xf86-input-mtrack

v0.5.1

An Xorg driver for multitouch trackpads. Supports any trackpad whose kernel driver uses the slotted multitouch protocol. For more information on the protocol see the kernel documentation.

This driver is compatible with Xorg server versions 1.7 to 1.19.0 It requires the mtdev library to operate.

License

This software is licensed under the GPLv2 and is a fork of the xf86-input-multitouch driver by Henrik Rydberg.

Building and Installing

This is a standard autoconf package. So:

    ./configure
    make && make install

It is likely that you will need to change system-dependent paths such as the xorg module directory. Otherwise mtrack may be not installed in xserver search path. See configure --help for options.

On Debian systems (including Ubuntu) you may also need to install the xorg-dev package prior to these commands.

To build deb package and install in system wide you will usually have to change installation prefix to /usr like so:

    ./configure --prefix=/usr
    dpkg-buildpackage

Bug Reporting

If you found a bug, and you are going to submit it, first run

    xinput --list

then find your touchpad name/ID on the list and create report with output of

    xinput --list-props <your touchpad ID>

attached.

Configuration

The following is a minimal working InputClass section for xorg.conf:

    Section "InputClass"
        MatchIsTouchpad "on"
        Identifier      "Touchpads"
        Driver          "mtrack"

#       In case of problems enable/disable this line:
        MatchDevicePath "/dev/input/event*"
    EndSection

To apply changes made in xorg.conf (or related files) X server have to be restarted. Changes made with xinput are applied immedietly but they are not saved between sessions.

Options

Configuration options may be defined inside the InputClass section to configure the driver. See examples/ directory for example configuration files. Feel free to submit yours, named as your laptop's model. Available options and their defaults are as follows.

Basic

TrackpadDisable Disables trackpad touch input. A value of 0 will enable the trackpad. A value of 1 will disable tapping and gestures but not movement. A value of 2 will disable all input. A value of 3 will also disable physical buttons.
Integer. Default is 0.

ButtonEnable Whether or not to enable the physical buttons on or near the trackpad.
Boolean value. Defaults to true.

ButtonIntegrated Whether or not the physical buttons are integrated with the trackpad. If you have a one-piece trackpad like on newer MacBooks, this should be set to true. Button emulation depends on this value being correct.
Boolean value. Defaults to true.

Responsiveness

Sensitivity Adjusts the sensitivity (movement speed) of the touchpad. This is a real number greater than or equal to zero. A value of 0 will disable pointer movement.
Float value. Default is 1.

FingerHigh Defines the pressure at which a finger is detected as a touch. This is a percentage represented as an integer.
Integer value. Default is 5.

FingerLow Defines the pressure at which a finger is detected as a release. This is a percentage represented as an integer.
Integer value. Default is 5.

IgnoreThumb Whether or not to ignore touches that are determined to be thumbs.
Boolean value. Defaults to false.

IgnorePalm Whether or not to ignore touches that are determined to be palms.
Boolean value. Defaults to false.

DisableOnThumb Whether or not to disable the entire trackpad when a thumb is touching.
Boolean value. Defaults to false.

DisableOnPalm Whether or not to disable the entire trackpad when a palm is touching.
Boolean value. Defaults to false.

ThumbSize The minimum size of what's considered a thumb. It is expected that a thumb will be larger than other fingers. This is represented as a percentage of the maximum touch value and is dependent on the trackpad hardware.
Integer value. Defaults to 25.

PalmSize The minimum size of what's considered a palm. Palms are expected to be very large on the trackpad. This is represented as a percentage of the maximum touch value and is dependent on the trackpad hardware.
Integer value. Defaults to 40.

ThumbRatio The width/length ratio of what's considered a thumb. It is expected that a thumb is longer than it is wide. This tells the driver how much longer.
Percentage represented by an integer.
Integer value. Defaults to 70.

Zones

Divide the touchpad into "zones". Clicking the integrated button in one of these zones will send the button event configured for each {First, Second, Third}ZoneButton. The driver will only add zones for the ZoneButton values that are enabled. The zone splitting start from the left to right using the first to third value. So enabling only SecondZoneButton and ThirdZoneButton will create two zones, the left-middle part will fire SecondZoneButton and the middle-right part ThirdZoneButton.

ButtonZonesEnable Whether or not to enable button zones. If button zones are enabled then the trackpad will be split into one, two, or three vertical zones. Boolean value. Defaults to false.

FirstZoneButton The button to emulate when the zone is pressed. This is the leftmost part of the pad. Integer value. A value of 0 disables this zone split.
Integer value. Defaults to 1.

SecondZoneButton The button to emulate when the zone is pressed. This will float to the right of the leftmost zone. Integer value. A value of 0 disables this zone split.
Integer value. Defaults to 2.

ThirdZoneButton The button to emulate when the zone is pressed. This will float to the right of the leftmost zone. Integer value. A value of 0 disables this zone split.
Integer value. Defaults to 0.

LimitButtonZonesToBottomEdge Restrict button zones inside the EdgeBottom area. So instead of enabling zones on the full pad height, the zone is limited to the percentage set for the EdgeBottom.
Boolean value. Default to false.

Physical click

ClickFinger0 Which button to emulate when no valid finger placement is touching the trackpad during a click, as on "EdgeBottom".
Integer value. A value of 0 disables one-touch emulation. Defaults to 0.

ClickFinger1 Which button to emulate when one finger is touching the trackpad during a click.
Integer value. A value of 0 disables one-touch emulation. Defaults to 1.

ClickFinger2 Which button to emulate when two fingers are touching the trackpad during a click.
Integer value. A value of 0 disabled one-touch emulation. Defaults to 2.

ClickFinger3 Which button to emulate when three fingers are touching the trackpad during a click.
Integer value. A value of 0 disabled one-touch emulation. Defaults to 3.

ButtonMoveEmulate Whether or not to count the moving finger when emulating button clicks. Useful to disable if you use two hands on trackpad.
Boolean value. Defaults to true.

ButtonTouchExpire How long (in ms) to consider a touching finger as part of button emulation. A value of 0 will not expire touches.
Integer value. Defaults to 100.

Tap clicking

TapButton1 Which button to emulate for one-finger tapping. Integer value. A value of 0 disables one-finger tapping.
Integer value. Defaults to 1.

TapButton2 Which button to emulate for two-finger tapping. Integer value. A value of 0 disables two-finger tapping.
Integer value. Defaults to 3.

TapButton3 Which button to emulate for three-finger tapping. Integer value. A value of 0 disables three-finger tapping.
Integer value. Defaults to 2.

TapButton4 Which button to emulate for four-finger tapping. Integer value. A value of 0 disables three-finger tapping.
Integer value. Defaults to 0.

ClickTime When tapping, how much time to hold down the emulated button.
Integer value representing milliseconds. Defaults to 50.

MaxTapTime The amount of time to wait for incoming touches after first one before counting it as emulated button click.
Integer value representing milliseconds. Defaults to 120.

MaxTapMove How far a touch is allowed to move before counting it is no longer considered a tap.
Integer value. Defaults to 400.

Gesture

Basic

GestureClickTime When a gesture triggers a click, how much time to hold down the emulated button. Integer value representing milliseconds. Defaults to 10.

GestureWaitTime Touches are allowed to transition from one gesture to another. For example, you may go from scrolling to swiping without releasing your fingers from the pad. This value is the amount of time you must be performing the new gesture before it is triggered. This prevents accidental touches from triggering other gestures.
Integer value representing milliseconds. Defaults to 100.

Two fingers Scrolling

ScrollDistance For two finger scrolling. This sets the speed of your scrolling: the lower the number, the faster you scroll. Technically, it is how far you must move your fingers before a button click registering scrolling is triggered. Integer value. Defaults to 150.

ScrollClickTime For two finger scrolling. How long button triggered by scrolling will be hold down. A value of 0 will hold button down till end of gesture. 0 - emit button click only once pre "instance" of gesture. Integer value representing milliseconds.
Integer value. Defaults to 20.

ScrollSensitivity For two finger scrolling. Sensitivity (movement speed) of pointer during two finger scrolling. A value of 0 disables pointer movement during gesture. Integer value expressed as parts per thousand of normal sensivity. A value of 1000 results with normal movement speed. Integer value. Defaults to 0.

ScrollUpButton For two finger scrolling. The button that is triggered by scrolling up.
Integer value. A value of 0 disables scrolling up. Defaults to 4.

ScrollDownButton For two finger scrolling. The button that is triggered by scrolling down.
Integer value. A value of 0 disables scrolling down. Defaults to 5.

ScrollLeftButton For two finger scrolling. The button that is triggered by scrolling left.
Integer value. A value of 0 disables scrolling left. Defaults to 6.

ScrollRightButton For two finger scrolling. The button that is triggered by scrolling right.
Integer value. A value of 0 disables scrolling right. Defaults to 7.

ScrollSmooth For two finger scrolling. Whether to generate high precision scroll events.
Boolean value. Defaults to 1. Property: "Trackpad High Smooth Scroll"

ScrollCoastDuration How long after finished scrolling movement should be continued. Works only with smooth scrolling enabled.
Floating value representing miliseconds. Defaults to 200.0. Property: "Trackpad Scroll Coasting"

ScrollCoastEnableSpeed How fast scroll should be to enable coasting feature.
Floating value. Defaults to 0.1. Property: "Trackpad Scroll Coasting"

ScrollCoastNoBoost Disable boosting on second scroll gesture during coasting Boolean value. Defaults to false. Property: "Trackpad Scroll Coasting"

ScrollCoastEase Apply easing effect on coasting Boolean value. Defaults to false. Property: "Trackpad Scroll Coasting"

Three fingers swipe

SwipeDistance For three finger swiping. How far you must move your fingers before a button click is triggered.
Integer value. Defaults to 700.

SwipeClickTime For three finger swiping. How long button triggered by swiping will be hold down.
Integer value representing milliseconds. Defaults to 300.

SwipeSensitivity For three finger scrolling. Sensitivity (movement speed) of pointer during three finger scrolling. A value of 0 disables pointer movement during gesture.
Integer value expressed as parts per thousand of normal sensivity.
A value of 1000 results with normal movement speed. Defaults to 0.

SwipeUpButton For three finger swiping. The button that is triggered by swiping up.
Integer value. A value of 0 disables swiping up. Defaults to 8.

SwipeDownButton For three finger swiping. The button that is triggered by swiping down.
Integer value. A value of 0 disables swiping down. Defaults to 9.

SwipeLeftButton For three finger swiping. The button that is triggered by swiping left.
Integer value. A value of 0 disables swiping left. Defaults to 10.

SwipeRightButton For three finger swiping. The button that is triggered by swiping right.
Integer value. A value of 0 disables swiping right. Defaults to 11.

Four fingers swipe

Swipe4Distance For four finger swiping. How far you must move your fingers before a button click is triggered.
Integer value. Defaults to 700.

Swipe4ClickTime For four finger swiping. How long button triggered by swiping will be hold down.
Integer value representing milliseconds. Defaults to 300.

Swipe4Sensitivity For four finger scrolling. Sensitivity (movement speed) of pointer during four finger scrolling. A value of 0 disables pointer movement during gesture.
Integer value expressed as parts per thousand of normal sensivity.
A value of 1000 results with normal movement speed. Defaults to 0.

Swipe4UpButton For four finger swiping. The button that is triggered by swiping up.
Integer value. A value of 0 disables swiping up. Defaults to 8.

Swipe4DownButton For four finger swiping. The button that is triggered by swiping down.
Integer value. A value of 0 disables swiping down. Defaults to 9.

Swipe4LeftButton For four finger swiping. The button that is triggered by swiping left.
Integer value. A value of 0 disables swiping left. Defaults to 10.

Swipe4RightButton For four finger swiping. The button that is triggered by swiping right.
Integer value. A value of 0 disables swiping right. Defaults to 11.

Edge Scrolling - One finger

Should be used in conjuction with the Edge disabling options.

EdgeScrollDist For one finger edge scrolling. How far you must move your finger on edge before a button click is triggered.
Integer value. Defaults to 105.

EdgeScrollClickTime For one finger edge scrolling. How long button triggered by edge scrolling will be hold down. A value of 0 will hold button down till end of gesture.
0 - emit button click only once pre "instance" of gesture.
Integer value representing milliseconds. Defaults to 20.

EdgeScrollSensitivity For one finger edge scrolling. Sensitivity (movement speed) of pointer during one finger scrolling. A value of 0 disables pointer movement during gesture.
Integer value expressed as parts per thousand of normal sensivity.
A value of 1000 results with normal movement speed. Defaults to 0.

EdgeScrollUpButton For one finger edge scrolling. The button that is triggered by edge scrolling up.
Integer value. A value of 0 disables scrolling up. Defaults to 4.

EdgeScrollDownButton For one finger edge scrolling. The button that is triggered by edge scrolling down.
Integer value. A value of 0 disables scrolling down. Defaults to 5.

EdgeScrollLeftButton For one finger edge scrolling. The button that is triggered by edge scrolling left.
Integer value. A value of 0 disables scrolling left. Defaults to 6.

EdgeScrollRightButton For one finger edge scrolling. The button that is triggered by edge scrolling right.
Integer value. A value of 0 disables scrolling right. Defaults to 7.

Pinch scaling - Two fingers

ScaleDistance For pinch scaling. How far you must move your fingers before a button click is triggered.
Integer value. Defaults to 150.

ScaleUpButton For pinch scaling. The button that is triggered by scaling up.
Integer value. A value of 0 disables scaling up. Defaults to 12.

ScaleDownButton For pinch scaling. The button that is triggered by scaling down.
Integer value. A value of 0 disables scaling down. Defaults to 13.

Rotation - Two fingers

RotateDistance For two finger rotation. How far you must move your fingers before a button click is triggered.
Integer value. Defaults to 150.

RotateLeftButton For two finger rotation. The button that is triggered by rotating left.
Integer value. A value of 0 disables rotation left. Defaults to 14.

RotateRightButton For two finger rotation. The button that is triggered by rotating right.
Integer value. A value of 0 disables rotation right. Defaults to 15.

Edge disabling

~~EdgeSize~~ DEPRECATED. The size of an area around the trackpad where new touches are ignored (fingers traveling into this area from above will still be tracked).
This is represented as a percentage of the total trackpad height.
Integer value. Defaults to 0.
Value set here is overwriten by EdgeLeftSize, EdgeRightSize, EdgeTopSize and EdgeBottomSize

EdgeTopSize The size of an area at the top of the trackpad where new touches are ignored (fingers travelling into this area from the bottom will still be tracked).
Integer value representing a percentage of the total trackpad height. Defaults to 0.

EdgeBottomSize The size of an area at the bottom of the trackpad where new touches are ignored (fingers travelling into this area from the top will still be tracked).
Integer value representing a percentage of the total trackpad height. Defaults to 10.

EdgeLeftSize The size of an area at the left of the trackpad where new touches are ignored (fingers travelling into this area from the right will still be tracked).
Integer value representing a percentage of the total trackpad width. Defaults to 0.

EdgeRightSize The size of an area at the right of the trackpad where new touches are ignored (fingers travelling into this area from the left will still be tracked).
Integer value representing a percentage of the total trackpad width. Defaults to 0.

Special features

Hold1Move1StationaryButton For two finger hold-and-move functionality. The button that is triggered by holding one finger and moving another one.
Integer value. A value of 0 disables hold-and-move.
Value of 0 disables this functionality.
Defaults to 1.

Hold1Move1StationaryMaxMove For two finger hold-and-move functionality. Fow far stationary finger can be moved berfore gesture invalidation.
Integer value. Default to 20.

TapDragEnable Whether or not to enable tap-to-drag functionality.
Boolean value. Defaults to true.

TapDragTime The tap-to-drag timeout. This is how long the driver will wait after a single tap for a movement event before sending the click.
Integer value representing milliseconds. Defaults to 350.

TapDragWait How long after detecting movement to trigger a button down event. During this time pointer movement will be disabled. Increase this value if you find you're draggin when you don't wish it.
Integer value representing milliseconds. Defaults to 40.

TapDragDist How far the finger is allowed to move during drag wait time. If the finger moves farther than this distance during the wait time then dragging will be canceled and pointer movement will resume.
Integer value. Defaults to 200.

TapDragLockTimeout This is how long the driver will wait after initial drag in 'drag ready' state in which it will be able to resume previous drag without additional up, down sequence.
Value of 0 disables this functionality.
Values of less than zero will make mtrack require additional tap to finish drag by sending button up.
Integer value representing milliseconds. Defaults to 500.

AxisXInvert Whether or not to invert the X axis.
Boolean value. Defaults to false.

AxisYInvert Whether or not to invert the Y axis.
Boolean value. Defaults to false.

Tips

Swipe to drag

To setup swipe to drag functionality you have to choose which swipe gesture (Scroll, Swipe, Swipe4) will be used for dragging.
Example configuration for three finger drag:

    Option "SwipeDistance" "1"
    Option "SwipeLeftButton" "1"
    Option "SwipeRightButton" "1"
    Option "SwipeUpButton" "1"
    Option "SwipeDownButton" "1"
    Option "SwipeClickTime" "0"
    Option "SwipeSensitivity" "1000"

This will enable dragging with three fingers. Change sensitivity for faster/slower movements. Scroll, and Swipe4 are also supported.

Hold and move

Hold down one finger in place to initiate hold-and-move gesture. Then move another finger to drag configured button. Gesture will last as long as fist finger (a.k.a. stationary finger) will be held down in place.

Increase TapDragDist to give stationary finger more freedom. Set Hold1Move1StationaryButton to 0 to disable, set to other value to send button other than "1".

Persistent dragging

If you're using lot of tools that require dragging you can make it a little bit easier by enabling persistent tap-to-drag:

    Option "TapDragLockTimeout" "-1"

With that change you will have to perform additional tap when dragging with tap-to-drag. Other positive values will let you continue yor drag within specified time.

Enabling soft button

Basic

If you like to keep a finger on the bottom of the pad to click and use another one to move the cursor, you should enable edge restriction and ClickFinger0 parameters.

    Option "EdgeBottomSize" "20"    # Disable tap and movement detection in the bottom 20% of the pad
    Option "ClickFinger0" "1"       # Enable clicking action "1" when no finger is detected

You could also use ClickFinger0 with EdgeTop/Right/LeftSize.

Advanced

If you want more than one button in the bottom edge, you need to use a more
advanced configuration. It will enable you use up to 3 buttons inside that edge.

    Option "ButtonZonesEnable" "true"               # Enable "Zones"
    Option "LimitButtonZonesToBottomEdge" "true"    # Limit the zones to the bottom edge
    Option "EdgeBottomSize" "20"                    # Disable tap and movement detection in the bottom 20% of the pad

    # Zones stack from left to right inside the 20% height defined above
    Option "FirstZoneButton" "1"   # Left part fire click 1
    Option "SecondZoneButton" "3"   # Middle part fire click 3
    Option "ThirdZoneButton" "2"   # Right part fire click 2

p2rkw/xf86-input-mtrack

p2rkw

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Repository Details

xf86-input-mtrack

v0.5.1

License

Building and Installing

Bug Reporting

Configuration

Options

Basic

Responsiveness

Zones

Physical click

Tap clicking

Gesture

Basic

Two fingers Scrolling

Three fingers swipe

Four fingers swipe

Edge Scrolling - One finger

Pinch scaling - Two fingers

Rotation - Two fingers

Edge disabling

Special features

Tips

Swipe to drag

Hold and move

Persistent dragging

Enabling soft button

Basic

Advanced