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“hotkey”) that you define. Hotkey layouts are useful for specific applications with unique workflows or if your
Advantage2 is being shared with other users. Hotkey layouts are assigned to either the QWERTY or Dvorak
family, and each hotkey layout has both a top layer and a keypad layer. When you create a hotkey layout
using the onboard shortcut, the keyboard automatically creates a new .txt file (see naming conventions
below) on the v-drive where your custom remaps and macros are stored.
To create a hotkey layout, first confirm which default layout is active, QWERTY or Dvorak.
Note: If you are in
a QWERTY layout than any hotkey layout you create will be QWERTY based, and vice versa for Dvorak.
Next,
ensure
Power User Mode is enabled and the v-drive is closed
. Then hold Program and tap F2 to
enter Hotkey Layout Creation Mode. The Num Lock LED will begin flashing rapidly, prompting you to select a
“hotkey” that you will use to access your new hotkey layout.
Note: Only alphanumeric keys can be assigned
as a hotkey.
Tap the desired hotkey and the LED will stop flashing.
Note: If you attempt to assign a hotkey layout to a key which already has a hotkey layout for that layout family
(QWERTY or Dvorak), then you will lose any saved key remaps but macros will remain.
Hotkey layouts are copies of the existing layout
When you create a new hotkey layout, that hotkey layout will exactly mirror the layout that was active at the
time of its creation. In other words, you are creating a duplicate layout file with a new name. If you wish to
custom program a hotkey layout from scratch, immediately after creating the hotkey layout, perform a Soft
Reset (progm + shift + F9) to erase the existing remaps and macros in the new hotkey layout.
Hotkey file naming conventions
Hotkey layout files are based on either the underlying QWERTY or Dvorak Layout and are named so that the
hotkey assigned to trigger the layout appears before the base layout. Examples:
•
A QWERTY hotkey layout assigned to trigger-key Q will be named “q_qwerty.txt”
•
A Dvorak hotkey layout assigned to trigger-key 5 will be named “5_dvorak.txt”.
Only the keyboard should create and name hotkey layouts
For best results, we recommend always using the onboard shortcut (progm + F2) to create a new hotkey
layout. Do not create a text file on the v-drive from your computer, do not cut and paste an external text file to
the v-drive, and do not rename an existing text file so that it is hotkey accessible. Any of these actions could
result in corrupt files on certain operating systems which might necessitate a Hard Reset.
Note: On some
operating systems (e.g., Windows 10), it is necessary to condition a new hotkey layout via an onboard
programming shortcut (Program Macro Mode, Program Remap Mode or by switching Thumb Key Mode)
before attempting Direct Editing (as described in Section 7.8).
Deleting a hotkey layout
Hotkey layout files must be deleted manually by accessing the v-drive and moving the desired files to the
trash (or equivalent).
7.7 Activating a Hotkey Layout (progm + {hotkey})
Once a hotkey layout has been created, you do not need to be in Power User Mode to load it to the keyboard.
Simply hold the Program Key and tap the appropriate hotkey to activate the layout.
Remember that hotkey layouts are assigned to either the QWERTY or Dvorak family. QWERTY hotkey
layouts can only be accessed while in another QWERTY layout, and vice versa. As such, the same hotkey
can be assigned to both a QWERTY and Dvorak hotkey layout without creating any conflict.
7.8 Direct Editing of layout files
The Advantage2 with SmartSet tools is a powerfully-programmable keyboard. Most users will find the Basic
Onboard Programming Tools or the SmartSet App (when it becomes available) are adequate their needs.
However, “power users” may wish to access one or more layout files in a simple text editor to directly view
and edit their settings, macros and remaps. “Direct Editing” is the process of accessing the v-drive, opening a
layout or the settings file (state.txt), and adding, removing or otherwise editing the “code” (text) in the file.
