How to make a great command profile for X3 (TABLE OF CONTENTS!)

[terrigat]

Introduction
So I recently started moving my Reunion Profile over to Terran Conflict. Unfortunately (or fortunately?) the differences between the games call for different priorities for commands not to mention reordered menus. I also quickly noticed just how modded my Reunion game had become when many hotkeys didn't exist (what!?! no claim hotkey?!?). So to get a better idea of which commands I should give quicker access to, I thought the easiest way to ask would be to show what I was using. Starting this conversion also showed me just how sparse my notes on the quirks of programming commands effectively for this joystick were. So, since I had to rebuild my profile(s) & I needed to redo my notes & I wanted advice on commands, this was the logical choice.

Since making this thread I have gotten a few bits from those that own flightsticks, but not nearly as many opinions on the subject as I have come to expect from this forum. So I'm going to try a new tactic. I'm going to attempt to patch together all the different methods for creating novel, creative & of course helpful input profiles that anyone manages to concoct into one (or two) posts. Egosoft titles have always encouraged its playerbase to test the boundaries of what can be done & allowed many to warp said limits through scripts if desired. I have always found myself exploring different methods of direct interaction when I found the keyboard didn't do this game justice (ever try to change weapon groups while strafing AND trying to maintain a barrel roll? No? Really?).

Most of these I couldn't find in the FAQ or forums so I thought I would gather them together in this thread. If you have any questions as to why certain commands are grouped together or how anyone could possibly think making "track target" a 'hold' then go ahead and ask. If you have a better idea or can recommend a different layout then YES, PLEASE!!! That is why I made this thread. I would love to know just how useful "My Missions", "Unfocussed Jump", or "Message Log" could be.


Profiles
Saitek x52(pro) X3: Reunion / X3: Terran Conflict

Playstation Gamepad

Xbox 360 Gamepad by MonkeyNut

Thrustmaster Cougar MFD from stormtrooper68

Logitech G15 LCD Stats Applet for X3: Reunion by Cycrow
***WARNING*** Will *Modified* your game

Logitech G19 Applet for X3: Terran Conflict by sepa
***WARNING*** Will *Modified* your game


Notes on Creating Profiles
X3 Specific Notes

Saitek Specific Notes

Keybinding Programs


Extras
Saitek X52pro Profile Template (post your own in an easy-to-read forum format)

My Favorite Input Enchancement Scripts + Rant

[terrigat]

Here is my current Profile. I have separated the programming into Joystick & Throttle, then color-coded those sections into whether you should bind a button in the Saitek Profile Editor or the X3 ingame profile. Certain bindings in the Saitek Profile Editor are to keyboard keys that don't currently to anything ingame & need to be bound to that keyboard key ingame. I have denoted these with a leading '+'. I used the controls full name that you will see in the X3 Control Profile (ie unfocussed jump). Unless a button specifically states having a new function for [ Mode 2 ] or [ Mode 3 ], it defaults to the [ Mode 1 ] command.

Shout out to Mike at MadCatz for making this project possible. Without his dedication I would not have had the opportunity to explore the x52pro & the Saitek Profile Editor in the detail found here. Thanks Mike.

Program from the Saitek Profile Editor
---[ Mode 1 ]
---[ Mode 2 ]
---[ Mode 3 ]
[ Program from the X3 ingame profile ]
* = requires a mod
[] = available / no assignment
+ = bind key to command ingame

Joystick
Launch [ select missile ], hold [ launch missile ] + pinkie [ \ ]
*+ send selected troops [ \ ]
*+ send all troops [ hold \ ]

C [ target nearest enemy ], hold [ track target ] + pinkie [ t ]
t = track target
select no target [ track target X twice ] (not a programmable command, it just works)

Black POVhat (top)
up [ owned property ], hold [ personal information ]
down [ sector map ], hold [ galaxy map ]
left [ actions for selected object ], hold [ current ship ]
right [ comms ], hold [ command console for current ship ]

Switches
---T1+2---
up [ *claim ], hold [ eject from ship ]
down [ jumpdrive ], hold [ unfocussed jump ]
---T3+4---
up [ freight bay ], hold [ freight exchange ]
down [ load saved game ], hold [ save current game ]
---T5+6---
up [ best selling price locator ], hold [ best buys locator ]
down [ toggle autopilot ], hold [ dock with target ]

Silver POVhat (center)
up [], hold []
down [], hold []
left [], hold []
right [], hold []

A [], hold []

B [], hold []

Throttle
Mouse Wheel
down [ home ] + pinkie [ insert ]
up [ end ] + pinkie [ delete ]
Mouse wheel click [ change map axis AND default view ] + hold [ SETA ] + pinkie [ F10 ]
+ match speed to target [ F10 ]
home = target next enemy and zoom map in AND empty selection in trade menu
insert = target next owned property and zoom map out
end = target previous enemy and change map axis(I dont use this myself but it still works) AND fill selection in trade menu
delete = target previous owned property and close all menus(I dont use this myself but it still works)

Slider [banded X 3, adv cmd - press]
1-15% [ 1 ]
16-50% [ 2 ]
51-85% [ 3 ]
86-100% [ 4 ]

Mouse Button [ ] + pinkie [ ]

E [ view on left monitor ], hold view target ] + pinkie [ F12 ]
+ select view mode [ F12 ]
Return View [ hold F12 ] (not a programmable command, it just works)

i [ ESC ] + pinkie [ Page Down ]
+ Close all menus [ hold ESC ]
page down = scroll page down (to view gates & drops in the sector view & check freight on scanned ships. Didn't see a need to assign scroll up b/c all menus start at the top & I never use the target next/previous object)

Mouse Thumbstick [banded X 2]
1-15% [ num8 ]
85-100% [ num2 ]
1-15% [ num4 ]
85-100% [ num6 ]
menu - map select
cockpit - free-look

D [ select option AND boost extension ] + pinkie [ F9 ]
+ enable turbo boost [ F9 ]

POVhat
menu [ scroll up / down / left / right ] - up=pull
cockpit [ strafe up / down / left / right ] - up=pull

Rotary E ?

Rotary i ?


-----------------------------------

Message Log [] (shift+n)
My Missions [] (Personal information + enter once)

Except for a few new keyboard assignments, this mostly leaves the keyboard acting the same as before. This way you don't need to change your profile if you remove your joystick. Although any 'hold' buttons will feel sluggish due to needing to let go of the button for them to react (ie ESC).

I know that my profile leaves many joystick buttons unused. I just want to make sure that as many as possible were left open for user hotkey scripts or advanced command macros. At the moment the Silver POVhat, mouse button, A, B & Mode 2 & 3 are still open in a vanilla game setup.

I tested Pinkie + Silver POVhat assigned to num1-4,6-9 (8-way POV)
Pinkie + Trigger assigned ALT (video gogs)
Mousewheel Click still num5 (center view)
Its not bad. This makes it work as Egosoft probably intended but me & my above point made me keep this off my profile.

[Hyppe]

Hold? Is this X3TC or X52 Pro feature?

Been using both ages, never even knew that function existed.
Would have made profiling way easier...

[terrigat]

It's part of the ingame profile. X3: Reunion also allowed this. Has absolutely nothing to do with the joystick or saitek. You could use this with just the mouse and keyboard or some off brand gamepad.

[Hyppe]

It's part of the ingame profile. X3: Reunion also allowed this. Has absolutely nothing to do with the joystick or saitek. You could use this with just the mouse and keyboard or some off brand gamepad.

Thanks for the reply. I have no idea how I have managed to miss this function for several years.

[xavierd]

Reformatted recently and forgot to back up my profile. In the process of rebuilding it and so far i have:

Trigger 1: Fire, +Pinkie: Track Target
Trigger 2: Weapons group 1
Launch: Launch Missile
Fire A: Select Missile
Fire B: Nearest Enemy
Fire C: Comm
Fire D: Boost Extension, +Pinkie: Match Speed
Fire E: SETA
Silver Hat: Strafe
Toggle 1: Wingmen Attack
Toggle 2: Wingmen Protect
Toggle 3: Cycrow's SCS
Toggle 5: MARS Goblin

[terrigat]

How often do you find yourself matching speed?
Doesn't the throttle reset your speed constantly?
SETA only works if autopilot is running for me. I find that the throttle knocks out seta immediately if I don't fiddle with the throttles exact position.

Which SCS do you recommend? the cycrow's original or the new salvage suite?

Have you tried attaching strafe drive to the throttle's POVhat? I don't think I could aim, shoot, barrel roll AND strafe using the same hand.

[Hyppe]

How often do you find yourself matching speed?
Doesn't the throttle reset your speed constantly?

If you have the throttle on minimum or maximum and then engage 'match speed' it works nicely

[terrigat]

Is this a design flaw of the x52?
Or do all throttles cause this issue within X3?

[Hyppe]

Is this a design flaw of the x52?
Or do all throttles cause this issue within X3?

If you are referring my previous post, it's because only on minimum on maximum the throttle gives non-fluctuating value. Between minimum and maximum, the throttle value fluctuates a bit and that 'disconnects' the 'match speed' command. Other words, the game thinks you are moving the throttle and stops the command. Same applies for the SETA too.

I dont know about other controllers, but I would assume that controllers which use digital sensors instead of analog potentiometers work better (X52 has analog potentiometer on throttle).

[xavierd]

How often do you find yourself matching speed?
Doesn't the throttle reset your speed constantly?
SETA only works if autopilot is running for me. I find that the throttle knocks out seta immediately if I don't fiddle with the throttles exact position.

Which SCS do you recommend? the cycrow's original or the new salvage suite?

Have you tried attaching strafe drive to the throttle's POVhat? I don't think I could aim, shoot, barrel roll AND strafe using the same hand.

1: I usually have throttle on full, and use boost/match as needed, finer control only really used for crates/docking/mm, and mousewheel works fine for that.
2: Yes the throttle is noisy anywhere that isn't -10, 0 or max. Could be because i run 0% deadzone
3: Cycrow's. Used it in X3R, haven't tested the alternatives.
4: Not a fan of the throttle hat, silver or black get the job done for me - twist to roll and opposite strafe puts up inside the spiral for attack runs.

Correction to my setup: MARS Goblin is pinkie+launch.
Tested your slider bands too, works great!

[terrigat]

Tested your slider bands too, works great!

The most important part is that the Advanced Command allows for the button to be released. Otherwise that damned input will spam the game turning it into another Mode Selector or Mouse Wheel type issue.


Favorite part of my setup is the Black POVhat on the joystick. All the menus I could need in a firefight.

Press right = comms & command ship menu
Hold right = player ship command menu

Press down = sector map
Hold down = galaxy map

Press left = target info menu
Hold left = player ship info menu

Press up = property menu
Hold up = player info menu (although My Missions may work better in X3:TC)

Then navigate said menu using 'D' and the Throttle POVhat. When done I can hold the 'i' key for a second to close all menus.

Otherwise, non-combat commands on the toggle switches.

[xavierd]

Silver POVhat unprogrammable ingame

btw, tick the 3rd checkbox in initial splash screen to enable this

[terrigat]

Silver POVhat unprogrammable ingame

btw, tick the 3rd checkbox in initial splash screen to enable this

I wrote out the reason with greater detail now. Go take a look.

[terrigat]

I fixed an issue with banding the slider & mouse stick.

Since weapon group 1 & 4 are easy to activate by pushing the slider to the edges, I moved the bands: 0-15% - 86-100%

Also tried to reduce interference when pushing a direction on the thumbstick. It's not analog so you will be pressing it all the way. 0-25% & 75-100% makes it less likely for two directions to get pressed at the same time. If this doesn't improve it enough then 0-20% & 80-100% may work.

If anyone else uses this please let me know.

[Mortis494]

I tried the slider for mine but it keeps registering button presses unless the slide is dead top or bottom, having tried some profile setups I've found that using the X3TC options to remap controls works for most of the controls I want.

POV hat 1 strafe drive
POV hat 2 look around
D-pad type selector on throttle bound to all 4 weapon groups
Other throttle buttons for SETA boost extension and Vid-Gogs

Joystick buttons for track target, nearest enemy and next enemy (and of course standard fire and missiles)

Works for me, but I keep thinking that I'll get around to using the profile editor to create a custom one

Anyone have any good setups they can post a link to or send via PM?

[terrigat]

I can't recreate the button spam you mention. Are you sure you used the Advanced Command & not the regular?

I did include my current setup in the 2nd post. I made it easy to follow by using the command terms that you will find in the X3 profile. I separated out the ones that are programmed ingame & in the saitek software.

[Mortis494]

Cheers, I hadn't realised that the advanced command was ness for the slider functions. I'll have a go a recreating your setup tomorrow, and then its back to working for the corporations while my chip-plex churns out the goodies (damn starting again on a new rig....)

[terrigat]

I've been trying out new layouts to help increase readability. Hopefully its now easier to read through.

I've been trying to add various ways to personalize my profile to fit individual wants at the end of the first post. There are many different ways to setup this stick & I'm trying to remember all the tricks that I tried before settling on my current method.

I haven't really 'played' X3:TC yet so most of my chosen layout is based on my X3:R profile.

[travisdh1]

Have you tried attaching strafe drive to the throttle's POVhat? I don't think I could aim, shoot, barrel roll AND strafe using the same hand.

I only have an X45, which I've got strafe drive on the 2nd joystick hat. So I aim, shoot, and strafe with one hand and barrel roll and change speed with the other. It's really quite unfair to the things I fight, which just happens to be how I like it.