Freeform from a game controller
The Freeform layout is built into InputConfig, free on the Mac App Store. You don't have to make an account, there are no subscriptions, and nothing is locked. Optimized for Apple silicon.
On a Mac: Freeform has no single-letter tool keys, so the face buttons need new outputs. Its zoom, undo and copy keys match this layout as shipped.
Yes, Apple Freeform works from a game controller on a Mac: pointer, scroll, clicks, zoom and undo all work as shipped. There is one catch: Freeform has no single-letter tool keys, so the face buttons, which send the V, R, T and O keys other whiteboard apps use, do nothing until you give them a shortcut Freeform has.
The layout, control by control
How the layout thinks
- Move things. The left stick is the pointer, the right trigger clicks and drags, the left trigger right-clicks.
- Get around the board. The right stick scrolls, D-pad up and down zoom in and out (Command Plus and Command Minus).
- Undo and copy. On the left and right bumpers.
Give the face buttons real Freeform shortcuts
Freeform's own shortcuts cover grouping, locking, text formatting, zoom and search, but not adding a text box, shape or sticky note. Two ways round it, smallest first:
- Use the shortcuts it has. Point the face buttons at Option Command G to group, Command L to lock, Command F to search the board, and Command B for bold text.
- Make your own. In System Settings, Keyboard, Keyboard Shortcuts, App Shortcuts, add a shortcut for Freeform and type the menu item's name exactly as the Insert menu shows it. Then point a face button at that shortcut, and one press adds a text box or a sticky note.
Dictation into a text box covers the words. A shortcut you make in System Settings works from a controller like any other key.
Get it in two clicks
- Get InputConfig free on the Mac App Store, open it, and click Smart Preset Maker on the welcome screen.
- Search for Freeform and pick it. The layout is created as a preset in your sidebar, named and ready.
- Press Activate. Every row can be changed afterwards: the editor's Scan button rebinds any control the moment you touch it.
Every binding, as a table
| Controller | Sends | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Left stick left | Mouse motion left (speed 16) | Cursor left |
| Left stick right | Mouse motion right (speed 16) | Cursor right |
| Left stick up | Mouse motion up (speed 16) | Cursor up |
| Left stick down | Mouse motion down (speed 16) | Cursor down |
| Right stick down | Scroll down | Scroll down |
| Right stick up | Scroll up | Scroll up |
| Right trigger | Left click | Click |
| Left trigger | Right click | Right click |
| A / Cross | V | Move tool (V) |
| B / Circle | R | Rectangle (R) |
| X / Square | T | Text (T) |
| Y / Triangle | O | Ellipse (O) |
| LB / L1 | Command (Left), Z | Undo |
| RB / R1 | Command (Left), C | Copy |
| D-pad up | Command (Left), = | Zoom in |
| D-pad down | Command (Left), - | Zoom out |
Button names follow the Xbox / PlayStation pair shown in the editor, so A / Cross is the bottom face button on either pad. On a Switch Pro Controller the bottom button is labeled B; the mapping still fires on position.
Questions
Does this match the Miro layout?
Yes, it has the same rows as the Miro layout. Freeform's lack of tool keys is the difference.
Does Freeform have keyboard shortcuts for shapes and text boxes?
Not by default. You can add your own for any Insert menu item in System Settings, Keyboard, Keyboard Shortcuts, App Shortcuts.
Related
Completely free. You don't have to make an account, there are no subscriptions, and nothing is locked. Optimized for Apple silicon. Open source on GitHub.
Updated