Rumble support

[Ape]

We can send rumble events to the physical controller just fine, but we are not currently supporting rumble features in the evdev end so games cannot actually use rumble.

[poconbhui]

Do you have any links explaining why evdev doesn't support rumble? Is there any way around this you've seen?

[Ape]

Evdev itself would allow rumble (force feedback) support. See this for information about it. However, python-evdev doesn't seem to support rumble, or at least it didn't in the past. Here is an old pull request discussing that.

[kharlashkin]

Hi! This is my code for send vibration in gamepad in python (works with xbox 360 controller, dualshock 4, wii remote).

import fcntl, struct, array, time

EVIOCRMFF = 0x40044581
EVIOCSFF = 0x40304580
LOG_CLASS_ON = False
TIME_DELTA = 250

class Vibrate:

    def __init__(self, file):
        self.ff_joy = open(file, "r+")

    def close(self):
        self.ff_joy.close()

    def new_effect(self, strong, weak, length):
        effect = struct.pack('HhHHHHHxHH', 0x50, -1, 0, 0, 0, length, 0, int(strong * 0xFFFF), int(weak * 0xFFFF))
        a = array.array('h', effect)
        fcntl.ioctl(self.ff_joy, EVIOCSFF, a, True)
        return a[1]
        id = a[1]
        return (ev_play, ev_stop)

    def play_efect(self, id):
        if type(id) == tuple or type(id) == list:
            ev_play = ''
            for i in id:
                ev_play = ev_play + struct.pack('LLHHi', 0, 0, 0x15, i, 1)
        else:
            ev_play = struct.pack('LLHHi', 0, 0, 0x15, id, 1)
        self.ff_joy.write(ev_play)
        self.ff_joy.flush()

    def stop_effect(self, id):
        if type(id) == tuple or type(id) == list:
            ev_stop = ''
            for i in id:
                ev_stop = ev_stop + struct.pack('LLHHi', 0, 0, 0x15, i, 0)
        else:
            ev_stop = struct.pack('LLHHi', 0, 0, 0x15, id, 0)
        self.ff_joy.write(ev_stop)
        self.ff_joy.flush()

    def forget_effect(self, id):
        if type(id) == tuple or type(id) == list:
            for i in id:
                fcntl.ioctl(self.ff_joy, EVIOCRMFF, i)
        else:
            fcntl.ioctl(self.ff_joy, EVIOCRMFF, id)

f = Vibrate("/dev/input/event14")
p = f.new_effect(1.0, 1.0, TIME_DELTA )
f.play_efect((p))
time.sleep(TIME_DELTA / 1000.0)
f.stop_effect((p))
f.forget_effect((p))

[Millsionaire]

@kharlashkin Hi. Are you saying you are able to get rumble to work with this code? If so, what file is this that you have provided? I would like to add it to get rumble to work if possible. Thanks!

[kharlashkin]

@Millsionaire Hi! You must write only correct "/dev/input/event14" for testing this code. Sorry for my english.

[jrahlf]

Hi,

for me the ds4drv correctly creates /dev/input/event0 (raspberry pi 3). However, fftest cannot play any rumble effects ("Error: function not implemented").

The code posted above does not work ("invalid argument").

How can I make the controller rumble? Any working c code/program is appreciated.

[logos88]

Can't this be done through libinput?

[sl1pkn07]

@kharlashkin

with your code:

└───╼  ds4drv                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
[info][controller 1] Created devices /dev/input/js0 (joystick) /dev/input/event7 (evdev)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
[info][bluetooth] Scanning for devices                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
[info][bluetooth] Found device 00:01:6C:8D:29:C5                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
[info][controller 1] Connected to Bluetooth Controller (00:01:6C:8D:29:C5)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
[info][bluetooth] Scanning for devices                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
[info][controller 1] Battery: Fully charged  

└───╼  python rumble.py 
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "rumble.py", line 51, in <module>
    f = Vibrate("/dev/input/event7")
  File "rumble.py", line 11, in __init__
    self.ff_joy = open(file, "r+")
io.UnsupportedOperation: File or stream is not seekable.

any hint?

is a DualShock 4 20th anniversary edition

[kharlashkin]

In first you must find your gamepad in "/dev/input/eventXX" and insert true event. For testing vibration in terminal try: fftest /dev/input/eventXX

[kharlashkin]

I think autofind true event try make with glob.glob('/dev/input/event[A-Za-z]*'). Sorry for my english.

[sl1pkn07]

you mean like this?

[1036906.183060] input: Sony Computer Entertainment Wireless Controller as /devices/virtual/input/input119

from dmesg

note: using python-evdev 0.6.4

[kharlashkin]

I don't have any dualshock for testing, but I'm sure - when dualshock 4 connect with cable to PC - its has vibrate from fftest /dev/input/eventXX. One of my friend test this.

[sl1pkn07]

then only works with USB? not working through BT?

[kharlashkin]

On occasion, I will ask him about BT.

[sl1pkn07]

other question, what version of python-evdev is used? ff branch?

[kharlashkin]

On my example I dont use any python-evdev. Documentation for writing this test program Im getting in Linux Kernel.

[sl1pkn07]

ok. tested with fftest from linuxconsole package

only works throught USB cable

fails with BT due unimplemented function

└───╼  fftest /dev/input/event7
Force feedback test program.
HOLD FIRMLY YOUR WHEEL OR JOYSTICK TO PREVENT DAMAGES

Device /dev/input/event7 opened
Features:
  * Absolute axes: X, Y, Z, RX, RY, RZ, Throttle, Rudder, Wheel, Hat 0 X, Hat 0 Y, Distance, Tilt X, Tilt Y, 
    [FF 01 03 0E 00 00 00 00 ]
  * Relative axes: 
    [00 00 ]
  * Force feedback effects types: 
    Force feedback periodic effects: 
    [00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ]
  * Number of simultaneous effects: 0

Uploading effect #0 (Periodic sinusoidal) ... Error:: Function not implemented
Uploading effect #1 (Constant) ... Error: Function not implemented
Uploading effect #2 (Spring) ... Error: Function not implemented
Uploading effect #3 (Damper) ... Error: Function not implemented
Uploading effect #4 (Strong rumble, with heavy motor) ... Error: Function not implemented
Uploading effect #5 (Weak rumble, with light motor) ... Error: Function not implemented
Enter effect number, -1 to exit
-1
Stopping effects

same output with ds4drv --hidraw (with USB cable) (/dev/input/event25)

EDIT: oh, is a python2 (fails with python3) script..... ok. now works.

fails in BT mode throught ds4drv (plain bluez)

works in BT mode without ds4drv

[kharlashkin]

Yes. I posted my script with idea to developers added vibration in ds4drv.

[sl1pkn07]

you can add python3 support in you script?

[kharlashkin]

Yes, I can add python3 support, but now I dont have a gamepad for testing.

[gjoelbye]

For anyone looking for Python 3 support: Just change line 11 to this:

self.ff_joy = open(file, "r+b", buffering=0)

Thanks for the Vibrate Class Kharlashkin

[orwell1984]

This is my output on Fedora:

  File "rumble.py", line 53, in <module>
    p = f.new_effect(1.0, 1.0, TIME_DELTA )
  File "rumble.py", line 20, in new_effect
    fcntl.ioctl(self.ff_joy, EVIOCSFF, a, True)
OSError: [Errno 38] Function not implemented

@kharlashkin do you still need some testing for this? I can be a tester for this feature ;)

[ror6ax]

Hi there, anyone figured this out yet?