Devlog #3

Documenting

So, this is the last devlog before shipping!

Today I was documenting the project. I tried to make the documentation as clean and easy to understand as possible, so you can hopefully get inspired by it when working on your own HackPad.

The firmware for this project is a separate project called PadeXa:
PadeXa

So yeah, this is a pretty short devlog, but I think that’s all for now.

Love u

Below is a short screenshot of the README.

Devlog #2

I finally finished the Case

So at first, I wasn’t the best at 3D modeling, especially because I didn’t have a physical object to work with, so this was lowkey hard.

I was using the Hackpad guide, so it wasn’t that hard, but I wasn’t using Fusion 360 but Onshape — mainly because I’m using Linux and I’ve already been using Onshape for a while.

How it looks

I tried to make it as small as possible, and I think I actually did a pretty good job with it.

The edges are rounded, I made some space for the display and rotary encoder, and below them are the keys. I also added a hole for the USB-C connector.

I also tried making holes for the screws and heat-set inserts for the first time, so it looks much cleaner and prettier.

What I want to do next

There are only two things left that I want to make:

• Firmware — I’m thinking about making a new project that will contain both the Hackpad firmware and a PC app. With the PC app, you will be able to configure every key, the display, the rotary encoder, and basically everything else. Since it will be open-source, you will also be able to add and configure everything yourself.

  The most important part is that the PC app will only be a configurator. Everything will be saved directly on the Hackpad, so the Hackpad will be able to work completely without the app.

  After I finish this, this will be the firmware I’ll use for my Hackpad.

• Documentation — I actually got inspiration and help from other Hackpad projects, and I want to give something back. I want to document everything so you guys don’t have to search everywhere for information. :)

So, that’s everything for this devlog!

I hope you like it. If you have any questions or ideas, feel free to leave a comment. I hope we’ll see each other in the next devlog or in my firmware project!

Love u

Below you can see 3D images of the case with the PCB inside.

Devlog #1

So far, I have finished the PCB part.

What my Hackpad has for now

• Keys — For the keyboard, I made a 2x3 layout with a matrix system.
• Rotary Encoder — This is going to be used for setting the volume, moving through modes, and other things.
• Display — For the display, I am using a 0.91-inch OLED display. This is going to be used for showing the status and current mode.

Plans for the future

Now that my PCB is done, I want to continue with:

• Case — I want to make a nice case for it, but I still don’t know what it’s going to look like. (I’m not really good at this, but everything is a first time!)
• Firmware — I’m going to make it in MicroPython, and I’m thinking about making a PC app for it so you can create new modes, customize your keys, and do other custom things. All changes are going to be saved on the device, so you actually don’t need to have the app running for the Hackpad to work.

Yeah, I think that’s all for now. See you in the next Devlog!

Below you can see the PCB.