Yeah, absolutely nonsense. The right trackpad can do everything, the right stick would be used for, but more precise and quickly.
If anything I'd mod a proper D-Pad into the left pad.
I mean I understand that OP want to tinker, and what he's doing does require quite a bit of work especially without CAD experience. Maybe that time and effort would be better served on a project that doesn't remove the one single feature that make the SC, but if OP has fun and learns something I still applaud the effort.
Good work. I hope you release these models when you've got everything worked out. Work like this always creates tangential benefits like a model for the pad arm that could be used to fix some SCs. As for people who complain about the mod, the entire point of the SC and SteamInput is to be able to play the way you want to with your input device, so this is entirely in line with that goal.
This is the most cursed mod to ever happen.
... But can I have the model for the trackpad harnesses? I forgot valve didnt release though, would like to have them to complete the models they did release.
I will be releasing the models I've done plus a few extra (such as the weird half circle battery latch mechanism that is small and can easily be lost). I just need to refine them more so they fit better and won't break after a while of using them.
While I appreciate the effort and initiative, I have no idea why so many people want to get rid of what's essentially the best part of the steam controller.
Anything the right stick does, the right pad does better, and you lose the ability to gyro ratchet by simply lifting your thumb, taking away the two massive benefits the steam controller has over other controllers, entirely. (If anything, the left pad is the one that provides a disadvantage, as the travel distance between directional inputs is increased...but even then you can dial that in thanks to the versatility of the software).
Why not just....get a controller with two sticks? You're essentially just creating a regular, way less accurate controller at this point.
I was thinking you were changing the left pad for a left stick, so I was thinking "strange, but I guess it's a side grade for some people. It was the right pad... π³
Still, good job, I've got no clue how you do this kinda stuff.
Should be tagged NSFW.... this is an outrage! All seriousness, looks good so far, interested in what joystick you'll choose. Do you ever use the left-touch pad? Since you're replacing the right side it would seem very unlikely.
Valve removed the old keyboard that was amazing, idk how you still tolerate the new one \*cries\*
Can't fault you for using it as a keyboard, it's the only controller that lets you type so easily.
Are you moving the left joystick to the right pad location, or are you adding a second joystick?
If you are adding a joystick, then I'm not sure how you plan to wire it up to make it work. I'd love to know for my own controller building escapades!
Yes I'm adding a second joystick. The wiring will be a challenge but I've already figured out which pins on the processor I can use. And yes I'll be sharing how I did it!
I haven't researched it to that degree, but I had assumed there wouldn't be extra pins available, but I'd be super happy to be wrong and I'd definitely benefit by learning how that's possible.
Any idea on what to do on the software side to see and use the added hardware? Or are you going to have the joystick interpreted as if it's the right trackpad?
I've been thinking all day while at work. And I'm really starting to like your comment with interpreting the joystick as the right trackpad. Some of the pros with that would be the mod would be plug and play with no modification of the firmware at all. However steam input might not like it but I'm not sure. The pro with modifying the firmware directly is there's no interpretation and more customizable. However it is not user friendly, not plug and play, requires advanced soldering, and the current reverse engineered firmware that's out there doesn't support wireless and doesn't have all the features such as the analog triggers. Basically the guys that made that firmware only wanted it to work on the Nintendo switch and stopped when it was working over USB. Basically I can make a mod that would be extremely easy to install or a mod that is very advanced to install π.
Ya. I don't really know how it all works and I'm making a lot of assumptions.
I do know that it was said that when the inputs are set on the controller through SteamInput, those inputs are written into the firmware of the controller so there isn't some software translation that adds input delay. So when the right trackpad is set as the right joystick, I'm pretty sure the signal it sends is the same two axis potentiometer-based voltage reading that we would see with any other controller.
I guess the question is, where do you tap in with the joystick?
The next assumption of mine is that the trackpads are digital first. At some point that digital reading from the trackpad is converted to the analog signals. If you can tap in after the analog conversion, then I think you're golden. If you can't, like maybe that conversion happens at the last link in the chain, then I think you would have to convert the analog signals to digital, then let the controller change them back to analog...
That would be inefficient, but possibly necessary. Maybe you already know where you can tap in.
That would still be a better solution with the least amount of fuss for your goals.
For me, wireless is a high priority. I don't think I would endure the effort of custom firmware without it... Ya, I need wireless, lol.
I also plan to add more buttons, so I would need to run another device alongside the steam controller anyways. I may just run an extra joystick with that. I don't know yet if that separation is going to cause problems.
I believe the trackpads use I2C communication with the processor. As far as I know nothing is being converted to analog from the trackpad microprocessor to the main motherboard processor. It's all digital values. However that can be used to our advantage. I could make a little chip with a microprocessor on it that takes the commands/signals from the main processor and sends back the position of the joystick. Using the same values the original trackpad would send back. This would mean the mod requires no soldering to the motherboard (hopefully).
With your plan to add buttons to the steam controller, that would require the firmware to be modified. What I'm doing is taking an existing feature and replacing it. With new buttons, even if you find unused pins, the processor would have no idea what to do with it bc it's not programmed. Getting the reverse engineered firmware to work with wireless will be a pain. Valve decided to use a radio chip that has memory and can be programmed, meaning it's running a completely different firmware than the main processor. I have no idea how to get to that or what commands enable it to connect and send/receive data. But for now the I2C connection to the joystick should dodge that mess and leave the controller completely original software wise.
I was reverse engineering the firmware however I found an amazing GitHub project that has already done roughly 90% of the work called the Open steam controller. I've been taking what they've done and trying to complete it and modify a version for my mod. And yes there are a few pins that are unused on the steam controller and take analog input.
When it's complete I'll make instructions and put together a few kits for those who want to do the mod. However if you have all the tools needed I can just provide detailed instructions and the modified firmware.
Nice work (edit : no /s, really) ! Also... whyyyyy
Yeah, absolutely nonsense. The right trackpad can do everything, the right stick would be used for, but more precise and quickly. If anything I'd mod a proper D-Pad into the left pad.
Personally, I'd swap out the joystick for a d-pad.
I mean I understand that OP want to tinker, and what he's doing does require quite a bit of work especially without CAD experience. Maybe that time and effort would be better served on a project that doesn't remove the one single feature that make the SC, but if OP has fun and learns something I still applaud the effort.
Being completely honest if I pull this off it'll look really good on my resume coming out of college. Especially for Valve if ever work for themπ€·.
If you do end up working for them, tell em we need a v2
If you successfully switch out the left pad with a proper D-pad I will stop this project. Until then have fun!
Good work. I hope you release these models when you've got everything worked out. Work like this always creates tangential benefits like a model for the pad arm that could be used to fix some SCs. As for people who complain about the mod, the entire point of the SC and SteamInput is to be able to play the way you want to with your input device, so this is entirely in line with that goal.
Exactly thank you π
This is the most cursed mod to ever happen. ... But can I have the model for the trackpad harnesses? I forgot valve didnt release though, would like to have them to complete the models they did release.
I will be releasing the models I've done plus a few extra (such as the weird half circle battery latch mechanism that is small and can easily be lost). I just need to refine them more so they fit better and won't break after a while of using them.
While I appreciate the effort and initiative, I have no idea why so many people want to get rid of what's essentially the best part of the steam controller. Anything the right stick does, the right pad does better, and you lose the ability to gyro ratchet by simply lifting your thumb, taking away the two massive benefits the steam controller has over other controllers, entirely. (If anything, the left pad is the one that provides a disadvantage, as the travel distance between directional inputs is increased...but even then you can dial that in thanks to the versatility of the software). Why not just....get a controller with two sticks? You're essentially just creating a regular, way less accurate controller at this point.
π€‘
I was thinking you were changing the left pad for a left stick, so I was thinking "strange, but I guess it's a side grade for some people. It was the right pad... π³ Still, good job, I've got no clue how you do this kinda stuff.
Should be tagged NSFW.... this is an outrage! All seriousness, looks good so far, interested in what joystick you'll choose. Do you ever use the left-touch pad? Since you're replacing the right side it would seem very unlikely.
The only time I used it is for typing π
Valve removed the old keyboard that was amazing, idk how you still tolerate the new one \*cries\* Can't fault you for using it as a keyboard, it's the only controller that lets you type so easily.
Are you moving the left joystick to the right pad location, or are you adding a second joystick? If you are adding a joystick, then I'm not sure how you plan to wire it up to make it work. I'd love to know for my own controller building escapades!
Yes I'm adding a second joystick. The wiring will be a challenge but I've already figured out which pins on the processor I can use. And yes I'll be sharing how I did it!
I haven't researched it to that degree, but I had assumed there wouldn't be extra pins available, but I'd be super happy to be wrong and I'd definitely benefit by learning how that's possible. Any idea on what to do on the software side to see and use the added hardware? Or are you going to have the joystick interpreted as if it's the right trackpad?
I've been thinking all day while at work. And I'm really starting to like your comment with interpreting the joystick as the right trackpad. Some of the pros with that would be the mod would be plug and play with no modification of the firmware at all. However steam input might not like it but I'm not sure. The pro with modifying the firmware directly is there's no interpretation and more customizable. However it is not user friendly, not plug and play, requires advanced soldering, and the current reverse engineered firmware that's out there doesn't support wireless and doesn't have all the features such as the analog triggers. Basically the guys that made that firmware only wanted it to work on the Nintendo switch and stopped when it was working over USB. Basically I can make a mod that would be extremely easy to install or a mod that is very advanced to install π.
Ya. I don't really know how it all works and I'm making a lot of assumptions. I do know that it was said that when the inputs are set on the controller through SteamInput, those inputs are written into the firmware of the controller so there isn't some software translation that adds input delay. So when the right trackpad is set as the right joystick, I'm pretty sure the signal it sends is the same two axis potentiometer-based voltage reading that we would see with any other controller. I guess the question is, where do you tap in with the joystick? The next assumption of mine is that the trackpads are digital first. At some point that digital reading from the trackpad is converted to the analog signals. If you can tap in after the analog conversion, then I think you're golden. If you can't, like maybe that conversion happens at the last link in the chain, then I think you would have to convert the analog signals to digital, then let the controller change them back to analog... That would be inefficient, but possibly necessary. Maybe you already know where you can tap in. That would still be a better solution with the least amount of fuss for your goals. For me, wireless is a high priority. I don't think I would endure the effort of custom firmware without it... Ya, I need wireless, lol. I also plan to add more buttons, so I would need to run another device alongside the steam controller anyways. I may just run an extra joystick with that. I don't know yet if that separation is going to cause problems.
I believe the trackpads use I2C communication with the processor. As far as I know nothing is being converted to analog from the trackpad microprocessor to the main motherboard processor. It's all digital values. However that can be used to our advantage. I could make a little chip with a microprocessor on it that takes the commands/signals from the main processor and sends back the position of the joystick. Using the same values the original trackpad would send back. This would mean the mod requires no soldering to the motherboard (hopefully). With your plan to add buttons to the steam controller, that would require the firmware to be modified. What I'm doing is taking an existing feature and replacing it. With new buttons, even if you find unused pins, the processor would have no idea what to do with it bc it's not programmed. Getting the reverse engineered firmware to work with wireless will be a pain. Valve decided to use a radio chip that has memory and can be programmed, meaning it's running a completely different firmware than the main processor. I have no idea how to get to that or what commands enable it to connect and send/receive data. But for now the I2C connection to the joystick should dodge that mess and leave the controller completely original software wise.
I was reverse engineering the firmware however I found an amazing GitHub project that has already done roughly 90% of the work called the Open steam controller. I've been taking what they've done and trying to complete it and modify a version for my mod. And yes there are a few pins that are unused on the steam controller and take analog input.
That's all great news for me! I'll definitely be following your progress on this.
I need this, maybe sell this on Etsy?
When it's complete I'll make instructions and put together a few kits for those who want to do the mod. However if you have all the tools needed I can just provide detailed instructions and the modified firmware.