GUI Macro Manager

[MAR82]

Hi there to anyone reading this

I have no idea where the best place to post this kind of thread is, so if it doesn’t fit in here could an admin or mod please move it to where is should go. Thanks

Ok, so I’v been looking for a tool that would allow me to make macros for different software (yes, mostly games). I think tool like AutoHotKey can do this kind of stuff, but I would also like it to be about as easy to use as tools such as the Logitech gaming driver software.


For people that don’t know what the Logitech tool is like let me give a quick explanation:

The first step is to add the path of the software that you would like to use this (set of) macro(s) with.
This can be seen in the screenshot below.



Next you can set up a macro for that software/program/game.
You can see some of the ways it can be done in the following screenshots.





Now I really suck in anything having to do with programming or coding, so I’m asking you guys for some help.

- I guess the first question would be does anyone know of a tool that already exists?
- Next question is, does anyone have the time and skill to make a community tool that can do these things?

For now my idea would be to turn a CS Storm Switch Tester into a macro pad, that  could bind the six switches to something like F13, F14, F15, F16, F17, F18, like that they shouldn’t interfere with any of the standard keys that we usually use.

Thanks for taking the time to read this

[chuckdee]

There are several, depending on how much you're willing to pay:

Macro Recorder - https://www.jitbit.com/macro-recorder/ (Lite version: https://www.jitbit.com/macro-recorder-lite/)

MacroExpress - https://www.macros.com/

Phrase Express: http://www.phraseexpress.com/

Text Accelerator: http://www.textaccelerator.com/

Phrase Expander: https://www.phraseexpander.com/

RoboTask: http://robotask.com/

The closest to what you want is Linux only, unfortunately: https://sites.google.com/site/keyboardingmaster/

And there are cheaper (or free) alternatives, but they'll involve more on your part.

[Tactile]

For now my idea would be to turn a CS Storm Switch Tester into a macro pad, that  could bind the six switches to something like F13, F14, F15, F16, F17, F18, like that they shouldn’t interfere with any of the standard keys that we usually use.

Something like this?

http://techkeys.us/collections/accessories/products/sixkeyboard

[MAR82]

There are several, depending on how much you're willing to pay:

Macro Recorder - https://www.jitbit.com/macro-recorder/ (Lite version: https://www.jitbit.com/macro-recorder-lite/)

MacroExpress - https://www.macros.com/

Phrase Express: http://www.phraseexpress.com/

Text Accelerator: http://www.textaccelerator.com/

Phrase Expander: https://www.phraseexpander.com/

RoboTask: http://robotask.com/

The closest to what you want is Linux only, unfortunately: https://sites.google.com/site/keyboardingmaster/

And there are cheaper (or free) alternatives, but they'll involve more on your part.

Hey thanks for linking to all that software. However those seem a bit more complicated than what I was looking for and  like they are much better suited for system automation than running quick keypress macros.
The last one you linked does seem the closest, but as you said it's only for Linux

For now my idea would be to turn a CS Storm Switch Tester into a macro pad, that  could bind the six switches to something like F13, F14, F15, F16, F17, F18, like that they shouldn’t interfere with any of the standard keys that we usually use.

Something like this?

http://techkeys.us/collections/accessories/products/sixkeyboard

Yeah something like that would also work. But I want software that will change the macros according to whatever software is up front and active.
Some examples could be:
- Open Magicka and have six spells set to six keys
- Open CSGO and have one key buying
- Open Portal and have partner view always on
All of these would require different key combos so you would need a tool that manages the macros and activates the ones needed for the active software in use

[duynguyenle]

For now my idea would be to turn a CS Storm Switch Tester into a macro pad, that  could bind the six switches to something like F13, F14, F15, F16, F17, F18, like that they shouldn’t interfere with any of the standard keys that we usually use.

bepiphanies created a PCB specifically for this. You can find more info here: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=67338.0

[MAR82]

For now my idea would be to turn a CS Storm Switch Tester into a macro pad, that  could bind the six switches to something like F13, F14, F15, F16, F17, F18, like that they shouldn’t interfere with any of the standard keys that we usually use.

bepiphanies created a PCB specifically for this. You can find more info here: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=67338.0

Yep, I already have one and the parts to build a second

[chuckdee]

For now my idea would be to turn a CS Storm Switch Tester into a macro pad, that  could bind the six switches to something like F13, F14, F15, F16, F17, F18, like that they shouldn’t interfere with any of the standard keys that we usually use.

bepiphanies created a PCB specifically for this. You can find more info here: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=67338.0

That's just the hardware - I think he's looking for software.

Hey thanks for linking to all that software. However those seem a bit more complicated than what I was looking for and  like they are much better suited for system automation than running quick keypress macros.
The last one you linked does seem the closest, but as you said it's only for Linux

I've used DirectAccess (now PhraseExpress), MacroRecorder, and PhraseExpander for this before.  Those are more gui driven, and the only thing that you don't have with those are the changing depending on the fore application, though this was a few years ago, so they might have it.  I use the logitech software for it with the G13, so I haven't really looked into it recently.

[MAR82]

I've used DirectAccess (now PhraseExpress), MacroRecorder, and PhraseExpander for this before.  Those are more gui driven, and the only thing that you don't have with those are the changing depending on the fore application, though this was a few years ago, so they might have it.  I use the logitech software for it with the G13, so I haven't really looked into it recently.

Ok seeing that you know the Logitech software, you understand exactly what I'm looking for.
Yeah I would rally only want software that would change the macros in function to what software is active.

As I was saying before; I already have a CS Storm Switch Tester, that I have set up with 4 banks of 3 macros. But I would love to have 6 par application and would maybe also like to use the software with other keyboards that I could bind Fn layer keys to software macros (and not hardware macros like I can currently do)

[chuckdee]

I've used DirectAccess (now PhraseExpress), MacroRecorder, and PhraseExpander for this before.  Those are more gui driven, and the only thing that you don't have with those are the changing depending on the fore application, though this was a few years ago, so they might have it.  I use the logitech software for it with the G13, so I haven't really looked into it recently.

Ok seeing that you know the Logitech software, you understand exactly what I'm looking for.
Yeah I would rally only want software that would change the macros in function to what software is active.

As I was saying before; I already have a CS Storm Switch Tester, that I have set up with 4 banks of 3 macros. But I would love to have 6 par application and would maybe also like to use the software with other keyboards that I could bind Fn layer keys to software macros (and not hardware macros like I can currently do)

I get exactly what you're saying- and I'm probably going to have the same problem switching from my g13 to a one-hand ergodox (which is what I'm planning).  I think you choose less capable configuration (which is the way I'm going), or more complexity in the configuration (autohotkey or something like that).

[xtrafrood]

There are several, depending on how much you're willing to pay:

Macro Recorder - https://www.jitbit.com/macro-recorder/ (Lite version: https://www.jitbit.com/macro-recorder-lite/)

MacroExpress - https://www.macros.com/

Phrase Express: http://www.phraseexpress.com/

Text Accelerator: http://www.textaccelerator.com/

Phrase Expander: https://www.phraseexpander.com/

RoboTask: http://robotask.com/

The closest to what you want is Linux only, unfortunately: https://sites.google.com/site/keyboardingmaster/

And there are cheaper (or free) alternatives, but they'll involve more on your part.

LOL that keyboardingmaster tho. I guess AHK is pretty difficult to configure if you're new to software stuffs (And that one time I downloaded AHK and my anti-virus freaked out--false positive? idk)

[chuckdee]

LOL that keyboardingmaster tho. I guess AHK is pretty difficult to configure if you're new to software stuffs (And that one time I downloaded AHK and my anti-virus freaked out--false positive? idk)

Yeah, that's one of the problems with AHK/AutoIt - because they're scripting languages, when compiled and interpreted (and especially if packed) they make AV go crazy.

[MAR82]

I get exactly what you're saying- and I'm probably going to have the same problem switching from my g13 to a one-hand ergodox (which is what I'm planning).  I think you choose less capable configuration (which is the way I'm going), or more complexity in the configuration (autohotkey or something like that).

Yeah I'm already using half an ErgoDox for gaming, and I love it. I just wish I had easy to use macro keys like I had on my G710+, but I haven't plugged that thing in for over a year (no longer a fan of Browns (was I ever) and way too big).

LOL that keyboardingmaster tho. I guess AHK is pretty difficult to configure if you're new to software stuffs (And that one time I downloaded AHK and my anti-virus freaked out--false positive? idk)

Yeah, that's one of the problems with AHK/AutoIt - because they're scripting languages, when compiled and interpreted (and especially if packed) they make AV go crazy.

Yeah I was thinking maybe someone knew of a tool (or could make a tool) that would interface with AHK to do the things I'm looking for.
I guess all it would really need to do is write a script that uses user input. As I said before I really suck at anything having to do with coding or programming, so I have no idea if dong something like that would be difficult or not.

I'm sure I can't be the only person that would like a tool to do this

[chuckdee]

You're not.   We're doing the same thing,  so I sympathize.   I'm a software developer for my main job,  so I'd do it myself if I had enough time- and knowledge.   This is indeed driver level stuff,  like TMK.  It's not just macros in the way that Logitech does it.   I've looked in the code; I was going to do something with the API,  and was studying it.   When you edit things in the configuration,  it actually programs the keyboard.   I didn't want to get into trying to recreate that,  so I decided that less configurable is fine,  especially since I can reconfigure most games to match my layout.

[MAR82]

I know from people I work with that some times a picture is worth a thousand words, so I went ahead and made a quick mockup of the idea I had.

So the idea of this tool is to write AutoHotKey script code.
I feel that this shouldn’t be too hard for someone that knows what they’re doing. From my understanding of how AHK works the tool would only need to auto write two kinds of codes: “#IfWinActive” and “::”, then add the user’s macros and software paths.

When you first open the tool you might be given this type of window:

In this window you get to pick the path of the software that you would like to make a macro set for.



This next window lets you setup the macros (and the corresponding key binding) you would like to use with the software you selected in the last window:




This would be the “main” window:

This is where you can see all your macro sets and reopen them for modifications or removal, make new sets, save your macro sets, and export them to a text file to use with AHK.



From people that know more about this than me; do you think that a tool like this would be possible to make (even if you don’t have the time to build it)?