game controller brake sensitivity

[Griphos]

I've recently been using the game controller and the keyboard for driving trains, rather than my Raildriver. There are some advantages, I'm finding. The one area that is a problem is the brake sensitivity on the controller. The RD allows for very fine brake adjustments. The controller is more like the keyboard, hard to move in finer increments.

Is there a way to adjust the sensitivity of the controller to allow finer control of brakes? It's the right trigger and button that control braking. I think if I can get this adjusted, I'll sell the RD and just use the controller.

[peterhayes]

Griphos
I could only partially do it (and it is universally applied) with a Logitech F710 in Mode D (Rumblepad mode). But it does work with the locos that can't be braked with the XBox 360 controller (Class 455 UK, etc).
Unfortunately sensitivity in the game affects everything on the gamepad.
The only other way is possibly via a Logitech G13 - I'll have a look to see if it can be programmed that way and it may be possible on a programmable keyboard.
I didn't want to go down the route of changing any .bin files.
Regards
PH

[Griphos]

It seems that each loco has its own sensitivity settings for brakes and throttle, according to some folks over at UKTrainsim. I'd like to try to experiment with this (after saving the originals of course), but am unsure where to look. Which files would these settings be in? I've never messed with the engine blueprints before. Are these in each engine folder? The Simulation folder for the engine?

[donjgatlin]

Slightly off topic, but I have a few questions if anyone cares to listen. I've been contemplating getting an xbox controller for the game since the feature was added, but haven't seen too many reviews or descriptions of the way it works or how well. Do the controllers have adequate number of buttons to control all of the functions needed? I've heard a little and some said that the controller does not fully control the more complex control systems like the LZB, Sifa, etc on the ICE 3. I don't drive this train too much, but I'm wondering that since the Class 395 will have an advanced control system like the ICE3 if it will be able to use all of the functions required on the controller alone (ie, no reason to have to use the keyboard). Also, do you seem to get a much better handling on the train when using these controllers or would you recommend just using them for things like EMU's and such that don't require the level of ease like that of a 100 car freight. It would be excellent if someone could do a little review of how it all works, but simply a few answers to these questions would suffice. Thank you!

[peterhayes]

The short answer is that the XBox controller does not control every command in TS2013, especially if the loco use non-standard commands (but neither does any add-on controller out of the box). I also use a Logitech F710 and can program that for certain commands but again it is limited due to the variances in the control of individual loco functions. I still need to use the keyboard or add in a Logitech G13.
Regards
pH

[Griphos]

On p. 21 of your RW Driver Manual, it shows what the controller controls. I handles a fair bit, but not everything.

By the way, I figured out how to adjust sensitivity in the engine.bin files and now run the Class 33 great with the controller.

[donjgatlin]

Is there a way to change which functions control what? If not, it looks like I'm discouraged from getting one. I'll pass for now.

[peterhayes]

Yes, but only if you have a programmable controller!
Some buttons eg the "B" button are difficult to emulate.
It is worth getting a controller and if you get a genuine XBox360 wifi for the PC it has a "rumble" feature allowing you feel when crossing points/switches etc which adds to the immersion as well as being wireless so no messy wires.
I use the controller much more than my raildriver as it works quite well and is eeasy to hold and use.
pH

[Griphos]

I don't think it is programmable. But just a regular xbox 360 controller will work great. It has a usb connection and works on the PC just fine, and has the rumble, etc. It does have a long cord.

[peterhayes]

Griphos
Sorry - I should have made that clear that the XBox 360 is not programmable in TS2013 but could be if using X-Padder or the Pinnacle Game Studios app. The Logitech F710 is programmable with Logitech software but you are not able to feel the rumble even in rumblepad mode.
Even so, on its own, a genuine XBox 360 works well out of the box! wiFi just gives you a "longer lead"!!
pH

[donjgatlin]

What is wiFi?

[peterhayes]

From wikipedia:

Wi-Fi is a popular technology that allows an electronic device to exchange data wirelessly (using radio waves) over a computer network, including high-speed Internet connections.

In the case of a controller you usually insert a wireless receiver device into a USB port on your computer and the supplied software configures your controller to work wirelessly, ie the device attached to the computer sends a wireless signal to your controller - the same as it would if you had connected the controller with a wire to your computer. This video explains it better than me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qY8PIGO_li8.
Regards
pH

[donjgatlin]

I'm seeing that it requires you to buy a wireless connector for the computer. If the computer has WiFi, will I be able to use that instead of buying the receiver?

[Griphos]

No, I'm pretty sure the wireless Xbox controller for PC needs the specific wireless receiver that goes with it. But like I said, the regular cheaper controller you buy for the xbox itself plugs right into the computer and is recognized as a controller and works great. That's what I use.

[peterhayes]

Griphos is correct you need a specific wifi controller for the XBOX360 controller some controllers have one in the package others you need to buy. Logitech use a small unifying device that plugs into a USB port.
pH