Like high-end custom mechanical keyboards, GIM supports "Layers." You can hold down a "Shift" key (e.g., Left Alt) to completely change the function of every other key on your board. This effectively gives you unlimited macro keys without buying new hardware.
Many Gim-style keyboards let you edit a JSON or text layout file:
Example layout (row by row):
q w e r t y u i o p
a s d f g h j k l ;
z x c v b n m
You can swap keys, add special characters, or create a macro key. gim keyboard software
To apply: copy layout file to
GimKeyboard/layouts/folder (check app docs).
Designers can flick a mouse up to “undo,” draw a zigzag to “split clip,” or trace an “S” to save—keeping their hands on the pointer device instead of reaching for the keyboard.
Before creating layouts, understand these: You can swap keys, add special characters, or
| Concept | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| Layout | A .gim file defining key mappings, layers, and rules |
| Layer | A set of key assignments (like Shift or AltGr). GIM supports up to 8 layers. |
| Rule | A conditional mapping (e.g., "if CapsLock is ON, map J to Down arrow") |
| Action | What a key does: send a character, run a shortcut, switch layers, or do nothing |
| Modifier | Keys like Ctrl, Alt, Shift, Win – can be used as triggers or preserved |
GIM can apply different layouts per foreground app.
[Global] ; Default for all apps CapsLock = Ctrl_L[App: notepad.exe] ; Inside Notepad only CapsLock = Esc To apply: copy layout file to GimKeyboard/layouts/ folder
[App: chrome.exe] ; In Chrome, CapsLock becomes Ctrl+W (close tab) CapsLock = ^w
Note: App matching uses exact executable name (case-insensitive).