Author Topic: DONE: Toggle mouse acceleration with a simple program (Read 90419 times)

doctorfrog · « **on:** September 03, 2009, 12:24 AM »

My annoyance is fairly straightforward, as well as (I would hope) its solution:

I want to toggle this with a hotkey:

THE STORY:

I bought a touchpad for my desktop to combat RSI. It's... ok, I guess. See, the driver that it comes with doesn't actually recognize the touchpad, which means that Windows sees it as a mouse. This isn't a huge problem; it works fine. Though without the driver, it lacks some customizable options, I can live with it. My mouse remains plugged in, since I will be swapping between the two devices based on the tasks I am doing.

The problem is that I now have two devices that run on the same control panel settings, and physically are two devices with different kinds of sensitivity.

The touchpad actually causes more strain without the "Enhance pointer precision," option enabled, since moving the pointer requires repeated 'scrubbing' with the fingers. With the feature enabled, I can move the pointer much more easily while retaining control.

However, this setting is far too sensitive for my mouse, which flies all over the screen like an out of control fighter plane.

To switch devices, I have to launch the Mouse applet, toggle the "Enhance pointer precision" setting manually, then resume using my input device. Without a helpful shortcut, I have to do this many times a day.

PROBLEM: Two pointing devices on one system, one that needs mouse acceleration, the other doesn't. Need an easy way to toggle the "Enhance pointer precision" setting to aid in switching between the two devices.

SOLUTION: A small program that launches, toggles the "Enhance pointer precision" setting from the Mouse control panel applet, and then closes itself. (If the setting is active, it deactivates it. If it's inactive, it activates it.)

Since this is an issue I've found with laptops I've used as well, this could be useful beyond my specific use case. I've often had to resort to touchpad on the go, and later dock, to find that my mouse is flying uncontrollably until I toggle this setting off.

Since I already use a decent hotkey manager, I don't need this to be a running program. Ideally, it would just execute, toggle the setting, and close. I can call upon the program when I need it.

BONUS: The ability to store actual mouse settings as profiles, and toggle in between them with user-configurable hotkeys. This is far beyond my own needs, of course, but this might be a more interesting challenge for some.

Thanks for your time, o programmers of tiny things.

doctorfrog · « **Reply #1 on:** September 03, 2009, 12:27 AM »

Darn, I think I may have posted in the wrong forum. Mods, can you please move my post to the correct place? I apologize for the mistake.

skwire · « **Reply #2 on:** September 03, 2009, 02:03 AM »

Try this: Mat (Mouse Acceleration Toggler)

1) Unpack archive to a folder of your choice.

2) Run MouseAccelToggler.exe with one of the following switches:

1) -on This will turn mouse acceleration on.
2) -off This will turn mouse acceleration off.
3) -toggle This will toggle mouse acceleration from its current state.

doctorfrog · « **Reply #3 on:** September 03, 2009, 02:56 AM »

Perfect. Thank you!

skwire · « **Reply #4 on:** September 03, 2009, 03:11 AM »

You're welcome. May I assume it's working for you? If so, we'll call it done.

Kamel · « **Reply #5 on:** September 27, 2009, 01:16 PM »

And I thought I was the only one with these problems haha.

Thanks for this, I too will be using it. If you would like to improve it, I think it would be best improved by having mouse sensitivity and/or acceleration options, and store/load all of them according to which one you're using.

I actually switch between my touchpad and a gaming mouse, so the sensitivity difference is quite substantial. This little app will probably be all that I need to switch between the 2 easily though.

skwire · « **Reply #6 on:** September 27, 2009, 02:34 PM »

If you would like to improve it, I think it would be best improved by having mouse sensitivity and/or acceleration options, and store/load all of them according to which one you're using.
-Kamel (September 27, 2009, 01:16 PM)

Just to clarify, you would like to be able to set the pointer speed value, right?

DONE: Toggle mouse acceleration with a simple program

doctorfrog · « **Reply #7 on:** September 27, 2009, 04:52 PM »

If you would like to improve it, I think it would be best improved by having mouse sensitivity and/or acceleration options, and store/load all of them according to which one you're using.
-Kamel (September 27, 2009, 01:16 PM)

Just to clarify, you would like to be able to set the pointer speed value, right?
(see attachment in previous post)
-skwire (September 27, 2009, 02:34 PM)

Just a quick update: yes, this simple software has solved my problem. However, being able to toggle pointer speed settings would also be preferred, since in my specific case, mouse acceleration isn't quite enough to make the touchpad respond the way I'd like. Instead of simply toggling a single setting, the software would also have to retrieve, store, and apply two alternating speed settings.

I do realize that this would increase the scope of the software, so I choose to be happy with what I have right now, especially since I'm in a little financial difficulty at the moment and don't have a roll of quarters to drop in some kind programmer's bucket.

skwire · « **Reply #8 on:** September 27, 2009, 05:11 PM »

Just a quick update: yes, this simple software has solved my problem. However, being able to toggle pointer speed settings would also be preferred, since in my specific case, mouse acceleration isn't quite enough to make the touchpad respond the way I'd like. Instead of simply toggling a single setting, the software would also have to retrieve, store, and apply two alternating speed settings.
-doctorfrog (September 27, 2009, 04:52 PM)

Adding the speed setting stuff is easy. Give me a few minutes.

I do realize that this would increase the scope of the software, so I choose to be happy with what I have right now, especially since I'm in a little financial difficulty at the moment and don't have a roll of quarters to drop in some kind programmer's bucket.
-doctorfrog (September 27, 2009, 04:52 PM)

Please don't ever worry about stuff like this. I'm happy to help.

skwire · « **Reply #9 on:** September 27, 2009, 06:14 PM »

v1.0.1 - 2009-09-27
+ Added ability to set mouse speed.
* Changed up the parameter syntax. Please adjust any of your scripts accordingly.

Website | Download

Run MouseAccelToggler.exe with one or both of the following parameters:

accel=[on|off|toggle] This will turn mouse acceleration on, off, or toggle its state.
speed=[1-20] This will set the mouse speed.

Example: c:\path\to\MouseAccelToggler.exe accel=on speed=8

Also...if you run the exe without any parameters, it will pop up a box showing your current speed setting.

Kamel · « **Reply #10 on:** September 27, 2009, 09:28 PM »

Thanks, works just fine

The popup box is a nice touch as well.

For clarity, you might want to do accel=[on|off|toggle] instead of mode, but not picking, it's perfectly fine as-is

skwire · « **Reply #11 on:** September 27, 2009, 09:40 PM »

v1.0.2 - 2009-09-27
* Changed "mode" to "accel" for more consistency. (Thanks, Kamel)

Website | Download

DONE: Toggle mouse acceleration with a simple program

doctorfrog · « **Reply #12 on:** September 28, 2009, 02:30 AM »

Now this was exactly what I needed. Thank you, Skwire!

For what it's worth, I blogged about it here: http://drfrog.wordpr....com/2009/09/28/mat/

skwire · « **Reply #13 on:** September 28, 2009, 06:36 AM »

Thanks for the wonderful writeup and kind words about DC. Much appreciated. =]

skwire · « **Reply #14 on:** September 28, 2009, 06:43 AM »

BTW, I'm a blackbox user myself and downloaded plenty of your styles over the years. =]

doctorfrog · « **Reply #15 on:** October 01, 2009, 01:18 AM »

Cool, I'm actually just now updating to the latest 1.17 of bblean and creating a new suite of styles. I thought I had the latest 1.17, but I guess I've been using an RC of 1.17 for more than six months. Oh, the bugs that I've endured...

I've foregone the Windows shortcuts by now and now call Mat directly from Blackbox hotkeys. Ah, but it's a good time to be alive, and also a nerd.

nudone · « **Reply #16 on:** April 30, 2010, 06:30 AM »

fantastic util - does more than i could have hoped for.

nudone · « **Reply #17 on:** April 30, 2010, 06:52 AM »

i've been playing about with the toggle function - works fine.

i'm just wondering (hoping) that maybe the app could be modified a little to provide a visual cue as to what mode the mouse speed/acceleration is in.

something blindly obvious like the cursor changing colour or shape depending on the mode.

e.g.
the mouse is acceleration ON = cursor is set to a blue cursor or a large cursor (or whatever).

the mouse is acceleration OFF = cursor is set to a white cursor or a standard/small cursor (or whatever).

maybe other cursors could be used for different speeds - maybe just a cursor with a tiny number next to it.

i'd be very happy to edit/design some cursors to include - if this is possible.

i'm just thinking that this visual cue would be extremely helpful (especially for me as i'll be swapping around the different modes and i'll forget what mode i'm in). having the cursor change appearance means it would also be instantly obvious what mode you are in, i.e. no need to look in the system tray for a mode change icon.

skwire · « **Reply #18 on:** April 30, 2010, 07:48 AM »

i'd be very happy to edit/design some cursors to include - if this is possible.
-nudone (April 30, 2010, 06:52 AM)

Yes, this can be done so feel free to send me any test .ANI/.CUR files you want to use. I like the idea of a standard cursor with small numbers the best.

nudone · « **Reply #19 on:** April 30, 2010, 08:00 AM »

okay, i'll email something in a few minutes - just basic to see how things work.

would it be asking too much if the user could pick their own cursors to use. like yourself, some people will prefer a number to indicate speed - but i'd prefer a colour difference myself as it will be more immediate in recognising the difference - for acceleration on, at least (even if it's just a tiny red dot in the middle of the cursor). other people will have their own opinion of what is a good visual cue - giant cursor, coloured cursor, flashing (animated) cursor.

skwire · « **Reply #20 on:** April 30, 2010, 09:07 AM »

would it be asking too much if the user could pick their own cursors to use.
-nudone (April 30, 2010, 08:00 AM)

I actually don't use this app myself but, yes, I plan to have this configurable on MAT's command-line since there is no real GUI to speak of.

nudone · « **Reply #21 on:** April 30, 2010, 09:10 AM »

excellent. I've emailed you a few cursors to try.

nudone · « **Reply #22 on:** April 30, 2010, 02:33 PM »

not sure what's wrong but all Mouse Acceleration Toggler functions have stopped working here. i've not rebooted yet so will have to see what happens after that.

only thing i can see that is different with my system is that i've disabled all secondary monitors - everything seemed fine whilst i was using them earlier.

skwire · « **Reply #23 on:** May 01, 2010, 08:13 AM »

Here's a test version with your custom cursor request: http://skwire.dcmemb...useAccelToggler_.zip

Simply pass cursor="c:\path\to\some\cursor.cur"

You can also pass cursor="Default" to restore the normal cursor. One caveat that I haven't been able to figure out yet is that, when using a custom cursor, it is used for all cursor functions i.e. no resizing cursors, no I-beam, etc.

At any rate, let me know if it works for you. I've tested it under Win2k and WinXP. I don't have Vista or Win7.

not sure what's wrong but all Mouse Acceleration Toggler functions have stopped working here. i've not rebooted yet so will have to see what happens after that.
-nudone (April 30, 2010, 02:33 PM)

I haven't a clue.

nudone · « **Reply #24 on:** May 01, 2010, 02:22 PM »

very good. i'll not be able to test it out until monday so i'll let you know then. that's unfortunate about the cursor dominating all other cursors. wish i could suggest something that you won't have already thought about.

i'm stil not sure why MAT seems to stop working sometimes. i think it has something to do with the logitech setpoint controls getting confused - not sure if that could really stop the exe with switches from working too when run on its own. there is definitely something strange with this setpoint stuff though - deleted settings keep coming back (so i need to figure out what's going on there).