Device Controls
This box displays the number of buttons, direction pads, joysticks, and other axes detected on the device. A controller device can have up to 6 movement axes. Many of today's controllers have 2 analog joysticks while many older controllers may only have a single analog joystick. An analog joystick uses 2 axes (1 for vertical movement and 1 for horizontal movement). Other controls such as rutters, steering wheels, pedals, and analog triggers will report movements to the computer using a single axis. Although Pinnacle can detect the total number of axes that a controller uses, it cannot distinguish between joysticks and individual axes. For this reason it may sometimes be necessary to use the arrow buttons to adjust the number of joysticks versus individual axes found on your controller device.
Console Gamepad Detection (PlayStation/Xbox/etc)
If Pinnacle thinks that it may have detected a game console controller, such as a PlayStation or Xbox gamepad, then it will ask you to confirm with this page. When you tell Pinnacle that it is a PlayStation or Xbox controller, then it will be able to support it with pre-made profiles and configurations from PinnacleUpdate.
Alternative Device Name (Alias)
This page of the wizard allows you to provide an alternative name for the controller device. This can be useful when the detected name from the driver is not as specific as you may like. Often times Pinnacle will recommend an alias name based on known driver and device names.
Default Settings/Default ImageGuide
Pinnacle already knows the most likely settings for many common devices, so if Pinnacle suggests using the default settings then it is usually best to do so. Also Pinnacle may have a
pre-made ImageGuide that can be used for your controller (these can also be downloaded from PinnacleUpdate or the Pinnacle Forum).
Locate Joystick Axis
In order to properly respond to your controller's analog joysticks, Pinnacle must know which of the possible controller axes the joystick uses for its horizontal and vertical movements. Pinnacle will prompt you to push the joystick left to find the correct horizontal axis, and down to find the correct vertical axis. Once the axis mapping assignments have been saved, you will not be asked to find these settings again; however, you can always change the settings in the future from the Advanced Device Settings window.
Test Axis Mapping
After you've located the horizontal and vertical axes for a joystick, you will be given a chance to test the mappings to make sure that the correct axes were selected. When you move the joystick the small green dot should move in the same direction you are pushing the joystick. If the green dot
does not move in the correct direction, press 'Back' and try selecting the axes again. The numbers displayed next to the 'Horizontal' and 'Vertical' labels represent the values that your controller is currently reporting to your computer. This can help you understand how Pinnacle responds to joystick movements.
Deadzone
The 'Deadzone' setting determines the amount the joystick must be tilted before Pinnacle responds to the movement. This setting is important because most controller joysticks do not always "spring" back to the exact same neutral position. You may find that if the deadzone is too low, the joystick may get "stuck" moving in some direction even after you've released the joystick to the neutral position. By having a slight deadzone, you can prevent unintentional movements. The necessary deadzone may vary from controller to controller, and you can always adjust this value later from the Default Device Settings window if necessary.In fact you can further customize several other controller settings from that window as well.
NOTE: The deadzone is represented by the dark colored circle that appears in the middle of the test square.
Set Calibration
The 'Set Calibration' button can be used to set the neutral (center) position of the joystick. In order for Pinnacle to accurately determine the direction a joystick is being pushed, it must know the internal values returned by the joystick's neutral position. If the green dot in the test box is not centered over the dark colored circle (deadzone), you may need to use this button
to set the calibration. It's recommended that you move the joystick in a circular motion, then release the joystick before you press this button. Most joysticks should not require you to adjust the calibration. As with the deadzone setting and axis mapping assignments, the calibration can always be adjusted later from the Advanced Device Settings window.
Locate Individual Axis
An analog joystick uses 2 internal axes (1 vertical and 1 horizontal); however, other controls such as rutters, pedals, and analog triggers only require 1 internal axis. A control that requires only 1 internal axis is referred to as an "individual axis."; therefore, this page of the wizard is asking you to move the slider, or squeeze the trigger, etc. Although it is unlikely, sometimes an extra axis will be detected even though it is not really used. In this case you can simply select the "disabled" item from the list.
Full Controller Tester (test the device)
After the wizard has gathered all the information, it will then display a screen that will allow you to test all the controls on the device. In particular you should make sure that the green dots on the joystick testers move in the correct directions, and that any individual axes appear to be working correctly. If things do not seem to be working correctly on this screen then you should press 'Back' to go back and correct the problems.
NOTE: If your controller has more than 18 buttons on it, then you may not see any buttons above 18 appear on the tester but they should still work as expected throughout the rest of the program.
Notes and Tips
It is important to test your controls and make sure that the green dots move in the correct directions within the test boxes. If the controls do not respond properly on the wizard's test screens then the controller will not work properly elsewhere in the program either.
If you are having trouble getting your controller to function properly, then please visit the Pinnacle Forum for tech support.
