VIA implementation on PW65HE PCB

Congrats on finishing up calibration!

This is where the fun begins. The majority of VIA itself is fairly straightforward and shared between most VIA compatible keyboards.

To start, we'll identify some useful keys on the 1st layer of the keyboard. There are 5 custom keys on Layer 1 which help us leverage the keyboard to the fullest.

  • Custom Key (65) - Mapped to MO(1) + Z: This activates the Calibration Tool. We used this earlier.
  • Custom Key (69) - Mapped to MO(1) + X: This activates a graph for visualizing Rapid Trigger. This is a developer feature, not intended for users.
  • Custom Key (70) - Mapped to MO(1) + Q: This activates normal Actuation Mode.
  • Custom Key (71) - Mapped to MO(1) + W: This activates Rapid Trigger Mode.
  • Custom Key (72) - Mapped to MO(1) + E: This is saved for Snap Tap Mode development in the future. This has no function as of yet.

If you change the custom keys on Layer 1, then the hotkeys above will no longer work.

Normal Actuation Mode Tuning

Press MO(1) + Q to put the PCB into normal Actuation Mode. Then, return to the HE Tools tab to adjust the Actuation Threshold and the Release Threshold. These sliders are marked in the image below.

  • Actuation Threshold - This is the distance the switch is pressed before it sends a signal.
  • Release Threshold - This is the distance the switch is lifted before it stops sending a signal.

Values for Actuation and Release are applied across the whole keyboard.

Click "Update changes to keyboard" before testing the settings!

Setting Release Threshold higher than Actuation Threshold should trigger a fail-safe. If ignoring this warning causes a crash or an actuation bug, please let us know! That said, if you want a smooth experience, best not to test for bugs for us.

Rapid Trigger Tuning

Rapid Trigger mode allows users to re-activate a key after lifting up from the original press, but before the key fully resets to the peak.

Press MO(1) + W to turn on Rapid Trigger mode. The toggle marked by the red arrow in the image below will also activate Rapid Trigger mode. These are identical in functionality.

Three sliders are available in the Rapid Trigger menu.

Rapid Trigger Deadzone

This value sets the highest possible height in which a key can be re-activated. Once the key is has rebounded higher than the deadzone limit, it needs to fully reset to the top before it can be reactivated.
      • A lower value on the slider means the deadzone is placed closer to the top of the keystroke, allowing for more chances to reactivate the switch as it rebounds from the first activation.
      • The slider has min-max limits to prevent the PCB from acting up in usual ways, so feel free to set the slider to minimum values if desired.

Rapid Trigger Engage Distance

This value sets the distance necessary to engage the switch or send a keypress signal.

      • Moving the slider to the right increases the travel distance necessary to activate the switch.
      • The slider has min-max limits to prevent the PCB from acting up in usual ways, so feel free to set the slider to minimum values if desired.

Rapid Trigger Disengage Distance

This value sets the distance necessary to disengage the switch or stop sending a keypress signal.

      • Warning: Setting a very low disengage distance may cause the keyboard to send double clicks. Fail-safes are in place but are more lenient for users who like a fast response.
      • Once the key has been disengaged, it can be re-engaged, assuming it has not hit the deadzone yet

An example Rapid Trigger setup is shown below for reference values.

That's all she wrote, folks! Have fun tuning your keyboard to perfection!

Any Questions or Issues? Reach out to us here!

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