EasyCam BG3 Camera Toggle AHK Script

Description:
Welcome to "EasyCam BG3 Camera Toggle AHK Script", a customized solution designed to elevate your Baldur's Gate 3 gaming experience. This script was born out of a desire to address a common challenge faced by many players: the constant need to hold down the middle mouse button for camera control. Not only can this be uncomfortable during long gaming sessions, but it also risks wearing out one of the most delicate components of your mouse, particularly in budget-friendly models.
Key Features:

• Effortless Camera Control: With EasyCam, you can toggle the camera following feature with a single click of side button, freeing you from the need to continuously press the middle mouse button.
• Enhanced Comfort: Long gaming sessions become more comfortable as you no longer need to keep pressing down on a specific button.
• Mouse Longevity: Reduces wear and tear on your mouse, especially beneficial for players using more economically priced mice.
  

The Inspiration Behind EasyCam:
EasyCam was inspired by my own experiences and feedback from the BG3 community. I noticed how holding down the middle mouse button for extended periods could lead to discomfort and even pain, not to mention the quicker deterioration of the mouse itself. This realization led me to develop a script that offers a convenient toggle function for camera control.

Complementing WASD Character Movement:
This script pairs beautifully with the popular Complementing WASD Character Movement: and Native Camera Tweaks:
mod, creating an even more intuitive and user-friendly gameplay experience. While the WASD mod revolutionizes character movement, EasyCam complements it by offering similar improvements to camera control, ensuring a cohesive and seamless interaction between character navigation and camera movement.

Collaboration and Development:
EasyCam's development was a synergistic collaboration between a dedicated gamer with keen insights into Baldur's Gate 3 and OpenAI's ChatGPT-4. The idea and detailed understanding of the game's mechanics, including the need for a workaround for the camera control issue, originated from the gamer. The role of AI assistant was to assist in the technical realization of these insights, transforming them into a functional script. Together, we tackled the challenges of adapting the script to align with the game's unique input processing, resulting in a practical solution that enhances the gaming experience. This partnership showcases the harmony of human creativity and AI's technical capabilities, especially in the world of gaming and modding.

How to Install:

Installing and using the EasyCam script is straightforward. Follow these steps to get it up and running:

• Install AutoHotkey: Download and install AutoHotkey. This software is essential for running the script and can be installed with ease. you should download AutoHotkey from the official website.
• Run the Script: After installing AutoHotkey, Allocate the EasyCam script file wherever you think is best and easiest to run before or after running the game. Right-click on it and select "Run Script" from the context menu. This will activate the script.
• Script Icon and Control: Upon running the script, an icon will appear in your system tray (near the clock on your taskbar). This icon indicates that the script is active. You can right-click this icon to manually exit the script if needed.
• Shortcut for Exiting the Script: Alternatively, you can deactivate the script at any time by pressing Ctrl+Alt+X. This shortcut provides a quick and easy way to stop the script's functionality.
• Additional Resources in AutoHotkey: Although it is not necessary to run AutoHotkey, it is worth remembering that the program contains several interesting tutorials that can be used to automate various features. These resources are available for those interested in further script creation and customization.
• Enjoy the Game: With the script running, launch "Baldur's Gate 3". Toggle the camera control using the side button mouse as outlined in the script's functionality.
  
  

How It Works:

• The script, developed using AutoHotkey, provides a toggle functionality for the side button (XButton1) of the mouse, facilitating camera control in BG3.
• Initially, a direct toggle script for the side button was found to be ineffective due to the game's unique input processing.
• To address this, the script incorporates a strategic sequence: upon activating the toggle with the side button (XButton1), it simulates a right mouse button click. This simulated click is necessary for the game to properly recognize and respond to the toggle effect on the side button.
• However, clicking the right mouse button in BG3 typically commands the character to move to the clicked location. To counteract this unintended movement, the script swiftly presses and releases the 'W' key. This quick action cancels the character's movement command while maintaining the desired camera follow effect. (This only works in conjunction with the WASD mod, recommended install WASD mod.)
• The script ensures there are small delays between each action (side button press, right-click, and 'W' press) to match the game's response timings and ensure seamless execution.
• Re-pressing the side button deactivates the toggle, reverting the camera to its standard operational mode.
• To exit the script at any time, users can simply use the Ctrl+Alt+X keyboard shortcut.
  

This solution, while a workaround, effectively harmonizes with the game's mechanics, offering a more comfortable and immersive camera control experience in Baldur's Gate 3.

May need adjustment depending on your setup, so in case it works improperly, adjust the "sleep" value in any text editor and save. Remember that it is not possible to change the script in real time, you need to deactivate the script, save and run it again.

toggle := false
XButton1::
    toggle := !toggle
    if (toggle) {
        SendInput, {XButton1 down}
        Sleep, 150 ;
        SendInput, {RButton down}
        Sleep, 50  ;
        SendInput, {RButton up}
        Sleep, 20  ;
        SendInput, {w down}
        Sleep, 17  ;
        SendInput, {w up}
    } else {
        SendInput, {XButton1 up}
    }
return
^!x::ExitApp

How to Use:

• Configure Game Controls:
  
  • Before using the script, go to the control settings.
  • Assign the side button of the mouse (typically XButton1) as the SECONDARY button for the action of moving the camera. This setup is crucial for the script to function correctly in the game.
    
• Avoid Using the Middle Mouse Button:
  
  • When using the script, try to avoid pressing the middle mouse button. Pressing this button while the script is active can cause undesired behaviors in the camera.
    
• Caution During Combat:
  
  • It is not recommended to use the side button of the mouse to control the camera during combat. Doing so can result in unwanted character movements, which can be detrimental in combat situations. Use this function cautiously to avoid accidental movements that may impact gameplay.
    
• Activating and Deactivating the Script:
  
  • To activate the camera control, press the side button of the mouse once. This will activate the camera follow cursor function.
  • To deactivate, press the side button of the mouse again. The camera will return to its standard control mode.
  • You can exit the script at any time by pressing Ctrl+Alt+X.
    
  
  

Optimizing Your Experience:
For the best experience with EasyCam, patience is key. After activating the script with a single press of the side mouse button, give it a moment to let the camera smoothly lock onto the cursor. There's no need to rush; once the camera is fixed, you can fully immerse yourself in the game and enjoy the seamless camera movement. Remember, a gentle approach will enhance your gameplay and ensure that EasyCam works its magic effectively.

User-Friendly with Considerations:
While EasyCam aims to be straightforward, it does require manual activation and deactivation. To start the script, simply run the AutoHotkey file. When you're done playing, or if you need to temporarily disable it, use Ctrl+Alt+X. This process, while not as seamless as an in-game mod, offers a practical solution until more integrated options become available.

A Step Towards a More Refined Solution:
EasyCam is not the final answer to camera control in BG3 but a stepping stone towards better solutions. It's a testament to the possibilities within the BG3 modding community and a call to action for those with the skills to develop a more refined, in-game mod. My hope is that EasyCam serves as both a helpful tool for players now and an inspiration for future mod development.
Open Invitation for Collaboration:
I encourage fellow modders and enthusiasts to build upon this script or to develop an in-built mod that replicates this functionality. The BG3 community thrives on collaborative efforts, and together, we can enhance our gaming experiences even further.
In conclusion, "EasyCam BG3 Camera Toggle AHK Script" represents a temporary, yet effective, solution to improve camera control in Baldur's Gate 3. It's a product of community feedback and personal gaming experiences, aiming to make your adventures in the game more comfortable and enjoyable. I invite you to try EasyCam and join in the ongoing effort to create an even better BG3 modding scene.

Final Considerations and Invitation for Feedback:
As we release EasyCam into the wild, it's important to note that this script has primarily been tested on my setup and may have nuances on different systems. Therefore, feedback from the broader Baldur's Gate 3 community is invaluable. We're keen to hear how EasyCam performs on your setup and welcome any suggestions or reports of issues you might encounter. This feedback will be instrumental in fine-tuning the script for a wider range of users.
Please be aware that EasyCam is currently designed for Windows and has not been tested on Linux or Mac. As such, compatibility with these operating systems is not guaranteed.
Looking ahead, the goal of EasyCam extends beyond offering an immediate solution. We hope to inspire the development of more sophisticated mods, potentially integrating similar functionalities directly into mods like "WASD Character Movement". The ultimate vision is a cohesive, in-game feature that can provide seamless camera control, enhancing the overall experience for every BG3 player.
Join us in this journey of continuous improvement and innovation in the modding community. Your participation, feedback, and creative ideas are what drive the evolution of gaming experiences.