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How can I start Launchbox with a controller?


landosystem

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I've managed to get Launchbox/Big Box set up the way I want it on my HTPC, with the exception of actually starting the application. I've love to be able to switch on my xbox 360 controller and/or press a button on the controller and have Big Box launch automatically, to save me using a mouse/keyboard. Is there a relatively easy way to do this?

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I haven't done this myself but just off the top of my head you can make a short cut to BigBox, go into the properties and in the short cut key window making a key combo to start it. Then using xpadder you can bind that key combo to a button combo to your controller.

You would have to come up with something pretty unique and not something easily pressed accidentally to avoid unwanted accidents.

There might be a simpler way though.

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Ok I did a test of this and it works and without going into a full blown tutorial on this because I am by no means an expert at all when it comes to Xpadder here is what I did.

In my Launchbox shortcut properties I set a key combo to start it to Alt + F12.

Then in Xpadder I set the "back" button on my Xbox 360 controller to toggle while held to "set 2", this is to help minimize the risk of accidentally pressing the key combo to start Launchbox.

Then in the "set 2" tab I assigned the "right shoulder" button to "alt" on the keyboard and the "start" button I assigned to "F12"

Now when I press "back" + "right shoulder" and "start" on the controller it loads up Launchbox. You can assign any shortcut combo and controller combo in Xpadder you like that doesn't interfere with anything else on your computer.

 

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I know, this is not relevant to this thread because it's about an XBox 360 Controller but just for completeness sake:

If you use the awesome PS4-controller with its DS4Windows-drivers, there is another option (which I am using). 
You can define "Special Actions" which can also be programs and put them on your PS4-controller. I start BigBox by pressing and holding the PS-Button for 2 seconds. 

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I'm using Controller Companion for that. 
In my case, the home button of my DS4 controller opens BigBox. And select + home opens BigPicture. It's really handy. 

What's more, I can control anything on my computer with the controller only. Really. I can type anything in any software just with the controller, right or left click everywhere, scroll a web page with the right stick, and so on... 
It's an awesome software that I recommend. 3$, but it worth it.

(if you want, you can also bind any key to any button in any application or game. Usefull, particularly for games which need mouse (for menus) + controller like Trackmania 2. ). 

Love it. 
Voila, that's just another solution :D

 

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22 minutes ago, spektor56 said:

Just looked at the video for controller companion, pretty cool.  Might have to buy it, only $3 anyway.

:)

Here's a screenshot.

It's exactly why I love this soft. Soooooooo much better than xpadder and all soft like that. And it has a very good UI. Nice and clean. Very easy to configure.

2016-08-28_21h58_50.jpg

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If you have steam running in the tray/background and press the xbox guide button it will bring up steam in desktop mode. Press it again and it should bring up big picture. Manually make a shortcut to big box in steam and viola!

However, you may have to disable the Xbox Guide button from opening game DVR. Which can be disabled under the Xbox Apps settings.

This forum post should have some useful info on disabling the xbox guide button

https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/530645961936632430/ 

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