New GameEx UltraStik plugin available at GameEx forums

[oqqalz]

Due to some annoyances within the original UltraStik plugin for GameEx, I decided to code my own version, which has more features, is easier to install, and allows for customization.

Features:

    * Top 8 used joystick maps are built-in without need of external UltraMap (.um) files.
          o joy2way - 2-way horizontal joystick
          o vjoy2way - 2-way vertical joystick
          o joy4way - 4-way joystick
          o djoy4way - 4-way diagonal joystick
          o joy8way - 8-way joystick
          o joy8wayeasy - 8-way joystick with easy diagonals
          o analog - analog joystick (used for 49-way as well)
          o mouse - acts like a PC mouse
    * For MAME users, it automatically selects the appropriate joystick map.
    * Any rom's chosen joystick map can be overridden through use of accompanied INI file.
    * Works not just with MAME, but all configured emulators, allowing a default joystick map for each one.
    * Supports external UltraMap (.um) files.
    * Allows customization of joystick map chosen upon exit of GameEx as well as a game.
    * Does not require MAME to be installed at a specific location.
    * Does not require UltraMap unless you want to create your own specific joystick maps.

Installation:
Download and extract the PlugInUltraSkip.zip to your GameEx\PLUGINS directory. Open up GameEx's Plugin Manager and enable this plugin. For most users, this is all you need to do. For those who are picky, move on to the next section.

Configuration:
If you want to start overriding or customizing the plugin's settings, open up the PlugInUltraStik.ini file within your GameEX\PLUGINS directory and start editing with a text editor. All instructions on how to customize your settings reside within that file; so, check it out.

Any problems or questions, just let me know. 

Download from GameEx Forum's here:
http://www.gameex.info/forums/index.php?showtopic=2704&pid=28018&mode=threaded&start=#entry28018

[fatfingers]

   * Does not require UltraMap unless you want to create your own specific joystick maps.

I'm very interested in hearing how you accomplished this.  Please!!!!

[headkaze]

   * Does not require UltraMap unless you want to create your own specific joystick maps.

I'm very interested in hearing how you accomplished this.  Please!!!!

He has a USB library in the archive so I assume he communicates directly to the device. You can check out the Ultimarc PacDrive SDK for a simple dll I wrote to send data to a USB device.

The trick to figure out how to work with USB devices like this is to get a USB "sniffer" so you can see data being sent to the device using the bundled software and just imitate the packets in your own code.

The only problem is, finding the USB sniffer software for free. I haven't found a free one yet.

[oqqalz]

I found an Open Source UltraStik Library at the link below which has the maps integrated.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=63729.0

First, I tried integrating the code directly into my GameEx plugin but kept getting permission errors after the first mapping.  Therefore, I did some customization of the setControls app then simply call it from my GameEx plugin.

[fatfingers]

Ahh...I see.  Does that mean the .Net 2.0 runtime has to be installed to use your app?

[oqqalz]

Yes, however, GameEx already requires .Net 2.0.  So the plug-in should have what it needs if you are running GameEx.

[fatfingers]

OK, thanks for the information.  I was curious because I wrote the MaLa U360 plugin and thought it would be cool to remove the need for UltraMap, but trading that for a .Net 2.0 requirement probably isn't that great for my plugin.

[TPB]

[Please ignore this post - it's no longer relevant, so I deleted it]

[rockin_rick]

   * Does not require UltraMap unless you want to create your own specific joystick maps.

I'm very interested in hearing how you accomplished this.  Please!!!!

The only problem is, finding the USB sniffer software for free. I haven't found a free one yet.

How about SnoopyPro? 
http://sourceforge.net/projects/usbsnoop/
It's a sourceforge project, but it hasn't been updated in a while...  I've never used it (or any sniffer), but at one time I was looking...

Also a bit old -
http://benoit.papillault.free.fr/usbsnoop/


Check out -
http://www.sxlist.com/techref/usbs.htm
Not sure if a good solution is here, but FWIW

Rick

[headkaze]

   * Does not require UltraMap unless you want to create your own specific joystick maps.

I'm very interested in hearing how you accomplished this.  Please!!!!

The only problem is, finding the USB sniffer software for free. I haven't found a free one yet.

How about SnoopyPro? 

Hey thanks for that, I had no luck finding any free ones. I must have had a bad Google day hehe 

[GaryMcT]

Ugh, I can't seem to download files from the GameEx forum even if I'm logged in.  Is this hosted anywhere else?

[Ginsu Victim]

Here you go, Gary

http://www.sendspace.com/file/49lmcs

[GaryMcT]

The built-in one in GameEx seems to be working fine and I didn't have to monkey with changing my paths to some standard path.  Are there still advantages of the one in this thread over the one built-in to GameEx?  Possibly if I want to override for a game or use custom maps?

[Ginsu Victim]

I have no idea (I use Mamewah). I just downloaded it then uploaded it for you.

[GaryMcT]

I have no idea (I use Mamewah). I just downloaded it then uploaded it for you.

Thanks for doing that!   I'll try it out tonight.

[Ginsu Victim]

I don't understand why you're having so much trouble with their forum. I've never posted there, but have an account, and I download just fine (Firefox and IE)

[GaryMcT]

I need to see if I it'll let me PM the admins.