Buttons Overview

There are a total of 18 buttons on the controller.

  • 12 "action" buttons. These buttons are placed similar to the bumpers and triggers of a standard controller and are intended for primary game functions where speed is important. With 12 buttons you can replicate the bumpers, triggers, ABXY, and DPAD of a standard controller without playing claw or moving your thumbs off the analog sticks. All 12 of these buttons use MX style mechanical switches for maximum durability.
  • L3 and R3. These are the same as on a standard controller and will wear at about the same rate. They are a part of the analog stick, so replacing the analog sticks includes replacing the L3/R3 buttons.
  • 4 face buttons. These use Alps tact switches with a rating of 1M clicks. Recommended use for lower-frequency actions such as menu, inventory, or viewing an in-game map. These buttons are also used for changing the button layouts and analog stick response curves on-the-fly - more details can be found in the configuration section.

Mechanical Buttons

The Cre3d Controller uses MX style switches. I use Kailh MX Speed switches for the following reasons:

  • Long lasting, often rated for 50M cycles or more, MX switches will long outlast the the standard tact switches used in Xbox controllers or the L3/R3 buttons. Such tact switches have a maximum rating of 1M cycles with lower quality part numbers as low as 100,000 cycles.
  • Satisfying tactile feel. Choose between clicky, tactile bump or linear switches depending on your preference.
  • Shortest actuation distance. Kailh speed switches have an actuation distance ranging from 1.1mm to 1.3mm. Standard mx switches have an actuation distance of 2-2.3mm.

Note: Other brand mechanical switches are available on request for an additional fee (dependent on the cost of acquisition).

DSA Keycaps

The Cre3d Controller includes 12 DSA style keycaps. These are a uniform, non sculpted keycap which feel great for gaming. Thanks to the mx-style switches you could replace these with whatever keycaps you want such as the popular Tai-Hao rubber keycaps or even some Artisan keycaps for extra style.

Modular Electronics Design

The electronics of the Cre3d Controller were designed with reparability in mind. Each of the primary components can be disconnected and reconnected without soldering. This allows offering replacement parts at an affordable price to people who would otherwise lack the technical skill to solder in new parts. The three primary components are:

  1. Microcontroller
  2. Main PCB with Analog sticks
  3. Button PCBs (2)

These will be available through the web-store soon. In the meantime you can contact me directly via email or twitter DMs. For more detailed instructions of how to disassemble these components, see the documentation page (coming soon).

Alps Analog Sticks

The Cre3d Controller uses the latest generation Alps analog sticks. These are the industry standard used by Xbox, PlayStation and most 3rd part controller manufacturers.

I am also able to install higher tension sticks from your preferred supplier (i.e. Battle Beaver) for an additional fee.

Analog Stick Wear/Drift

Analog sticks wear and drift is unavoidable due to their inherent design. Being forced to buy a new controller every few months was one of the primary motivations for beginning this project. To combat this, I offer replacement PCBs so that replacing the analog sticks only involves removing a few screws and unplugging a few connectors. A detailed how-to can be found on the documentation page (coming soon).

Buttons and Double Clicking

While I don't expect many people to wear out the mechanical switches, I wanted them to be replaceable too, just in case. Contact me about ordering replacements.

Fully Customizable

Through the custom desktop application and firmware you can bind any button/key anywhere on the controller. This gives you maximum flexibility when creating the optimal binds for your favorite games.

Multiple Layouts

The Cre3d Controller can store several different button layouts at once and these are changeable on the fly via pressing and holding specific face buttons. This allows having several highly customized layouts for specific games and not needing to re-map the controller or change in-game bindings. You could also A-B test two different layouts for the same game if you're not sure which you prefer. Switching takes just a few seconds.

Analog Stick Response Curves

Normally this is a feature that you would change in-game, but many games only allow a small range of customization. For example, many games only have two options for the response curve: linear and exponential. By selecting linear and customizing the curve in the desktop application, you can define almost any response curve. You can even use a different curve for each of the left and right sticks. The software customization also gives more control over deadzone, anti-deadzone, max output and more. For a more detailed explanation see the documentation page.

Multiple Curves

Similar to having multiple layouts, the controller can also store multiple curves for each analog stick and these can be changed on the fly by pressing and holding specific face buttons. This allows for A-B testing, different curves for different games or even different curves for certain activities within a game.

XInput + Keyboard + Mouse

This is the first project on the internet to unlock the potential of simultaneous XInput (controller), keyboard and mouse input without the need for writing a custom driver or the expensive driver signing fees. The Cre3d Controller uses the standard XInput and HID (keyboard & mouse) drivers. This means the device requires no driver installation, no 3rd party application, and poses no security risk to the user's computer or to any video game.

While some might consider this an advantage over competitors, I have open sourced the code to enable this functionality, so you may see some other products offering similar functionality.

Input delay

In most cases, other products offering controller + keyboard&mouse input or custom analog stick response curves require the use of programs such as Anti-Micro or X360ce. These programs have questionable legality in competitive games and add input delay. With the Cre3d Controller, all customization lives on the controller and occurs prior to sending input to the computer. This means you can plug your controller into any PC and still have access to your layouts and response curves.

Polling Rate

Modern Xbox and PlayStation controllers have a polling rate of 250-300hz. This is surprisingly low compared to the standard 1000hz for most gaming mice. The Cre3d Controller's high speed microcontroller combined with custom firmware achieves a 1000hz polling and report rate.

3D Printed, Designed for Disassembly

The Cre3d Controller is 3d printed in PLA. The controller has been designed specifically for 3d printing and to require as little support material as possible. This reduces plastic waste and reduces the print time. 3D printing also allows for rapid iteration and testing of improvements.

Note: Due to the 3d printed nature, there may be some variations or visual imperfections in the product you receive. I ensure functional quality and strive for the high aesthetic quality within the limitations of FDM 3D printing.

Screws - No Glue, No Clips

The controller is assembled entirely with M2 screws and can be entirely disassembled with the included hex key. My goal is to provide a product that can be repaired with ease and does not depend on glue or plastic clips which can be hard to disassemble without breaking the controller. I use brass inserts on all the screws to reduce the risk of stripping the hole over many disassembly and reassembly cycles.

Custom Thumbsticks

Purchasing a Cre3d Controller also includes a variety of 3d printed thumbsticks. These produce a similar effect to using a Kontrol Freek or similar add-on thumb grip. At request, I can modify the length or diameter of the 3D printed thumbsticks to control the range of motion and tension on the analog stick.

Your purchase also includes some thumbsticks which are compatible with Xbox One Kontrol Freeks which can offer better grip compared to the PLA thumbsticks.

Since the 3d printed thumbsticks do not have a dust cover, they can be swapped without disassembling the controller. When not using the controller, it is recommended to store it in a dust-free environment and/or to install the included dustcovers.

You may also choose to use standard Xbox One thumbsticks. Playstation thumbsticks will not work as they are too short.

Reinforced USB Plug

The Cre3d Controller includes a 6 foot Micro USB cable. The micro USB slot is reinforced to protect the connector on the PCB. This should improve the longevity of the connector but caution is still advised. If you do manage to damage the USB connector in some way, you will only need to replace the Microcontroller which is available for purchase.

Taking Care of Your Controller

PLA is a great material for 3d printing because it looks nice and produces consistent results. However, it does have some drawbacks that affect how you care for your controller.

  1. Heat: PLA has a lower melting point than many household plastics. It will start to get soft and flexible at temperatures over 100 Fahrenheit. To avoid damage, keep your controller out of direct sunlight and away from heat vents or space heaters. If you must leave the controller in a potentially hot environment, such as a car on a hot day, try to put it in the shade and covered by something. At home, it would be best to store the controller in a box or drawer.
  2. Impact and Abrasion: Don't throw, drop or slam your controller. It will break. Hard materials such as metal keys or concrete may scratch the controller or cause other damage.
  3. Dust: As mentioned above, it is best to keep the controller away from dusty environments and or store in a drawer/bag when not in use. A dusty environment may cause pre-mature stick drift or otherwise erratic analog stick readings.
  4. Water: Keep the controller away from water. If you happen to spill water on the controller and you think it may have gotten inside, you should immediately unplug the controller, disassemble it, dry the electronics with a paper towel and then place in rice to remove any additional moisture. DO NOT use a hair dryer or any heat source to dry the components as this will deform the parts.

If for any reason your controller becomes broken or non-functional, please contact me and I may be able to offer a reduced price on a replacement depending on what parts are salvageable.

Mission and Right To Repair

The Cre3d Controller was designed with the right to repair in mind. Not only do "pro" controllers often cost close to $200USD but most don't have a way to replace the analog sticks or other buttons. So long as I continue to sell controllers, I will also sell replacement parts.

Should I discontinue making a specific model or stop selling controllers entirely, I will first offer to "last call" for replacement parts so that people can stock up on spares (especially analog stick PCBs) for the future. Once those are fulfilled I will open source the files so that anyone with the technical skills can make their own.