QMK firmware port? and some other questions

[sambelgore]

Hello! I really liked your work, I'm thinking about building one for myself, but getting nice!nano controller is harder and more expensive in my country, so I'm thinking of using promicro for the build, should it work? (with ZMK and the board itself), I have no programming background so I have no idea on how to look at the firmware, so it would be nice if there is also QMK firmware for this keyboard

and is there anything should I do on JLCPCB besides providing all the gerber zips (plate, bottom plate, and pcb) to order all the necessary plates? (I have never ordered a pcb before)

Thank you!

[b-karl]

Hi, thanks!

I know, the nice!nano shortage is annoying and it's not the easiest to get a hold of under normal circumstances. I think it should be possible to build ZMK for the ProMicro with minimal changes compared to the nice!nano shield I have in my zmk-config repo, but not 100% sure.

Regarding QMK, I could look at creating a configuration for it. It's a good idea and I know people would appreciate even more if it was available with VIA. I have dabbled with QMK before but only for a KBD75.

On JLCPCB most of the defaults are good, 1.6 mm PCB is important of course to make switches snap in. Then it's up to you to pick the solder mask color and copper finish combo. Mine is black solder mask with ENIG finish, but you can cut cost significantly with a lead-free HASL finish but you will get a silver-metal look instead of the gold-brass look of the ENIG finish. Check the upload gerbers in their viewer also to see that it looks OK.

However, quite busy with my job and personal life right now so not sure when I will have time for this. Also, don't have a ProMicro to test against right now...

[sambelgore]

Hello, thank you for the reply!, it is very helpful

I have looked at ZMK documentation and found that it only supports 32-bit and 64-bit controller, so perhaps 8-bit controller like pro micro is not supported(?), though I’m sure that with enough time and help from people who would join my mini local group buy, we would find a way to make the QMK config for it.

I also have another question, is there any newly discovered issue with the current design?

Thank you!

[b-karl]

Hi,

Sorry for the late reply, I've been very busy.

I think you are correct about ZMK and the ProMicro/8-bit controllers. It's super cool if you are setting up a local mini group buy, I'd love to create a QMK config but don't think I will have time until early August, also, I don't have a ProMicro at home or any other controller than my (in use) nice!nano to test it on so it would probably be good if you or someone else could help me test it.

Two main issues that I think I listed already: (1) unintentional silkscreen on the front glasses/PCB art, it is supposed to be a pure copper finish and (2) move the JLCPCB serial number so it doesn't show upwards when the sun PCB art is facing out/towards the desk.

A couple of other points not documented yet: (1) I ordered new spacers to try out but haven't tested them yet, main change is to use M2x3mm male-female spacers instead of my current M2x5mm male-female spacers. (2) The acrylic window I ended up using (2mm thick) had pretty tight margins on the screw holes towards the keys and there were slight manufacturing issues (acrylic was very slightly burnt/warped). I don't really see or think about it when it's mounted but you can notice it if you inspect it on it's own. The distance was, however, supposed to be within the tolerances stated by the laser cutting firm I used (TechStation in Sweden).

On Sat, Jun 12, 2021 at 10:04 PM sambelgore @.***> wrote:

Hello, thank you for the reply!, it is very helpful

I have looked at ZMK documentation and found that it only supports 32-bit and 64-bit controller, so perhaps 8-bit controller like pro micro is not supported(?), though I’m sure that with enough time and help from people who would join my mini local group buy, we would find a way to make the QMK config for it.

I also have another question, is there any newly discovered issue with the current design?

Thank you!

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[b-karl]

Another mention, if you are not putting batteries inside the keyboard, you could use 8mm spacers instead of 10 mm to the plate to make it slightly lower profile. Just make sure to match the acrylic window spacers accordingly, 8 mm should go well with 15 mm spacers on the top row and 5 mm male-female spacers on the middle row (or 13 mm female-female + 3 mm male-female).

[b-karl]

Hi, I finally got some time to work on this.

I started a QMK fork here and I have gotten to that point that it compiles without issues but I have not yet tested it on a controller. Got an Elite-C I'm hoping to try it on some day. If you want you can pick that fork and test it yourself also (or I can send you the hexfile). The only thing you might have to change might be the bootloader depending on what controller you use, but think ProMicro and Elite-C use the same. When I see the list it looks like it should be caterina.

[b-karl]

Update: I changed the bootloader to the default and have tested it now using an Elite-C rev 4, works great You can pull my branch to get the code. Did not spend a ton of time on the keymap so make sure you create your own with your preferred layout and mappings :)

Will close the issue now, my first issue ever as an open-source maintainer :D Thanks for submitting the request and questions, feel free to get back to me if you need any more help.