The Mac + Wii Remote Homebrew thread

Lave

Hello!
So talking in previous thread we thought it would be good to pool our knowledge of the homebrew being done on the Mac for using the Wii remote.

Stuffs being done on Windows/Linux as well - but it seems bluetooth being standard on Macs has pushed developement to that platform. Please mention windows software - but not using Windows I can't help at all. Not that I can really help for the Mac - as I've had limited joy linking my Remote to my Mac in the first place.

Anyhow - I'm going to give this a go over the weekend and report back.

What do I need?

Not much. A computer with bluetooth and a wii remote (you can always pick one up for £30 without a Wii remember).

Mac Software

DarwinRemote - Download from here
Open source software that lets you use the Remote to control any program that can uses the newer Macs boring IR remote. It seems to be what the more interesting stuff below is based on.

Wii Saber - Download from here
Apparently urns your Remote into a light saber. Based on DarwinRemote and Mac Saber.

The Amazing Rolo's Wii Loop Machine Home Page - Download.

The Wii Loop Machine is standalone software for Mac OS X that enables a user to control, manipulate, and sync loops of sound using a Wiimote. Ideally, once sounds are loaded into the software the user will not need to touch the computer at all. It is released for free under a Creative Commons attribution non-commercial sharealike license.

I haven't watched the whole video but this seems interesting messing with pitch and so on by flicking your wrists and so on. You can watch the guy use it here

Remote Buddy Main Page
Not free - but has a demo. Allows you to use any bluetooth device to control almost any application. Set up bindings etc. Has a good video at that link explaining what it can do. Lets you use your Wii remote to control Media Players, powerpoint, whatever.

Other Ideas

There was talk that you can use the classic controller as well with some programs (though this may be windows only). Either way, the Wii Remote with or without the classic controller is one of the best d-pads money can buy. So getting it to work as a controller (especially with Cave Story) is a great idea.

GertBeef

I can't believe I haven't tried this yet.

I'll do it tomorrow morning and tell you how it goes.

Vicious_GSR

Dude that kicks SOOOO much ass

apotheos

I wish i could give forumers prizes.

Ronen

Wow. If Remote Buddy works as well with the Wii remote as it does with the Apple Remote in the demo video, it'll be the first thing I install when I put my Mac Mini in my home theater system.

Media center/DVD player controlled by my Wii Remote? Yes, please.

area

I've played with WiiSaber. It's pretty good fun. When I showed a friend, his face lit up with joy.

Pro-tip: B activates / deactivates the Saber with the appropriate sound effect.

Rehab

Oh man, I wish this worked with Windows better.

Still this stuff is pretty hardcore and I fully endorse this thread.

Doc Holliday

Using the Wii Remote for Front Row is sufficiently satisfying.

Lave

Ronen wrote: »

Wow. If Remote Buddy works as well with the Wii remote as it does with the Apple Remote in the demo video, it'll be the first thing I install when I put my Mac Mini in my home theater system.

Media center/DVD player controlled by my Wii Remote? Yes, please.

Oh my, that would be tempting, especially as I''ve heard they are working to get the pointing working too.

I always thought a DVD player for the Wii would be great. Spinning your wrist to rewind and fast forward, clicking through menus etc.

apotheos wrote: »

I wish i could give forumers prizes.

:oops: AND/OR :winky: AND/OR mod me and let me crush my enemies.

Karf

I've been using Rolo's Loop Machine to rip apart loops and creating the pure digital noise. I'm attempting to see if I can "learn" how to play the wiimote as a waggle instrument. The only problem is you can't tell it when or when not to play-- since it's still a loop it plays continually. I can make some pretty cool digital freakouts right now, but I want to make it so it's easily repeatable to get the same notes. It's possible, you just have to have the velocity and the angle of the wiimote right.

Oh, and Wiisaber is fucking awesome. Protip: Sneak up on your roomate/spouse and pretent to kill them with the wiisaber until they kick you out on the street.

Oh man. I wonder if they can get the sound of the Wiisaber onto the Wiimote, instead of your mac. That would be awesome.

ginguskahn

So to use the Remote Buddy program, and have a Wiimote replace my mouse, do I just need bluetooth, or do I need IR from the newer macs?
Also what about waggle, does it just support buttons on the mote, or can i have things set to regonise a waggle?
Lastly, what about the sensor bars, Im always confused about what exactly they do (even on a Wii) do they apply here at all?

Sorry to be the dumb ass here but I would totally like to try this!

GSM

I've been trying to get glovepie working on a PC, but apparently I need the drivers that came with my bluetooth device, since the new ones don't work, but I've lost the CD.

Oh, wait, mac thread? Um, nevermind then.

mntorankusu

Rehab wrote: »

Oh man, I wish this worked with Windows better.

Still this stuff is pretty hardcore and I fully endorse this thread.

GlovePIE works fine on Windows, if you have a compatible Bluetooth device.

GlovePIE is kinda complicated for most people to program for, but there are lots of pre-made scripts for it if you look around. The programming language is also really simple if you have any knowledge or experience in programming.

I'm hoping someone manages to figure out a better way of using the speaker. Right now there are no programs that can actually play sound files through it. Just beeps and boops at a specified frequency.

GertBeef

Okay. The Wii saber program is fun as hell. It maps your movements and makes the appropriate saber sounds. i just wish the sounds came from the wiimote. Regardless. FUN!

FyreWulff

mntorankusu wrote: »

Rehab wrote: »

Oh man, I wish this worked with Windows better.

Still this stuff is pretty hardcore and I fully endorse this thread.

GlovePIE works fine on Windows, if you have a compatible Bluetooth device.

GlovePIE is kinda complicated for most people to program for, but there are lots of pre-made scripts for it if you look around. The programming language is also really simple if you have any knowledge or experience in programming.

I'm hoping someone manages to figure out a better way of using the speaker. Right now there are no programs that can actually play sound files through it. Just beeps and boops at a specified frequency.

Yeah, but GlovePIE has a stupid EULA.

NOTE! You may not use this software on military bases, or for military purposes, or in Israel (which amounts to the same thing). Violation of the license agreement will be prosecuted.

mntorankusu

Yeah, I know.

That EULA hasn't stopped many people from using GlovePIE though, regardless of whether they're in violation of it.

GertBeef

I just used Rolo's loop machine. Man its hard to use but its really really fun. If anyone does any DJing they should try it out.

Cameron_Talley

Wii Saber is awesome. Hint for those that can't get it to work: Make sure your Wii remote isn't paired with the mac already. Mine was because I had done some messing around earlier, and I discovered I had to delete the pairing for WiiSaber to recognize the remote.