3D and 2D Visualization
When you open a virtual controller's configuration page, the first tab shows an interactive controller model. This visualization gives you real-time visual feedback of every button press, stick movement, and trigger pull as they happen.
The 3D view uses HelixToolkit to render a detailed controller model that matches your selected virtual controller type (Xbox 360, DualShock 4, or DirectInput).
| Action | Control |
|---|---|
| Rotate | Right-click and drag |
| Zoom | Scroll wheel |
| Reset View | Click the "Reset View" button in the upper-right corner |
The 3D model responds in real time to your physical controller input:
- Buttons light up when pressed
- Thumbsticks tilt to show their current position
- Triggers depress to show how far they are pulled
- D-Pad directions highlight when active
You can click directly on a button or control on the 3D model to start recording a mapping for that output. After clicking, press a button or move an axis on your physical controller, and PadForge will automatically assign it. This is a quick alternative to using the Button and Axis Mappings grid.
You can toggle between the 3D model and a 2D view. The 2D view uses PNG image overlays to show the controller layout as a flat diagram. Each button and axis region highlights in real time, just like the 3D view.
The 2D view can be useful on systems where 3D rendering performance is limited, or if you simply prefer a flat layout.
When a slot is set to DirectInput output with the Custom preset, the visualization switches to a schematic view instead of a standard controller model. This schematic is dynamically generated based on your DirectInput configuration:
- Thumbsticks -- Shown as circular stick widgets, one for each stick defined by the ThumbstickCount setting (up to 4 sticks)
- Triggers -- Shown as vertical bar indicators, one for each trigger defined by the TriggerCount setting (up to 4 triggers; sticks and triggers share a pool of 8 axes)
- Buttons -- Displayed as a grid of circles that light up when active, sized to match the ButtonCount setting (up to 128 buttons)
- POV hats -- Shown as directional compass indicators, one for each POV defined by the PovCount setting (up to 4 POVs)
If you use an Xbox 360 or DualShock 4 DirectInput preset instead of Custom, the visualization shows a standard controller model matching that layout.
- Button and Axis Mappings -- Map inputs using the grid instead of click-to-map
- Controller Slots -- Change the controller type shown in the visualization
- Stick Dead Zones -- See a circular preview of stick dead zones