val1sor / Pico Macro Keyboard AI Placement [Example]

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Pico Macro Keyboard Design

val1sor

val1sor

Fresh-place the entire Pico Macro Keyboard PCB from scratch on a 100 mm × 100 mm rounded-rectangle 4-layer board. Top side priority:
Keep the top side clean and user-facing. Place the mechanical key switches in a regular macro-keypad grid with consistent row/column spacing and aligned orientation. Keep the RGB LEDs visually associated with their corresponding switches and avoid crowding the key grid. Place rotary encoders and any user-facing controls on the top side in ergonomic positions near the key grid. Place mounting holes near the board corners and keep them clear of switches and encoders. Bottom side priority:
Place the Raspberry Pi Pico / MCU module and the majority of supporting electronics on the bottom side. Group the MCU, flash, crystal/oscillator, regulator/power parts, reset/boot circuitry, USB/support passives, and decoupling capacitors by function. Keep decoupling capacitors close to their associated IC power pins, crystal/load caps close to the MCU oscillator pins, and power components clustered together. Minimize estimated routing distance between the bottom-side MCU and the top-side switches, LEDs, and encoders. Prefer moving support passives on the bottom side rather than contaminating the top-side visual layout. Placement quality goals:
Resolve overlaps, keep all components inside the board outline, preserve routing channels between the key grid and MCU area, and maintain clean edge/corner clearance. Use both layers intentionally: top for human-interface components, bottom for dense electronics. After placement, run DRC/review and report any remaining overlap, off-board, or layer-assignment issues.
6 days

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0:38

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Plan
#Goal
  • Fresh-place the entire Pico Macro Keyboard PCB based on a 100 mm × 100 mm rounded-rectangle 4-layer board. Ensure that the user-facing top side is clean with a regular grid of keyed mechanical switches, each paired with associated RGB LEDs and nearby encoders. Additionally, densely cluster the Raspberry Pi Pico/MCU and its supporting electronics (including decoupling, crystal, power, USB, reset, and boot elements) on the bottom side, while maintaining optimized routing channels and keeping critical parts close to their respective functional pins/blocks.
#Implementation plan
  1. Board Setup
    1. Configure board dimensions as a 100 mm × 100 mm rounded-rectangle board.
    2. Set up a Standard 4-Layer stackup with intentional use of both layers.
  2. Top Side Placement - User-Facing Elements
    1. Place a regular grid of mechanical switches in a macro-keypad layout.
    2. Pair each switch with its corresponding RGB LED, ensuring LEDs are visually associated with the switches.
    3. Add rotary encoders and other ergonomic user controls in positions accessible to the user.
    4. Position mounting holes near the corners with appropriate clearance to ensure proper board installation.
  3. Bottom Side Placement - Pico/MCU & Supporting Electronics
    1. Place the Raspberry Pi Pico/MCU module on the bottom side.
    2. Group supporting electronics (power regulators, decoupling capacitors, crystal load circuit, USB support, boot/reset circuitry) by function around the MCU.
    3. Keep decoupling, crystal, and power components in close proximity to their associated IC pins/blocks.
    4. Minimize routing distance to top side components (switches, LEDs, encoders) by preserving clear channels for routing.
  4. DRC and Review
    1. Run DRC checks to identify any overlaps, off-board issues, or layer-assignment conflicts.
    2. Report and adjust component placement based on DRC findings, ensuring all issues are resolved or noted for follow-up.
#Success criteria
  • Board dimensions and layer configuration are correctly set (100 mm × 100 mm rounded-rectangle, 4-layer).
  • Mechanical switches, LEDs, and encoders are placed on the top side in an ergonomic, user-centric grid layout.
  • Raspberry Pi Pico/MCU and supporting electronics are correctly placed on the bottom side with grouped arrangements and respect to decoupling and crystal components.
  • DRC run reports minimal to no overlap, off-board issues, or layer-assignment conflicts.
  • Routing channels for top side components are preserved, enabling effective net routing between user-facing and supporting electronics.
USB top edge
Layer priorities
Run DRC check
Mounting clearance
6 days
​
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    Pico Macro Keyboard AI Placement [Example]

    Pico Macro Keyboard AI Placement [Example] thumbnail
    The Pico Macro Keyboard is a compact and powerful macro pad built using the latest Raspberry Pi Pico 2. Inspired by the Figma Creator Micro, this keyboard is designed for customizable control and enhanced productivity. It features mechanical switches with per-key RGB lighting, along with two rotary encoders for added functionality. With a modular 4-layer PCB and fully customizable keymaps, it seamlessly integrates with any software, making it perfect for designers, gamers, and power users alike.

    Properties

    creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    Pricing & Availability

    Distributor

    Qty 1

    Arrow

    $3.36–$3.36

    Digi-Key

    $9.30–$10.93

    LCSC

    $8.11–$8.30

    Mouser

    $9.85

    TME

    $0.99

    Verical

    $6.35–$8.42

    Controls

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