An update on my layout.

[Me]

As many of you know, I have been researching and creating(in theory) my first mechanical kb, and I wanted to give an update on the layout so far, as its changed a lot since its beginnings. I have also started to realize that the more I postpone the buying of my parts, the more complicated and expensive it will get so I should probably pull the trigger soon. Anyway, here is my layout:

http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/gists/9d86179bad23b8cd5f583829da37af64

[Me]

Also, any idea on what the key by left shift should be? I am using a 1u shift so I don't have to use stabilizers.

[nevin]

- i don't see a backspace or delete (one or the other) unless "back" is backspace...
- you can also use something else where the tilde is because in the firmware you can do shift+esc to get grave/tilde - or you can leave it where it is if it's more beneficial for your use there.
- when going down to this size you can move little used keys... punctuation, brackets, etc to another layer to open up a couple keys if you don't need them on the main layer.
- i'd probably move the layer keys to the outside, when you have stacked thumb keys like that it can be difficult to reach your ctrl, enter, space, alt without accidentally hitting one of the layer keys as well. like this

- stacked thumb keys are great for chording keystrokes, holding down two keys with your thumb like ctrl + shift, alt + shift, alt + ctrl, etc... (i have a shift key between ctrl & alt so it can be easily chorded with either combination)
- definitely spend the time and get concrete on the layout you want, mainly that it has enough keys for what you want to do. wouldn't be fun if you finish building it and realize you'd rather have an extra key here or there.
...you can also print out the layout from KLE and try the layout on paper.

[Me]

Thanks! I can def see how the stacked thumb keys can be a problem, and I will prob fix that, and also I didn't know that you could print the kle layout so thx for that, and ill prob move the ~ to shift+esc. I want some of the puncuation and def the brackets on the main layer, as I am still in school and I will need those for math class and any class with a lot of writing, respectively. Thing is, if you move the tilde to the shift layer, then will you be able to access the ` key? I mean I guess you can put it on another layer. I will have to experiment with the layers a bit, and Ill give an update when I have changed it. Thx again! Also, back is bkspace.

[Me]

Oh yeah. What should the xtra keys that I will have from putting stuff on another layers be?

[nevin]

~esc: shift + esc = ~.     shift + alt + esc = ` (grave)
it's not ideal if you use it a lot, but it's doable if you barely ever use it.

i'm a designer, so my requirements are different than general use / typing. i do more shortcuts & key commands (combinations) than actual typing during the day.
this is my board. you can see the corresponding blue & red legends on the other layers.

[Me]

Ok, thanks so much for sharing that image. It helped me understand a lot of things. Are the "lower" and "raise" keys to lower and raise respectively the layers?

[nevin]

they are just different layers. the whole raise lower naming came from the planck keyboard from olkb.
makes it a little easier to show the layers on the layout raise layer = secondary legends are up, lower layer = secondary legends are below main layer legend
so, because i have space, i have 3 dedicated layer keys.
if you're cramped for space you can do dual role keys. when tapped it's one keycode, when it's held it's another keycode. works great on tiny split boards or numberpads when you don't have room for dedicated layer keys

[Me]

ok, thx! I changed up the layout a little bc the column staggering made it hard to fit a numpad, and I added the layers(top right legends are 2nd layer, front legends are 3rd layer.

[el_murdoque]

With QMK, it's possible to map different functions to a key, depending on how long you press it.
On my 5x12 ortholinear keyboards, I have right shift and enter mapped to the same key. Klick it for enter and hold it for shift.

 

Also, any idea on what the key by left shift should be? I am using a 1u shift so I don't have to use stabilizers.

I also have that one key. Mine is another Layer. I've mapped the Numblock to the right end of the keyboard and the nav cluster to the left.
That's when I need one of those keys I hardly ever use - and with the Ortho layout, I use the Numblock more often than the number row when entering more than a couple of numbers.

[nevin]

I also have that one key. Mine is another Layer. I've mapped the Numblock to the right end of the keyboard and the nav cluster to the left.
That's when I need one of those keys I hardly ever use - and with the Ortho layout, I use the Numblock more often than the number row when entering more than a couple of numbers.

me too, i've always been more proficient on the numberpad then the number row. so having one on a layer right under where my hand already is, is wonderful.