How to create rebindable keys input with Lua?

[hislittlecuzin]

I created a thread on steam but someone requested me to make a thread here. 
Please don't lock as spam until I can get the appropriate response. Thanks!! 

https://steamcommunity.com/app/251810/discussions/0/3288067088097749702/

[AggrorJorn]

I think I have something that fits your need. Will post the code + example when I get home.

it will allow you to setup your input like this:

--config setup
virtualKeys["forward"] = {
	primaryKey = "W",
	secondaryKey = "Up"
}

--usage
if input:KeyHit("forward") then
   --profit
end

 

[hislittlecuzin]

20 minutes ago, AggrorJorn said:

snip

I'm eagerly awaiting your solution!! 

[AggrorJorn]

I have been using my own Input manager for several years now. From time to time a project would require some custom tweaking, so I made a new clean version which should suit your requirements.

• keyboard and mouse hit and down 
• key can be queried multiple times per frame
• Virtual keys with primary and secondary function (W and Up for instance)
• Other userfull functions

Here you can find the source code: 

1. Download the script and put it somewhere in your scripts folder. My example uses Scripts/Input/input.lua

I use main.lua to import it. Add this to your main lua: 

import "Scripts/Input/input.lua"

Before the main loop add the following:

input = Input:Create() -- I like input as a global variable, since you use it in many places
input:SetVirtualKey("RocketBoost", "Tab", "R") -- Add custom virtual key
input:DebugVirtualKeys() --prints all existing virtual keys to the screen

In your main loop you can now do these things:

if input:VirtualKeyHit("RocketBoost") then System:Print("ROCKETBOOOSTING using Tab or ALt") end
if input:KeyHit("E") then System:Print("E hit") end
if input:KeyHit("E") then System:Print("E hit second time") end
if input:KeyDown("Q") then System:Print("Q down") end
if input:MouseHit("LButton") then System:Print("Left mouse button click") end
if input:MouseDown("MButton") then System:Print("Middle mouse down") end
if input:VirtualKeyHit("Jump") then System:Print("jump hit") end
if input:VirtualKeyDown("Forward") then System:Print("moving forward using W or Up arrow") end

By default there are a couple of Virtual keys (just like you were used in Unity). You can either change the input.lua script or add/overwrite with the SetVirtualKeyCommand()

obj.virtualKeys["Forward"] =        { primaryKey = "W",         secondaryKey = "Up" }
obj.virtualKeys["Backward"] =       { primaryKey = "S",         secondaryKey = "Down" }
obj.virtualKeys["Left"] =           { primaryKey = "A",         secondaryKey = "Left" }
obj.virtualKeys["Right"] =          { primaryKey = "D",         secondaryKey = "Right" }
obj.virtualKeys["Jump"] =           { primaryKey = "Space" }
obj.virtualKeys["Use"] =            { primaryKey = "E" }
obj.virtualKeys["Fire"] =           { primaryKey = "Lbutton" }
obj.virtualKeys["SecondaryFire"] =  { primaryKey = "Rbutton" }
obj.virtualKeys["SpecialFire"] =    { primaryKey = "Mbutton" }

Some other usefull functions for in your game loop:

if input:Any() then System:Print("Any input detected. So keyboard or mouse.") end
if input:AnyKey() then System:Print("Any keyboard input.") end
if input:AnyMouse() then System:Print("Any mouse input detected (besides movement)") end

 

 

[AggrorJorn]

Little video demonstrating it: