2nd-keyboard

NOTE: all this info is OBSOLETE, this readme file is dumb now and will be updated when i can get around to it.

A quickstart guide for using a second keyboard purely for macros on Windows. It's not super complicated, but you'll need a novice understanding of scripting/programming, and need to know how to effectively debug a script one step at a time (for when you are modifying my code.)

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Getting started

Watch the video first, then take a look at the instructions below.

1. Ensure that both your keyboards are plugged in.

2. Download and install LuaMacros and AuthoHotkey.

3. Download 2nd keyboard if using luamacros.ahk, SECOND KEYBOARD script for LUA MACROS.lua, and keypressed.txt from this github repository, by clicking on the RAW button for each, and then selecting FILE > SAVE AS. Save them all into the same folder.

4. Open SECOND KEYBOARD script for LUA MACROS.lua using LuaMacros.exe, which will allow you to view and modify the code. You'll need to change the file path of keypressed.txt at least.

5. Click on the "play" arrow button. An identification window should pop up. Press any key on your 2nd keyboard, and luamacros will identify that device as your 2nd keyboard.

6. Typing on your 2nd keyboard should no longer work, since LuaMacros is now intercepting and blocking those keystrokes.

7. Press the spacebar on your second keyboard, then check keypressed.txt to see if it now contains the string "spacebar". If so, you got it working!

8. Right-click on SECOND KEYBOARD - Premiere functions.ahk and open it in a text editor like notepad++.

9. Scroll down to line 300 and change the filepath C:\Users\TaranVanHemert\Documents\GitHub\2nd-keyboard\2nd keyboard support files\keypressed.txt to the correct location of keypressed.txt on your own computer.

10. SECOND KEYBOARD Premiere functions in AutoHotKey.ahk was built for use in Adobe Premiere, but you can delete all the functions and write your own, for whatever application you desire!

11. If you do want to use my AHK Premiere functions, you'll need to modify them to fit your own computer. Common changes that will have to be made are: Coordinates, panel names, colors.

Don't Panic!

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References

• DIY 87-Key Macro Keyboard by Taran of LinusTechTips

• The Art of the Bodge by Tom Scott

• LuaMacros

• AuthoHotkey