[OBsIV]

Hey everyone, just wanted to start up a discussion about a new tool I'm working on called XIMTweak. It is designed to build better configurations by taking the guesswork out of choosing knobs. The application is still a little rough, but, I'm already seeing benefits I wanted to share.

The tool features an "input generator". What's important about this is that it will simulate exact geometric shapes (such as a circle). While it's running that circle, you can quickly modify settings and observe the results.

I've spent some time with Halo 3 tonight and XIMTweak. What I quickly found out is that my default config I ship for Halo 3 isn't that great. With some, well -- tweaking, I was able to produce a reticule that moves in a stable circle now. To my surprise, it took a much greater DiagonalDampen value as well as increased DeadZone. I'm going to spend more time thinking about why this is the case and go online and try it out. But, preliminary tests of running around a map was very positive! It was definitely enough to make me believe a tool like this is going to be very valuable.

I was hoping to get some feedback. Could some of you try out these Halo 3 knob values (in the picture) and report back any improvements (or regressions)? I'd appreciate it.

[technoViking]

very impressive!  Keep up the good work! sounds like a great tool.  What language are you using by the way?

[Cyclone]

I was hoping to get some feedback. Could some of you try out these Halo 3 knob values (in the picture) and report back any improvements (or regressions)? I'd appreciate it.

I'll test out later today when I get the chance. 

[SKAG187]

wow!
NIce work Obsiv, I will try those numbers out as soon as I get home tonight. will this tool be made available to all of us xim2 users? I hope so and am looking forward to using it.

[Rocksolid83]

Sweeeeet nice job obsiv. Cant wait to try it

[nickstudy]

Hey everyone, just wanted to start up a discussion about a new tool I'm working on called XIMTweak. It is designed to build better configurations by taking the guesswork out of choosing knobs. The application is still a little rough, but, I'm already seeing benefits I wanted to share.

The tool features an "input generator". What's important about this is that it will simulate exact geometric shapes (such as a circle). While it's running that circle, you can quickly modify settings and observe the results.

I've spent some time with Halo 3 tonight and XIMTweak. What I quickly found out is that my default config I ship for Halo 3 isn't that great. With some, well -- tweaking, I was able to produce a reticule that moves in a stable circle now. To my surprise, it took a much greater DiagonalDampen value as well as increased DeadZone. I'm going to spend more time thinking about why this is the case and go online and try it out. But, preliminary tests of running around a map was very positive! It was definitely enough to make me believe a tool like this is going to be very valuable.

I was hoping to get some feedback. Could some of you try out these Halo 3 knob values (in the picture) and report back any improvements (or regressions)? I'd appreciate it.

I will give this a shot as well. Obsiv, will you be releasing a beta preview of this tool anytime soon? hehe.

[OBsIV]

Hey there, thanks everyone for agreeing to try these numbers out!

To answer some questions:

1) This tool (like all the rest of the XIM2 software) is written using C++ with minimal dependencies taken. All UI is done using straight Win32/USER. Many of the controls (like those "spinners" in XIMTweak) were written by hand.

2) Yes, XIMTweak will be made available to all XIM2 users. In fact, I plan to ultimately replace XIMDeadzoner with this tool.

3) Yes, I'll be releasing a "preview" once it gets further along (for example, that gray box on the right will be showing you where the "virtual mouse" is graphically).

I've been thinking more about why I'm getting such good results with such a larger DeadZone and DiagonalDampen. I believe it's because it's better simulating a circular DeadZone just outside the bounds of Halo 3's square DeadZone (like if you were drawing a tight circle around a square). Just a theory -- I'll need to confirm with further testing of course.

[OMGsus]

I tested out the configuration posted and realized that it does feel more predictable. I'm not a huge fan of the enlarged dead zone, but it does produce more accurate at higher speeds. I dropped the dead zone down by a thousand and it felt really good. But seemed a _little_ unresponsive on the diagonals at medium speed compared to the higher dead zone. I cant wait till the community gets this little gem in their hands so that they can see some accurate correspondence to their physical inputs.

[OBsIV]

I admit, I haven't tried it out in-game yet, but, does result in a reticule that can draw out a stable circle on screen. Diagonals felt much nicer to me and vert/horz were more sensitive -- which I like -- but, others may not. On Guardian, I was able to pick off those birds much easier. I'm looking forward to getting online with it. By the way, I'm tweaked for a 2000dpi mouse.

I'll work on finishing the tool so that others can start tweaking themselves. Thanks for trying it out!

[Snow]

Holy crap! .45 for DD!? Something still seems off with that config to me... however, I do understand that it is a lot more than just a simple, direct translation from current mouse speed/direction to analog. Because of acceleration and translation factors, DD may need to be higher than 150% of cursor speed on a single axis, for a square deadzone anyway. Anyhow, I will try that out before I open my yap any more. Your theory is probably right.

Anyway, keep up the good work. From what it looks like, this tool should do the trick in config accuracy. Cheers.

Oh and one question: How much does refresh rate matter with tweaking? If you had a refresh rate value (box) as well in XIMTweak, would it show any significant differences? Other than obviously with extreme values, but if you played around within a small percentage, eg. 42-45 for an 800dpi mouse.

[azeledge]

I'll try it out when I get home from work.  Cool Tool OBsIV can't wait to get to use it!  Thanks!

[sebastian9]

Incredible! I'm so excited, keep up the good work Obsiv.

[Ub3rn00ber]

.45 is not unheard of with a .75 trans exp.  I use a .95 trans exp and my dd is .44 and smooth is .37.  I forget what my deadzone is.  I'll hae to look it up.  I believe in the 6ks though...weird eh.  In Halo 3 I find that sensitivity really has alot to do with how smooth your mouse is gonna move.  Obviously with the .95 trans exp, my sensitivity is really low like 450 or something.  I made that up.  I'll have to lok up what it is.

[Ding Chavez]

My only suggestion / request, is that you provide the ability to make continuous horizontal or vertical movements (i.e. Shape = Horizontal).  This could provide us the ability to actually map a specific xim setting with in-game results.

I have wanted to do this for some time now, but couldn’t find an adequate tool to help me.  I want to incrementally increase speed in a linear fashion and with each increase in speed, measure the in-game rotation rate.  I would then plot the rotation rate data on a graph to see if the change in rotation increases in a linear fashion.

This would greatly help us find a setting that doesn’t experience site lurch.

[tweak]

That's cute you named a program after me.  I really haven't contributed much to this project, but I'm honored anyway. :-P

P.S. Really looking forward to testing this out :-)