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[Help] Creating a new layer Keychron C3 Pro: First time user (self.mechanicalkeyboards)

submitted 1 year ago by Nehemoth to c/[email protected]

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Hi. First, you need to know that my main language it's Spanish but I like to use the English layout keyboard so I need the ALT codes.

I wanted a mechanical keyboard since forever, for me it's a little expensive. Also, I like the idea of a TKL and so in my mind a K8 Pro was the chosen but being a while since my desired configuration isn't available.

Some weeks ago I'd read about the C3 Pro and for the price was a non-brainer and the opportunity to know if everything will be OK with a TKL keyboard. Just minutes after installed it I realized (after a search) that you don't have an option for ALT codes which I really need.

I've read several information, but it looks like I need to modify (or create) a new layer with the software Via. So I went to the Via site, load which I supposed it's the correct json file [c3_pro_ansi_red_v1.1_20230823.json] but I simple don't know how to do this.

Also the symbols that I use the most (and want) are: ALT 168: Open interrogation symbol ALT 160/130/161/162/163: á, é, í, ó, ú ALT 164/165 for ñ and Ñ

I don't know if it's possible but maybe would be find if I can create something that allow me to hit the CTRL + a = for á and CTRL + SHIFT A = for Á

If possible, I want to avoid the use on an app like hotkey

Note: As I'm on Windows I'd read in the Keychron site that I need to choose the layer 2 as layer zero (and one) are for the Mac mode.

TIA

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[–] light5speed 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Dude, use English-international layout, all these characters are available with dead keys. ' + a = á ~ + n = ñ

[–] Nehemoth 2 points 1 year ago

Thank you, this indeed was the solution.

[–] Pyroglyph 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I am 99% sure you can get áéíóú on Windows by holding AltGr and pressing the letter.

As for the ñ, perhaps you could use VIA to bind AltGr+n for consistency? Or whatever you prefer, really.

[–] Nehemoth 1 points 1 year ago

When you don't know...you made things more complicated that it should.

Thank you.

[–] advy 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Hi! I'm also Spanish and own a Keychron K2 Pro. For me using the layout "English EE.UU. with AltGr" and just press Alt + a = á, Alt + n = ñ is working fine.

Anyway in case you want to use VIA (very helpful if you want more custom macros), Keychron has a really good tutorial. After you load the JSON file you should see something similar to the end of the first video in the tutorial page. In the upper left corner you should have four layers, 0/1 are for Mac mode and 2/3 are for Windows mode.

Now some explanation of how layers works. You have the "main" layer (0 in Mac, 2 in Windows, from now on, will only refer to the 2/3 layers as you are on Windows). From what I understood you don't want to change the main layer as is the usual config. In your case, you want to modify the secondary layer (3) so when you press MO(3) + = , ( MO(3) is to tell the keyboard to change to the layer 3 when pressing that key). For that you should be able to map the position of the 'a' key in the layer 3 to the letter 'á', and make MO(3) + a = 'á'

[–] Nehemoth 2 points 1 year ago

At the end this was what I did, definitely didn't remember this option that I used sometime in the 90's.

Thank you