3. XFree86 implementation

The XFree86 implementation contains 2 parts : the server part and two clients (xsetpointer and xsetmode).

3.1. Server side

The server supports the following extended devices :

• Joystick (only on supported systems ie. Linux, FreeBSD and NetBSD). Features :
  • Relative mode.
  • 2 valuators (x and y axis).
  • 2 buttons.
• Elographics touchscreen. Features :
  • Absolute mode.
  • 2 valuators (x and y axis).
  • 1 button.
• Stylus on MicroTouch touchscreen. Features :
  • Absolute mode.
  • 2 valuators (x and y axis).
  • 1 button.
• Finger on MicroTouch touchscreen. Features :
  • Absolute mode.
  • 2 valuators (x and y axis).
  • 1 button.
• Mouse. Features :
  • Relative mode.
  • 2 valuators (x and y axis).
  • up to 4 buttons.
• Wacom stylus. Features :
  • Absolute or relative modes.
  • 6 valuators :
    1. X axis.
    2. Y axis.
    3. pressure.
    4. X tilt.
    5. Y tilt.
    6. wheel.
  • 3 buttons.
  • Proximity report.
  • Motion history capability.
  • Macro/function buttons are reported as keys.
• Wacom eraser. Features :
  • Absolute or relative modes.
  • 6 valuators :
    1. X axis.
    2. Y axis.
    3. pressure.
    4. X tilt.
    5. Y tilt.
    6. wheel.
  • 1 button.
  • Proximity report.
  • Motion history capability.
  • Macro/function buttons are reported as keys.
• Wacom cursor. Features :
  • Absolute or relative modes.
  • 6 valuators :
    1. X axis.
    2. Y axis.
    3. pressure.
    4. X tilt.
    5. Y tilt.
    6. wheel.
  • 16 buttons.
  • Proximity report.
  • Motion history capability.
  • Macro/function buttons are reported as keys.
• SummaSketch tablet. Features :
  • Absolute or relative modes.
  • 2 valuators (x and y axis).
  • 2 buttons stylus or 4 buttons puck.
  • Proximity report.
  • Motion history capability.
• AceCad tablet. Features :
  • Absolute or relative modes.
  • 2 valuators (x and y axis).
  • 2 buttons stylus or 4 buttons puck.
  • Proximity report.
  • Motion history capability.
• Calcomp DrawingBoard tablet. Features :
  • Absolute or relative modes.
  • 2 valuators (x and y axis).
  • 4 buttons stylus or 16 buttons puck.
  • Proximity report.
  • Motion history capability.
• SWITCH virtual device. Features :
  • Absolute mode.
  • 1 valuator (device id) which reports the id of the device controlling the core pointer (works with the AlwaysCore feature see bellow).
• SGI button box. Features :
  • Absolute or relative modes.
  • 8 valuators.
  • 32 buttons.
  • Motion history capability.

To enable an extended device, you must add en entry in the XF86Config file. Consult to the XF86Config man pages to see the details.

The XFree86 implementation supports a non standard feature called AlwaysCore which enables an XInput device to send both core and extended events at the same time. To enable it you have to add the AlwaysCore keyword to the subsection describing your device in the XF86Config file. The SWITCH virtual device reports a Motion event when another device takes over the control of the core pointer. The id of the new device is reported in the first valuator of the event.

3.2. Clients

xsetpointer is used to change the device controlling the core pointer and to list available extended devices.

xsetmode is used to change the mode (absolute or relative) of an extended device. The device has to support relative and absolute modes and the device must not control the core pointer.

Consult the man pages for details.

$XFree86: xc/programs/Xserver/hw/xfree86/doc/sgml/xinput.sgml,v 3.6.2.3 1999/06/30 13:00:30 hohndel Exp $




$XConsortium: xinput.sgml /main/3 1996/10/27 11:06:13 kaleb $