21
Macros triggered by modifier key locations
Except with certain older firmware versions, it is not possible to have a modifier by itself trigger a macro, even
if you have remapped the modifier key to perform a non-modifier action. If you attempt to program this, it will
work temporarily but when the keyboard is replugged, the macro will disappear. However, with beta firmware
version 1.0.352 (8-24-17), this feature is enabled. A caveat for this feature is that if you also have one or more
“combination trigger” macros (e.g. rctrl-q is the trigger) and a macro is also assigned to rctrl, the former will
not play unless the latter is deleted. Because of bugs with PC and Mac Thumb Key Modes, this is feature is
removed from more recent firmware versions.
Using a Windows key as the only modifier co-trigger for a macro (“win-triggered macros”)
Because of the special way in which the “Windows Key” is treated by the Windows operating system and
differences between processor speed and Windows versions, experimenting with playback speed may be
needed if you use lwin or rwin as the only modifier to help trigger a macro in combination with a non-modifier
key. There should be no problem if Win plus another modifier are combined with a macro trigger key.
In general, start with the default macro playback speed if you have previously changed that feature (see
section 7.1). If you use onboard programming (progm+F11) and the “Start Menu” pops up and stays open
when you release the windows key and the macro trigger key, tap escape once or twice to close the start
menu before typing your macro contents. Then type the macro contents normally and tap Program to exit
from macro programming mode.
After you have programmed your win-triggered macro, if it plays correctly, you can experiment with faster
playback speeds. Section 7.8 includes several tricks for helping Win-triggered macros playback successfully,
especially at high playback speeds.
6.12 Remap a Key (progm + F12)
The Advantage2 lets you create custom layouts by moving (aka “remapping”) key actions from one location
on the keyboard to another. You can remap one or two critical keys or remap dozens of keys to suit your
particular workflow. There are 168 unique key locations on the Advantage2 that can be reprogrammed (84
programmable keys in each of the top layer and the keypad layer, see Section 6.13). Only the Program Key
and the Keypad key cannot be assigned a different function. Any key action that resides on the keyboard can
be assigned to one or more of those 168 key locations using SmartSet Onboard Programming.
Program Remap Mode
To remap a key, progm+F12 enters Remap Mode. Keys are remapped in pairs: “Source Action” then the
“Destination Key”. The Scroll Lock LED will initially flash rapidly prompting you to select the Source Action.
Once you have selected a Source Action, the Scroll Lock LED will flash slowly until you select the Destination
Key, then it will revert to rapid flashing.
Note: Remap Mode will continue until progm is tapped.
Swapping key actions
Program Remap Mode moves one key action at a time, it does not swap keys. To swap two keys, you must
program two separate remap actions.
Remapping a key action to a different layer (to or from the keypad layer)
Both the top layer and keypad layer are separately programmable. When a key is remapped, it is only
remapped in the layer that was active during remapping. To remap a key from the keypad layer to the top
layer, or vice versa, simply use the Keypad key to switch between layers during the remap process, between
the Source action and the Destination key. The Keypad key is not recognized as a valid “source” or
“destination” key so it does not interrupt Program Remap Mode.
Advanced Users: Remapping Thumb Key Mode keys
It is possible to remap any of the ten variable Thumb Key Mode keys (Fig 22) to perform custom actions in
each layout. However, these custom actions will be erased in the active layout if you subsequently use one of
the onboard shortcuts to change Thumb Key Modes.