PolarisPad

PolarisPad has SHIPPED!!! What is it? Well, PolarisPad is a Macropad designed for space combat in games such as Star Citizen and No Man’s Sky. It includes 8 keys with RGB underglow, a rotary encoder, and a small OLED display. Once it is approved and I receive the parts, I will begin the assembly and do some firmware updates. It is possible that I will decide to modify the firmware or case before then, but if not, I’ll be taking a short break from working on projects until it arrives.

It took way longer than it should have, but I finally figured out how to make QMK firmware for PolarisPad! This is just the basic version, which only includes the actual keys, not the rotary encoder, RGB underglow, or OLED. However, I’m choosing to wait to program those until I have the components on hand since trying to program something to create a visual effect without being able to see that effect doesn’t go too well. All I have left is to package everything for the GitHub page and ship it! Then I’ll be able to receive all the components to assemble the physical thing and finalize the firmware.

I did a bit more to the project for today. I think that I’m now done with the physical design for PolarisPad now; at least for the initial version. I added the knob to the assembly, as well as the project name and designer credit (Me. It’s on the bottom). I then added some things to the silkscreen layer of the PCB, including a joke relating to the OLED, the name of the device, a QR code linking to the GitHub repo, credit to myself, and a fun little phrase.

Had a small panic attack about halfway through this one. For a moment I thought the rotary encoder actually needed an analog signal rather than a digital one, similar to a potentiometer, and I though I was going to have to reroute a large portion of my PCB. Fortunately, I was wrong, and it only needs digital. Anyways, I added some of the components to the CAD assembly, and adjusted my case design in a few spots where components didn’t quite line up right. I also colored it a bit. (Better styling in the future including more rounded corners). Decided on making the official name to PolarisPad. (Named after the star, not the SC ship :)

Ok, this was a complicated one. I was working on the top part of the case for the PCB, and since I had a large variety of components arranged in a different way, I had to do it all manually, while still maintaining accuracy (I hope). You can see how that went in the screenshots below. Anyway, I may have made a mistake in the PCB. It seems the way I arranged it did not leave enough space for the OLED to fully fit onto the board. So I also had to go back and adjust it, but I think it will fit now. Next I will have to add a spot for the USB port to connect it to the user’s device. I am also considering rounding the case corners. I want a cleaner-looking design. Then I’ll just have to do the software! (Don’t mind the spikes sticking through near the display, they won’t be there in the final product)

I began working on the case design for the actual Macropad, rather than just the basic one. The bottom of the case is done. I have also started organizing my files so that setting up a GitHub repo will be easier later on. Once I finish the rest of the case, I can begin the final necessary step, which is making the software it will run on. I also could do some design on the silkscreen layer of the PCB, which I may do, but we shall see. Here’s a little sneak-peak of the case so far.

I did it! I designed the PCB for the pad, I will hopefully be finding a better name for this project soon, but here’s what I accomplished. I added two more RGB LEDs for better backlighting on the keys. I then imported all the footprints, came up with a general layout, and connected everything. Because of how I was doing my connections, I ended up with a “main rail”, where I had rails on both sides of the board, making it nearly impossible to cross. So I ended up having some fun routing around the main area and using some vias to go under/over other rails. Here’s how it turned out. Also, I changed the project image for now. (Pictures of front, back, and design)

I added diodes to each switch in the matrix. This will prevent ghosting when pressing multiple keys at a time. Also reorganized things and linked the schematic components to footprints in preparation for laying out the PCB design. Hopefully I used the right footprints, but I guess I’ll find out soon.

I redid the schematic to include more of the features I wanted. It is much more complex now, including 8 switches (previously 3) in a matrix encoder. I also added 2 LEDs, a rotary encoder, and an OLED screen. Next I’ll have to make a PCB for it. (And confirm it works). Hopefully all goes well.

I came back after watching a video on how to use Autodesk Fusion, and this time I was able to actually finish the tutorial version of the case. Next I will have to learn how the software part works, and then we can go ahead and start making this project much more complicated then a 3-button pad.

I tried to make a basic case, but it didn’t go to well. I’ve never used fusion before. I got the main base done eventually, but the section that holds the keycaps was not wanting to work correctly. Currently, I’m just trying to get through the general tutorial so that I understand what I’m doing better before customizing the board further. I’m going to do a bit of research on how fusion works before continuing and hopefully get some stuff done on it. I have some fun plans for the final result.

Finished the tutorial for designing the PCB of the Macropad. This is not the final pcb, just the tutorial version. I will likely update it to be better suited to it’s intended purpose.