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Hi everyone, looking for an 1800 layout with an extra F-row
Iaotle:
--- Quote from: wjrii on Sat, 06 July 2024, 11:11:29 ---
--- Quote from: Iaotle on Sat, 06 July 2024, 05:59:56 ---I guess ortholinear is not super important, as I'm alright with grid... Out of curiosity, why did you decide against the additional F-row on your last build?
Thank you so much for the advice and the modified layout! I'll definitely do a few design passes and look at my options for building one. I've contacted a local keyboard shop and am also discussing with them, but I'm no aesthetics freak, I'm fine with blank caps, I'm more about that functionality :)
--- End quote ---
I was using ortholinear and grid more or less interchangeably, but yeah, a lot of them are simple grids of 1u keys. There is at least one layout that simply makes the main typing block of alphanumeric keys ortholinear, then lets the standard modifiers sit where they will. IMO that tends to look better with a low profile "floating keycaps" design (think the linked board, Drop boards or various steel plate gamer boards) where the plate has a fairly nice finish, but it's a definitely one way to keep your keycap needs simple if physical footprint is not a huge concern, and not to presume, but in your case it likely isn't, LOL. That said, you could plan around commonly available keycaps to shave a little bit off that Keebio layout though, particularly on the left. I treat KLE like my personal Tetris, LOL. Something like THIS would have very few keycap kitting issues.
For my build, I was initially planning to make it completely laser-cut, pedal to the metal, 124 keys or something, just a vast expanse of painted Masonite hardboard (I made a little numpad that way that came out well). Ultimately, though, I wasn't sure how much I would like the southpaw configuration, so I wanted to keep it cheap, even by my low standards. I reworked it to fit a set of keycaps I already had (e.g. lack of an Enter column on the numpad), and threw together some sidewalls that printed quickly and easily but hid the layers of hardboard. In retrospect, I hate the way Cherry profile feels with zero degree incline, so saving vertical space by cramming the microcontroller into the top right ended up being an unnecessary compromise, better suited to builds with unsculpted keycaps. If I were to go back, I'd probably rethink some things, but the next half-baked project is already on its way from China. :D
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Yeah, but I like the spacing as-is tbh. I'm not a looks kinda guy, I hate reaching for keys, that's the whole reason behind the tight f-cluster. The first improved layout you sent, plus gap-filling the missing keys is enough for me :)
wjrii:
--- Quote from: Iaotle on Sun, 07 July 2024, 13:31:38 ---
Yeah, but I like the spacing as-is tbh. I'm not a looks kinda guy, I hate reaching for keys, that's the whole reason behind the tight f-cluster. The first improved layout you sent, plus gap-filling the missing keys is enough for me :)
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No worries! I absolutely get wanting what you want. Hopefully you just have a feel now for what your options and challenges are likely to be!. Welcome to GH. :-)
Iaotle:
--- Quote from: wjrii on Sun, 07 July 2024, 20:42:57 ---
--- Quote from: Iaotle on Sun, 07 July 2024, 13:31:38 ---
Yeah, but I like the spacing as-is tbh. I'm not a looks kinda guy, I hate reaching for keys, that's the whole reason behind the tight f-cluster. The first improved layout you sent, plus gap-filling the missing keys is enough for me :)
--- End quote ---
No worries! I absolutely get wanting what you want. Hopefully you just have a feel now for what your options and challenges are likely to be!. Welcome to GH. :-)
--- End quote ---
Do you have some tips on how to create a PCB, which controller etc to use? Since you've made your own board, I'd be interested in getting some advice on this front, maybe some common pitfalls etc? My board has lots of keys, so I assume there's some limitation on what I can pick there. I should be ok with soldering/lubing/etc when I get there.
Rhienfo:
--- Quote from: Iaotle on Wed, 10 July 2024, 12:10:37 ---Do you have some tips on how to create a PCB, which controller etc to use? Since you've made your own board, I'd be interested in getting some advice on this front, maybe some common pitfalls etc? My board has lots of keys, so I assume there's some limitation on what I can pick there. I should be ok with soldering/lubing/etc when I get there.
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I don't know much about pcb design but I remember hearing that a lot of modern pcb designers use stm32 or rp2040 controllers pretty recently. That might be a good start but look into it more as well, there are definitely good resources around.
Not sure how up to date the Ai03 guide is but that should at least be a good start.
LASERman Projects:
Maybe they can make ortho southpaw variant of Boston for you.
And here is the most beautiful one I saw on MUK Meet2024 for appreciation:
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