Background
Kinesis is collaborating with ZMK to create real-time programming interface (“Studio”) for custom programming the key actions on your FORM keyboard. The software and user-interface are still in “alpha” stage and not yet refined for commercial release. If you would like to participate in testing the software we would love to get your feedback so we can improve the experience before releasing it to the general public. There is a form at the bottom of this page to submit feedback.
Supported Features: https://zmk.dev/docs/keymaps/behaviors
Note: Touchpad settings and actions are NOT user-programmable.
Firmware Update
Before programming, you will need to perform a keyboard firmware update to gain access to Studio. Additional firmware updates may be required to continue to participate in the alpha test. You can revert back to factory firmware at any time and end the trial.
- Download the latest Studio-compatible Form firmware file here: https://kinesis-ergo.com/download/form-studio-alpha/
- Connect the Form to your PC using the USB cable, and double-click the Bootloader button on the underside of the keyboard to mount a removable drive called “FORM”.
- Unzip and copy/paste the downloaded firmware file on to the “FORM” drive. The indicator LEDs will flash blue while the firmware is installed. When the indicators stop flashing the keyboard is ready to use.
Important Note: Both Windows and Mac may report an error with the file transfer because the drive automatically “dismounts”, but this can be safely ignored.
Accessing Studio
- Connect your Form via USB to your computer.
- Using a Chrome or Edge web-browser, visit the Studio page: https://zmk.studio/
- Select “USB” as the connection type.
- Select the “Form” serial port from the list. Note: If Form is NOT one of the choices, that likely means the firmware update was NOT successful and Studio cannot see your keyboard. Please try updating the firmware again.
- Hold the FN key and tap Escape to “unlock” the Form for Studio.
Programming with Studio
- Remapping Key Actions: Select the desired key you would like to reprogram by clicking on the interactive keymap. Designate the desired behavior, and then choose the corresponding key code and/or other parameters as prompted. Note the behavior for a “standard key press” is called “key press” and one or modifiers can be added to the primary key action.
- Special Actions: ZMK supports a wide-array of power-user behaviors. A description of all the Behaviors can be found here: https://zmk.dev/docs/keymaps/behaviors
- Adding Layers: Click the “+” in the menu on the left side of the screen to add an additional layer, up to 8 in total. Select any of the keys in the new layer to assign an action. Important Note: You must explicitly assign keys to both access and exit each new layer (Read about Layer keys here: https://zmk.dev/docs/keymaps/behaviors/layers).
- Changes made with Studio will be implemented in real-time but will not persist after you disconnect from Studio unless they are saved. Click the “Save” button in the upper right menu if you are satisfied with your changes.
- When you have saved your changes, you can simply close the browser, disconnect the keyboard, or use the Studio “Disconnect” button under the “Form” drop down in the center of the page.
Note: To reset your layout to the factory default, use the “Settings Reset” option in the dropdown menu under “Form” in the center of the page.
Known Issues as of 9-24-24
- Keyboard Indicator LEDs may take up to 30 minutes to resume normal function
- Custom macros are not supported at this time. However basic Cut/Copy/Paste/Select All/Undo macros for Windows have been hard-coded and are available for selection in the Behavior drop down.
- Text Scaling of key actions is not optimized
- Some key actions only display on hover-over
Reverting Back to Production Firmware
You can use the instructions and any of the firmware files found at the link below to revert back to “pre-Studio” firmware at any time. Note: your Layout Changes will be lost.
https://kinesis-ergo.com/support/form/#firmware
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