[TouchPad Themes and Apps] jeep447:
Ok this is the first time I've ever posted a topic on here so please bare with me! :D I'm trying to attempt somewhat of a walk through for people who would like to use a PS3 controller with touch screen games for the Touchpad. I might just be crazy (and believe me that's possible), but I just can't get enough of playing games and emulators on my Touchpad using my ps3 controller! I use an app called Sixaxis Controller by Dancing Pixel Studios, and I bought it on the Market. I've had it for almost a year now, so I can't tell you how much it is, but it's worth it's weight in gold imo! (I have absolutely nothing to do with developing or selling this app whatsoever, so ALL credit goes to Dancing Pixel Studios just to clarify!) This app makes it possible to almost completely control your Touchpad (or android phone) using a Sixaxis or a Dualshock 3 controller. From what I've read it does NOT work with after market ps3 controllers, but I also cannot say that for sure because I haven't tried one myself. (if you are successfully using an after market controller with it please let us know, because it would be nice to know which ones work if it's even possible). For example I basically use my Android phone as my "car stereo", and I have a windshield mount that I place it in when I'm driving. With the Sixaxis Controller app, I use my ps3 controller as the "remote", so L1 and R1 = Volume Down and Volume Up...L2 and R2 = Previous Track and Next Track...Start = Pause/Play...Select = Menu...Square = Answer call...Triangle = Hang-up call...Cross = Enter...and so on. I can also use the analog sticks to navigate through my home screens and then select whatever app I'd like to use by hitting enter (cross). As far as emulators go it's pretty straightforward, so usually all you have to do is set up the key bindings within the emulator settings, and then you can use the ps3 controller to play all of your old games.

What really makes it a great app for the Touchpad (imo), is that it allows you to setup "touch profiles" for games that have touch screen controls. (ie. Modern Combat 3, GTA3, Shadowgun, Asphalt 6 and so on) This allows you to "map" any button on your ps3 controller, to any touch screen control in a game. So for example pressing the R2 button on your ps3 controller can actually emulate touching the "fire" button on the screen with your finger. I've started this topic for people who might be interested in using a ps3 controller with their games, and so hopefully the people who are interested can share their "touch profiles" that they've created. I've messed around with a touch profile for Modern Combat 3 for long enough that it's become almost like "console experience" on the Touchpad, so if you're interested I've included all of the pictures of the setup. I'm also working on GTA 3, Alsphalt 6, and Dead Zone, and I'll definitely share them when I get finished, if anyone would be interested. If you have any that you've done feel free to share them also, because I'm sure there's still a lot that I'm missing. It's not 100% perfect, and there's still a handful of things that will require a screen touch, but overall I think it's close to playing a first person shooter on a ps3. (if you're open minded anyway LOL)

The first thing you have to do is get the Sixaxis Controller app from the Market, and follow their directions to pair your ps3 controller to your Touchpad (It's WAY easier than you'd think). Then just follow the basic steps below to create a "touch profile" for whatever game you want to use your ps3 controller with. Even though I'm using MC3 as and example, it's still the same concept (basically) for most touch screen games. Keep in mind that I am using CM9a2 on my Touchpad, and I'm also using a "custom" build.prop for better game compatibility (you can find it in the development section). Another thing to remember is that when you create a touch profile for a game, you will have to "switch" back and forth between the game and the Sixaxis Controller app quite often. I use the "recent apps" button to the right of the home button on the bottom bar, after I have opened Sixaxis Controller and the game. It's an awesome feature that really makes it easy for quick adjustments to your touch profile. If you have any questions let me know and I'd be happy to help out the best I can.

Here's the touch profile I created for MC3 using the Sixaxis Controller app, and each of the buttons properties. You basically need to line up the MC3's touch controls with the touch profiles buttons you create in the Sixaxis Controller app. I've noticed on a lot of games that in order to get to "customize controls", you have to start playing a level first and then pause it and go into options. For some reason if you hit settings when you first load some games, "customize controls" won't be available. Also if you don't like how the controls are set up, you can obviously change them around to your own liking. At least if anything this can be a starting point for people who have never done this. I'll also list what each ps3 button corresponds to and things you need to remember when using the Sixaxis Controller app at the bottom.

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Completed Touch Profile (I named it MC3)

Right Analog Properites - Make sure you check "Relative Touch"

Left Analog Properties - Make sure you max out "Sensitivity"

Dpad Right Properties - This sensitivity works the best in my opinion

Dpad Left Properties - This sensitivity also works very well

This is how the customized touch screen controls for MC3 look when matched with the touch profile

Here's what it all basically translates to when using the ps3 controller to play MC3..

R1 = Scope On/Off

R2 = Fire

Circle = Run

Triangle = Crouch/Stand up

Square = Throw Grenade

L&R Dpad = Cycle Weapons

Start = Pause Game

Cross = Resume Game (while paused)

L1 = Restart mission (whenever you're killed)/Throw back grenade/Breach

R3 = Knife (when it's required)

L3 = Pick up Weapon/Detonate C4

Left Analog = Walk (all directions)

Right Analog = View (all directions)

**Things to remember when creating a touch profile in the Sixaxis Controller app**

-To create a new touch profile using the Sixaxis Controller app, hit Menu - Preferences - Touch Emulation - Edit Touch Profiles

-Double tap anywhere to bring up the touch profile menu (or just do what it says LOL)

- I start off by adding a few common ps3 buttons that I'm sure I'll use with the game, and build from there.

- When you add buttons they all get placed in the exact same spot, so when you're setting it up it's easier to drag them out of the way first so you can see them all

- To bring up a buttons properties (like sensitivity), double tap on the button and hit "Button Properties"

- You can make anolog buttons bigger to cover more touch screen area (like I did with the Left Analog button for MC3), because it helps to stop the on-screen controller from jumping around. Just tap the analog button that you created once, then drag the ring that pops up around it "outward"

- Make sure you save your touch profile after you make any changes, or they won't stick. To save the profile you're creating, double tap anywhere and then tap "Save Profile". I just name it the same as the game it's for (ex. MC3). Doing this makes it really easy to choose which profile you want for the game you want to play!

- When you're ready to try the touch profile you've created with your game, MAKE SURE THAT YOU SAVE THE PROFILE you're creating FIRST, and then hit - Back - "OK" - Back - Back. That should take you back to the main screen of Sixaxis, and under "Change IME" you should see "Active Touch Profile". Tap the box to the right that says "None", and change it to the touch profile you just created (ex. MC3)

- You can create a touch profile for pretty much any game that uses touch screen controls using the same method. When you want to play an emulator or control your Touchpad, make sure the "Active Touch Profile is set to "NONE".

- Again don't forget to save the profile anytime you make any changes

- Before you play a game, pair the ps3 controller to your Touchpad, and make sure you select the correct "Active Touch Profile" for the game you want to play.

- Whenever you make changes to your touch profile and save them, it's not necessary to go back and re-select your "Active Touch Profile" on the main screen, as long as it was already selected prior to making the changes and saving them. The changes will carry over automatically

- You should only have to change the "Active Touch Profile" if you create a new profile, rename an existing profile, or if you want to use a different profile for a different game

- The touch profiles that you create and save are located at - sdcard/data/com.dancingpixelstudios.sixaxiscontroller/profiles/ (Huge thanks to BlackDave for this one because I clean forgot about it!)

- The saved touch profiles should have the extension .map or possible .key (ex MC3.map)

It's possible that I'm forgetting something, but I hope this helps at least somebody out.

I've played through and beat MC3 using the ps3 controller and it's a blast. It's extremely close to playing a first person shooter on ps3 and I'm pretty happy with it overall. I am more than convinced it's worth the small amount of time it takes to set it up.

If someone wouldn't mind explaining to me how to upload something other than a photo, I'll also include the actual touch profile's I've created. Thanks :D