Creating a Macro Keyboard

[skymur]

Hello all!

Firstly I am new here, I didn't know where to post this so thought here was most appropriate.

 

I have set about making a macro keyboard for use inside of Adobe software, primarily premier, photoshop and after effects. The basic premise of the design is to make it as ergonomically comfortable to use as possible to use, at first I looked at the more generic ways of making a keyboard for one-handed use of a keyboard by shrinking the keyboard down, almost making a butterfly-like keyboard but for one hand. This is good however I felt using standard keys and switches is more limiting so set about creating something that felt more natural. I then thought about something like a mouse that works on gesture control but feel like this is a bit too farfetched and out of my comfort zone. I then decided I could make something in between the two, something almost like a joystick that you can push in certain directions and get certain functions out of. So, all in all, ended up making this 2 axis mechanism as a prototype as well as a gearbox like function. I made a blue foam model of the type of grip to be used in future. the prototype has turned out quite well. Thinking of using mechanical switches and using an Arduino as an input to the computer and maybe adding in some more functions like turning to rotate an image in photoshop, just wondering how to do so atm. Anyways cheers all for reading and sorry if the formatting is incorrect, new to the forum.

 

Planning on adding pictures of the finalised model which I combine them all

 

If anyone has any feedback, criticism or suggestions it'd be greatly appreciated!

Cheers, Skymur

[Dissitesuxba11s]

I'm a bit confused of how this operates; are you performing a function (for example Cut) by moving the grip to one of the selectors?

 

If yes, then you are moving your wrist or even your whole arm versus simply pressing a button, which requires more movement and will introduce another source of strain.