Introduction to Building Blocks
Building blocks are the basic unit of programming in ControllerMate. Each type of building block performs a small function, then triggers other building blocks. Building blocks can be joined together to create complex functions.
Listed below are the various types of building blocks available in ControllerMate. Each type is described in detail in the Programming Reference section. In addition, the Programming Examples section contains examples of how several types of building blocks can be used.
Device Building Blocks represent a device, individual controls on a device (buttons, axes, sliders), or messages from a MIDI source:
Controller — Indicates whether a particular device is attached
Button — Responds to one button on a controller
Button Group — Responds to a collection of buttons on a controller
Axis — Responds to one axis on a controller
Hatswitch — Responds to one hatswitch on a controller
LED — Turns a controller LED on or off
Virtual Button — Represents a button on a virtual device
Virtual Axis — Represents an axis on a virtual device
Virtual Hatswitch — Represents a hatswitch on a virtual device
MIDI Note — Responds to a Note message from a MIDI source
MIDI Note Velocity — Responds to the velocity value of a Note message from a MIDI source
MIDI Controller — Responds to a Control Change message from a MIDI source
MIDI After Touch — Responds to an After Touch message from a MIDI source
MIDI Program Change — Responds to Program Change messages from a MIDI source
MIDI Channel Pressure — Responds to Channel Pressure messages from a MIDI source
MIDI Pitch Wheel — Responds to Pitch Wheel messages from a MIDI source
Output Building Blocks trigger activity on ControllerMate’s internal keyboard or mouse, or play a system sound:
Text — Generates simple text
Single Key — Generates a single keyboard key or key combination
Keystrokes — Generates a series of individual keyboard keystrokes
Cursor — Generates cursor movements
Mouse Button — Generates mouse button clicks
Scroll Wheel — Generates mouse scroll wheel turns
Beep — Plays a system sound
AppleScript Building Blocks perform an AppleScript:
AppleScript — Performs an AppleScript and ignores any result
AppleScript (ON/OFF) — Performs an AppleScript and interprets the result as an ON/OFF value
AppleScript (Number) — Performs an AppleScript and interprets the result as a number value
Logic Building Blocks combine ON/OFF values using standard logic functions:
AND — Combines ON/OFF values using AND logic
NOT — Changes an ON/OFF value to the opposite value
OR — Combines ON/OFF values using OR logic
XOR — Combines ON/OFF values using eXclusive OR logic
Toggle — Inverts an ON/OFF value each time its input turns ON
ON/OFF Gate — Allows or prevents an ON/OFF value from passing through
ON/OFF Latch — Retains an ON/OFF value
1:2 Selector — Select one of two ON/OFF values
Basic Math Building Blocks perform basic mathematical functions:
Addition — Adds two or more number values
Subtraction — Subtracts one number value from another
Multiplication — Multiplies two or more number values
Division — Divides one number value by another
Division — Reports the remainder obtained by dividing one number value by another
Comparator — Compares two number values to each other
Calculation Building Blocks perform more complex functions with number values:
Accumulator — Maintains a running total of number values
Axis Calibration — Interpolates number values from one range into another range
Constant Number — Creates constant number values
Counter — Counts ON/OFF changes
Delta (Number) — Calculates the amount by which a number value changes
Delta (Strobe) — Indicates when a number value has changed by a predetermined amount
Number Exchange — Replaces certain number values with another value
Number Gate — Allows or prevents a number value from passing through
Random Number — Generates a random number value
Range — Indicates when a number value is between two predetermined limits
1:2 Selector — Selects one of two number values
Value Selector — Indicates when a number value is equal to one of a predetermined set of values
View Hatswitch Setup — Combines individual ON/OFF values into a single value appropriate for use with a view hatswitch
Timer Building Blocks perform time-related functions:
Auto-Repeater — Creates an ON/OFF value that alternates at a predetermined rate
Delay — Turns ON after a certain amount of time
Dwell — Remains ON for a certain amount of time
Pulse — Turns ON for a predetermined amount of time
Pulse Count — Counts the number of ON/OFF changes within a certain time interval
Rate — Creates an ON/OFF value that alternates at a variable rate
Strobe — Creates an ON/OFF value that alternates a variable number of times
MIDI Output Building Blocks send MIDI messages through a virtual MIDI device:
MIDI Note Output — Generates a predetermined MIDI Note message
MIDI Variable Note Output — Generates a MIDI Note message that has variable note and velocity values
MIDI Variable Controller Output — Generates a MIDI Control Change message that has a variable control value
MIDI After Touch Output — Generates a predetermined MIDI After Touch message
MIDI Variable After Touch Output — Generates a MIDI After Touch message that has a variable note number and pressure value
MIDI Program Change Output — Generates a predetermined MIDI Program Change message
MIDI Variable Program Change Output — Generates a MIDI Program Change message that has a variable program number
MIDI Channel Pressure Output — Generates a MIDI Pressure Change message that has a variable pressure value
MIDI Pitch Wheel Output — Generates a MIDI Pitch Wheel message that has a variable wheel position value
"Extra" Building Blocks perform functions that do not match one of the categories above:
Application — Indicates when a particular application is running
Finder Item — Instructs the Finder to open a file or folder
Modifier — Alters the behavior of building blocks based on the value of other building blocks
Properties — Enables or disables portions of ControllerMate’s programming
Safety — Disables ControllerMate’s programming or resets its internal keyboard or mouse