Question : Steam input xbox controller Mode Shift with 2 Buttons

[Squintopotamous]

Some help required.

Is there any way to use 2 buttons to create a Mode Shift function?

For example, to have Directional Pad do 8 inputs totals

Normal : Up Down Left Right
Mode Shift : 1 2 3 4
And possibly Dual Mode Shift depending on Button combinations.

For example : LB + RB = Mode Shift Dpad to 1 2 3 4

And (optional) LB + RT or RB + LT = Mode Shift Z X C V

Or even have Left Stick perform alternative functions only activated by 2 buttons rather than just 1.

Currently only 1 button can be used for Mode Shift but not a combination of simultaneous 2 button presses.

There are some very complicated functions like Layers but it has been really difficult to figure this out whether it can be done.

Appreciate the help if possible, cheers.

[tintingaroo]

Yeah, looks like it's just a single control for a mode shift.

Without going to layers you could add extra commands in the mode shift and set each command's activator to button chords. RB and RT need to be unmapped (or have activator as long press, double press etc) otherwise they'll also be triggered (layers should get around this).


Dpad mode shifted with LB
A -> button chord with RB -> 1
A -> button chord with RT -> Z
B -> button chord with RB -> 2
B -> button chord with RT -> X
...
...

To add extra commands:
'A' button gear icon > Add extra command

To set the activator to button chord:
'A' button gear icon > top row to select an activator > Button Chord > gear icon again > Settings > set the Chord Button

I tested it out at the desktop and it seemed fine but see how that works out for you.

If you want to try with layers I could assist or can find others if you post in the Steam Controller forum: https://steamcommunity.com/app/353370/discussions/

If you use Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamController

[Squintopotamous]

Hello tintingaroo

This is quite an advanced method, what a marvelous idea!

So if I understand this correctly,

1 button to Mode Shift Dpad

And then 2 button Chords to activate the Mode Shift function?

This has to be done with Simultaneously?

LB + A + RB = 1
LB + B + RB = 2

All 3 at the same time will result in the output?

Can the DPAD be set to 1 2 3 4 normally?

Let me know if I understand this bit of your method.

Wouldn't it have been far simpler if Mode Shift activation allowed 2 or more buttons to be used instead?

Thanks for the idea, will test it out hopefully over the weekend as time is the biggest constraint.

Appreciate the Steam Controller links as well!

Correction :

LB + A + RB + [Dpad Up] = 1
LB + B + RB + [Dpad Right] = 2
....

[tintingaroo]

Yo, it's a good thing you wanted clarification - I've been thinking one thing but writing another...
Instead of face buttons I should have written DPAD directions.

Dpad mode shifted with LB
Then within the mode shift:
Dpad Up -> button chord with RB -> 1
Dpad Up -> button chord with RT -> Z
Dpad Down -> button chord with RB -> 2
Dpad Down -> button chord with RT -> X
...etc for Dpad Left/Right

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3273303333&fileuploadsuccess=1


Adding extra commands & setting their activator to button chord steps are the same, but you'd just do it to the dpad directions in the mode shift:

(First fill in Dpad directions in the Mode Shift with e.g. 1,2,3,4. Now that they have a mapping you can add the extra command.)

Add extra command:
Dpad Up gear icon > Add extra command

Set activator to button chord:
Dpad Up gear icon > top row to select an activator > Button Chord > gear icon again > Settings > set the Chord Button e.g. RB


Then it'd be e.g.
LB + RB + Dpad Up = 1
LB + RT + Dpad Up = Z

LB to Mode Shift.
RB + Dpad Up to output '1'
(Button chords are activated with the 'Chord Button' held first, so RB then Dpad Up.)

Requires all three held at the same time to output the command (hold LB > hold RB > press Dpad Up).


Yeah, would have been simpler if Mode Shift could be activated with multiple buttons.
Guess the Mode Shift role is for quick setup & simple requirements, then if wanting more functionality -> Layers / Action Sets.

[Squintopotamous]

Hello tintingaroo

Please check if this explanation for your configuration is correct :

1)
Dpad Mode Shift will do nothing if only LB is pressed and Dpad Is Pressed (Leaving Dpad original function unaffected)

2)
While Pressing and Holding LB then simultaneously pressing and holding RB + Dpad Up = 1

3)
While Pressing and Holding LB and then simultaneously pressing and holding RT + Dpad Up = Z

And so on for the others.

[Squintopotamous]

Update : You are a genius!

Initial testing shows that your method with Dpad Mode Shift + Button Chord is working

Mode Shift activates, but does not do anything on its own unless the Button Chord activator button is also pressed.

However, when Mode Shift is activated, normal Dpad functionality is disengaged prior to pressing the Chord button.

As expected, there is no other way since that 1 button activates the mode shift.

So this Button Chord function is sort of a "work around" rather than a proper 2 button Mode Shift that would only lock the Dpad when both buttons are pressed together, not just the 1 Mode Shift button.

Still, good news is that it works!

Thanks and really appreciate your help in making it simpler to understand this process.

Cheers!

[tintingaroo]

Yeah, its all a workaround :D
I'd normally try a layer but it's actually a cool challenge to go without one, made me utilise things in ways I've not thought before :D

Try this: add an extra command to your mode shift for each direction, map them to dpad directions, leave their activator on Regular Press.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3274132000&fileuploadsuccess=1

So now LB + Dpad Up = Dpad Up, LB + Dpad Down = Dpad Down, etc.

I tested it out in a layout on the desktop and it was all OK. Was kinda surprised, was expecting to have to deal with it also being triggered while using a button chord command but it wasn't. See if its OK on your end.

[Squintopotamous]

Greetings tintingaroo,

I tried your strategy for adding an extra command for LB + Dpad Up = appears to still lock the DPad to its Mode Shift, which then can only function when its associated Chords are pressed.

This is what happens :

Dpad functioning normally, continuously if needed.

Then Mode Shifted holding LB

Dpad Mode Shift functions Up Down Left Right 1 2 3 4 will not activate only when Pressing LB but Dpad will remain Interrupted as long as the Mode Shift button is held.

Dpad Mode Shift functions will activate when other assigned Chord activators are pressed together with the Dpad Directions.

Like So :

LB + Dpad Up (with Chord Activator A) or LB + Dpad Down (with Chord Activator B)

Only LB + Dpad Up = Interrupted and No Function.
With LB + Dpad Up (with A) = Interrupted, Chord Activated, resulting in Dpad Up.

This is sort of a half O'clock work around and it's most beneficial use seems to be to prevent an accidental Mode Shift with only 1 button.

I have also begun my experiments with the Left and Right Triggers to do Mode Shifts due to both Triggers allowing the use of Short Press, Long Press, Threshold, and Range.

[Squintopotamous]

Hello tintingaroo

I have managed to repurpose an old Xbox 360 controller with a broken Analog stick!

It works great for simpler 2D or Platformer type games where the Stick drift was an issue.

This saves the controller from becoming waste, and employs its still functioning capabilities.

This is great news for those who have failing Left Analog stick, its functions can be sent to the Dpad!

Was very excited to share this, for anyone else it might also help.

Cheers!