How to configure my own Keyboard Layout for Port 0/1?

Is there any way I can create my own Keyboard Layout and use it in Host > Game & I/O ports > Port 0 and Port 1 in WinUAE (I am using 1.0 and 1.2)?

I have built myself a PC based Arcade cab where I use MAME and now I want to use the WinUAE to play these fantasitc ol' games. The cab has a I-PAC keyboard controller to which I wired joysticks and buttons. I do not want to re-program the I-PAC between MAME and WinUAE Keyboard Layouts all the time...

[DamienD]

Hey BekKen,

Damn, I would love to have a cabinet for MAME32

I actually have a HotRod SE at home http://www.hanaho.com/Products/HotRodJoystick.php. Obviously in MAME32 I just select the HotRodSE config and these are mapped:

... PL1 Start = KEYCODE_1
... PL2 Start = KEYCODE_2
... Coin 1 = KEYCODE_3
... Coin 1 = KEYCODE_3
... PL1 Up = KEYCODE_8_PAD
... PL1 Down = KEYCODE_2_PAD
... PL1 Left = KEYCODE_4_PAD
... PL1 Right = KEYCODE_6_PAD
... PL1 Button 1 = KEYCODE_LCONTROL
... PL1 Button 2 = KEYCODE_LALT
... PL1 Button 3 = KEYCODE_SPACE
... PL1 Button 4 = KEYCODE_LSHIFT
... PL1 Button 5 = KEYCODE_Z
... PL1 Button 6 = KEYCODE_X


Never used an I-PAC keyboard controller but I'm sure you've mapped keys to movements / buttons hey?

All you should need to do in WinUAE is:

... Load up a config file.
... From under Hosts, select Input.
... Change Compatibility mode --> Configuration #1
... Change Mouse * --> Keyboard *
... Then start setting your keys for movements / buttons the same as what they are set for MAME32.
... Save the config.


Another good thing is that once you have set everything up / tested and all is working, you can open the config file using Notepad and then copy everything from the line "input.config=1" down to the end of the file. Now paste this in all you config files...

Have fun

[DamienD]

Hmmm, actually thinking about it so more I'm not 100% positive if this will work...

Maybe Toni can assist you when he reads this?

It works! Thanks DamienD who opened my eyes

BUT I think it would be great if Toni made it possible to create and name a profile for input and makr it appear in the Port 0 and Port 1 dropdown, it's more logical and easy to understand.

Now I managed to reach my goal by:
- I took the Hosts > Input > Configuration #1 : Keyboard and redfined the input keys so the keyboard (my I-PAC controller) "emulates" Joy1 and Joy2 for up/dn/r/l+fire.
- I set Keyboard Layout A in Port 0
- I set Keyboard Layout B in Port 1.

I was so in to redefining/re-configure the keys in the actual Keyboard Layout # profiles so I had overseen this possibility.

I am happy, now my friend, who I known since kindergarden, and I can play Battle Squadron that we played for years as teenagers :-P

PS! For you who are interested in my Arcade

[DamienD]

Excellent news BekKen, glad it worked for you

Nice cab. How big is the arcade monitor?

The URL should say

Some data:
- Built in my fathers garage, it took every evening after work for about 2 weeks, efficent time :$
- Based on a sketch from,.. ehh.. will post the URL later
- 2 x 8 way joysticks with 6 buttons each + P1 and P2 + 4 "system buttons"
- I-PAC Keyboard controller, fantastic gadget
- IR based logitech keyboard
- Pentium 1.8 GHz with a special ADD card which give me RGB scart to the TV.
- 25" standard TV with CVBS/SVideo/RGB-SCART
- Running Windows XP, M.A.M.E. and now also WinUAE for Amiga games.

[DamienD]

Ooops, my mistake

Just quickly looked at the images and didn't scroll all the way down. LOL

Hehehe,

Btw,.. The WinUAE Frontend I am working on is now functional so I can use the joystick up/down and press fire to launch the game. The app will then create a tmp.uae from a template.uae, enter path to the .adf file and then launch WinUAE with command line parameters which starts the game

Screenshot

[DamienD]

Cool stuff