Suggestion] "Trigger Block" Natural Mouse Controls for PMWs and Subgrid Tools

Kristóf Faller shared this feedback 18 hours ago
Not Enough Votes

I would like to suggest a new 1x1x1 utility block for both Small and Large grids: the Trigger Block.

The main purpose of this block is to provide a more natural and fluid control scheme for player-made mechanisms. Currently, controlling custom weapon rigs or subgrid tools requires awkward hotbar toggling (pressing 1-9 keys), which breaks player focus during intense situations like aiming or precise drilling.

The Problem This Solves:

  1. Player-Made Weapons (PMWs): When tracking a target with a custom rotor-based rotary cannon, the player has to move their hand to find a specific hotbar key just to start the rotor. This disrupts aiming.
  2. Subgrid Tools: If you build a crane with a drill attached via rotors/pistons, the game doesn't recognize it as a standard ship tool. You cannot use standard mouse clicks to operate it; you are forced to bind an "On/Off" switch to the hotbar.

How the Trigger Block Works:

  • Activation: The player places the Trigger Block on their cockpit/remote control hotbar. Selecting this slot "arms" the block.
  • Input Remapping: While this block is selected, Mouse Left Click (LMB) and Mouse Right Click (RMB) are mapped to custom actions instead of firing vanilla weapons.
  • 4-Action Setup (State-Based): The block uses a "Setup Action" menu based on two states for each mouse button: Pressed and Released.LMB Pressed (e.g., Turn subgrid drill or rotor ON)LMB Released (e.g., Turn subgrid drill or rotor OFF)RMB Pressed (e.g., Trigger secondary custom mechanism / weapon)RMB Released (e.g., Stop secondary custom mechanism)

With this setup, if a player does a quick click, the mechanism turns on and immediately off. Just like everything else in Space Engineers, it is up to the player to set it up correctly; a wrong configuration will behave stupidly, but a correct one allows for highly advanced builds.

Why the Community Needs This:

It merges aiming and operating into a single, seamless action. Players can keep their eyes on the crosshair and their hands on the main controls, making the piloting of advanced, custom engineering builds feel truly rewarding and natural.

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