Customizable Macropad Simplified with QMK Integration
In the world of DIY electronics, the Raspberry Pi Pico has become a popular choice for hobbyists and developers looking to build custom devices. One such project is the creation of a custom macropad, a small keyboard with direct connections, using the Pico and QMK firmware.
Before diving into the project, it's important to understand the setup process. The first time flashing the Pico, it needs to be put in bootloader mode. This can be identified by the onboard LED lighting up.
The directory of interest is the one for custom keyboards, containing directories for different CPUs, including the RP2040. In this directory, the big change occurs in a file where the processor type is set and keys and feature flags are configured. The keyboard rows and columns are also set up, but since this device has direct connections, there's no need for complex matrix scanning.
The layouts section assigns names to each key on the macropad. Users can set up options for fake mouse keys and media keys as well. One interesting feature is the ability to change the joystick on the macropad to function as a mouse.
The project uses a simple badge with an RP2040-Plus (or a regular Pi Pico) and a small add-on board with a switch "joystick," four buttons, and a small display. The QMK Git repository contains various source files, including directories for different types of keyboards and custom keyboards.
In the directory for the RP2040, changes are made to set pin numbers and mouse parameters. However, most of these can be deleted if not used. The directory contains five files, including a readme, and two files ( and ) that will be changed. There's also a C file in the directory that contains the keycodes for each key.
It's worth noting that the QMK flash script doesn't wait for the Pi Pico to finish downloading, which can cause issues. To avoid this, it's recommended to use a tool like that waits for the device to be ready before proceeding.
The root directory doesn't need changes, but it has debugging options that can be set to false for a simpler project. The file also allows setting the keyboard name and USB IDs, but the key in this file won't be used for this project.
QMK is a common keyboard firmware choice, supporting the Pico and well-supported. The documentation provides support for different types of hardware, making it a versatile choice for various DIY projects.
For those embarking on this project, the community encourages sharing creations made with this setup. With QMK and the Raspberry Pi Pico, the possibilities for custom macropads are endless. Happy building!
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