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2 layers67 × 83 mmSplashPad, the printed circuit board in 3D

My submission to the hackclub Hackpad project!

Size
67 × 83 mm
Copper layers
2
Thickness
1.6 mm
Parts
58
Nets
37
Pads
158
Tracks, vias
343, 21
Routed
Yes
KiCad
KiCad 8.0 (file 20240108)
Created
7 Feb 2025
Updated
4 Dec 2025

Overview

SplashPad is an open-source printed circuit board by SharKingStudios, from the SharKingStudios/SplashPad repository on GitHub, published under the MIT licence. It is a 2-layer board of 67 × 83 mm with 58 parts on 37 nets, routed with 343 tracks and 21 vias.

It is built around the SK6812MINI-E. Its parts include 23 diodes, 10 switches and 1 IC. It belongs with the RP2040 boards of this library.

Main components

1

README

README.md

Banner

SplashPad – Because You Deserve More Buttons

A Tiny, Glowing, Feature-Packed Macropad for Maximum Efficiency™

(Or just a cool way to press "Play" on your music.)


Renders

Visuals because everyone loves eye candy.

Case Render Front PCB Render Back PCB Render Schematic Picture PCB Design Picture


BOM

All the bits and pieces needed can be found here.


What is this?

It’s a custom macropad built with the Seeed Studio XIAO RP2040, KMK firmware, and way too many LEDs. Whether you’re gaming, editing, coding, or just pressing random buttons for fun, this thing’s got you covered.

Features:

  • 3x3 Matrix – Nine glorious keys to map to whatever your heart desires.
  • Rotary Encoder – Twist for volume, scroll, or secret hacker functions.
  • Clickable Encoder Button – Because sometimes, twisting isn’t enough.
  • 14 SK6812 Mini LEDs – Way too many for a macropad this size. But hey, ✨blinkenlights✨.
  • Multiple LED Modes – Solid, Rainbow, Wave, and Grid Fade, for when you need that cyberpunk aesthetic.
  • KMK Firmware – Python-powered and open-source, because we like freedom.

How It Works:

This macropad runs KMK, which means you get:

  • Custom Keymaps – Map macros, media keys, or even full-blown scripts.
  • Dynamic Layers – More functions per button? Yes, please.
  • LED Control – Pulsing blue? Rainbow waves? Subtle grid fade? Pick your poison.
  • Rotary Encoder Support – Spin for volume, brightness, scrolling, or whatever.

Default Keymap (For the Lazy):

(Change it if you want, I'm not your boss.)

3x3 Button Layout:

RowKey 1Key 2Key 3
1RewindPlay/PauseFast Forward
2MediaCalculatorCmd+R (Refresh)
3LeftRightCmd+L (Lock)

Rotary Encoder:

  • Left Turn → Volume Down
  • Right Turn → Volume Up
  • Press Button → Cycle LED modes

How to Use:

  1. Flash KMK onto your XIAO RP2040. (If you don’t know how, Google it.)
  2. Drop kb.py and main.py onto your board.
  3. Plug it in. Watch the lights do their thing.
  4. Press buttons. Turn the knob. Make magic happen.

LED Modes:

Because a macropad without RGB is just a fancy calculator.

  • Solid Mode – A slow, pulsing blue (totally not just lazy coding).
  • Rainbow Mode – Taste the colors.
  • Wave Mode – Water flow effect because vibes.
  • Grid Fade Mode – Simulates sunlight through water. Or something poetic like that.

(Press the encoder button to switch between them.)


Why?

I built this macropad for Hackpad—an awesome Hack Club YSWS project run by Alex Ren. With a the (hopeful) funding provided by the project, I wanted to create something that’s as practical as it is playful. Whether you're coding, gaming, or just jamming to your favorite tunes, this macropad is my way of saying:

why settle for ordinary when you can hack something extraordinary?

The Biggest Challenge:

I wanted to use nice thick wires for my PCB (0.6mm) and routing all of these took quite a bit of effort. I think the time spent was definitely worth it, as the routing looks awesome.


Future Plans (Maybe):

  • OLED Screen? 🤔
  • Bluetooth support? (If I hate myself enough to deal with that.)
  • More layers? (How many is too many? Asking for a friend.)
  • MIDI support? (Why not turn this into a DJ controller?)

Contribute

Want to make it better? Open a PR, suggest a feature, or just yell at me on GitHub.


Disclaimer

This project is 100% free, open-source, and powered by vibes. If it breaks, explodes, or opens a black hole, that’s on you.

Parts

58
QtyValueFootprintReferences
19LOGOLOGOG***, G***, G***, G***, G***, G***, G***, G***, G***, G***, G***, G***, G***, G***, G***, G*** +3
14SK6812MINILED_SMD:LED_SK6812MINI_PLCC4_3.5x3.5mm_P1.75mmD10, D11, D12, D13, D14, D15, D16, D17, D18, D19, D20, D21, D22, D23
9DDiode_THT:D_DO-35_SOD27_P7.62mm_HorizontalD1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7, D8, D9
9SW_Push_45degButton_Switch_Keyboard:SW_Cherry_MX_1.00u_PCBSW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, SW6, SW7, SW8, SW9
43.2mm_M3MountingHole:MountingHole_3.2mm_M3HOLE1, HOLE2, HOLE3, HOLE4
1OrpheusHackClubIconSKS:OrpheusHackClubIconG***
1RotaryEncoder_SwitchRotary_Encoder:RotaryEncoder_Alps_EC11E-Switch_Vertical_H20mmSW10
1XIAO-RP2040-DIPSeeed Studio XIAO Series Library:XIAO-RP2040-DIPU1

Questions

How big is the SplashPad PCB?

It measures 67 × 83 mm and has 2 copper layers, 1.6 mm thick.

What parts does the SplashPad use?

58 parts, built around the SK6812MINI-E. The full list of its parts is on this page, with links to each part's symbol and footprint where PCBKit's library has them.

Where can I download the SplashPad KiCad files?

From the SharKingStudios/SplashPad repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is PCB/SplashPad.kicad_pcb and its schematic PCB/SplashPad.kicad_sch. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.

Can I use the SplashPad design in my own project?

Its repository publishes it under the MIT licence: you may reuse it on that licence's terms (keep the author's notice, and for a copyleft licence share your changes alike).

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