I'm newish to PC gaming and just learned about "macro's?" And I've been wondering what these five nifty little keys on the left of my keyboard do and apparently they are macro keys. Anything useful I can do with them? I guess I could assign power distributor settings to them? Help...I'm new to the master race.
Macros for Elite?
- Thread starter rOmiLaYu
- Start date
depends on the keyboad but usually you can assign keystrokes to those macros ie you could assign common chat messages however you will need to enter every keystroke to open the chat window followed by your message then send and close chat.
you should be able to set macros for anything youve got bound to keyboard keys within game
your example youll need a command to press the power to which ever pips 2, 3 or 4 times.
getting clever you could bind a macro to request docking > lower gear > set power to sys and eng but every key stroke will need to be programmed in the exact sequence to run every step of the process
my macro keyboard ive bound a bat file programmed to open ED launcher, ED trade tool and the joystick control centre. press the button and im ready to play without having to remember ed trade tool every time
its all down to the software which controlls your keyboard as to what it can do
you should be able to set macros for anything youve got bound to keyboard keys within game
your example youll need a command to press the power to which ever pips 2, 3 or 4 times.
getting clever you could bind a macro to request docking > lower gear > set power to sys and eng but every key stroke will need to be programmed in the exact sequence to run every step of the process
my macro keyboard ive bound a bat file programmed to open ED launcher, ED trade tool and the joystick control centre. press the button and im ready to play without having to remember ed trade tool every time
its all down to the software which controlls your keyboard as to what it can do
Last edited:
Macros are useful for automating repetitive sequences in games to automate some processes by programming the keystrokes in the keyboard dedicated software (check the manual of Your kb for instructions). Everything @finglonger said is correct, but be wary that EDs menus and screens that You access a lot of ship or nav functions remember where You left off, so say You want to request landing permission, You have to go to contacts tab, choose the station and then move the highlight to request landing button. Now it's all straight forward to set the macro to it, but if You change the tab to say nav or transactions, Your macro will no longer work unless You remember to tab back to correct tab. There are a lot examples like that, most beneficial in battle would be synthesizing ammo, but I don't personally use them because aforementioned quirks with remembering to reset tabs to position for macros to work. I did however use macros for distro pips for a long time since You have the reset option so You can start with that and then whatever sequence You require. Then I found GameGlass... tested it for a week or so, there are free features, then I subscribed for a pass and never looked back. They are releasing a fully customizeable version soon as well so You can use it in any of Your games, not just elite (I am not affiliated or I don't get paid for promoting them, I just think it's a great piece of software).
That's kind of what I was thinking, too. Cheers for the response.
You can get round that by reversing the steps you took, getting to the correct tab, at the end of your macro.
Last edited:
affirmative, what I was referring to is when You don't use macro but instead just access another function on any of the tabs manually... unless Your kb has enough macro-keys to assign to all commands possible on all menus, sub-menus, tabs etc... it would be a big arze kb me tink
then You are screwing up Your sequence unsless you remember to go back to the tab that the macro would start, say You set up 1 to start at nav tab, go through your steps and then goes back to nav, but then somewhere down the line you want to check transactions tab, you forget to go back to nav, then your macro won't work anymore... unless I am missing something obvious?Edit: I suppose it would be feasible if we were unable to cicle through menus only in one direction indefinitely but since even if you get to a sub far right and press right again it will take you back to the beginning. Hope that makes sense
Last edited:
I know I've given up using them except to type "/clear".affirmative, what I was referring to is when You don't use macro but instead just access another function on any of the tabs manually... unless Your kb has enough macro-keys to assign to all commands possible on all menus, sub-menus, tabs etc... it would be a big arze kb me tink
I do have one on my J/stick that slows me to zero speed and enters analysis mode. I use that quite a bit.
yes, I hope OP is not discouraged by my answers, there are still quite a good selection of macros that can be set up and will work reliably, Yours is actually mint, never thought of that, now I am thinking something like 0 throttle -> FSS -> honkI know I've given up using them except to type "/clear".
I do have one on my J/stick that slows me to zero speed and enters analysis mode. I use that quite a bit.
Nor do I. There is fun writing them and getting them working.
That's the one.there are still quite a good selection of macros that can be set up and will work reliably, Yours is actually mint, never thought of that, now I am thinking something like 0 throttle -> FSS -> honk
Only I generally do the honk first. Setting the speed to zero lets you enter FSS straight away. Instead of waiting to slow down. So a second or two saved.
Last edited:
lol that's one of two functions I'm using heavily. The other function (actually a set of functions) is automatic pip management (4/2/0, 2/4/0, etc.)
Pip management is a good idea. I must try that.
I don't know if you may have looked into this, but there is a brilliant bit of software called VoiceAttack, that will allow you to use your voice to run macros. The trial version is free, and lets you create up to 20 commands (full, what-ever-length-you-want macros), the full version costs $10 (about £7.50), and allows as many as you like.
This, coupled with one of the HCS Voicepacks (The Verity one is voiced by the same actress that does the in-game computer voice, currently on sale for £7.77), will give you full voice control over all aspect of your ship controls, with the added bonus that the computer will talk back to you to confirm your orders.
I know it's an extra cash outlay, but I've been using this for quite a few years (they're constantly tweaking it as the game updates, and making it cleverer!), and is also handy if you ever go down the VR rabbit-hole, as you don't need to try and map everything to your Joypad/Hotas, and run out of buttons!
Was just a thought.
Fly safe, Commander! o7
This, coupled with one of the HCS Voicepacks (The Verity one is voiced by the same actress that does the in-game computer voice, currently on sale for £7.77), will give you full voice control over all aspect of your ship controls, with the added bonus that the computer will talk back to you to confirm your orders.
I know it's an extra cash outlay, but I've been using this for quite a few years (they're constantly tweaking it as the game updates, and making it cleverer!), and is also handy if you ever go down the VR rabbit-hole, as you don't need to try and map everything to your Joypad/Hotas, and run out of buttons!
Was just a thought.
Fly safe, Commander! o7
Voice Attack is great, indeed. If you get it don't forget to get the cockpit cat. Awesome 
Here's why I don't use it specifically for ED anymore: if I set it up to manage pips e.g. with the command "power to engines" to get maybe 2/4/0 as a result, it always felt way slower than using a tiny macro that reacts to pressing a button. Currently from touching the button to having 2/4/0 pips takes about 650ms and that's only because I was a bit cautious with delay times in between button presses and I have it set up as a function that only reacts after I keep the button pressed for 333ms. Saying "power to engines" alone takes longer than that. Also, in combat I was constantly mumbling pip commands. Not great if you're in voice chat with a wing because it forces you to use push to talk, which I don't like. Also not great if you don't want anybody else in your household to think you're maybe a little crazy
Here's why I don't use it specifically for ED anymore: if I set it up to manage pips e.g. with the command "power to engines" to get maybe 2/4/0 as a result, it always felt way slower than using a tiny macro that reacts to pressing a button. Currently from touching the button to having 2/4/0 pips takes about 650ms and that's only because I was a bit cautious with delay times in between button presses and I have it set up as a function that only reacts after I keep the button pressed for 333ms. Saying "power to engines" alone takes longer than that. Also, in combat I was constantly mumbling pip commands. Not great if you're in voice chat with a wing because it forces you to use push to talk, which I don't like. Also not great if you don't want anybody else in your household to think you're maybe a little crazy
I think it may be a little too late for that in my household!Also not great if you don't want anybody else in your household to think you're maybe a little crazy
I haven't played Elite in nearly a year unfortunately (My gaming desk has been ursurped by my wife due to her being able to work from home amid these current times), but even with using VA and the VoicePacks, I seem to recall applying my pips by manually anyway! (If I remember i had them set up on the 4 way hat on the joystick)