Plaid-Pad

A 4x4 numpad/macro pad with only through hole components. It supports up to 4 rotary encoder. The positions for the encoder are interchangeable with keyboard switches.

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• Build guide
• QMK Firmware
• Bootloader
• Changelog
• 3D printing parts (simple case)
• Laser cut drawings (guard plate, dampening foam)

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Keymap

Below you can see the possible positions for the 4 rotary encoder (Rev1 only 2).
If you place a encoder in the top left corner (E1), you can't use another encoder in the lower right corner.

Rev2                      Rev1
,-----------------------,   ,-----------------------,
|  E1 |  E2 |  E3 |  E4 |   |  E1 |     |     |  E2 |
|-----+-----+-----+-----|   |-----+-----+-----+-----|
|     |     |     |  E3 |   |     |     |     |     |
|-----+-----+-----+-----|   |-----+-----+-----+-----|
|     |     |     |  E2 |   |     |     |     |     |
|-----+-----+-----+-----|   |-----+-----+-----+-----|
|     |     |     |  E1 |   |     |     |     |     |
`-----------------------'   `-----------------------'

• Encoder E1 performs a tap on KC_F17 and KC_F18
• Encoder E2 performs a tap on KC_F19 and KC_F20
• Encoder E3 performs a tap on KC_F21 and KC_F22
• Encoder E4 performs a tap on KC_F23 and KC_F24

The F17-F24 keys are intended to be customized via Karabiner-Elements (OSX), or AutoHotkey (WIN).

It's a great companion to the Plaid keyboard by hsgw and heavily inspired by it.

• Keyboard Maintainer: BenRoe Github / Twitter
• Hardware Supported: ATmega328P with VUSB (see Bootloader section)
• Hardware Availability: Keycapsss.com

QMK Firmware

Bootloader (USBaspLoader) and Firmware (via keymap) are already on the ATmega328P chip.

QMK with VIAL support (support for rotary encoder)

Plaid-Pad Kit's Rev3 shipped with preflashed VIAL firmware. _If you have a Rev2 Plaid-Pad, or want to re-flash the VIAL firmware again, you can find a compiled firmware file here (Rev2, Rev3)

1. Flash pre-compiled firmware on the Plaid-Pad with QMK Toolbox (How to enter Bootloader Mode).
2. Download the VIAL software from here
3. Connect the Plaid-Pad to the computer with a USB cable (Reconnect after flashing the firmware)
4. Open VIAL and change the keymap to your needs (automatic save)

QMK with VIA support (no rotary encoder support)

Plaid-Pad Kit's shipped before 11.09.2020 are flashed with the QMK Default Keymap. To use VIA, compile the VIA Keymap with the following command and flash it with QMK Toolbox on the Plaid-Pad (enter Bootloader Mode).

qmk compile -kb keycapsss/plaid_pad -km via

1. Download the VIA software from here
2. Connect the Plaid-Pad to the computer with a USB cable
3. Open VIA, switch to the CONFIGURE tab and change the keymap to your needs (automatic save)

The current VIA version can't change the rotary encoder function.

QMK Default Keymap

Make example for this keyboard (after setting up your build environment):

make keycapsss/plaid_pad:default

or

qmk compile -kb keycapsss/plaid_pad -km default

Flashing example for this keyboard:

make keycapsss/plaid_pad:default:flash

or

qmk flash -kb keycapsss/plaid_pad -km default

See the build environment setup and the make instructions for more information. Brand new to QMK? Start with the Complete Newbees Guide.

You can find the rotary encoder code here.

Bootloader

• same usbasploader as used for Plaid (Instructions, Repository)

Enter Bootloader Mode (to flash a new firmware)

• Plug in the USB cable
• Push and hold RESET switch
• Push and hold BOOT switch
• Release RESET switch
• Release BOOT switch

alternative method:

• Unplug the USB cable
• Hold down the BOOT switch
• Plug in the USB cable
• Release the BOOT switch

alternative method (Bootmagic Lite):

• Unplug the USB cable
• Hold down the most top left key
• Plug in the USB cable
• Release the most top left key

If you succeed to enter bootloader mode, you can see usbasp in device manager, or *** USBAsp device connected in QMK Toolbox.

CHANGELOG

Rev1

• Initial pcb design
• Optional up to 2 Rotary Encoder

Rev2 (Rev1.1)

• Pcb's with the label Rev1.1 are Rev2 (fixed with the second ordered batch)
• Optional: up to 4 Rotary Encoder
• Support for 3pin switches with the new top plate
• Add a small PLAID-PAD text beneath the USB-C connector

Rev2.1

• Bigger solder pads for the USB-C connector
• Support for Choc V2 switches (issue that the keycap touch the mounting screw, if bottoming out)
• Changed case mounting style (spacer go through the pcb and screwed on the top and bottom plate)

Rev3

• Support for a SSD1306 oled display (I2C Pins C4/C5)
• Removed the 2 indicator LEDs (Pin C4/C5)
• Added a power indicator LED
• Changed case mounting style back to the previous style (spacer mounted between mid PCB and bottom plate) - fix ChocV2 issue from REV2.1