User Guide

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Table of Contents INTRODUCTION

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Introduction Welcome and Thanks
Thank you for purchasing the Nostromo SpeedPad n52 (the n52). Built to
Installing the Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 give you the winning edge in any game, the n52 captures all the
advantages of its critically acclaimed predecessor, the n50, and adds
Assigning Profiles to Games in Loadout Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 advanced options that make sure you dominate your game in virtually
any application. It puts keyboard and gamepad functionality into one
Nostromo Array Programming Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 small and easy-to-use device, delivering more tools for customizing your
game than ever. Check out the rest of the Nostromo gaming arsenal,
Making a Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 as well as our wide array of PC accessories, at belkin.com.

Creating a Macro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 The Nostromo SpeedPad n52 is a simple Plug-and-Play controller that
sets up easily with (or without) the Array Programming Software.
Other Remapping/Reprogramming Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Although the n52 will function right out of the box as a Human Interface
“Signing” and Sharing your Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Device (HID) keyboard with a mouse scroll wheel, for advanced
programmability and functionality, we highly recommended that you
Using the Profile Loadout Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 install the n52 driver.

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Installation of the Nostromo Array Programming Software will give you
added flexibility and up to 104 programmable functions. You will be
®
User Guide for Mac Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 able to customize your Nostromo game controller for each game
you play.
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Features
• 14 programmable keyboard-style buttons
• 2 programmable thumb buttons
• Mouse wheel
• A programmable, 8-way directional pad
• An adjustable, removable, left-hand rest
• Stable base with internal metal weight and rubber footpad

System Requirements
• USB port
• CD-ROM or DVD drive
• Windows® 98, 2000, Me, or XP
- Pentium® 233MHz or compatible with 32MB RAM
- 30MB available on the hard drive
- DirectX® compatible video card
• Mac OS® 9.04 or later or Mac OS X v10.1.2 or later
- 102MB available on the hard drive for Mac OS X
- 10MB available on the hard drive for Mac OS 9
INSTALLING THE SOFTWARE ASSIGNING PROFILES TO GAMES IN LOADOUT MANAGER

Important Notes: The Nostromo Array Programming Software comes with premade
If you choose to install the n52 driver, you must install it prior to profiles. Additional profiles are available for download at
connecting the SpeedPad to your computer. If you choose not to install www.belkin.com/nostromo. To submit your own profiles, e-mail
the n52 driver, please proceed to the “Using the SpeedPad as a default them as an attachment to [email protected]. Please note
HID Device” at the end of this user guide. that pre-built profiles are created by other gamers, which means you
may not feel comfortable with the key layout for them. It is always
If you have previously installed a driver for any Nostromo game recommended to create your own profiles so that the n52 is customized
controller, you must uninstall the old driver before proceeding with this to your needs, according to the ways you play. To create your own
installation procedure. profile, please check out the “Making a Profile” section in this User
Guide before following the next steps.
1. Insert your Nostromo Array Programming Software into your CD/DVD
drive on your computer. 1. Be sure you have the n52 connected to your computer
before continuing.
2. The software should start automatically. If it does not, click the “Start”
button and choose “Run”. Click “Browse” and choose your CD drive. 2. Open the Loadout Manager by clicking on the Nostromo icon in the
Select “setup.exe” and click “OK”. taskbar, your desktop, or in the Start menu under Program Files. Click
on the bar (on the left) that shows your attached controller. Select
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to continue with the “Load Profile” and then select the profile you want to use. The
software installation. default location of pre-built profiles and website downloaded profiles
are in the “pre-built” folder under “C:\Program Files\Belkin\
4. After the installation is done, select “Finish”. Connect the n52 to an Nostromo\Profiles”. If you created one, the default location is right
available USB port on your computer. under “Profiles”.

5. Once installation is completed, please check to see if the installation 3. Then click “Browse” (on the right) and find the game executable
was successful by proceeding to “Verifying Proper Installation”. (.exe) file you would like to use. You can select the game’s shortcut
from your desktop as an easier way of finding the path. If you don’t
have a link on your desktop, you can select the file by looking in the
Verifying Proper Installation directory where you installed the game.
1. You will need to confirm that the installation was successful through
the device manager. 4. For more detailed information, please see the following “Nostromo
Array Programming Software” section.
2. To get to Device Manager, right-click on “My Computer” and left-
click on ”Properties”. Then left-click on “Hardware” and then on the
“Device Manager” button.

3. Check to make sure that the Device Manager list includes

a) two new entries under Human Interface Devices, “Nostromo n52
HID SpeedPad 2.0” and “Nostromo n52 HID SpeedPad 2.0
Mouse Wheel”.
b) a new entry under Keyboards, “HID Keyboard Device”.
c) a new entry under Mice and Other Pointing Devices,
“HID-Compliant Mouse”.

4. Once you have confirmed that the installation was successful, you
can either proceed to “Assign a Profile to a Game in the Loadout
Manager” or “Making a Profile”.

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NOSTROMO ARRAY PROGRAMMING SOFTWARE Utilize 3 Shift States
Red, green, blue, and normal shift states quadruple the number of
functions that can be programmed into the other buttons. There are
Introduction different ways to set this.
The Nostromo Array Programming Software is a suite of tools that • With the cycle shift option, one button or one direction of the scroll
enhances your gaming experience when using the Nostromo wheel will cycle through all the shift states.
SpeedPad n52. • You can set the keys to work separately for red, green, and blue. You
can create a toggle switch (which keeps the game in that shift state
The Nostromo Array Programming Software increases your play until pressed again), or momentary (stays in the shift state only as long
functionality and customization options. It allows you to remap as you hold down the key).
your controller however you like, depending on which games you
are playing. Note: When shift state is not active, the game returns to its normal state.

There are two major components to the Nostromo Array

Programming Software:

• The Profile Editor, which is used to create and change profiles. A

profile is a set of mapped keyboard, mouse, and/or controller
functions that can be saved and assigned to specific games.

• The Loadout Manager sets the profile to a certain program that can
launch automatically or manually with the program. The Loadout
Manager also gives you the ability to set a default profile that would
launch with any program that does not have a profile assigned to it.

With this Software, you can:

• Create and save your customized profiles;

• Download/upload profiles via the Internet;

• Assign profiles to your favorite programs for use each time you start
that program; and

• Set default profiles that would be active for everything on your

computer that does not have a profile already set to it.

Remap or Reprogram Buttons and Scroll Wheel 5 Ways

• Remap n52 buttons or scroll wheel to correspond to the
keyboard keys.

• Reprogram buttons or scroll wheel to different controller ID buttons.

(For games that identify controllers and have a certain key mapping
for the game.)

• Remap buttons or scroll wheel with macros.

• Reprogram any of the buttons or wheel as a mouse click (left-,

center-, right-click).

• Reprogram any of the buttons or scroll wheel to change

shift states.

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MAKING A PROFILE Menu Bar & Tool Bar
Mode Bar—This allows you to select between normal, red, green, and
blue shift state modes.
Profile Editor
The Profile Editor is the tool used to create and customize profiles. A Controller Selection Corner—This allows owners of multiple Nostromo
profile is a set of remapped button functions that can be saved. devices to easily switch back and forth between controllers when
programming.
Some examples of the types of actions you can program are:
Function Assignment Hardpoints—These are the buttons or axis
Single Key—Make a button on the controller work like a keyboard key. identifiers, such as button “01”, that you click to open your
programming windows.
Macros—Record a sequence of keyboard keystrokes, mouse-button
presses, and/or joystick commands (such as axis controls, d-pad
controls, and joystick button commands) to be played back when a Make a Profile
button is pushed. This section will explain how to create a profile using the Profile Editor. In
general, creating a profile consists of the following functions:
Remap Direct Input Buttons, Axis Controls—Remap the buttons on the remapping single-key assignments, creating macros, setting mouse-
game controller to the Direct Input commands that are used within the control functions, programming control (direct input) function, and
game. setting shift states.
Note: You would use this when playing a game that supports game
controllers and you want to use its preset configuration. To begin, click on “Start”, then “Programs”, then “Nostromo”, then
“Profile Editor”. This will display the main screen of the “Profile Editor”.
Four Shift Modes—Utilize one of three shift buttons for each game
controller and quadruple the number of functions you can program.
Remapping Single-Key Assignments
Mouse—Program the game controller to function as a mouse click or 1. Left-click on the hardpoint next to button “01” (labeled “Tab”
scroll wheel. by default).

Main Screen of the Profile Editor 2. Select “Single Key” from the pop-up menu. This will bring up the
This figure shows the Profile Editor for the Nostromo SpeedPad n52. “Single Key Assignment” screen. This screen is used to select a single
key to assign to one of the buttons on a Nostromo game controller.
When a single key is assigned to a button, pushing the button is the
same as pressing that key on the keyboard.

If this is the first time you have assigned a single key to one of the
hardpoints, the screen will look like this:

3. At this point, press a key on the keyboard or the space bar. The
screen will display the name of the key you pressed.

4. Notice that in addition to displaying the key you pressed, the edit
window in the middle displays and highlights the same key name.
You can elect to keep the default name, or type your own, such as
“Fire Guns”.

The main screen consists of:

View of the Device—This makes clear which keys you are programming.

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5. Now you can click “OK” if you are happy with the current setup, or There are three settings to choose from under “when macro key
you can click “Cancel” to abort the key assignment. You can also is pressed”:
click “Record Key” to record a different key on the keyboard.
1. Play macro only one time.
Note: If you record a new key, any name you type in the edit box will This is set by default and means that when you push or hold down
be erased. the button assigned to it, it will run the macro only once. To
reactivate it, you will have to push it again.
2. Repeat macro while key is down.
Macro Editor This runs the same macro over and over when you hold the button
To make a macro for a specific button, select another hardpoint, and down, until you release it.
select “New Macro”. A macro is a combination of buttons that enacts 3. Repeat macro until key is pressed again.
a special function. Additionally, in many games you can make a macro This makes the macro command act like a toggle switch. If you push
to send messages (“cover me” or “attack”, for example) with one it once and let go, it will repeat the commands until you push it
button press. again to release the macro.

Repeat Delay Adjust—This control allows you to adjust the repeat rate.
This next group of buttons is for modifying recorded macros.

Insert: This feature enables you to add commands that were missed
during the recording or were not available during the recording.
1. Delay: Here you can add delays to your macro. By default they are
set to 0.05 when added.
2. Keyboard: Here you can add a single key to your profile.
3. Mouse Button: Here you can set a left, right, or center mouse click to
your macro.

The next six features are standard controls for game controllers and only
work with games that support game controllers, and have a place for
these commands.
1. Axis Up
2. Axis Centered
3. Axis Down
4. D-pad
This screen is used to create macros. You can also use it to adjust 5. Joystick
properties of macros after they are recorded. 6. Throttle

Event Field—As you record a macro, the keyboard commands that you Delete: Removes something in the macro that is not needed. Left-click
type along with the actual delays between the events will start listing what you want to remove and then left-click on “Delete”.
while you are typing in the “Event” panel on the left.
Move Up: If you want to move up a command in the event list, select
Note: You cannot record joystick or mouse click commands during the the one you want to move with your mouse and left-click on “Move
recording phase. You can add them after you have completed up” until it is in the desired position.
the recording of all the single keys.
Move Down: If you want to move down a command in the event list,
Start—Starts the recording of a new macro. select the one you want to move with your mouse and left-click on
“Move down” until it is in the desired position.
Stop—As you probably guessed, this stops macro recording.
Select All: Highlights everything on the event list.
Delay Adjust—This control allows you to adjust the duration of a delay in
the event list. Simply click on the delay in the event list that you want to Select All Delays: This feature selects only the recorded delays in the
adjust and then use the up and down arrow keys or number keys to event list. This is helpful if you want to make all the delays the same.
change it.

Record Delays Between Events—This switch turns recording of delays on

or off. A macro without recorded delays replays the events at the
maximum possible rate, which is about 10 milliseconds between events.
By default, this feature is on.

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CREATING A MACRO OTHER REMAPPING/REPROGRAMMING OPTIONS

1. Type a new name for the macro in the “Name” field at the top. Assigning a Direct Input Button to a Button

2. Left-click on the “Start” button to start recording keyboard events. 1. To assign a “Direct Input” button to a button on a Nostromo game
device, simply left-click on the hardpoint you would like and select
3. Using the keyboard, type in the key-press combination of the macro “DI Button”. This will open the “Direct Input” window.
you want to create. This will normally be a combination of moves to
create a new move, or a phrase, such as “cover me”, that you 2. From the pull-down menu, select the “Direct Input” button that you
would use during a game. Notice the keys you press and release are would like to program to the selected button on the controller.
recorded in the “Event” field on the left side of the macro editor.
3. Select “OK” to remap the button.
4. Left-click on the “Stop” button to stop recording the macro.
Assigning a Direct Input Axis to a Button
5. Click on the “OK” button. That saves your macro to the To assign a “Direct Input” axis to a button on a Nostromo game device,
assigned button. simply left-click on the hardpoint you would like and select “DI Axis Up”
or “DI Axis Down”. This will open the “Direct Input” window. From the
Note that the “Delay Adjust” function allows you to adjust the time pull-down menu, select the “Direct Input” axis that you would like to
between each button press. program to the selected button on the controller. Select “OK” to remap
the button.
You can even adjust the time delay between the finish and start of the
macros while they are repeating with the “Adjust Delay Between Note: DI buttons and DI Axis can only be used for games or programs
Repeats” function at the bottom of the window. that can identify them. The types of games that this would be
used with are sports or flight simulation games. Most first-person
shooter games don’t map with direct input commands by
default.

Assigning a Mouse Button to a Nostromo Game Controller

To assign a mouse button to a button on a Nostromo game device,
simply left-click on the button hardpoint you would like and select
“Mouse Button”. This will open the “Mouse Button” window. To reassign
the left, center, or right button, simply select the circle of the mouse
button you want to assign to your selected controller button. Select
“OK” to remap the button.

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Shift States “SIGNING” AND SHARING YOUR PROFILE
The Nostromo Array Programming Software allows you to program three
shift states: red, green, and blue. A shift state allows you to add another
layer of programming to each button. You can either set different keys In the “Profile Editor” toolbar, the icon between the question mark and
for each of the shift states, or set one to cycle through all the different the “Loadout Manager” icon is the “Contact Info” window. Click on
states. This cycle shift gives you the capability to have two extra buttons that to get a window similar to this:
for each state. Basically, it frees up six buttons.

• To program shift states, you must choose one button for a cycle shift
command or individual buttons for each of the shift states. In any shift
state, that button will remain a shift button and cannot be remapped
with a function.

• To program a key as a shift button, left-click on the button you would

like to program and select red, green, or blue shift key or “Cycle
Shift”. For the red, green, and blue, you can select “Momentary”
or “Toggle”.

• If you select “Momentary”, the shift function will only be in effect while
you hold the button down. If you select “Toggle”, pressing the shift
button will start the programmed shift state and the controller will
remain in that shift state until the shift button is pressed again.

• Once the button is assigned as a shift key, you must go to the

corresponding shift window to assign the functions in that shift state.
By filling in this window, you get something similar to a name tag for
• You can view different shift-state windows by clicking on the red, your profile. You can have the profile identified as yours, including your
green, or blue arrows in the toolbar at the top. You can return to the comments, e-mail address, etc. for the Nostromo community.
original window by clicking on the “SpeedPad” icon.
Once your profile is saved and identified, you can submit it to the
• Once you are in the different shift-state windows, you can remap Belkin Nostromo team by e-mailing the profile in an e-mail attachment
keys, create macros, and reprogram axes just as you did in the to [email protected] for inclusion on the Belkin website.
original shift state. This way, you can have your unique profile and/or loadout file made
available to other users of Nostromo game devices throughout
• Through use of these shift states, you can quadruple the the world.
programmability of each Nostromo game device. This will also
allow you quick access to many functions during games while When you are finished creating or editing your profiles, left-click on the
giving you the flexibility of assigning shift keys to any position on “File” menu on the toolbar and select “Save” or “Save As”. The default
your Nostromo controller. name is “Untitled”. Give it an easily identifiable name (for the next time
you retrieve it), and click “OK”.
• Save your work.
Your profile is saved in C:\Program Files\Belkin\Nostromo\Profiles. If you
Note: It is always a good idea to get into the habit of saving your installed to a directory other than C:\ProgramFiles\Belkin\Nostromo,
profiles by going to “File” and “Save As”. This ensures that when then the profile is saved in YourInstallDirectory\Profiles.
you modify a profile that is used in a different game for another
purpose, you won’t simply overwrite it. This lets you keep your Uploading and Downloading Profiles
different profiles intact. Please submit any profiles you create for addition to the profile list at
belkin.com. To submit a profile, please send it as an e-mail attachment
to [email protected].

To download profiles, go to belkin.com/nostromo and click

on “Downloads”.

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USING THE PROFILE LOADOUT MANAGER If the Loadout Manager is currently running, there will be an icon
in the system tray on the right side of the taskbar at the bottom of
the desktop:
The Loadout Manager is responsible for “programming” the game
controllers with profiles. The Loadout Manager can be used in two If the Loadout Manager is not running, you can start it from the “Start”
modes: manual and automatic. menu: “Start>Programs>Nostromo->Loadout Manager”.

A loadout is a set of profiles that are assigned to the Nostromo game • Find the controller you want to load the profile for in the list shown. If
controllers on your system (one profile for each controller), and an you have more than one of a type of controller, and it’s not obvious
associated game (or really any application). Loading that game which entry on the screen represents which controller, simply press a
causes the Loadout Manager to automatically load the profiles you’ve couple of buttons on the controller and the image representing that
set up. This conveniently enables you to create profiles that will be particular one will light up.
associated with each game you play. The system will automatically
load those profiles for you as you start up each game. • Click on the profile button for that controller. Select “Load Profile…”
from the menu. This will bring up the typical file selection window.
Loadouts are built with the Loadout Manager. You assign a profile for
each controller, and select a game to associate with the set of profiles. • Find the profile you want, select it, and click “OK”.

Manual Mode—Manual Mode is the simplest way to use the Loadout • On the right half of the Loadout Manager, click “Browse” to select the
Manager. In this Mode, you directly select profiles for controllers. You executable (.exe) file of the game you want to play. You can do this
simply open the activator window and select a profile for each by selecting the shortcut for the game on your desktop if you have
controller it shows. one there. If you do not, you can find the file in the directory where
you installed your game.
Automatic Mode—In Automatic Mode, you set up a loadout for each
game. The Loadout Manager then waits for that game to start. When • Once you have the Programs.exe (or executable) selected, you can
it does, the Loadout Manager loads all the profiles associated with either left-click on “Launch Game” or go to “File” and “Save as” and
that loadout. name it. Save the loadout to use in Automatic Mode later.

Automatic Mode has a complex initial setup, but once that is done, • If you choose to use it in Automatic Mode, then you will need to
you never need to think about it again. Simply launch the game you switch to Automatic from Manual by going to “Option” at the top left
want to play and the Loadout Manager makes sure the controllers are corner of the editor.
configured the way you want them to be.
Under “Options” there are a few different features that you can
also use.
Load the Profile you Just Made
After making a profile, you will need to activate it with a game in the • Automatic Mode: Allows the profile to launch automatically when the
Loadout Manager. To do this, you simply select the controller, the program is activated.
profile, and the game executable file. Then you can easily launch the
game from within the Loadout Manager. • Manual Mode: If you select this, you will need to manually launch the
profile through the loadout manager each time you use it.
Open the Loadout Manager.
• Set as default loadout: You can set a profile to launch with every
application that does not have a profile set to it already.

• Clear default loadout: This will remove any default loadout that is
active on the system.

• Run on system start: If you uncheck this, the Loadout Manager will
NOT load at system startup.

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TROUBLESHOOTING The n52 is not in the Windows Control Panel.

• Unplug your n52, and uninstall the software and drivers. Then reboot,
When I start the game with the Loadout Manager, there is no response reinstall the software, and plug in the unit. If you are using Windows
or control from my SpeedPad n52. 2000, be sure to plug in the n52 before rebooting.

• Check the status in the “Game Controller” icon in the Control Panel
(click “Start”, “Control Panel”, “Game Controllers”). Make sure the If you are still having problems, contact Belkin Tech Support at the
controller is listed in the “Game Controller” panel and the status is numbers listed on the back cover. First make sure that the problem you
listed as “OK”. are having is related to the Nostromo game controllers and the
Nostromo Array Programming Software, and is not an issue with the
• In your game, make sure the keyboard is selected as the game you are playing. If you are having problems with the game,
default controller. please contact the game publisher directly.

• Make sure your controller cable is connected properly.

Using the SpeedPad as a Default HID Device
• In the Windows “Control Panel/Game Controllers” window, make sure
the window shows the name of your Nostromo controller and “OK”. If If you choose not to install the software or don’t set a profile to a game,
you don’t see this line, or if it says “not connected”, unplug the then by default, your n52 will map like this:
controller and uninstall the software and drivers. Then reboot, reinstall
the software, and plug in the controller. 1. Tab D-pad are the keyboard’s arrow keys
2. Q Thumb pad is the “Space” key
• Check to be sure you know which button assignments you have 3. W Thumb button is the “ALT” key
set up 4. E
5. R
After using the Loadout Manager, Windows is acting erratically, as if a 6. CAPS
keyboard button was constantly pressed. 7. A
8. S
9. D
The button functions are not what they should be in the profile 10. F
I am using: 11. SHIFT
12. Z
• Check to see if the original keyboard assignments within the game 13. X
options have been changed. If the original keyboard key assignments 14. C
in the game have changed, it will affect your profile because your 15. By default, the scroll wheel acts like a standard mouse scroll wheel
profile functions are based on keyboard functions. with a third mouse click.

In Windows 2000, the Nostromo drivers did not load and the controller is This configuration works well with the default keyboard setup of most
only being recognized as an HID device. first-person shooter games.

• Unplug the controller.

• Uninstall any Nostromo software, including device drivers.

• Restart the computer.

• Plug in the Nostromo game device you want to use. Allow the device
to install without the Nostromo Software Interface CD.

• While the controller is still plugged in, install the software interface
and drivers on the CD.

The game freezes.

• Restart your computer.

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USER GUIDE FOR MAC® USERS Select an Application
The “Target” pop-up menu determines which profile applies to which
application.
CHOOSING AN APPLICATION 1. Select “New Settings…” from the “Target” pop-up; a dialog will
appear asking what to use as the base setting.
2. Select “Create Empty Settings” to start with a blank slate.
The software loads a profile based on the settings and the currently
running application. If no profile exists for the current application, the
software uses the “Global Settings” profile. The Global Settings profile
applies to all applications that do not have a profile specifically
assigned to them.

Profiles
A profile is a mapped set of button-presses on the controller that
accomplishes various actions. Some examples of the types of actions
you can program are:

• Single Key—make a button on the controller work like a The Nostromo Array Panel will bring up a standard file chooser. In Mac
keyboard key. OS X, find and select “TextEdit” in your Applications folder. In Mac OS 9,
• Macros—record a sequence of keyboard keys to be played back find and select “SimpleText”.
when a button is pressed.
• Three shift modes—the controller can have three shift buttons that
quadruple the number of functions that can be programmed into the Assign a Single Key Event
other buttons. 1. Click on the Button 01 hardpoint or press button 01 on the controller.
• Mouse—the game controller can be programmed to insert This will change the “Trigger” pop-up to “Button 01”. The “Trigger”
mouse clicks. pop-up indicates which button on the controller we are assigning the
action to.
See the “Tutorial” section for a walk-through creating a profile. See the 2. The “Action” pop-up is set to “Type Keystroke” by default. This
“Interface Reference” section for a description of the interface and its indicates that we want the controller to simulate a keyboard
functionality. key-press when we hit the control listed in “Trigger”. This is correct.
3. Click in the “Keystroke” area. The Control Panel will highlight this box
and wait for you to press a key. Press “a”.
TUTORIAL 4. The “Frequency” pop-up determines how that key acts. The default is
“Hold Down”. Hold Down indicates that the key will be held as long
as you hold the button on the controller. This is correct.
Building a Simple Profile
We will walk through a simple example of how to use the tool to create Assign a Macro
profiles using Nostromo Array Programming Software (NAPS). A macro is a series of keystrokes that get played back when the
triggering controller button is pressed.
Note: This example does not cover every feature of the software. You 1. Click on the Button 02 hardpoint or press button 02 on the controller.
can find more information in the “Main Interface” section. This will change the “Trigger” pop-up to “Button 02”.
Note: All screen shots are from the Mac OS X version of the software. 2. Change the “Action” pop-up to “Run Macro”.
The interface is the same in Mac OS 9 and the controls are in the 3. In the “Macro” pop-up, select “New Macro…”. This will bring up the
same places. “Edit Macro” dialog.
4. Enter “My Macro” as the name for this macro.
5. Tab to the first “Keystroke” edit control.
Start the Nostromo Array Programming Software Application 6. Type “hi there”. These keys will be filled in the various keystroke boxes.
On Mac OS X, this is installed into your applications directory; in Mac OS If you make a mistake, hit the “Clear” button and try again.
9, this is in your Control Panels menu. This will display the Main Screen
of NAPS.

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7. All the other controls default to values that we want; select “OK” to Test Global Profile
accept this macro. Open any application other than the application you have a specific
profile for. Use button 01 and button 02. The settings from your global
profile are used. Open the application you have a specific profile for;
this is SimpleText in Mac OS 9 and TextEdit in Mac OS X. Now try button
01 and button 02. The settings from your application-specific profile
are used.

INTERFACE REFERENCE

Main Interface
The Nostromo Array control panel is used to create a profile for a
Nostromo game controller and to associate those profiles with
applications.

The top of the window has a view of the controller and hardpoints for
each of the assignable controls. The bottom of the window contains
the mapping controls.

Test your Profile

Notice that the hardpoints that you have assigned actions to now have
text that describes what that button will do. You have assigned the “a”
key to game controller button 01 and the “My Macro” macro to game
controller button 02.

Start the application that is associated with this profile. This is TextEdit in
Mac OS X or SimpleText in Mac OS 9.

Press button 01 on the n52 and notice that an “a” appears in the editor.
Press and hold button 01 and notice that it repeats, just like holding a
key on the keyboard.

Press button 02 on the n52 and notice that the “hi there” you assigned
as the macro gets typed into the window.

Make a Global Profile

When you run an application, and you have not created a profile for it,
it uses the “Global Settings” profile. This tutorial describes creating a Hardpoint
Global Profile. The Global Profile tutorial is written under the assumption “Hardpoint” is our name for each assignable control on the n52. There is
that you have read and followed the “Building a Simple Profile” tutorial. one hardpoint for each button, one for each d-pad direction, one for
scroll up, one for scroll down, one for the scroll wheel button, and one
for both thumb buttons. Each hardpoint has text that describes the
Select Global Settings action that will happen when that control is hit. Clicking on a hardpoint
Switch the “Target” pop-up to “Global Settings”. selects that control as the control to be edited in the trigger pop-up.

Set Controls
Use the methods you learned earlier to set button 01 to report as “b”.
Use the methods you learned earlier to set button 02 to report as a
macro that produces “hello”.
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No Device Found 7. Profiles by name: The last part of the menu is a list of the existing
This indicator is shown when the software does not detect an n52 profiles listed by profile name. When you select a profile name in the
plugged into your Mac computer. You can still create profiles if there is “Target” pop-up, the profile is loaded for editing.
no n52 plugged into the computer. If the controller is plugged in and
the software does not detect it, try unplugging the controller, and then
plugging it in again. Shift State
The shift state can be changed with the “Shift State” pop-up or by
clicking on LED images on the interface. When you program controls in
Device Selection Box a shift state, those controls are only active in that shift state. The “Shift
In the upper right corner of the interface is the device selection box. State” pop-up displays the current shift state. Lit LEDs on the controller
Press the arrow to edit settings for other controller. and the interface also indicate the shift state.

Mapping Controls Trigger

The mapping controls section of the window allows the user to edit The “Trigger” pop-up displays the control you are currently editing. You
controls and associate the profile with an application. can change which control you are editing by selecting it in the
“Trigger” pop-up, by clicking on the hardpoint for the control in the
interface, or by pressing that button on the controller.
Target
The “Target” pop-up lists the application whose profile is currently 1. Buttons: The buttons 1-15 and the circle button activate the set
displayed. action when pressed.
2. Mouse Wheel: The mouse wheel can be assigned three actions: one
action is triggered when the wheel is rotated up, another when the
wheel is rotated down, and the third when the wheel is pressed.
Pressing the wheel acts just like pressing any other button on the
controller. Rotating the wheel acts as if you quickly pressed and
released the button.
3. D-pad: Each direction of the d-pad can be treated like a separate
button. In the case where a diagonal is pressed but there is no action
programmed, the software acts as if both adjacent directions are
pressed. This lets you program the cardinal directions as the arrow
keys, press a diagonal, and get both appropriate arrow keys.

Action
The effect the software produces when a trigger is pressed.

1. Do Nothing: This control has no effect.

2. Type Keystroke: Pressing the associated control reports the given
In addition, the “Target” pop-up contains the controls for selecting keys as pressed.
which application to associate a profile with, and exporting and 3. Press Modifier Keys: This action allows you to map one or more
importing profiles. modifier keys to your n52.
Note: You cannot combine modifier keys with other keys on your
1. Global Settings: This is a special profile that is in effect when the keyboard; however, you can do so with the keystroke action.
running application does not have a specific profile associated. The 4. Open File or Folder: This allows you to set up a control to open a file
Global Settings profile does not have an associated application, all or a folder or an application.
other profiles do. 5. Run Macro: This allows you to choose a macro to run when the
2. New Settings…: The New Settings entry creates a new profile triggering control is pressed.
associated with a new application. It asks if you want to start from an 6. Mouse Click: This action causes the software to report a mouse click
empty profile, copy the Global Settings, or copy the profile you are at the current mouse location.
looking at when you select “new”. It also asks you to pick an 7. Double-Click: Same as single-click except that this reports a
application to associate this profile with. double-click.
3. Import Settings…: Import Settings loads a profile saved with 8. Triple-Click: Same as single-click except that this reports a triple-click.
Export Settings. 9. Click Lock: This toggles the state of the mouse press.
4. Export Settings…: Export Settings saves the current profile as a file. This Note: On current versions of Mac OS X, the click is released as soon
file can be sent to other people using NAPS so that they can use, as the mouse cursor is moved by another device (typically
edit, and view your settings. the mouse).
5. Rename Settings…: Rename Settings lets you change the name of 10. Shift State: Choosing one of the shift states as the action causes the
a profile. controller to enter that shift state when the triggering control is held
6. Remove Settings…: Remove Settings deletes the current profile. down.
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11. Hold Shift State: This action causes pressing the triggering control to 2. New Macro…: This brings up the Edit Macro dialog empty, so that
enter the appropriate shift state. The controller remains in that shift you can enter a new macro.
state until the triggering control is pressed a second time. 3. Edit Macro…: This brings up the Edit Macro dialog with the current
12. Scroll Direction: This scrolls in the selected direction. macro so that you can edit it.
4. Delete Macro…: This deletes the current macro.
5. Macros by Name: The pop-up lists the existing macros by name.
Action - Type Keystroke Selecting one sets it as the macro for this action.
When “Type Keystroke” is selected as the action, you have
two additional options.
Action - Mouse Click
When one of the “Mouse Click” actions is selected, you have the
Keystroke additional option of selecting which modifier keys to report at the same
The “Keystroke” box is where you enter the key to report for the Type time. Select the modifier keys you want pressed by clicking on the
Keystroke action. Select this box and press the key you want. You can appropriate button.
also add modifier keys here by holding the modifier key you want as
you press the key.
Action - Scroll Direction
When one of the “Scroll” actions is selected as the action, you have
Frequency two additional options.
The “Frequency” pop-up details how the key is reported to the system.

1. Once: This indicates the system will act as if the key is pressed and Scroll Speed
released once. The keystroke will not be reported again until the The “Scroll Speed” pop-up lets you select how far to scroll when this
control is released and re-pressed. action is activated.
2. Hold Down: This indicates the software will report the key held down
as long as the triggering control is held down.
3. N times/sec: The software will report the key being pressed and Frequency
released very quickly. The “Frequency” pop-up details how often the key is reported to the
4. Every N seconds: The software reports the key being pressed and system. This behaves just like the frequency selection of the “Type
released as listed, once every N seconds. Keystroke” action.

Action - Press Modifier Keys Edit Macro Dialog

When “Press Modifier Keys” is selected as the action, you have the The Edit Macro dialog is where you edit the macros you want
additional option of selecting which modifier keys to press. Select the to use.
modifier keys you want pressed by clicking on the appropriate button.
1. Macro Name: Macros need names to distinguish them from each
other; enter the name here.
2. Key Speed: The Key Speed is the time between reported key presses.
If the macro repeats, this is also the time between the last key press
and the first.
Action - Open File or Folder 3. Clear: This erases the keystrokes recorded for this macro.
When “Open File” or “Folder” is selected as the action, you have the 4. Keystroke List: This is the list of keystrokes that the software will report
additional option of selecting what to open. Click the “Item to Open” while this macro is running. You can select any box and type a key to
control to bring up a standard file chooser, then choose the item you replace the key in that position. You can have the macro report
want opened when the triggering control is pressed. modifier keys by pressing them with the key to report.
5. Repeat until released: When this box is checked, this macro will
restart from the beginning if the triggering control is still pressed. If this
Action - Run Macro box is not checked, the macro will stop when it reaches the end of
When “Run Macro” is selected as the action, you have the additional the keystroke list, even if the triggering control is still pressed.
options of creating or choosing which macro to run.

Macro Pop-Up
The macro pop-up is how you manage macros.

1. No Macro Selected: This is the default. No macro has been selected

yet. You cannot choose this option; it exists to indicate that you need
to select a macro.

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GLOSSARY INFORMATION

Action FCC Statement

The effect the software produces when a trigger is pressed.
DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY WITH FCC RULES FOR
ELECTROMAGNETIC COMPATIBILITY
We, Belkin Corporation, of 501 West Walnut Street, Compton, CA 90220, declare
Hardpoint
under our sole responsibility that the product,
A hardpoint is a button on the software interface that represents a
F8GFPC100
single physical control on the n52. Click on a hardpoint to select it to which this declaration relates,
for programming. Complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this
device must accept any interference received, including interference that may
Macro cause undesired operation.
A macro is a set of keystrokes that are played in sequence when
triggered. CE Declaration of Conformity
We, Belkin, declare under our sole responsibility that the F8GFPC100, to which this
declaration relates, is in conformity with Generic Emissions Standard EN55022 1998
Profile and with Generic Immunity Standard EN55024 1998, and with low voltage
A profile is a collection of mappings between triggers and actions. Most directive.
profiles are associated with a specific application. Global Settings is a
special profile that applies when no other profile is associated with the Note: If during the use of this product the host computer becomes unresponsive,
it may be due to electrostatic discharge. Please follow the procedures
current application.
below to correct the problem:
- Disconnect the USB cable from the computer;
- Close the software application in the computer (or reboot the computer
Shift State if necessary); and
A shift state is a way of putting more than one function on a single - Reconnect the USB cable to the computer.
button of the n52. There are four shift states available:
Normal, Red, Green, and Blue. If no LEDs light up, then Normal mode is Belkin Corporation Limited Lifetime Warranty
indicated. An LED of the appropriate color indicates the other modes. Belkin Corporation warrants this product against defects in materials and
Any control on the n52 can activate a shift state. These can either be workmanship for its lifetime. If a defect is discovered, Belkin will, at its option,
active while that control is held, or toggled on and off by using that repair or replace the product at no charge provided it is returned during the
control. Controls can have different functions in each shift state. For warranty period, with transportation charges prepaid, to the authorized Belkin
example, in Normal mode, button 01 might act like the letter “a” on the dealer from whom you purchased the product. Proof of purchase may be
keyboard; while in Blue mode, button 01 runs a macro. required.

This warranty does not apply if the product has been damaged by accident,
abuse, misuse, or misapplication; if the product has been modified without the
Trigger
written permission of Belkin; or if any Belkin serial number has been removed
A trigger is any control on the n52 that triggers an action.
or defaced.
THE WARRANTY AND REMEDIES SET FORTH ABOVE ARE EXCLUSIVE IN LIEU OF ALL
OTHERS, WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. BELKIN SPECIFICALLY
DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION,
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
No Belkin dealer, agent, or employee is authorized to make any modification,
extension, or addition to this warranty.
BELKIN IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES RESULTING FROM ANY BREACH OF WARRANTY, OR UNDER ANY OTHER
LEGAL THEORY, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOST PROFITS, DOWNTIME,
GOODWILL, DAMAGE TO OR REPROGRAMMING OR REPRODUCING ANY
PROGRAM OR DATA STORED IN OR USED WITH BELKIN PRODUCTS.
Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential
damages or exclusions of implied warranties, so the above limitations of
exclusions may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and
you may also have other rights that vary from state to state.

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Belkin Corporation
310.898.1100
Compton • CA • USA

Belkin Components, Ltd.

+44 (0) 1933 35 2000
Rushden • United Kingdom

Belkin, Ltd.
+61 (0) 2 4372 8600
West Gosford • Australia

Belkin Tech Support

US: 310.898.1100 ext. 2263
800.223.5546 ext. 2263

Europe: 00 800 223 55 460

Australia: 1800 666 040

© 2003 Belkin Corporation. All rights reserved. All trade names are registered trademarks of respective manufacturers listed.
Mac OS and Mac are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

P74289-B