Karabiner-elements: Extend the "fn" with function keys feature

[pvandewalle]

Would it be possible to extend the "fn" with function keys feature to other keys? That way we could create "fn"+"any button" to "some other button".

In my case that would be:
"fn"+"j" : "keypad_1"
"fn"+"k" : "keypad_2"
"fn"+"l" : "keypad_3"
...

Please?

The worst missing element in a MacBook is the numpad.

[Lismont]

I fully agree about the importance of this element...

The best solution I found yet is to use Keyboard Maestro, although they don't allow to use the fn key and it does not work for passwords.

[DiegoDesigns]

+1

I desperately need this functionality for use with 3D CAD software, currently having to use a clunky external keyboard which is not a viable solution when I am away from my office.

[pvandewalle]

DiegoDesigns
That's exactly why I need it. I'm a Vectorworks user, I suppose just like you...

[DiegoDesigns]

@pvandewalle Yes I am also a VW user and thus the requirement ..

I have found a work around using Apple's inbuilt "App Shortcuts" facility to create the keypad when using VW.

To set it up you have to write the path to the menu function separating the menu levels using " -> " a hyphen and forward arrow.

[pvandewalle]

My workaround is by using Keyboard Maestro. One can choose to use the ctrl button with another button to get keypad strokes. So now ctrl+j is keypad 1 and so on.
Works fine in every software tested so far.

[steveseldon]

this will map fn+j/k/l/u/i/o to 1/2/3/4/5/6 -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/jkcbfx7om18w0d8/mini_numpad.json?dl=0

[Lismont]

Thank steveseldon. Sorry for the basic question, but where should I put the file to add this new map to Karabiner-Elements?

[Lismont]

Actually I found a solution (I just placed the code in the complex_modifications_rules_examples.json. But I have another problem: for the moment, I need to press the Shift key in addition to the number to appear because if I press only on fn, it is the symbols and not the numbers which are inserted... Any idea how I should modify the code in order to get the numbers directly by pressing the fn key? Huge thanks.

[Lismont]

So here is the code that is working for me. I also added the 0 on the bottom under the 1 since this is what I am used to on numeric keyboards.

`{
"title": "mini_numpad",
"rules": [
{
"description": "Change fn + j/k/l/u/i/o to Numpad",
"manipulators": [
{
"type": "basic",
"from": {
"key_code": "j",
"modifiers": {
"mandatory": ["fn"],
"optional": ["any"]
}
},
"to": [
{
"key_code": "1",
"modifiers": [
"left_shift"
]
}
]
},
{
"type": "basic",
"from": {
"key_code": "k",
"modifiers": {
"mandatory": ["fn"],
"optional": ["any"]
}
},
"to": [
{
"key_code": "2",
"modifiers": [
"left_shift"
]
}
]
},
{
"type": "basic",
"from": {
"key_code": "l",
"modifiers": {
"mandatory": ["fn"],
"optional": ["any"]
}
},
"to": [
{
"key_code": "3",
"modifiers": [
"left_shift"
]
}
]
},
{
"type": "basic",
"from": {
"key_code": "u",
"modifiers": {
"mandatory": ["fn"],
"optional": ["any"]
}
},
"to": [
{
"key_code": "4",
"modifiers": [
"left_shift"
]
}
]
},
{
"type": "basic",
"from": {
"key_code": "i",
"modifiers": {
"mandatory": ["fn"],
"optional": ["any"]
}
},
"to": [
{
"key_code": "5",
"modifiers": [
"left_shift"
]
}
]
},
{
"type": "basic",
"from": {
"key_code": "o",
"modifiers": {
"mandatory": ["fn"],
"optional": ["any"]
}
},
"to": [
{
"key_code": "6",
"modifiers": [
"left_shift"
]
}
]
},
{
"type": "basic",
"from": {
"key_code": "7",
"modifiers": {
"mandatory": ["fn"],
"optional": ["any"]
}
},
"to": [
{
"key_code": "7",
"modifiers": [
"left_shift"
]
}
]
},
{
"type": "basic",
"from": {
"key_code": "8",
"modifiers": {
"mandatory": ["fn"],
"optional": ["any"]
}
},
"to": [
{
"key_code": "8",
"modifiers": [
"left_shift"
]
}
]
},
{
"type": "basic",
"from": {
"key_code": "9",
"modifiers": {
"mandatory": ["fn"],
"optional": ["any"]
}
},
"to": [
{
"key_code": "9",
"modifiers": [
"left_shift"
]
}
]
},
{
"type": "basic",
"from": {
"key_code": "m",
"modifiers": {
"mandatory": ["fn"],
"optional": ["any"]
}
},
"to": [
{
"key_code": "0",
"modifiers": [
"left_shift"
]
}
]
}
]
}
]
}

`

[pvandewalle]

I still have the same question. I understand the way the json file can be odified. But how can one implement that modifications to Karabiner Elements?

[Lismont]

Hello pvandewalle, in the "Complex Modifications" tab, you need to remove the complex modification ("Change fn...") and then add it again. It will take your modifications of the json file into account.

Let us know if this solved your problem.

[ptram]

I was looking for a way to make an embedded numeric keypad, and here it is! Thank you all for the great code!

I've however one question: is it possible to use the Control key as a modifier, instead of the fn key? I know that the Control key is linked by Apple to some default actions (that I've not been able to overwrite with alternative codes in the DefaultKeyBinging.dict file).

Paolo

[Lismont]

Hi Paolo, did you try to replace all "fn" keys in the code above with CONTROL_L ? I guess it should work...

[ptram]

Lismont, thank you very much for you hint. I'll try it under my Sierra partition (I'm under Yosemite as the main system, waiting for a replacement of Karabiner before upgrading).

[pvandewalle]

I saw that the code has to be added to the 'complex_modifications_rules_examples.json' file... Where is that file??????

[Lismont]

@pvandewalle Library/Application Support/org.pqrs/Karabiner-Elements

[ptram]

Lismont, I'm not sure I understand how I can load, and where I should put the .json files containing my scripts. If put in the Library/Application Support/org.pqrs/Karabiner-Elements/ folder, I can't see how to import them.

I'm sorry if this is already covered in the official documentation, but I couldn't find it. I've also some problems experimenting for long, since I work in Yosemite, and KE can't run on it. So I have to reboot each time I have to try it.

Paolo

[Lismont]

Hi @ptram, as indicated above, you should copy-paste the code into the complex_modifications_rules_examples.json file. For my part, I first deleted the code included in this file, then I pasted mine. Then, in the settings of Karabiner-Elements, you have to delete the existing complex modifications, and then you will be able to reimport them.

[ptram]

Hi Lismont, thank you very much, it was not totally clear to me on the first read.

As for your issues with having to press the Shift key in addition to the fn-key, I have a similar problem: when I use a custom made keyboard layout, with the virtual numeric keypad accesses with the Control key, some keys do not work if only the Control key is kept pressed. I have to also keep the Option key presses (not tried with the Shift).

Apple messed everything, in these years.

Paolo

[pvandewalle]

I finally got it working, but...

OK, it doesn't seem to work on azerty keyboards.
I really need it to become the NUMPAD keys. Just a link to the 1-9 key above the letter keys won't do the trick for me. My main software makes a difference between the numpad keys and the number keys on top of the keyboard...

[Lismont]

Great. Strange because I managed to make it work on an bépo keyboard (I guess we could also be writing in French here ;))

[pvandewalle]

@lismont: I see you're stated in Brussels. I'm living near Brussels too.
Did anybody find the name for the keypad keys. Is it something like "keypad 1"?

[Lismont]

Hmm for my part, as you saw in the code above, I juste use the numbers as key_codes.

Belgium rocks ;)

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