====== HOW TO USE YOUR REMARKABLE AS A MOUSE INPUT FOR A WINDOWS 10 PC ======

**Background.** At work I'm forever using my reMarkable (or a whiteboard) to sketch out ideas. Clearly I can't do that on lockdown, so I've been struggling to articulate my thoughts effectively.

What would be really great is if I could use my reMarkable as an input tool so my scribbles could be seen on the screen during Zoom/Skype meetings.

My work laptop is pretty tightly controlled to prevent viruses, etc., so I can't get the reMarkable Desktop app to work on it, and so LiveView is not an option. I decided I'd buy a graphics tablet to do the job, but clearly everyone else has had the same idea and they are all sold out.

Luckily I came across Evidlo's superb //remarkable mouse// script https://github.com/Evidlo/remarkable_mouse which enables the reMarkable to control your mouse pointer...

===== Installing Python =====

The //remarkable mouse// tool requires Python (a programming language) to be installed on your computer.

For work I use a Windows 10 laptop, and getting Python onto the work laptop was a bit of a challenge because the default installation settings needed Administrator rights.

If you have Admin rights the default installation should work. For me I needed to do the following:

  - Download the latest Python version - for me it was 3.8.2 - from https://www.python.org/downloads/windows/
  - Open the ''python-3.8.2.exe'' file (or whichever yours is called)
  - Click ''Custom Installation'' (Do not tick the ''Add Python 3.8 to PATH'' box)
  - Then at this section do the following then press ''Next'':
    - Tick ''Documentation''
    - Tick ''pip''
    - Tick ''tcl/tk and IDLE''
    - Tick ''Python test suite''
    - Tick ''py launcher''
    - Untick ''for all users''
  - On the ''Advanced Options'' section:
    - Untick ''Install for all users''
    - Tick ''Associate files with Python''
    - Tick ''Create shortcuts for installed applications''
    - Untick ''Add Python to environment variables''
    - Untick ''Precompile standard library''
    - Untick ''Download debugging symbols''
    - Untick ''Download debug binaries''
    - Select an appropriate file location. For me the pre-populated one suffuced, namely:<code>
C:\Users\**Your Login Name**\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python38-32
</code>
  - Press Install

===== Installing remarkable mouse =====

My knowledge of Python is almost non-existant, but I believe //remarkable mouse// is effectively a package for Python.

You can download //remarkable mouse// by:

  - Start ''Command Prompt'' via the Windows Start button.
  - You now need to run the PIP tool, which is a package installer. You will need to change the directory to the directory that contains the ''pip.exe'' file. For me this is<code>
C:\Users\**Your Login Name**\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python38-32\Scripts
</code>
  - Change directory by typing ''cd'' then the folder name and press Enter:<code>
cd C:\Users\**Your Login Name**\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python38-32\Scripts
</code>
  - Type ''pip'' and press Enter.
  - Type ''pip install remarkable-mouse'' and press Enter.

===== Running the remarkable mouse application =====

The ''remouse'' application is typically started from Command Prompt (but we can simplify this later).

The application can be launched with a number of parameters:

  * address: This is the IP address of your remarkable tablet, and is visible by selecting ''Menu | Settings | About'' and scrolling down to the bottom. For me ''192.168.1.27'' worked.
  * orientation: This controls which way the tablet is orientated. For me ''left'' works best.
  * monitor: I presume the app can only control one monitor. For me ''0'' worked.
  * password: This is the password you need to connect to reMarkable. This is found just above where the IP address is.

To do this:

  - Navigate to the folder where the ''remouse.exe'' file is. For me this is by typing<code>
cd C:\Users\**Your Login Name**\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python38-32\Scripts
</code>
  - Enter the following into the Command Prompt (or whichever setting are applicable to you):<code>
remouse --address 192.168.1.27 --orientation left --monitor 0 --password **YourPassword**
</code>
  - Wait a few seconds then you should see a message saying ''connected to **Your IP address**''.

===== Using the remarkable mouse application =====

The remarkable is now in control of the mouse. To move the mouse, just hover the nib over the tablet by about 5--10mm. To click, just tap where you want. I've not worked out how to right click, but many windows keyboards have a right click button (or failing that press ''Shift+F10'') over where the mouse is.

If your monitor and reMarkable screen are not the same size (in pixels), which they almost certainly won't be, you'll find that part of the reMarkable screen goes outside the monitor's screen. You can either get used to this, or consider creating your own custom template to make it obvious what area of the reMarkable screen you can actually use.

If you write/draw very fast Windows doesn't appear to keep up and so creates loses definition. Slow down and things look much better. Try this yourself by drawing a circle very fast, and then one a bit slower.

To switch off the //remarkable mouse// tool, simply close the Command Prompt.

===== Avoid having to type the launch script =====

You can speed up launching the //remarkable mouse// application by creating a .bat file which will run your desired settings just from a double click. I've got mine stored on the desktop.

To create a .bat file:

  - Open up notepad then:
    - Press ''File | Save As''
    - Select ''All Files'' from the ''Save As Type'' dropdown
    - Name your file with the extension .bat at the end, for example, ''re_mouse.bat''.
  - To start the app, the batch command ''start'' is used and is then followed by the path of the folder which houses remouse.exe and then the custom parameters of your choice. For me I used<code>
start C:\Users\**Your login name**\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python38-32\Scripts\remouse.exe --address 192.168.1.27 --orientation left --monitor 0 --threshold 100 --password **Your password**
</code>
  - I also want to open ''paint'' so I can start scribbling straight away. FYI I've found OneNote doesn't work effectively for some reason. To also do this type on a new line:<code>
start C:\Windows\System32\mspaint.exe
</code>
  - Press ''Save''

Now just double click the .bat file, and then to end it close the Python window that pops up.

===== The End =====

Hopefully this has been useful. Thanks to Evidlo for creating this wonderful app.