/Right you use the Arrow Keys so you need to map your Joystick to the arrow keys and your buttons to the directional keys.

[Jason Carr]

Hi @Triclinic, as of right now it's not possible to customize the keyboard keys. However, I am realizing just now how important that probably is, as I'm guessing you need it for Tankstick compatibility, correct?

[Triclinic]

XPadder is actually the opposite of what I need...my joystick is already sending keyboard keys. I could reprogram the joystick...but that will be a pain...as BigBox appears to be the only software with this limitation and I'd have to reprogram all keys in other emulators...including my RetroPie. I also could install a virtual joystick, like VJoy. I'd heard that virtual joysticks create a slight lag due to the translation that is being performed... I was hoping I simply missed a config file somewhere... FYI...interestingly...the KBD Space key actually is mapped to one of my buttons and allows for select...but escape isn't mapped and I have no way to exit without the keyboard next to me...which isn't the best solution. Off-topic: Any experience with an I-pac or MiniPac? The X-Arcade uses a proprietary board...which I thought I'd have more control over by switching to one of the pac boards. I could also setup custom lighting for each game to illuminate the buttons being used.

[Triclinic]

@Jason, You're right...need it for the TankStick... Now I'm stuck with a keyboard next to me.

[Jason Carr]

@Triclinic, what are the Tankstick keys mapped to by default? What do you have them mapped to? It'd be faster for now to just add those keys, that way I can probably get you a beta tonight that works. I'll build in custom keys functionality, but that will likely take a bit.

[Maddoc1007]

@Triclinic im not sure if this will help but it looks like that it might be useful http://www.xgaming.com/support/questions/113/Add+Extra+Key+Functions+to+your+X-Arcade+on+PC+and+for+MAME%2C+Including+Macros

[Jason Carr]

Good find @Maddoc1007, that does look like it would help. That said, @Triclinic, get me your list of key mappings so I can get them into Big Box. I assume you're using the Tankstick defaults?

[Triclinic]

@Jason That's a lot more than I was expecting...pretty awesome if it works! I am using the default layout. I uploaded the page from the manual with the default layout (Mode 1). @Maddoc1007 I saw that page too...when looking for options. I thought it might help...even with the emulators (alt-f4 and others). Thanks to both of you. I'm heading into a work week...so won't be able to test the beta until Friday. But thanks for responding!

[Jason Carr]

Cool, one last question. Which buttons did you want to use for Enter and Escape?

[Triclinic]

Sorry...should have thought of that... I would map as follows: Left Ctrl = Select Left Alt = Escape It goes well with a map for most games with A=LCtrl and B=Left Alt...then Y=Space and X=LShift. Thanks again!

[Jason Carr]

Sounds good, will do.

[Gorillapond]

I think this is what was being asked about earlier, the physical button to keyboard command map: http://www.xgaming.com/support/questions/17/PC+%26+MAC+(Mode1)+Button+Layout I have a dual joystick model and I'm interested in getting this working!

[Jason Carr]

Hi @Gorillapond, planning on tackling this tonight. Should have a beta for you in just a few hours. :)

[Jason Carr]

New beta is out. Do let me know if you run into any issues with the TankStick controls.

[Guynamedbilly]

Just wanted to chip in my hope to remap the controls too. I use the I-Pac 2 usb controller and the button placement makes big box difficult to use for my arcade cabinet.

[Jason Carr]

Thanks @Guynamedbilly, new beta is out with custom keyboard mapping. Keep in mind that the default controls no longer support TankSticks out of the box, so they will need to be mapped. However, the mapping process should be straightforward. Let me know if anyone runs into any issues.