Its Here: Ultimarc AimTrak Light Gun Module

[Ginsu Victim]

I can't figure out how to get offscreen reloading to work in MAME. I've read everything in this thread, but nothing I try makes it work. Anyone have it working? How are you doing it?

[Cananas]

One option(tried; the best option if you plan to use troubleshooting) is:

- Configure pressing trigger offscreen to right mouse button in the Aim-Trak software.

- Enable in mame the -shotoffscreen_reload option.

I think other option (no tried) should be:

- Configure pressing trigger when offscreen to left mouse in the Aim-Trak software.

[AndyWarne]

I have new firmware ready with the P1-P5 buttons enabled, also made some small adjustments to the distance correction factors to eliminate the issue Cananas mentioned in the review thread.
Also amended the config app so you no longer need to receive data before the "send" button is un-greyed. Also reads config automatically when the app is started.

I need to get these packaged and uploaded but too late tonight so will be done tomorrow.

[Ginsu Victim]

Well, despite not getting to test this today, thanks for the work you've put into it. I look forward to trying it out tomorrow.

Cananas: Thanks. I'll try that out. EDIT: Setting offscreen Trigger to Left Mouse did the trick.

[Ginsu Victim]

Andy, any chance in future of the ability to load different configs from the command line, much like loading maps for the U360? It would be nice to change the button layout for PC games from the frontend.

[AndyWarne]

Yes that would definitely be a future option.

I have posted the new firmware, and utility on the product page:  http://www.ultimarc.com/aimtrak.php

[Ginsu Victim]

Yes that would definitely be a future option.

I have posted the new firmware, and utility on the product page:  http://www.ultimarc.com/aimtrak.php

CHEERS! 

[Cananas]

Yes that would definitely be a future option.

I have posted the new firmware, and utility on the product page:  http://www.ultimarc.com/aimtrak.php

Firmware update correctly. Now P? buttons work perfectly. Even no need to unplug/replug the gun for changes take effect.

Andy, some thinks to be corrected in your web instructions:

- When it says click "Assign Device ID" must be "Reassing ID of Device".
- "navigate to the "drivers" subfolder" should be "navigate to the "Driver" subfolder".
- "Click on "upgrade firmware" and navigate to the UFW file." must be "Click on "Select Firmware File" and navigate..."

I tried to upgrade in Vista64. I tried installing the driver pressing F8 during OS start and selecting the last option (disable signed driver...), but even with that, after installing the driver correctly (it shows in the usb devices like installed correctly. The update program don't recognize the device...

So I definitively upgraded with Win XP without problems. I will try again with Vista64 with the another gun.

[AndyWarne]

All above corrected.

I do have a version of the firmware upgrader which should work on Vista 64. I didnt upload it yet as not yet tested it. I could send it if you wish to test it.
Best to send by email, if you can drop me a line: andy@ultimarc.com

[Dartful Dodger]

Keep in mind that wireless is pretty power hungry since it has to transmit stuff all the time.  I think you might be better off trying to find something blue tooth than 802.11 since it's meant for low power devices (headsets, phones, etc.).

Yeah, the more I think about it the less I'm liking the wireless option.

It's nice to have the gun attached to the computer that's going to be using it, this way it will less likely be picked up by a nephew or other toddler and used/abused as a toy gun.

I always need to plug in my PS3 controls a few hours before I have people over just so they are all charged. Not to mention how often the controllers get misplaced.

Unlike a PS3 controller, unless you're a fat pig who should be outside jogging instead of sitting on a couch playing video games, you'll be standing in front of the monitor using the controller, so there is no real need for the freedom of wireless.

[drventure]

Under many (hell, maybe most) circumstances, you're absolutely right.

In my case, wireless would be nicer though, I think. Wired controllers would negate some of the "feel" of the cabinet, but then again, what I'm doing is pretty far removed from a "standard" arcade cab so I may just have to deal with it.

I've done a little looking for bluetooth options and have a few more "investigation" emails out. We'll see where that goes.

[Minwah]

In my case, wireless would be nicer though, I think. Wired controllers would negate some of the "feel" of the cabinet, but then again, what I'm doing is pretty far removed from a "standard" arcade cab so I may just have to deal with it.

I'm probably going to feed the cable through a metal hose, something like:

http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=1500001801&productId=1500497477&langId=-1&engine=froogle&keyword=Metal+Shower+Hose&_$ja=tsid:11527|cc:|prd:8329783|cat:Shower+Accessories

This looks just like what they used on some arcade gun games, and something like this might look OK with your cabinet's theme (you can get gold coloured ones too).

[Ginsu Victim]

Minwah: Keep in mind the USB cable coming out of your gun is short, then plugs into a long USB extension cable. The hose idea might not work.

[ncflagg]

Firmware update correctly. Now P? buttons work perfectly. Even no need to unplug/replug the gun for changes take effect.

Andy, some thinks to be corrected in your web instructions:

- When it says click "Assign Device ID" must be "Reassing ID of Device".
- "navigate to the "drivers" subfolder" should be "navigate to the "Driver" subfolder".
- "Click on "upgrade firmware" and navigate to the UFW file." must be "Click on "Select Firmware File" and navigate..."

Ditto. Thanks for the update. PX buttons now working!

[bkenobi]

Minwah: Keep in mind the USB cable coming out of your gun is short, then plugs into a long USB extension cable. The hose idea might not work.

Bah, this is a DIY site isn't it?  If it takes a little modding of the cable to make it look how he wants it, so be it.   

[Ginsu Victim]

Just pointing out that the connectors might not fit in the hose.

[AndyWarne]

On the review thread Cananas asked whether it makes a difference if a widescreen monitor is being used.
This was a very good question actually,and the answer is yes it does!
So... the next firmware version will have a setting in the config utility: "Monitor Size".
The type of monitor makes a difference to the ability of the gun to deal with large screen-to-gun distance changes after calibration.

[Ginsu Victim]

My biggest problem right now is the edges of the screen (this was yesterday, so no new software or firmware being used yet). For some reason, the pointer always reaches the edge of the screen before my aim does. I've tried changing up my calibration several times, but I can't quite get it right.

[Minwah]

Minwah: Keep in mind the USB cable coming out of your gun is short, then plugs into a long USB extension cable. The hose idea might not work.

Bah, this is a DIY site isn't it?  If it takes a little modding of the cable to make it look how he wants it, so be it.   

I hadn't really thought of this, but I think it would be easy to just cut the cable and insert a length of cable in between the two. The joins could be just twisted together & soldered to keep the size small enough.

[Ginsu Victim]

Yeah, I thought of that after posting. This IS BYOAC after all.

[bkenobi]

Exactly!  If you wanted to go professional, you could probably get a A-mini B (or whatever) cable then a mini B-A adapter.  Then you would just put the cable through and hook up the adapters.  The only potential problem there I can think of would be wiggling the connector out.  Lots of ways around the problem though.   

[AndyWarne]

My biggest problem right now is the edges of the screen (this was yesterday, so no new software or firmware being used yet). For some reason, the pointer always reaches the edge of the screen before my aim does. I've tried changing up my calibration several times, but I can't quite get it right.

If it is consistently doing this then it could be overscan on the screen. Try aiming slightly outside the screen edge when calibrating.

[ZeroPoint]

Bug report to Andy, FW1.1:

Trying to uncheck "Disable Trig Cal" changes "Disable Auto Gain" and "Tilt / Z Correction" settings instead. There must be some bits in wrong places here. Because of this I am no longer able to calibrate, not even with the "Calibrate" button. It goes into calibration mode but doesn´t respond to the trigger anymore. This may be a separate problem.

A few wishes:

Please disable any button report to the system when in calibration mode and please release the buttons before moving the mouse pointer. If f.ex. left mouse button is set as trigger it now draws a huge selection rectangle when entering calibration mode.

It would be great if there was a "Disable Offscreen Reload" thing. I understand it may not be possible with mouse buttons as offscreen buttons and only with gamepad buttons.

Some games have a "Menu" or "Pause" button somewhere on the game screen. I have also seen games with a specific "Reload" or "Holster" spot. A nice feature would be to have settings for "Offscreen Reload Position" so by shooting offscreen you would hit this spot.

Thanks

[Cananas]

It would be great if there was a "Disable Offscreen Reload" thing. I understand it may not be possible with mouse buttons as offscreen buttons and only with gamepad buttons.

Try to don't map any button to the trigger when offscreen.

[BamBam]

Minwah: Keep in mind the USB cable coming out of your gun is short, then plugs into a long USB extension cable. The hose idea might not work.

Bah, this is a DIY site isn't it?  If it takes a little modding of the cable to make it look how he wants it, so be it.   

I second that motion. 

[drventure]

@minwah

Yeah, something like that might work, depending on how long it would need to be and how well a hose like that would coil up. I actually picked up some brass braided sink supply line from Lowes a while back, intending on using it for my speakers, The prob was the brass braiding came off easy enough, but it didn't expand big enough for me to put the gooseneck through.

So I've still got two pieces of that stuff. But it's short,Only about a foot or so. And I haven't seen any longer lengths.

But like others said here, USB cable is ridiculously simple, just 4 wires and some shielding. No problems cutting the plug off one of them and rewiring it.

Now, a DVI cable on the other hand... Yikes....

[bkenobi]

Although cables with more wires require more soldering, at least they always have a different color code (from my experience).  I wouldn't jump up and down to do that with a Printer/VGA/HDMI cable, but it could be done easily enough.

[drventure]

Oh it can definitely be done.

This guy did it with a standard VGA cable so he could run the cable through brass pipe.



But from reading his description of the process, I'm not sure I wanted to go down that path. Still, I might if my other ideas don't pan out...

[rbarr110]

I am dieing to see a video of a setup in action!  Keep checking here and review section, not so patiently waiting. 

[Ginsu Victim]

I am dieing to see a video of a setup in action!  Keep checking here and review section, not so patiently waiting. 

It won't be coming from me. I have no way of recording one of decent quality.

[smalltownguy]

My AimTrak is on the way, so as soon as it arrives, I'll try to get something to video ASAP. That is if someone doesn't beat me to it.

[ZeroPoint]

Anyone tried to check "Disable Trig Cal" ?

If you did and was able to uncheck it again, please tell me !!!

If you have not tried this: PLEASE DO NOT TRY IT before Andy gives a response about this problem.

After checking this option I am not able to calibrate anymore. I can not find a way to uncheck this option again as stated in my previous post.

[AndyWarne]

Can you try checking it and then click "send"

[AndyWarne]

Bug report to Andy, FW1.1:

Please disable any button report to the system when in calibration mode and please release the buttons before moving the mouse pointer. If f.ex. left mouse button is set as trigger it now draws a huge selection rectangle when entering calibration mode.


Thanks

I am working on the next version of the utility at the moment. But not exactly clea by what you mean above, do you mean always release the buttons before moving the pointer? I am not sure if this would interfere with some situations where the trigger needs to be held?
Normally you would point off screen when entering calibration mode.

[Ginsu Victim]

In future versions, will we be able to change which button we hold to calibrate? It makes playing games with fully automatic weapons kind of difficult (I just make sure to release the button every few seconds, but I'm always scared I'm going to recalibrate in the middle of a game).

[smalltownguy]

In future versions, will we be able to change which button we hold to calibrate? It makes playing games with fully automatic weapons kind of difficult (I just make sure to release the button every few seconds, but I'm always scared I'm going to recalibrate in the middle of a game).

In that case wouldn't it be better to change the delay setting to a longer time period, to prevent automatic fire games from causing that problem? Like 60 seconds, or something.

Of course, if you plan on entering calibration mode frequently, that might be a bit of a headache. 

[Ginsu Victim]

Oh, wait, that's a feature? I must not have noticed (or at least didn't realize what it was).

[smalltownguy]

From the AimTrak page on Ultimarc.com:

Trigger Calibration Delay
This slider defines how long the trigger needs to be held to start the calibration process. After changing, SEND must be clicked.

[ZeroPoint]

Andy:

No matter what I check or uncheck helps. "Disable Trig Cal" is still active. When I f.ex. uncheck it and click "Send" it alters settings for "Disable Auto Gain" and "Tilt / Z Correction instead. (This is after closing and restarting the config program: Reading this data from AimTrak.)

I see no reason why any button presses should be reported to the system during calibration since this is done internally in the MCU only. What I mean is that the moment calibration is activated, no buttons is reported until calibration is finished.

I also see no reason that anything in the config program should be grayed out as long as it finds a connected AimTrak at the selected ID. The "Reassign ID of device" is still greyed out until you read data.

I agree with Ginsu that it would be nice to choose what button (Trig, Aux, P1-5) to activate calibration with. Take an example with "Crayon Physics" where you draw objects by holding the trigger maybe longer than the available setting allow.

If you plan to save a text file with config data for command line programming, please include your planned "Monitor Size" in this config text. This is because by setting "Fixed Aspect Ratio" in GPU settings would actually make a widescreen function as a 4:3. Calibration data from the AimTrak must be able to be saved and reprogrammed for this to have any reason.

One last strange thing: If I am in a browser window or a text file when pointing the gun at the screen, it actually scrolls down. Could there be a fault Z axis reporting here ?

[Ginsu Victim]

From the AimTrak page on Ultimarc.com:

Trigger Calibration Delay
This slider defines how long the trigger needs to be held to start the calibration process. After changing, SEND must be clicked.

Thanks for pointing that out. It doesn't help me with my question of having a different button for calibration in the future. I don't want to hold it longer, I just want to hold a different button.