Auto 1 Auto 2, etc. in RetroArch

ultramagnus_tcv

Hello,

I'd like to remap a controller for all the Megadrive/Genesis games. There's a good bit of information out there to do that.

This a a Raspberry Pi B running RetroPie. I am using a script in RetroPie setup that allows me to set a joystick for a core (emulator). I have a PS4 controller connected an a GPIO based SNES gamepad connected. The SNES gamepad is the default for MegaDrive.

This is what the joystick looks like.

Right now, A and B are Red and Yellow. X and Y are Blue and Green.

I'd like to lay out the buttons like a 6-button MegaDrive controller.

But in RetroArch, I see several things that could be controlling the button layout. (Note; I am using the rgui layout for RetroArch, not the PS4 style one.)

For instance:

Auto: 1 (N/A), (Key: z) [User 1] B
Auto: 3 (N/A), (Key: a) [User 1] A
Auto: 7 (N/A), (Key: rshift) [User 1] Mode

So, I don't think I know where to begin with remapping the keys.

I played around with this a little bit earlier and broke most everything about the controls, so I'm trying to be more cautious.

Any help is appreciated.

Also, is there a way to exit RetroArch and not save any changes you made (accidentally or otherwise?) It sure seems like the changes are saved even though I haven't explicitly saved anything and the save on exit is not enabled.

(Here's another question: I set the pad type to 6-button per the instructions in the RP wiki. But I nuked the retroarch cfg file due to having screwed it up. Why is the core still set to 6-button if I nuked the config?)

Sorry for the question dump. I'm trying! :-)

m

ultramagnus_tcv

I've learned a little bit about RetroArch's autoconfig. So I think there's where all the "Auto" items are coming from. However, if I assume the Key: refers to the MegaDrive's actual controller keys, then there's no C, X, Y, and others.

So, I'm quite confused over how to remap.

RetroPie's wiki recommends a video, but that one shows items that don't exist in the current-shipped version of RetroArch. I'm assuming the example is from a version before Auto configuration.

mitu

@ultramagnus_tcv said in Auto 1 Auto 2, etc. in RetroArch:

Auto: 1 (N/A), (Key: z) [User 1] B
Auto: 3 (N/A), (Key: a) [User 1] A
Auto: 7 (N/A), (Key: rshift) [User 1] Mode

The left part is the physical (gamepad) configuration: Auto <X> means it's coming from an gamepad auto-configuration file, <X> being the gamepad input code (as the one generated by EmulationStation when you configure your input). N/A means the input doesn't have a label (normal), the (Key: z) shows how this is mapped for a keyboard input.
The right part is the RetroPad's input code - buttons like A, B, Start, etc.
You can change the mapping by using the D-Pad buttons and it will cycle (the right part) between the available RetroPad inputs (A, B, C, etc.)

To mimic the Megadrive/Genesis 6button gamepad, map the C/Z buttons in Emulationstation to L/R (left/right shoulder buttons), then use the RGUI to assign them to C/Z.

Also, is there a way to exit RetroArch and not save any changes you made (accidentally or otherwise?) It sure seems like the changes are saved even though I haven't explicitly saved anything and the save on exit is not enabled.

Save on Exit is disabled by the default in RetroPie, so I don't know why it's automatically saving for your - did you use the RetroPie's installation image or another similar image ?

ultramagnus_tcv

Hi Mitu,

Thanks for your reply. I think I may already have the controller configured in the way you suggested?

Currently it's setup like this... using the button colors of the joystick in the picture I mentioned before.

A = Red
B = Yellow
X = Light Blue
Y = Green
Left Shoulder = White
Right Shoulder = Black

(The Labels are the ones that ES prompts for, but I imagine you know that already.)

Currently, X activates what would be C on the Genesis controller. I'd like..

C to be in the black position
X to be in the white position

You asked me to reconfigure the controller in ES. I can do that. When ES prompts for X, I could choose the black button. When ES prompts for the Left Shoulder, I can choose... ? Green? Blue? I don't really know.

Plus, if I reconfigure the controller to be more laid out like a SNES layout, wouldn't that screw up the Genesis layout?

These numbers next to Auto... these are RetroPad numbers, correct? If I could determine what those numbers meant, couldn't I remap everything in RGUI. If 7, for instance, is ES's Right Shoulder and it's set to the black button, couldn't I remap 7/RtShoulder to C in RGUI?

I apologize. I am finding this pretty mind-bending.

Thanks for everything!

ultramagnus_tcv

It sounds like... based on this page, that ES creates a profile that it then passes to RetroArch which builds its own controller configuration. RA's controller configuration can be overwritten with adjustments. Is that right?

mitu

@ultramagnus_tcv said in Auto 1 Auto 2, etc. in RetroArch:

RA's controller configuration can be overwritten with adjustments. Is that right?

Yes, you can adjust the auto-configuration file manually, just be aware that re-configuring the input in EmulationStation will overwrite that file.

ultramagnus_tcv

Thanks, mitu!

I've been poking around a bit more today and have a question at the end.

Here's my current setup. I grabbed this from the autoconfiguration directory:

input_device = "SNES-to-Gamepad Device"
input_driver = "udev"
input_l_btn = "5"
input_load_state_btn = "5"
input_start_btn = "6"
input_exit_emulator_btn = "6"
input_down_axis = "+1"
input_r_btn = "4"
input_save_state_btn = "4"
input_right_axis = "+0"
input_state_slot_increase_axis = "+0"
input_select_btn = "7"
input_left_axis = "-0"
input_state_slot_decrease_axis = "-0"
input_up_axis = "-1"
input_a_btn = "0"
input_b_btn = "1"
input_reset_btn = "1"
input_enable_hotkey_btn = "7"
input_x_btn = "2"
input_menu_toggle_btn = "2"
input_y_btn = "3"

Here's what I want:

input_device = "SNES-to-Gamepad Device"
input_driver = "udev"
input_l_btn = "5"
input_load_state_btn = "5"
input_start_btn = "6"
input_exit_emulator_btn = "6"
input_down_axis = "+1"
input_r_btn = "2"
input_save_state_btn = "4"
input_right_axis = "+0"
input_state_slot_increase_axis = "+0"
input_select_btn = "7"
input_left_axis = "-0"
input_state_slot_decrease_axis = "-0"
input_up_axis = "-1"
input_a_btn = "0"
input_b_btn = "1"
input_reset_btn = "1"
input_enable_hotkey_btn = "7"
input_x_btn = "4"
input_menu_toggle_btn = "2"
input_y_btn = "3"

I imagine you look at this so often you can quickly see what I did. I moved the X key (input_x_btn) to 4 which is the bottom right-most button on my joystick. This puts the Genesis's C button on the lower right, which is what I want. I moved input_r_btn to 2. So I just swapped positions. It's probably not the ideal place for the right shoulder, but I'm taking very small steps.

Can I put this in a place where ES can't overwrite it? Is that what a core input remap does?

If so, do I just plop my changes into PicoDrive.rmp? If so, do I need to include all the inputs or just the changes? (i.e. input_x_btn = "4" and input_r_btn = "2")

mitu

@ultramagnus_tcv said in Auto 1 Auto 2, etc. in RetroArch:

Can I put this in a place where ES can't overwrite it?

If you don't re-configure the gamepad, ES will not overwrite it. You can also choose to not auto-generate these configus from ES - there's an option in the Configuration/Tools for the emulationstation package that does that.

Is that what a core input remap does?

Yes, I would suggest to use that if you need remaping only for the Megadrive/Genesis system.

If so, do I just plop my changes into PicoDrive.rmp? If so, do I need to include all the inputs or just the changes? (i.e. input_x_btn = "4" and input_r_btn = "2")

Just do it from the RGUI - https://retropie.org.uk/docs/RetroArch-Configuration/#core-input-remapping - and it will be fine.

ultramagnus_tcv

But the way the lines are defined inside retroarch I can’t tell what it is exactly I am modifying. I see that I can change the button that corresponds to but when it’s prefaced with auto I have no idea what that means. Can you give me an example based upon the lines I gave you at the beginning of this thread?

mitu

Please re-read my first reply in the topic.

ultramagnus_tcv

@mitu said in Auto 1 Auto 2, etc. in RetroArch:

Auto: 1 (N/A), (Key: z) [User 1] B

I apologize sincerely. I still don’t understand.

The line I quoted above doesn’t really give me any indication where B is on my controller. So I understand how I can change the mapping by cycling through the options but what am I changing and to where? I suppose I could iterate each change. Look where B is now—which is the right flipper in Sonic Spinball—make a change, then see where it goes on the controller. I can then do the same for the other buttons.

Is this what you’re referring to when you ask me to reread the response? There’s a another item in there about remapping on ES and I can do that, but I think I’m stuck with the same issue. I can’t see what the items to the left in the mapping means in order to change it.

I’m sorry I’m not understanding it. Please be a little more patient because I will get it. :-)

ultramagnus_tcv

@mitu Oh... wait. I think I see what you mean.

I'm going to try some things and report back.

quicksilver

@mitu said in Auto 1 Auto 2, etc. in RetroArch:

N/A means the input doesn't have a label (normal)

So if I remember correctly, retroarch used to show button labels and then at some point when retroarch got updated (maybe a year or two ago?) The control menu was a bit different and the labels were missing. At one point I found a forum post that showed how to add the labels back in. I think it was @pjft that posted it but unfortunately I can't find that post anywhere.

ultramagnus_tcv

The good news! I'm an idiot.

The bad news! I'm an idiot.

What I wasn't connecting is the number to the corresponding joystick button. That information really isn't anywhere in the Monster Joystick manuals. After reading a bit about remapping on the RetroPie page, I used the jstest program to find the number values of all the buttons. I then was able to figure that, for example, when 1 was listed in the RGUI, it maps to joystick button 1 which is the lower left of all group of six buttons on the Monster.

I still made a couple of mistake rearranging things, but it's all done now and I have a six button Genesis controller setup for the core. Yay!!

ultramagnus_tcv

@quicksilver said in Auto 1 Auto 2, etc. in RetroArch:

@mitu said in Auto 1 Auto 2, etc. in RetroArch:

N/A means the input doesn't have a label (normal)

So if I remember correctly, retroarch used to show button labels and then at some point when retroarch got updated (maybe a year or two ago?) The control menu was a bit different and the labels were missing. At one point I found a forum post that showed how to add the labels back in. I think it was @pjft that posted it but unfortunately I can't find that post anywhere.

That's okay. If you come across it, please let me know!

Ooh! Time to make another backup!!

quicksilver

@ultramagnus_tcv found it!

https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/21576/retroarch-1-7-6-control-labels/9?_=1580941318431

ultramagnus_tcv

@quicksilver That looks good. I may do that.

Glancing at that message, it also points to a repo of various cfg files that might help.

But... is it saying that the labels will be matched up via autoconfig if there's a corresponding device entry available? For instance, my device is called (eg) "SNES GamePad." If RetroArch is aware of SNES GamePad, it'll automatically apply the labels?

Doesn't really matter. I can do it manually.

Thanks for sending the link!

mitu

@ultramagnus_tcv said in Auto 1 Auto 2, etc. in RetroArch:

If RetroArch is aware of SNES GamePad, it'll automatically apply the labels?

Yes, it will load the autoconfiguration file and apply the labels. Here's an example (taken from here):


input_driver = "udev"
input_device = "8BitDo SN30 Pro+"
input_device_display_name = "8BitDo SN30 Pro+"

input_vendor_id = "11720"
input_product_id = "24578"

input_b_btn = "1"
input_y_btn = "4"
input_select_btn = "10"
input_start_btn = "11"
input_a_btn = "0"
input_x_btn = "3"
input_l_btn = "6"
input_r_btn = "7"
input_l2_btn = "8"
input_r2_btn = "9"
input_l3_btn = "13"
input_r3_btn = "14"
input_menu_toggle_btn = "2"

input_up_btn = "h0up"
input_down_btn = "h0down"
input_left_btn = "h0left"
input_right_btn = "h0right"

input_l_x_plus_axis = "+0"
input_l_x_minus_axis = "-0"
input_l_y_plus_axis = "+1"
input_l_y_minus_axis = "-1"
input_r_x_plus_axis = "+2"
input_r_x_minus_axis = "-2"
input_r_y_plus_axis = "+3"
input_r_y_minus_axis = "-3"

input_b_btn_label = "B"
input_y_btn_label = "Y"
input_select_btn_label = "Select"
input_start_btn_label = "Start"
input_a_btn_label = "A"
input_x_btn_label = "X"
input_l_btn_label = "L1"
input_r_btn_label = "R1"
input_l2_btn_label = "L2"
input_r2_btn_label = "R2"
input_l3_btn_label = "LS"
input_r3_btn_label = "RS"
input_menu_toggle_btn_label = "Home"

input_up_btn_label = "Dpad Up"
input_down_btn_label = "Dpad Down"
input_left_btn_label = "Dpad Left"
input_right_btn_label = "Dpad Right"

input_l_x_plus_axis_label = "LS Right"
input_l_x_minus_axis_label = "LS Left"
input_l_y_plus_axis_label = "LS Down"
input_l_y_minus_axis_label = "LS Up"
input_r_x_plus_axis_label = "RS Right"
input_r_x_minus_axis_label = "RS Left"
input_r_y_plus_axis_label = "RS Down"
input_r_y_minus_axis_label = "RS Up"

# Dpad axis
input_up_axis = "-7"
input_down_axis = "+7"
input_left_axis = "+5"
input_right_axis = "+4"

input_up_axis_label = "Dpad Up"
input_down_axis_label = "Dpad Down"
input_left_axis_label = "Dpad Left"
input_right_axis_label = "Dpad Right"

ultramagnus_tcv

@mitu

It sounds like there's some kind of library of controllers that Retroarch knows about? Is that pulled from the Internet or does a group of them exist inside the Retropie installation?

I guess what I'm getting at here is: If I were adventurous, could I create my own autoconfigure entry for my particular controller since it doesn't match up with anything currently in there? I don't plan to do this. It's a curiosity.

Another question: Let's say I want to get an N64-style controller. Is there a way for me to look up whether a particular mfg's controller exists inside RetroArch's known controllers so that wouldn't need to manually remap?

Thanks!

mitu

@ultramagnus_tcv said in Auto 1 Auto 2, etc. in RetroArch:

It sounds like there's some kind of library of controllers that Retroarch knows about?

Yes, at the link I posted previousy - https://github.com/libretro/retroarch-joypad-autoconfig

Is that pulled from the Internet or does a group of them exist inside the Retropie installation?

Neither. When you configure your gamepad in EmulationStation, an auto-config file is generated automatically by RetroPie and copied into the right place, so it's loaded by each libretro core (RetroArch).

I guess what I'm getting at here is: If I were adventurous, could I create my own autoconfigure entry for my particular controller since it doesn't match up with anything currently in there? I don't plan to do this. It's a curiosity.

Yes, you can - https://docs.libretro.com/guides/joypad-autoconfiguration/ - but, as I said, an auto-configuration is generated for your when you configure your gamepad in EmulationStation, so you don't have to.

Another question: Let's say I want to get an N64-style controller. Is there a way for me to look up whether a particular mfg's controller exists inside RetroArch's known controllers so that wouldn't need to manually remap?

You can look it up in the RetroArch's joypad repository - link posted above.