D3 Keyboard + Mouse Config Guide

By Ryujin
9/12/2010

Introduction

Getting mouse to work with Descent 3 is not too difficult. I recommend using a keyboard + mouse for optimum configuration.

D3 Config

Mouse Settings

Fire Primary - LEFT-CLICK
Fire Secondary - RIGHT-CLICK
Cycle Secondary - SCROLL
Bank left - Mapped to BACKSPACE key using Logitech software
Bank right:  Mapped to DELETE key using Logitech software
Mouse sensitivity X-axis - 0.20
Mouse sensitivity Y-axis - 0.20

Hardware

Mouse

Mouse selection is important. For me, I absolutely have to have a wired mouse.  I hate having to worry about replacing batteries on a regular basis.  Oh and don't think that low end optical mouse will do the job either, it won't. I also recommend getting a durable mouse pad gaming surface.  The larger the better.

What you can use today:  An old ball-mouse laying around or any gaming mouse

Software

Fusion Charging/MD Zoom Issue Fix (for 32-bit systems)

PPJoy fixes issues with not being able to charge fusion using mouse. Unfortuantely, I did not document the setup process for PPJoy.  However, I do have these configuration screens that may help.

Download:  http://www.descentvalhalla.com/files/d3/utilities/ppjoysetup.zip

Fusion Charging/MD Zoom Issue Fix (for 64-bit systems)

I'm told that PPJoy does not work on 64-bit installations, however there is a workaround. You can use a utility called X-Mouse Button Control to map the left-click to a keyboard key and then bind that key to fire primary within D3.  You can easily enable and disable the functionality with a keystroke (e.g. SCROLL LOCK). Here's the instructions (thanks to JFF!):

1. Download X-Mouse at http://www.descentvalhalla.com/files/utilities/XMouseButtonControlSetup.1.53.exe
2. Install X-Mouse
3. In X-Mouse main screen, click on Settings at the bottom left. Select "Bypass all options when SCROLL LOCK is ON"
4. Return to the main screen and select Left Button, then select Simulated Keystrokes
5. Enter a keyboard key to map to the primary fire function in Descent 3. I use 'k.' Next for 'How to send the simulated key strokes:' select "During (Press on Down, Release on Up)"
6. Select Apply on the main screen of X-Mouse. Press the Scroll Lock key on your keyboard if not already on
7. Start up Descent 3. If you haven't mapped 'k' (or whatever you use) as the primary fire button on the keyboard, then do so now
8. Press Scroll Lock in game to turn on the X-Mouse settings
9. Enjoy!
   

 

Logitech Mouse Software

The Logitech software came with my gaming mouse. I use it to map the side buttons to keystrokes (DELETE and BACKSPACE).  Then in D3 config, I map the bank left and bank right functions to BACKSPACE AND DELETE.  This is also useful because BACKSPACE is most web browsers' back key. 

Conclusion (TL;DR)

• Use keyboard+mouse
• You can use PPJoy software to enable proper Fusion charging (on 64-bit OS, use X-Mouse)

Now go tear it up in the mines!