Joystick Gremlin is a program that allows the configuration of joystick like devices, similar to what CH Control Manager and Thrustmaster's T.A.R.G.E.T. do for their respectively supported joysticks. However, Joystick Gremlin works with any device be it from different manufacturers or custom devices that appear as a joystick to Windows. Joystick Gremlin uses the virtual joysticks provided by vJoy to map physical to virtual inputs and apply various other transformations such as response curves to analogue axes. In addition to managing joysticks, Joystick Gremlin also provides keyboard macros, a flexible mode system, scripting using Python, and many other features.
The main features are:
- Works with arbitrary joystick like devices
- User interface for common configuration tasks
- Merging of multiple physical devices into a single virtual device
- Axis response curve and dead zone configuration
- Arbitrary number of modes with inheritance and customizable mode switching
- Keyboard macros for joystick buttons and keyboard keys
- Python scripting
Joystick Gremlin provides a graphical user interface which allows commonly performed tasks, such as input remapping, axis response curve setups, and macro recording to be performed easily. Functionality that is not accessible via the UI can be implemented through custom modules.
Joystick Gremlin uses the following software and resources:
Currently the 32bit version of Python is needed and the following packages should be installed via PiP to get the source running:
- PyQT5
- pypiwin32
In order to enable proper debugging with an IDE the line
sys.excepthook = exception_hook
in joystick_gremlin.py has to be commented out.
The job of turning the Python code in a windows executable and packaging everything up into an installable MSI file is performed by pyinstaller and wix. The steps needed to build the code and assemble it into the installer is automated using a batch script and can be run as:
deploy.bat
To simply generate the executable code without the MSI installer the following command can be used:
pyinstaller -y --clean joystick_gremlin.spec