footswitch2 Files

Manjaro (Arch) / Fedora 34 linux installation notes

This updated version requires python-xlib and xdotool installed, in addition
to the usual requirements.

The standard package is a .deb file for Ubuntu/Mint Debian type Linux

Tested on Manjaro 20 with LibreOffice, vlc, pulseaudio and ladspa plugins loaded
Tested on Fedora 34 with LibreOffice, vlc, pulseaudio and ladspa plugins loaded

These instructions are not completely detailed, as Arch users are assumed
to be seasoned users and this manual installation could break things if done
incorrectly. (Some detail is there as a reminder for me, as I don't use Arch/Fedora)

A tar archive is available to install footswitch manually as follows.

copy the fs2_x.x.x_arch.tar.gz file to a directory other than / (root)

Extract contents

This will create a usr directory and a lib directory
copy the contents of these directories into these
/usr and /lib directories in your root directory (ensure you don't overwrite anything)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# Create a symbolic link in /usr/bin for footswitch2 executable
ln -s -f /usr/share/footswitch2/fs2.py /usr/bin/fs2

( -s a symbolic link | -f force i.e. overwrite any existing fs2 in /usr/bin )
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you are performing an update rather than a first installation, you may stop at this point.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Install the following software:

for Arch 
****(Ensure that you have enabled AUR for pamac)****

Use pamac the gui pacman to install most of them, it's quicker that using pacman or pip3

For Fedora 34 use dnf to install them:

    - sox [pacman -Syu sox ]
    - ffmpeg
    - evtest [pacman -Syu evtest ]
    - appmenu-gtk-module
    - python3-xlib or python-xlib
    - xdotool

    For audio manipulation/effects you'll need the ladspa plugins
    - ladspa
    - swh-plugins
    - caps
    - cmt
    - ladspa-bs2b (requires AUR enabled)

    Install the latest Java runtime environment (jre) for LibreOffice


    Install python libraries (use pamac) or:
    pip3 install evdev
    pip3 install configobj
    pip3 install wxPython ( On Arch this takes an age as it will compile it - use pamac)
                          ( On Fedora34 use dnf install python3-wxpython4)

    media file Encryption requires pycryptodomex package

Once the software is installed you can run:

sudo /usr/share/footswitch2/fs2_setup.py which does the heavy lifting for you.

Alternatively, you can manually perform the following:

Add the plugdev group
groupadd plugdev

Add you login name to the input and plugdev groups
e.g.
gpasswd -a rolf input
gpasswd -a rolf plugdev

Rebuild the udev database

sudo udevadm hwdb --update
sudo udevadm trigger /dev/input/event*

Reboot the box

Ensure the /dev/input/event?? entries all belong to the group
input or plugdev

Use the evtest program to see which /dev/input/event?? is your footpedal (if it has 2 entries choose the keyboard event id)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To create a Desktop entry

cp /usr/share/footswitch2/footswitch2.desktop $Home/Desktop

you may have to make it executable
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Start footswitch by issuing the command fs2 on the command line. It should set the environment and install and register the LibreOffice macros for you.
If there is an issue with the footpedal event id you can override it in the footswitch Tools->Configure screen.

Restart footswitch

Use the Tools-> Define foot pedal codes screen to tell footswitch what codes the footpedal will be sending.

Restart footswitch it should now be work in tandem with LibreOffice Writer.

Troubleshooting details are in the pdf manual supplied.

Issues with input values from a footpedal may require that you run
sudo systemd-hwdb update
        or (sudo udevadm hwdb --update) if that is not available
sudo udevadm control --reload
sudo udevadm trigger /dev/input/event*

See manual for further details
Remember: if the pedal codes are changed you must use the Footswitch Tools-> Define foot pedal codes screen to tell footswitch what they are.


Tested and run on Manjaro 20 and Fedora34
Tested and run in a Virtual machine using Virtualbox
This requires the "Virtualbox extension pack" loaded on the host machine with the appropriate usb device for your footpedal activated.
This also requires that you have added your username to the `vboxusers` group on the host machine, and logged off and back in again.

To add the footswitch icon to the desktop, simply copy /usr/share/footswitch2/footswitch2.desktop to your Desktop.

If you wish to use the additional footswitch2 equaliser ( fs2-equaliser ) an Arch(Manjaro) tar file is
 available for that as well at SourceForge.
(Note: footswitch2 comes with a real-time equaliser, that utilises the vlc equaliser)

Removing footswitch:
--------------------
Remove the package by deleting the footswitch2 directory in /usr/share and /usr/share/doc
In LibreOffice Writer use the Tools-->Extension Manager to remove the footswitch extension
In your $HOME directory remove the fs2 directory