How can I map a button on a controller to launch Steam Big Picture

I'd like to be able to, like with a PS3, pick up my controller and hit a button and have Steam Big Picture load up.

To complicate the situation, I already have steam running (to keep games up to date) so it really needs to just launch Big Picture mode, not another instance entirely. I also don't want to use the built in option to launch Steam in Big Picture mode as that will just suck up gpu power all day long for no reason.

Does such a software switch exist and if so how can I map it to a controller button. (I could maybe use some logitech direct input software to make the later happen but I'd still need a switch)

The only thing that comes to mind as being close to what would work is when I use in-home streaming it will autolaunch Big Picture on the source machine via software. Can that be tapped somehow just locally?

Solution 1:

This is so far the most elegant approach that also has many other additional features/capabilities:

Found at: http://store.steampowered.com/app/367670/

PS: I am not in any way affiliated with the developer - I just think it's awesome and use it personally.

Solution 2:

Incomplete & untested solution:

Software switch (unverified):

This shortcut will open steam in big picture whether or not steam is already running:

C:\[Path To Steam]\Steam.exe -start steam://open/bigpicture (Source)

your inner Panda - 12 de Sep, 2012 a las 13:20

[Placeholder for script that maps a button to it (presumably using AutoHotKey)]

Solution 3:

This is not a solution for me but might be to others:

http://steamcommunity.com/groups/bigpicture/discussions/1/846941710487298691/

Shell Application for Big Picture This is an application that I whipped up as I wanted to have a windows account called "Steam" that launched straight into "Big Picture" mode.

This has various advantages of using "other methods" that I have seen on here ... for instance by using my application it will automatically log out of the Steam Windows account when steam is closed.

You simply run the Steam Launcher... and it creates a steam Windows account for you automatically. Log into that account to finish setting it up....

... simply run this and follow the instructions

Download at: http://i00productions.org:80/downloader/?DownloadFile=446F776E6C6F6164732F537465616D204C61756E636865722E657865

You can click run it right from the web page and it will do the rest ... the file that you downloaded is not needed after it has been run so you can also delete it :)

i00 - Jan 7, 2013 @ 4:49am

Solution 4:

Try double tapping the Steam Button (Overlay Button). Usually launches Big Pictures Mode when I'm on desktop.