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 renders a detailed controller model that matches your selected virtual controller type (Xbox 360, DualShock 4, or DirectInput).
| Action | Mouse | Touch |
|---|---|---|
| Rotate | Left-click and drag | Single-finger drag |
| Zoom | Scroll wheel | Two-finger pinch |
| Pan | Right-click and drag | Two-finger drag (midpoint-based) |
| Reset View | Click "Reset View" button | Click "Reset View" button |
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.
When a slot is set to the Keyboard+Mouse type, the Controller tab shows a keyboard and mouse visualization instead of the 3D/2D controller model.
- Keyboard layout — A full QWERTY keyboard is displayed at the top of the preview area. Each key is drawn with its label and highlights in real time when it is active (either pressed physically or triggered by a mapping).
- Mouse graphic — Below the keyboard, a mouse graphic shows the left and right buttons contouring around a scroll wheel in the center. Mouse buttons highlight when active.
- Click-to-map — Click any key on the keyboard or any mouse button to start recording a mapping for that output, just like clicking a button on the 3D controller model. Press a button or move an axis on your physical controller to assign it.
This preview gives you a visual representation of which keys and mouse buttons are currently mapped and active, making it easy to verify your Keyboard+Mouse configuration at a glance.
- 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