How Do Configuring PC Games Work With 3D Attack Joysticks?

Minimum Requirements

To configure PC games to work with a 3-D attack joystick, first become familiar with your computer's specifications even before you buy a joystick and a game to go with it. List important hardware specifications such as port availability, speed, internal memory, sound, video cards, resolution and other pertinent information you might need. List the operating system you are using and the service pack version. Gathering pertinent information before shopping for a 3-D attack joystick will help you decide which one to buy. Not all 3-D attack joysticks are compatible with every computer, especially if the computer is very old. Your computer must meet the minimum requirements for it to work with the 3-D attack joystick and to ensure that it will work well with the PC games you choose.

After purchasing the right 3-D attack joystick for your computer, it is now time to install it. Start with the hardware installation. If you purchased a 3-D attack joystick that works with a regular USB hub, hooking it up to the USB port is all you need to do. If you do not have available USB slots, even if your computer supports USB, then you need to expand your USB connections by adding and external USB hub. If you will hook up your USB to a micro-controller, you need a PIC-USB-4550. Check the related article under "Resources" for instructions on how to hook up a joystick to a micro-controller. After successfully hooking up the 3-D attack joystick, you then need to install the driver. Most joysticks are not plug-and-play; therefore, for your computer to recognize it, you need the driver installed. Do this by running the executable from the installation CD that came with your 3-D attack joystick. You can follow the default setup or opt for a customized installation if desired.

Joystick
Enable the use of the 3-D attack joystick by checking the joystick box. To do this, go to "Configuration," then go to the "Controls" and "Advanced" menus. The next important step is to calibrate the controller. Make sure all the controller's buttons are working properly. Calibrating the controller through the game controller icon allows you fine-tune the features of the controller. Go to the "Control Panel" of your computer, and then double-click on the "Game Controller's Icon." The icon may show up differently depending on the name brand. Go the "Properties" tab, and then click on "Calibrate" button. Follow the prompts to calibrate the controller's components until you reach the desired settings.
Car Racing Joystick
3-D attack joysticks come with a default setting. The following are the common default settings of a 3-D attack joystick. The left and right movements are for controlling movements going to the left and right. The forward and backward movements are for controlling movements going to and reversing. Control strafing by assigning a "strafe modifier," and then control looking by assigning the "look modifier" from the joystick buttons.

After calibrating the controller, it is time to calibrate the game. Each game may need a different setting. For example, a car racing game is different from a flight simulator game. You can do this using the controller. Go to the game's "Options" or "Setup" menu, then look for the "Advanced Settings." Adjust the settings by moving the sliders to the left or right of your screen until you get the desired settings.