KeyCap

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Description

Windows only application for capturing keyboard input and remapping it to:

• another key or sequence of keys
• mouse input
• nothing at all
• on/off toggles for keys and inputs (this allows a single keystroke to initiate a hold and a second keystroke to end the hold)
• Repetition (with custom delay)

Example Uses

• (original inspiration) Shortcutting a sequence of shortcuts. I originally created the application long ago to help with a sequence of keyboard shortcuts necessary to perform file merges when integrating a branch with Perforce + Araxis Merge
• Starbound Keyboard shortcuts to toggle off/on mouse buttons. This makes extensive mining in the game a lot less painful. Mass Effect 2 planet scanning also can be a lot easier...
• Dreamfall Chapters has a run button though it can be nice to have a button that toggles whether you are running or not instead of holding one down.
• Citadel: Forged With Fire has a number of long mouse hold actions. Toggling this off/on instead of holding the button for long periods of time is extremely nice.

Run on Startup

With Registry Editor, add a new StringValue to HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run with the full path to KeyCap.exe followed by the full path to your .kfg file. KeyCap will load the config file, start it and then minimize to the tray.

Alternatively, copy the following to a text file named KeyCap.reg and then edit it to match your setup. Save it, right click-it and selct Merge. Follow the prompts and then the next time you reboot, KeyCap will start automatically.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
"KeyCap"="D:\\Util\\KeyCap\\KeyCap.exe -f D:\\Util\\KeyCap\\Config.kfg"

You can also include the -autostart argument if you wish to immediately start capturing keys with the loaded config.

Warning

This program does perform keyboard capture and is essentially the first component of a key logger. I humbly request you NOT use the information included in the source code to create a malicious application.

Visual Studio Notes

• If you attempt to run from Visual Studio you will need to make sure the C# project is configured with Enable Native Code Debugging. If this is not enabled the dll will not create the necessary keyboard hook (works fine outside of Visual Studio). This was observed in every Visual Studio version up-to and including 2015.

Technical Documentation

Library File Naming and Organization

• configfile - files related to reading the .kfg file format
• inputproc - files related to interpreting key inputs
• inputsender - files related to sending key inputs (remapped from those cpatured in inputproc)
• keycap - entry point and general functionality

.kfg File Format

The file is prefixed with two 32-bit ints:

The remainder of the file is a repeated sequence of the following information. One input may be associated with numerous outputs.

Byte array representation of each input/output(s) pair:

(#) is the number of bytes the given information is alloted.

Input Bytes

Output Bytes

There is no count for the number of inputs. Instead the file is read until no further input/output(s) pairings can be read.

Flags

The flags indicate information that modifies the value (alt/shift/ctrl and special functionality when mapping to another output)

VirtualKey

A VirtualKey value.

Parameter

A special value associated with the input/output (as necessary based on the function).

Output Count

This is limited to a single byte despite the use of an int, so 255 maximum.

History

Used to be called Key2Key but then I added mouse support so that name needed to change.

Disclaimer

I am providing code in the repository to you under an open source license. Because this is my personal repository, the license you receive to my code is from me and not my employer.