Utilization

Assistive Technology Resources

X-keys footpedal, 24 key keypad, USB switch interface, and Y-mouse adapters

X-keys and Y-mouse devices open a wide range of possibilities to computer users of all abilities and skill levels.

Here we present tips and tutorials for the AT professional and home user alike.

How to Program Mouse Buttons on an X-keys Foot Pedal or Switch Interface

X-keys USB Foot pedals and Switch Interfaces have two ways of performing the mouse click function. Software Mode requires our MacroWorks software to be installed on the PC (or ControllerMate software on the Mac). Hardware Mode allows a user to program the pedal using MacroWorks on a PC, and then use it on another computer (PC, Mac, Linux, or any OS that recognizes USB).

Using X-keys MacroWorks 3.1 in Software Mode

Select Footpedal from the taskbar menu Select Function and double-click on the Mouce functionClick the Show Functions buttonSelect the mouse function

  1. Install the MacroWorks 3.1 software which comes with your X-keys.
  2. Click on the task bar icon and select the device (Foot Pedal or Switch Interface) from the popup menu.
  3. Double-click on the pedal or switch port you want to program (or press the pedal or switch on the device).
  4. Select the Function tab in the programming window.
  5. Click the Show Functions button to open the Functions Palette
  6. Select the mouse function. The "Down-Up" functions behave like standard mouse buttons, keeping the button in a down state when the pedal or switch is held down and releasing it when the pedal or switch is released. "Click" functions send both down and up states when the pedal or switch is pressed.
  7. Click the Save button or press the pedal or switch to save the programming.
  8. Program other pedals or switches or close the MW3 interface.

The completed mouse functionThe Completed Left Mouse Down Up function will look like the screen shot on the left.

Click on the image for the full sized screen shot.

Using X-keys MacroWorks 3.1 in Hardware Mode

If your X-keys is frequently moved from computer to computer, if you are setting a Foot Pedal or USB Switch Interface up for another user, or or if you need to use it on an Operating System other than Windows or Mac OS-X, we offer an alternative mode of operation which we call Hardware Mode. This allows you to program the X-keys on a Windows OS computer, and move it to any other computer that supports USB Keyboard and Mouse.

Select XK-3 Foot Pedal from the taskbar menuChanging to Hardware ModeSelect Function and double-click on the Mouce functionClick the Show Functions button

     

     

    To program a mouse button on an X-keys USB Foot pedal with X-keys MacroWorks 3.1 software.

  1. Install MacroWorks 3.1 on you PC.
  2. Plug the X-keys Foot Pedal in and wait for Windows to complete installation. You may safely ignore the prompt to restart Windows and proceed with the programming steps.
  3. Click the MW 3.1 icon on your Windows task bar and select the XK-3 Foot Pedal from the list of detected X-keys devices.
  4. Under the Mode menu, select Hardware Resident Mode
  5. Press the pedal you wish to program or double click on the image of the pedal to begin programming.
  6. Select the Function tab in the programming window.
  7. Click the Show Functions button to open the Functions Palette
  8. Select the mouse function. The "Down-Up" functions behave like standard mouse buttons, keeping the button in a down state when the pedal or switch is held down and releasing it when the pedal or switch is released. "Click" functions send both down and up states when the pedal or switch is pressed.
  9. Click the Save button or press the pedal or switch to save the programming.
  10. Program other pedals with mouse functions or keystrokes.
  11. If you are configuring multiple devices with the same programming you may wish to save a copy of the script file. Use the "Save Copy" option under the File menu (see image below).
  12. Now select the "Write to Device" option under the File menu (see image below).
  13. After the write is completed, the pedals you have programmed will be indicated with a blue checkmark and black "H" and "P" icons (see image below).
  14. Close MacroWorks 3.1 or if you are programming multiple Foot Pedals, unplug the Foot Pedal and plug in the next device to program.

Saving your script fileWriting the programming to your X-keysSuccessful programming in Hardware Mode

The Foot Pedal may now be unplugged or moved to another machine. It will identify itself as a mouse and the pedals will act just like mouse buttons.

It is also possible to have a pedal with keystrokes and a pedal with a mouse button programmed on the same X-keys.

The X-keys USB Switch Interface may be programmed in the same manner, using a switch, button, or pedal.

Using Windows Accessibility Option to Send a Mouse Click

X-keys PS/2 devices can be programmed to trigger a mouse click in conjunction with Windows Accessibility Options. Click here to get our tutorial: wamouse.pdf

Launching Programs in Windows with MacroWorks 3.1The shortcut key window in Windows 2000

  1. Install MacroWorks 3.1.
  2. Select the X-keys device from the task bar menu.
  3. Press and release a key or pedal to program (or double-click on the key or pedal image).
  4. Select the Shortcut Tab (see image on left).
  5. Drag and drop a program icon, file, or URL to the location field, or click the "File" button to browse to a program or file name, or click the "Dir.." button to select a directory or folder to open.
  6. Press and release the key or pedal to save the programming (or click the Save button).
  7. Close the MW3.1 programming window when you are finished.

Click on the image to the left to see a full sized screen shot of the completed programming window.

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