Using AutoHotKey to remap keys

Question

I recently purchased Rayman 2 from GOG.com. The game is old and thus does not give the option to remap keys, and I'd like to make them a little closer to what we're used to today.

Basically, I want normal movement with WSAD, jump with space, and shoot with left mouse click. Also, I'd like the keys to only be remapped when the Rayman window is active. I created the below script, but it does not work correctly.

This is the first time I've ever worked with AHK, so I'm not sure what to do. How can I correctly configure the script?

Here's what happens with this script active:

• Script is active whether Rayman is open or not, let alone whether the window is active. (The window name can either be Rayman II or Rayman2.)
• W: moves forward and turns camera to the right
• S: works as intended
• A: moves left and jumps
• D: works as intended
• LButton: works as intended
• space: shoots and jumps

The script itself:

IfWinActive, Rayman2
{
    w::up
    s::down
    a::left
    d::right
    space::a
    LButton::space
}

Answer 1

1. First, you're using the wrong command. Use #IfWinActive. This is for the whole script. The command you chose checks if a window is active within a script.
2. Then, check with WindowSpy what the ahk_class of the window is (which is useful if the window title changes). WindowSpy is included in the AutoHotkey installation.
3. Last, try different SendModes. There are a few that vary in the details. More info on the different Send commands can be found here.

Your code will look something like this:

#IfWinActive, ahk_class xyz ; put your ahk_class instead of xyz
SendMode Play ; try all of the following: Input|Play|Event|InputThenPlay

    w::up
    s::down
    a::left
    d::right
    space::a
    LButton::space

Qualification: Depending on the Windows version you're using, simulating key presses may or may not work. What works up to Windows 7, may not work in Windows 8 anymore. It has happened to me too and I haven't figured out an alternative within AutoHotkey yet.

You may need to try a different macro software (AutoIt, PhraseExpress, Macro Express).

Answer 2

It looks like you have keys mapped to each other which can cause circular calling. Try putting a $ in front of each of your keys. That will prevent that problem.

Example:

$w::up

Source

Regarding your IfWinActive issue, I would suggest using ahk_exe instead. Just look up the process name in Task Manager and put the following line before all of your hotkeys.

#If WinActive("ahk_exe rayman.exe")  ; Rename exe to whatever it really is

Source