OpenToonz from a game controller
The OpenToonz 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: OpenToonz reads keys from this layout like a keyboard. The tool rows come from the Krita layout, and OpenToonz lists its own keys in its Configure Shortcuts window.
Yes, OpenToonz works from a game controller on a Mac as a left-hand deck: brush and eraser, undo and redo, brush size on the bumpers. Animation is drawing the same thing many times, which is where a deck like this helps most. The tool rows come from the Krita layout, so check them against OpenToonz's own keys.
The layout, control by control
How the layout thinks
- Draw. Brush (B) on the bottom face button, eraser (E) on the right. The right trigger paints.
- Fix. Undo on the left face button, redo on the top.
- Brush size. [ and ] on the bumpers.
- Pick a color. The left trigger holds Option.
- Krita leftovers. Mirror (M) on Back, Share or View and Tab on Start.
- Point and scroll. The left stick is the pointer, the right stick scrolls.
Check the tool keys
- You: Open OpenToonz's File, Configure Shortcuts, and read its brush, eraser and view keys.
- InputConfig: Sends the Krita layout's keys until you change a row.
- Check: Press each face button and Back with a drawing open. Where OpenToonz picks a different tool, set that row to its key.
Configure Shortcuts is the reference for every row on this deck.
Tune it for animation
- Next and previous frame. Put their keys from the shortcut settings on D-pad left and right.
- Onion skin. Its toggle on a stick click.
- Play the scene. Put it on the touchpad press.
Frame stepping on the D-pad is the row that makes this an animation deck.
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 OpenToonz 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) | Pointer left |
| Left stick right | Mouse motion right (speed 16) | Pointer right |
| Left stick up | Mouse motion up (speed 16) | Pointer up |
| Left stick down | Mouse motion down (speed 16) | Pointer down |
| Right stick down | Scroll down | Scroll down |
| Right stick up | Scroll up | Scroll up |
| Right trigger | Left click | Paint |
| Left trigger | Alt / Option (Left) | Hold to pick color (Alt) |
| A / Cross | B | Brush (B) |
| B / Circle | E | Eraser toggle (E) |
| X / Square | Command (Left), Z | Undo (Cmd+Z) |
| Y / Triangle | Command (Left), Shift (Left), Z | Redo (Cmd+Shift+Z) |
| LB / L1 | [ | Smaller brush ([) |
| RB / R1 | ] | Larger brush (]) |
| Back / Share / Select | M | Mirror view (M) |
| Start / Options | Tab | Canvas only (Tab) |
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 replace a pen tablet?
No. It is the other hand.
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