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RK61QMK tutorial(Web version)
What's QMK?
QMK (Quantum Mechanical Keyboard) is an open-source software maintained by a community. It supports almost all QMK-compatible keyboard devices, allowing you to customize the function of each key for precise control, which is not commonly found in most other keyboards.
What's the Differences from traditional drivers:
higher customization
Traditional drivers may have limitations where certain keys, like the Fn key, cannot have their original functionality changed. However, with QMK, you can not only modify the Fn key to have different functions but also define any key as an Fn key.
Multiple layers for switching
Traditional drivers typically have only two layers - the basic key functionality layer (default keyboard functions) and the Fn layer (Fn combination keys). If you want to add macros, you have to sacrifice the original function of a key to define it as a macro.
In contrast, QMK allows for multiple layers, with some devices supporting up to 15 layers. The first layer is for basic keyboard functions, the second layer is the Fn layer, and the subsequent layers are usually used for customization. When you need to set macros, you don't have to sacrifice the original basic functions; you can place macros on other layer(s) and switch layers as needed.
Requires some learning curve
Learning QMK involves understanding device recognition, key redefinition, layer switching, and macro recording. Here's a detailed tutorial.
Before getting started, here are the preparations you need:
1. Open the web version of VIA at usevia.app.
2. Ensure that your keyboard device supports QMK.
3. Obtain the configuration file specific to your keyboard, such as "RK-61.json". click here
Let’s get started
not connected
Connected
Click on "SETTINGS" to access the settings page and enable the "Show Design tab" option. This will display the "DESIGN" page as shown in the image below.
Go to the "DESIGN" page and click on "Load." Select the "RK61.json" configuration file
from the dialog box and open it, as shown in the image below.
Afterward, you will see a pop-up device dialog in the top left corner. Click on the "RK61" device
to establish a connection, as shown in the image below.
Click on "CONFIGURE" to access the configuration page.
Here, you can view the layout of the RK61 keyboard and make your desired keyboard settings.
The driver functionality can be divided into four configurable modules:
KEYMAP for key values and layout,
MACROS for creating macros,
SAVE+LOAD for configuration storage,
LIGHTING for customizing lighting effects.
In the KEYMAP module, you can redefine keys to customize their functions. It includes the following options:
BASIC: Basic key settings.
MEDIA: Multimedia settings for functions like volume control, brightness adjustment, etc.
MACRO: Macro settings for pre-recorded macros.
LAYERS: Layer switching settings to define which layer to switch to.
SPECIAL: Special character key settings, such as @, %, *, etc.
LIGHTING: Lighting settings for brightness, speed, modes, etc.
CUSTOM: Other custom settings, such as setting it as BT, 2.4G, USB, etc.
To redefine a key, click on the desired key on the keyboard layout and then select the desired function from the options provided below.
For example, let's say you want to change the Q key's function to A. You would click on the Q key in the keyboard layout and then select the A function from the available options.
when you see the characters on the keyboard being changed to their corresponding functional characters, it indicates that the modification was successful.
The original function of that key has now been replaced with the new assigned function.
Macro Definition
Macro Recording
Macro definition, also known as macro recording, can be done in two ways: key recording and code recording.
(1-1) Key recording is the simplest method.
Step 1: Open Fullscreen mode.
Step 2: Click on "Record" to start recording.
Step 3: Input the desired custom keys, such as Q, W, E, R, E, R, T, T, Y, Y.
Step 4: Stop the recording.
Step 5: Save the recorded content.
These steps allow you to use key recording to create a macro that mimics the input of the specified keys.
From now on, the recorded content (in this case, "qwererttyy") has been successfully saved in M0. Unless manually deleted, it will be stored indefinitely.
(1-2)Code Recording
The code value for each key can be queried in the URL: :Basic Keycodes (qmk.fm):
Here are the steps for code recording:
the recorded macro definition will be stored in the macro in the keymap.
The usage method is the same as key redefinition: first click on a specific key on the keyboard, and then click on a desired function key below.
Modified successfully: Pressing the Q key will output "qwererttyy".
Configuration File + Load Third-Party Configuration File
Save the modified keyboard settings can be saved as a JSON file for others to use. Similarly, you can also use JSON files from others to apply their keyboard settings.
The lighting effect is not visible on the interface and can only be observed through the keyboard device.
Switch between layer
Different devices can have different layer switching capabilities, with a maximum of 15 layers.
The default configuration is as follows: layer 0(he default Windows layer with basic key functions) and layer 1 for Windows, layer 2 and layer 3 for MacOS, and layer 4 or later for customization, and Users can customize the functions of each layer according to their preferences for sure.
There are a total of 7 categories of key values that can be defined:
Please follow these steps below:
Step 1: Find a key on layer 0 to be designated as the layer switching key, typically the Fn key.
Step 2: Set FN as M0(x), where x represents the specific layer you want to switch to.
Step 3: When using the keyboard, hold down Fn/M0(x), and the corresponding functions on the designated layer will be activated.
Note that Fn key needs to be held down continuously, as releasing it will return to layer 0.