Author Topic: Pixelpad (Read 5336 times)

Artemie · « **on:** Sun, 04 October 2020, 20:37:13 »

Hello world,

After the “success” of the Pinnacle 65, I reckon it’s time to “debut” what I’ve been working on for a long time.

This is a macro/numpad that I’ve been working with Fusion 360 since late 2018 since I had the idea. The main design idea is to fit a screen, as well as numpad support in the form of a Gameboy cartridge.
Along the way, it has undergone a numerous changes in design, and now I’ve finally (mostly) settled on a design that I’m happy with.

Updated render 19 October 2020

The features in this board are:
3.12” OLED screen
Uses Ai03 Unified USBC daughterboard
Hotswap / solderable PCB
Top mount
No external screws visible when assembled
RGB strip at bottom

To do list:
~~Brain storm for a better name, as “GBApad” technically means Gameboy Advance Pad. But this is a Gameboy cartridge. Name suggestions welcome!~~ Pixelpad.
~~3D print the design to test for fitment~~ Fits!
Outsource PCB design and firmware writing
Firmware writing for SPI (OLED screen) to interface with QMK

Old renders

More

Render provided by Bunny#5085 who made SA Night Light.

More pictures down below (rendered using Fusion 360). Switch LEDs will also be south facing as opposed to what is shown in render.

I can also be contacted on discord at Artemie#3490

Credits:
#kb-kustom community from Mechkeys discord who made spend ludicrous amounts of money in this hobby and still feel that it ain’t enough
Caleb (beamingrobot) from Monokei.co who urged me on to finishing the design
Yiancar for helping to work on PCB and firmware

LightningXI · « **Reply #1 on:** Sun, 04 October 2020, 20:43:05 »

Huge fan of the original Game Boy, so color me interested (no pun intended :dafoe5:)

SirShakes · « **Reply #2 on:** Sun, 04 October 2020, 20:48:50 »

of_sam · « **Reply #3 on:** Sun, 04 October 2020, 21:10:35 »

Looks great

Interested!

Zeeejay · « **Reply #4 on:** Sun, 04 October 2020, 22:31:45 »

Really nailed the look for this. Just spitballing but maybe something like "ROMpad" would sound more specific to a cartridge.

Artemie · « **Reply #5 on:** Mon, 05 October 2020, 19:23:21 »

Updated with some fusion renders, since I got the emissive LED option working yesterday night.

jstein91 · « **Reply #6 on:** Tue, 06 October 2020, 14:38:06 »

Love the design.

Will the screen be able to show calculations input on the pad? That would be killer.

yui · « **Reply #7 on:** Fri, 09 October 2020, 04:27:18 »

there was on thingiverse a model of a GB cartridge macropad i think, could have been a bit easier for you than making it from scratch, and it does not really look like a GBA cart... if that was not obvious. maybe something like numboy? or gamepad?

Artemie · « **Reply #8 on:** Fri, 09 October 2020, 23:38:50 »

RGB Bottom

Rotwitt · « **Reply #9 on:** Sat, 10 October 2020, 01:31:57 »

Really neat design! What resolution do you have the display to have?

Sendt fra min G8441 med Tapatalk

Artemie · « **Reply #10 on:** Sat, 10 October 2020, 23:49:10 »

Quote from: Rotwitt on Sat, 10 October 2020, 01:31:57

Really neat design! What resolution do you have the display to have?

Sendt fra min G8441 med Tapatalk

256x64, 3.12" OLED screen

Artemie · « **Reply #11 on:** Thu, 15 October 2020, 18:28:18 »

Made 3D print proto.
Everything surprisingly fits.

Onnimar · « **Reply #12 on:** Sat, 17 October 2020, 17:36:01 »

Really like the design and the prototype is beautiful. The curved bottom throws me off a little though, everything else is chamfered so I think it looks out of place. That is just my opinion though and others might like it.

Artemie · « **Reply #13 on:** Wed, 21 October 2020, 08:25:57 »

So I was able to fiddle around more with Fusion 360 renders settings.

Frosted Polycarbonate

Ewhite

Nidorino vs. Gengar display

jstein91 · « **Reply #14 on:** Wed, 21 October 2020, 09:17:12 »

Love the polycarb renders.

Gives me some serious nostalgia for the old see-through purple game boy colors. Is that color a possibility? Cause that would be sick.

Afteryou · « **Reply #15 on:** Wed, 21 October 2020, 09:19:14 »

Frosted PC bringing back some SERIOUS nostalgia.. Watching this with great interest!

Prelim · « **Reply #16 on:** Wed, 21 October 2020, 09:40:40 »

very like!! the RGB bottom is gay though

KeebOnMe · « **Reply #17 on:** Wed, 21 October 2020, 22:59:56 »

I like the look! It'd be cool to put a raspberry pi in it and load an emulator and play it on the screen if possible.

Or use the pad as a controller for a computer monitor.

Artemie · « **Reply #18 on:** Thu, 22 October 2020, 05:31:44 »

The idea is to have the alu prototype first. However, I am definitely interested in getting frosted PC to test IRL.

For the screen, actual implementation will still be up to Yiancar on how he would write the firmware. With any luck, GIF and input support will be able to be displayed.

Bitdrive · « **Reply #19 on:** Mon, 01 February 2021, 18:20:03 »

Daaang this is just hits hard with the retro vibes, interesting that it started as a Gameboy cartridge looks really dope , going to keep my eye on this one

+rep

FoC_Tow · « **Reply #20 on:** Mon, 08 February 2021, 08:59:54 »

Frosted pc looks amazing!

Kinda hard to judge tho.
I imagine anything looks great af on that deskmat...

Xeryn · « **Reply #21 on:** Mon, 08 February 2021, 12:30:48 »

This is beautiful, I'm interested. Definitely hoping you keep the curved backside to maintain that Gameboy color look.

ZyBeR · « **Reply #22 on:** Fri, 12 February 2021, 04:30:25 »

Sick!

News:

Author Topic: Pixelpad (Read 5336 times)