Homemade mechanical keyboard with trackball based on DactylManuform

There are several options for keyboard firmware. If you don’t delve too deeply into the topic, you can probably consider them relevant QMK, ZMK And VIA (add-on to QMK). I did it on QMK. Once again I will refer to an excellent article about its rich capabilities.

Install QMK MSYS by instructions.

Install QMK Toolbox by instructions.

By the address C:\Users\****username****\qmk_firmware\keyboards upload the folder with the config 6x12_chimera. The daddy is in the folder with developments.

The config is as simple as possible for a 6×12 rectangular keyboard, the structure and files with self-explanatory names are in the picture below.

In the file keymap.json you can detect/correct the layout in a file info.json the keyboard configuration is written down, such as the bootloader, features, on which pins of the MK, the columns on which columns, the MK used.

    ...
    "bootloader": "atmel-dfu",
    "diode_direction": "COL2ROW",
    "features": {
        "bootmagic": true,
        "command": false,
        "console": false,
        "extrakey": true,
        "mousekey": true,
        "nkro": true
    },
    "matrix_pins": {
        "cols": ["E6", "D7", "C6", "D4", "D0", "D1", "F7", "F6", "F5", "F4", "D2", "D3"],
        "rows": ["B4", "B5", "B6", "B2", "B3", "B1"]
    },
    "processor": "atmega32u4",

If something is slightly wrong, then fill in/change the necessary lines in any text editor, or change the matrix according special file.

Look at which MK what bootloader is available on the Internet.

In general, it seems like a good idea to familiarize yourself with QMK documentation, where everything is detailed and dense. Now I prefer to compile the firmware myself, for this reason. that each of the visual assistants in creating firmware has limitations.

KLE an auxiliary service for comparing dvoraks and optimizations.

KFB Either now he can’t, or he couldn’t, put mouse buttons on the keyboard (instructions for the KLE-KFB combination). (instructions as from json from KLE->KFB to form a kit for self-compilation)

VIA seems like a strange daily firmware modification tool made with a limitation on top of QMK.

QMK_configurator also causes discomfort in the area below the back with its stunning drop-down list of the same thing.

Therefore, we launch QMK MSYS and compile the firmware.

qmk compile -kb 6x12_chimera -km default

The firmware is located at C:\Users\***username***\qmk_firmware\.build\6x12_chimera_default.hex

Open QMK Toolbox flashing MK file 6x12_chimera_default.hex

And then the story will go straight to seditious thoughts and proposals. Forewarned is forearmed.