otf_multitouch.sh

#!/bin/bash
#
# Author: Nate Levesque <public@thenaterhood.com>
# Language: Shell
# Filename: otf_multitouch.sh
#
# Description:
#   Enables and configures a bunch of common multitouch settings for
#   a synaptic touchpad.  Enables two-finger scrolling, circular (ipod)
#   scrolling, palm detection, and "natural" scrolling (changes the
#   scrolling direction to match that of a touchscreen).  Uses xinput
#   to configure these on the fly, so it isn't persistent through logout.
#   Useful in situations where these options are desired but can't be
#   configured system-wide if there isn't root access.
#

# Implement common code for dependency checks
depCheck(){
    # Checks if a piece of software exists on a system and
    # if it doesn't, stops execution and exits with an error.
    #
    # Arguments:
    #   $1: a command to test
    #
    if [ ! `command -v $1` ]; then
        echo "You need $1 installed to use this script, exiting..."
        exit 1
    fi
}

# Check that required utilities are available
depCheck xinput

# Enables 2-finger scrolling and related settings (will emulate 2-fingers
# if touchpad is not true multitouch)
xinput set-int-prop "SynPS/2 Synaptics TouchPad" "Two-Finger Scrolling" 8 1
xinput set-int-prop "SynPS/2 Synaptics TouchPad" "Synaptics Two-Finger Scrolling" 8 1 1
xinput set-int-prop "SynPS/2 Synaptics TouchPad" "Synaptics Two-Finger Pressure" 32 10
xinput set-int-prop "SynPS/2 Synaptics TouchPad" "Synaptics Two-Finger Width" 32 8
# Enables circular (ipod) scrolling and related settings
xinput set-int-prop "SynPS/2 Synaptics TouchPad" "Synaptics Circular Scrolling" 8 1
xinput set-prop --type=float "SynPS/2 Synaptics TouchPad" "Synaptics Circular Scrolling Distance" 0.4
# Enables palm detection
xinput set-int-prop "SynPS/2 Synaptics TouchPad" "Synaptics Palm Detection" 8 1
# Changes scrolling direction (for standard direction, remove the negative sign)
xinput set-int-prop "SynPS/2 Synaptics TouchPad" "Synaptics Scrolling Distance" 32 -110 110
exit 0