klepcbgen VS nano-trackball

As an alternative, you can use a kicad project generator like the one I made : https://github.com/jeroen94704/klepcbgen

If you want to create a mechanical keyboard PCB, there are several dedicated tools for that, including one I made: https://github.com/jeroen94704/klepcbgen

then use https://github.com/jeroen94704/klepcbgen this guide to put it into kicad. the guide is kinda flawed because to make the pcb it used parts that are no longer available but i figured out how to hook up all the switches to a pro micro so its a lot easier and you can actually get the parts.

ok so you make a keyboard layout with this: http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/ and download the json file and then you follow the steps here https://github.com/jeroen94704/klepcbgen and copy paste the codes into command prompt and you get a pcb with you specific layout and all you need to do is connect the traces. but the problem is that there are components that are used and i but not listed so i can make a BOM file so the board can be printed. every time i try to open the schematic view it says there was an error and i don't know what i should do to fix it or even if i can.

Here area some resources: https://makeakeyboard.com/ https://github.com/jeroen94704/klepcbgen https://github.com/BathroomEpiphanies/KiCAD-Keyboard-Tutorial https://wiki.ai03.com/books/pcb-design/page/list-of-kicad-keyboard-parts-libraries

I kinda cheated, theres a tool that takes KLE files and automatically generates a pcb design for them. You still have to connect everything, but it does all the tedious layout for you. Heres the github https://github.com/jeroen94704/klepcbgen

A custom PCB by u/bigbrobewatching (pics). What's more interesting though, is the workflow: KLE, KLE PCB generator I wasn't aware of & the firmware builder by Ruiqi Mao.

Here’s the github https://github.com/jeroen94704/klepcbgen Basically you import a json from kle and then it spits out a mostly finished kicad file, so it pretty much takes all the tedious work out of it. You still have to route all the traces but it’s pretty great

Files and Links I used 1. Final Mod: https://www.printables.com/model/520579-ploopy-nano-btu-mod-with-zsa-moonlander-right-thum 2. Github for BTU Mod & Buying BTUs: https://github.com/gbrnt/ploopy-nano/tree/master/hardware/mechanicals-btu-mod 3. Ploopy Nano; github, kit on website 4. ML Thumb Pad Blanks: https://www.printables.com/model/232829-moonlander-thumb-pad-blanks 5. Original Mount Mod: https://www.printables.com/model/480064-ploopy-nano-mount-for-zsa-moonlander-keyboard

I have been using a Moonlander for a bit more than 2 years now and have been loving it! Up until a few months ago I used a Logitech M570 alongside it. Looking for a trackball at the office, too, I then went out and bought a Logitech M575 only to realize very quickly that it just is not the same. So my search for an alternative set in almost immediately. Luckily I was also following r/Trackballs and learned about the Ploopy Nano Trackball which I hoped would pair very nicely with my Moonlander. And indeed, it does! I am still getting used to the layout changes I had to make to accomodate the one missing thumb cluster but so far I am absolutely loving it!

Ploopy*

It’s a Ploopy Nano. Been using it, with any mouse buttons mapped to left keyboard half for about 6 months now and it’s really helped keep my hands pain free.

The Ballpoints predate my time in the Hardware group by a few years, but I'd be surprised if anyone that worked on those devices would have expected the color to be so nice on the device all these years later, and that the plastic wasn't too brittle to keep it in use today. Might just be easier to take something like the Ploopy Nano and make a case for it to meet your needs vs. trying to retro fit the Ballpoint.

alternatively, Ploopy Nano (no buttons) or Meishi Trackball

So far I've done 2 modifications in the form of Kaleidoscope plugins, both of which I've put up on Github for those curious: • Mouse Layer - This switches my homerow keys to mouse keys whenever mouse movement is detected: wallisc/Kaleidoscope-MouseLayer (github.com). I use to do this with Bazecor by creating a separate layer and manually switching to the layer using a layer shift, but found I used the layer so much that layer shifting became fatiguing for my finger. Then I heard of a modification in the ErgoMechKeyboards reddit where QMK was modified to trigger mouse keys on mouse which inspired me to try something similar. I'm a trackball user and I love this modification, it allows me to use the Ploopy Nano (https://ploopy.co/nano-trackball/) which has no mouse keys but I also enjoy it with my CST L-trac, which does have mouse keys but are stiff and generally less pleasant than the keyboard switches. For fun, I animate the color of all the keys I'm overriding with a rainbow shift effect, this is how it looks in action: https://imgur.com/a/ptOHkcS • Alt Tabber - This overrides certain keys when the left-alt is held. Primarily used for quick alt-tabbing: wallisc/Kaleidoscope-AltTabber (github.com). I have alt as a thumb key and using this I can change the F/J keys to turn into Tab so I can alt tab without moving my hand off the homerow. I also override 4->F4 because alt-f4 is handy. Currently I just set any overridden keys to red, but probably will update it to have some fun LED animations as well at some point Disclaimer: There's probably some inefficient code but at the very least it's fairly simple if people are just curious what a plugin code looks like.

I believe that one is the Ploppy Nano, you can get more information about it here: https://ploopy.co/nano-trackball/