This new Custom Layout Designer works slightly different than before. The only difference is how it stores a custom layout link and how it reads a custom layout link.
If you have an old custom layout link, replace the "/" with ".html", making sure to add the "."
Old link: https://trulyergonomic.com/store/layout-designer--configurator--reprogrammable--truly-ergonomic-mechanical-keyboard/#KTo7PD...
New link: https://trulyergonomic.com/store/layout-designer--configurator--reprogrammable--truly-ergonomic-mechanical-keyboard.html#KTo7PD...
This Custom Layout Designer only works with Legacy Models 229/227, 209/207, 109/105/104.
Newest Browsers only
This “Layout Designer” only works on newest Browsers: Firefox and Chrome.
If your browser does not allow you to drag a key from the top‑layout into the bottom‑layout, or does not allow you to save the file into your computer: you can upgrade your browser, use a different browser, or use a different computer.
Application to upgrade the Layout/Firmware
The application to upgrade the Layout/Firmware file into your keyboard is compatible with Windows, OS X, and Linux.
Once upgraded, disregarding which Operating System you used to upgrade the firmware, you can use your keyboard in compatible computers running diverse Operating Systems including Windows, OS X, or Linux.
Default Layout
When you arrive at this “Layout Designer” page, the default layout shown below on the “bottom‑layout” is the default for the Model 229/227 (ANSI-ISO), even if you change the “TEK” (keyboard model).
How to save your layout for future changes
If in the future you want to reopen your layout to make any additional changes, you must first “Bookmark or Share” your layout:
- Click on the “Bookmark or Share” button, a link will be provided. Click on the link provided, then save the new link in your computer and/or add it to your Bookmarks.
- When you want to reopen this layout to make further changes, open the saved link and continue enhancing your layout.
- After you have finished, click the “Save file” button and save the Layout/Firmware file to your computer, then click “Bookmark or Share” once again so you receive a new link for your new layout. Click on the link provided, then save this new link in your computer and/or add it to your Bookmarks.
You can also share these links so others can benefit from your layout. Links are unique and nobody can overwrite your saved layout. Links are quite long, around 1000 bytes in length, if you want to share them you can consider using a link shortener.
International characters
If you use international keys like
For example, in the German layout, the
Not all keys are recognized by all languages, but if you install a key incompatible with your selected language, the key will simply be ignored by the Operating System.
Using the firmware provided by this "Layout Designer"
- DIP switch #1 selects “Primary” (ON) or “Alternate” (OFF) layers.
- DIP switch #2, #3, and #4 are disabled.
- DIP switch #5 protects or allows firmware to be reprogrammed – default.
Layers
- You can have up to 6 distinct layers programmed at the same time. For each position of the DIP switch #1 (ON – Primary layers or OFF – Alternate layers), you can configure a "Main" layer, "Num" layer, and "Fn" layer. You can have any combination of keys for each layer.
- When using your keyboard, you can choose to use the Primary layers (DIP switch #1 ON) or Alternate layers (DIP switch #1 OFF), this is controlled by the DIP switch #1 located on the underside of the keyboard. By default, Primary layers are set for Windows/Linux and Alternate layers are set for OS X.
- If you use or want to have two distinct layouts (Qwerty/Alternate) or use two computers (Windows/OSX) without the need to constantly flip DIP switch #1, you can consider having one layout in the “Main” layer, and the secondary layout on the “Num” layer, having the Num‑LED showing if you are using the secondary layer – you can then use the “Fn” layer for the numeric keypad as well as special functionality.
- If you are using OS X and prefer to have the
Fn keys functionality as default, compared to require to press theFn alongF6-F12 keys, you can reprogramFn functionality on the “Main” layer andF1‑F12 keys on the “Fn” layer.
Remarks
- Not all keys are recognized by all Operating Systems (OS). If you install a key incompatible with your OS or your selected keyboard language, the key will simply be ignored by the OS.
- After you have upgraded your keyboard, if when using it you press a key and a different letter/symbol than expected show on your computer, it means you have to make sure the keyboard language in your computer is set to the default Qwerty – this is the default on all computers, make sure it is not set as Dvorak or any other.
- Make sure you do not end up with a case of “double translation”. This will happen if your keyboard is remapped to an Alternative Layout and you also have an Alternative Layout selected in your Operating System (OS). There can be only one! You can leave your keyboard Qwerty and use the Alternative layout in your OS, or you can remap the keyboard and use the standard Qwerty layout in the OS.
- As well, make sure that you are not using third party software that affects the functionality of keyboards – like AutoHotKey or KeyRemap4MacBook/Karabiner. Otherwise, your computer can have a “double translation” – this could happen as well when your keyboard sends different key codes of what your computer is expecting and your settings on your computer are changing the key codes a second time.
Copyright
- The “Layout Designer” and all related programs (the application) are specifically designed to work with the Truly Ergonomic Keyboard. The application's source code and usage for any other purpose is strictly forbidden.
Instructions:
- This “Layout Designer” only works on newest Browsers: Firefox and Chrome. If your browser does not allow you to drag a key from the top‑layout into the TrulyErgonomic‑layout, or does not allow you to save the file into your computer: you can upgrade your browser, use a different browser, or use a different computer.
- Press your keyboard's
F11 key to show this "Layout Designer" in full-screen, making it easier to use –F11 returns to normal size. - Click on the top “Select Layout” to see and use more available conventional layouts and keys.
- Select your keyboard model “TEK” in the bottom‑layout below. This only changes the keycaps being shown; does not load the default layout and does not make any changes to the current layout.
- If your keyboard exhibits double letters, select a higher “Debouncing” setting. The higher the number the less probability of double letters, but consider that if you select a higher setting some keystrokes might not register. You can also select a lower setting if you type fast and your keyboard does not exhibits double letters.
- Select which layer you want to configure amongst “Main”, “Num”, and “Fn”, for each position of DIP switch #1 (ON - Primary layers or OFF - Alternate layers).
- Drag any key from the top‑layout into any key position of the TrulyErgonomic‑layout, or click any of the keys of the TrulyErgonomic‑layout and type a key name.
- Click on “Save file” to download the Layout/Firmware file into your computer.
- Follow steps to upgrade your keyboard's Firmware using the Layout/Firmware file from this "Layout Designer".
| T_NL | TECK non–synchronized Num Lock : This turns on or off the “Num” layer. Non–synchronized means that when you press this key, only the Embedded Numeric Keypad layer of the Truly Ergonomic Keyboard turns on or off, and no other Numeric Keypad turns on or off. |
| T_WP | TECK |
| T_CB | TECK |
| T_Fn | TECK |
Default “Fn” layer functionality:
Lang4 Internet Browser Email Search My Computer Calculator Media Select Media Previous Track Media Play/Pause Media Next Track Volume Mute Volume Down Volume Up Media Eject
You can have up to 23 different Media Control (MC), Application Control (AC), or Application Launch (AL) keys at the same time, including the 12 keys already assigned in the default Fn layers. The same key in diverse positions and/or layers count as only one. If you add more keys, extra keys are stored in the layout but will behave as if unassigned.
You can assign additional HID usage codes from usage pages 07 or 0C, as defined by the HID Usage Tables. To do so, click on a key and enter either of the following:
- for usage page 07 (Keyboard/Keypad), the low byte of the usage code followed by the letter 'h'. Example: A5h
- for usage page 0C (Consumer), the full 20–bit usage code followed by the letter 'h'. Example: 0C0107h
Not all HID codes are currently recognized by all Operating Systems.
Layout Designer created in collaboration with Yuri Khan