Lexia Tech Note #100504

Using the Keyboard as a Game Controller in Lexia Cross-Trainer

Lexia Program:
  • Cross-Trainer

Version:
  • V1.01+ (all programs in the Cross-Trainer Suite)

Platforms Affected:
  • All Platforms

Description:

Cross-Trainer provides an undocumented feature that allows users to use keyboard shortcuts instead of the recommended game controller.

Explanation:

The mapping of controller functions and keyboard alternatives is defined in a document named "vsprefs.ini" located in the Lexia Learning Systems\llscommon folder. To use the keyboard instead of the game controller, please follow the steps below:

  1. Unplug the game controller from your computer. This is crucial as the program looks for a controller first, then uses the keyboard in the case that it is not found.
  2. Open the Audio Folder and delete the "menunojoy.mp3" file (if you do not delete this file, you will constantly get an alert message that a controller could not be found):
    Windows: C:\Program Files\Lexia Learning Systems\vs\common\audio
    Mac: HD:Applications:Lexia Learning Systems:vs:common:audio
  3. Ensure that both suites of Lexia Cross-Trainer (Visual-Spatial and Logical Reasoning) are installed on your system.

Cross Trainer Keyboard Equivalents
(From the default set in the vsprefs.ini file installed with the program.)

Unplug the game controller from the computer (if you have one).

Check Answer, "Done" Button (the "Trigger" Button)
]

Menu Button
x

Help/Hint Button
Control (ctrl) button (Win) or Command button (Mac)

Action Button
Spacebar

* For the keyboard functions to perform properly, the controller MUST be disconnected.

The following commands are program specific:
All Logic Activities (Stepping Stones, Fishing Derby, Bridge Builder, Satellite, World Cup)
Use the Spacebar to select items and the Arrow Keys to move them.

Visual Spatial Activities
Waterworld, Spatial Delivery:
Use the Spacebar to select items and the Arrow Keys to move them. (Vertical Arrow Keys may be pressed simultaneously with horizontal Arrow Keys for continuous movement.)

Flips, Tangrams:
Use the Spacebar to select items and the Arrow Keys to move them. Use the "j" key to rotate counter-clockwise & the "k" key to rotate clockwise.

Cubes:
Use the Shift key to "Change View" (i.e., rotate the turtle). Use the "i" key to move up & "m" key to move down. Use the the "Up" or "Down" arrows to move forward and backwards and the "Left" or "Right" arrows to move. To move up or down a level, press the appropriate vertical arrow and horizontal arrow simultaneously.

To move around the template at the bottom of the screen (higher levels only), use the Arrow Keys.

Keywords:

Alternate mapping, keyboard, game controller, Wingman, Cross-Trainer