Author Topic: [IC] Topre keycaps (Read 40873 times)

cmd · « **Reply #50 on:** Mon, 29 June 2020, 10:57:45 »

Quote from: fkcaps on Mon, 29 June 2020, 10:06:44

problem is exactly about hitting MOQ unfortunately...

If we have to produce one kit for leopold, one for RF and one for HHKB (RF and HHKB could be grouped but this would be a lot of keys and HHKB users shouldn't pay for all those keys imo), that's a lot of options, and this is only one colorway. I believed it made more sense to group keycaps by form factor rather than brand, to avoid producing more keys (and make the kits more expensive an potentially fail reaching MOQ).

Of course it's not too late to change my mind and I'd welcome constructive criticism. My goal is for everyone to be able to get new keycaps regardless of the keyboard they are using.

Here is an album if anyone else wants to join the discussion: https://imgur.com/a/1ysI1tk

If you want to have separate kits I think that is acceptable, I was more confused as to why RF and Leopold would be 'met in the middle' if the HHKB and RF use the same legend font. Wouldn't this just create more MOQ problems when all of them could be 'OEM' (since that is the vast majority)?

I didn't see it mentioned but are blank colored keycaps going to be offered?

Again, this is just my 2 cents. Do not mean to offend the work that you have put into this.

fkcaps · « **Reply #51 on:** Mon, 29 June 2020, 12:11:36 »

Quote from: cmd on Mon, 29 June 2020, 10:57:45

Quote from: fkcaps on Mon, 29 June 2020, 10:06:44
problem is exactly about hitting MOQ unfortunately...

If we have to produce one kit for leopold, one for RF and one for HHKB (RF and HHKB could be grouped but this would be a lot of keys and HHKB users shouldn't pay for all those keys imo), that's a lot of options, and this is only one colorway. I believed it made more sense to group keycaps by form factor rather than brand, to avoid producing more keys (and make the kits more expensive an potentially fail reaching MOQ).

Of course it's not too late to change my mind and I'd welcome constructive criticism. My goal is for everyone to be able to get new keycaps regardless of the keyboard they are using.

Here is an album if anyone else wants to join the discussion: https://imgur.com/a/1ysI1tk

If you want to have separate kits I think that is acceptable, I was more confused as to why RF and Leopold would be 'met in the middle' if the HHKB and RF use the same legend font. Wouldn't this just create more MOQ problems when all of them could be 'OEM' (since that is the vast majority)?

I didn't see it mentioned but are blank colored keycaps going to be offered?

Again, this is just my 2 cents. Do not mean to offend the work that you have put into this.

RF and HHKB are many but Leopold aren't to be ignored, there are people using them! That being said, I'll take into account your comment when preparing the designs (which is going to be a real challenge, as it'll be impossible to make everyone happy unfortunately).

Blanks will probably be offered if there is enough demand. I'll also include it in the upcoming design survey.

No offense taken I appreciate the comments, thank you for this feedback!

noorejji · « **Reply #52 on:** Mon, 29 June 2020, 12:49:35 »

I do see it a bit strange not to have 7u spacebar in the mods kit; maybe too few owners? Regarding the 7u bar, I see someone has already added a picture of its underside, but I'll note that _AFAIK_ 86U only uses the innermost stab positions - i.e. 6u spacing. (Why? Because Topre.)

Regarding the font, please don't use anything resembling the Leopold typeface - it's garbage. That's coming from a FC660C owner.

I would suggest to make everything as standard as possible. Topre is weird, and trying to cover all bases and please everyone will just make it even more weird. Personally I would prefer everything to look like Cherry, but that's just me. I'll give you props for attempting this cursed niche of a niche.

fkcaps · « **Reply #53 on:** Mon, 29 June 2020, 12:57:03 »

Quote from: noorejji on Mon, 29 June 2020, 12:49:35

I do see it a bit strange not to have 7u spacebar in the mods kit; maybe too few owners? Regarding the 7u bar, I see someone has already added a picture of its underside, but I'll note that _AFAIK_ 86U only uses the innermost stab positions - i.e. 6u spacing. (Why? Because Topre.)

Regarding the font, please don't use anything resembling the Leopold typeface - it's garbage. That's coming from a FC660C owner.

I would suggest to make everything as standard as possible. Topre is weird, and trying to cover all bases and please everyone will just make it even more weird. Personally I would prefer everything to look like Cherry, but that's just me. I'll give you props for attempting this cursed niche of a niche.

Yes, to my knowledge only 86u uses 7u, that's why it didn't make it to the mods kit. That last "compability kit" is basically all the less common layouts (including ISO and JIS) that will have to pool together to exist... It didn't seem fair to have that (expensive) spacebar included in the mods kit given the low demand there has been for 86u in the IC survey.

Noted about the font, your opinion matters and while I tend to agree with you, some people may like it nonetheless. I hope we manage to come up with a design that pleases most!

Thanks for the comments and the nice words

Auxo · « **Reply #54 on:** Mon, 29 June 2020, 19:34:28 »

Quote from: fkcaps on Mon, 29 June 2020, 12:57:03

Quote from: noorejji on Mon, 29 June 2020, 12:49:35
I do see it a bit strange not to have 7u spacebar in the mods kit; maybe too few owners? Regarding the 7u bar, I see someone has already added a picture of its underside, but I'll note that _AFAIK_ 86U only uses the innermost stab positions - i.e. 6u spacing. (Why? Because Topre.)

Regarding the font, please don't use anything resembling the Leopold typeface - it's garbage. That's coming from a FC660C owner.

I would suggest to make everything as standard as possible. Topre is weird, and trying to cover all bases and please everyone will just make it even more weird. Personally I would prefer everything to look like Cherry, but that's just me. I'll give you props for attempting this cursed niche of a niche.

Yes, to my knowledge only 86u uses 7u, that's why it didn't make it to the mods kit. That last "compability kit" is basically all the less common layouts (including ISO and JIS) that will have to pool together to exist... It didn't seem fair to have that (expensive) spacebar included in the mods kit given the low demand there has been for 86u in the IC survey.

Noted about the font, your opinion matters and while I tend to agree with you, some people may like it nonetheless. I hope we manage to come up with a design that pleases most!

Thanks for the comments and the nice words

86u and 101u are the only ones that require a 7u

**edit SE0200 also

I would kill for 7u spacebars as I don't use standard for anything other than HHKB

Axariel · « **Reply #55 on:** Mon, 29 June 2020, 20:25:39 »

7u space bars are pretty much necessary. Keycaps for the Realforce 101 need an upgrade badly. If I can get JP alphas and texts I will be super happy.

madhias · « **Reply #56 on:** Sat, 04 July 2020, 00:18:01 »

Call me interested, for a 87U.

izroll · « **Reply #57 on:** Sat, 04 July 2020, 12:01:43 »

+1 for dolch or oblivion inspired Topre caps.

Rynxe · « **Reply #58 on:** Sat, 04 July 2020, 21:10:16 »

Quote from: izroll on Sat, 04 July 2020, 12:01:43

+1 for dolch or oblivion inspired Topre caps.

I second this, in Cherry profile

Denker88 · « **Reply #59 on:** Sat, 04 July 2020, 22:39:27 »

KAT-profile!

mrvco · « **Reply #60 on:** Thu, 09 July 2020, 16:45:37 »

I like to mix and match alphas and modifiers on my HHKB boards (one white, one black), so OEM profile (or whatever stock is called) would be my first preference. I typically prefer blank or front-side printed alphas. Depending upon the colorway, I'd probably still order a hi-pro set out of curiosity.

edit: And I expect this would probably be far too limiting, but I've always wanted a set of HHKB keycaps w/ the default Fn layer front-side printed, but blank otherwise.

Suavity · « **Reply #61 on:** Fri, 10 July 2020, 00:34:46 »

Interested in this! Submitted the IC form.

Gradient Colored Blanks in any profile (but OEM) would be fine with me. HHKB & 87U user here.

Capt Shemp · « **Reply #62 on:** Fri, 10 July 2020, 21:39:49 »

Really looking for some nice keycaps... I have couple HHKB Professionals and a few more RealForce 86u and I could go for a set of keys or two...

arninja21 · « **Reply #63 on:** Mon, 13 July 2020, 12:19:17 »

Hipro please

dgneo · « **Reply #64 on:** Mon, 13 July 2020, 12:42:43 »

+1 oem

hipro is an abomination

sleepy · « **Reply #65 on:** Mon, 13 July 2020, 12:55:09 »

+1 for oem

lolkey · « **Reply #66 on:** Wed, 15 July 2020, 18:37:15 »

+1 for a stepped caps lock PLEASE

dom · « **Reply #67 on:** Fri, 24 July 2020, 08:59:49 »

+1 for OEM

(HHKB sets).

Not a fan of the Hi/SA profile at all.

Oni74 · « **Reply #68 on:** Fri, 24 July 2020, 16:15:11 »

Really curious to see current survey results - @OP can you perhaps publish it?

4Holo · « **Reply #69 on:** Sun, 26 July 2020, 21:49:23 »

any news on this

fkcaps · « **Reply #70 on:** Sun, 26 July 2020, 21:55:07 »

I have had a tough time at my job the last couple months but things have gone back to normal a few weeks ago so I am now actively working on it. 3D files are in the works, design will come next. Still some way to go but not giving up!

4Holo · « **Reply #71 on:** Sun, 26 July 2020, 22:16:12 »

Quote from: fkcaps on Sun, 26 July 2020, 21:55:07

I have had a tough time at my job the last couple months but things have gone back to normal a few weeks ago so I am now actively working on it. 3D files are in the works, design will come next. Still some way to go but not giving up!

Thank you so much!
how many colors are we expecting to have?

fkcaps · « **Reply #72 on:** Sun, 26 July 2020, 22:19:29 »

Quote from: 4Holo on Sun, 26 July 2020, 22:16:12

how many colors are we expecting to have?

MOQ is quite high for quality dye sub unfortunately so I'd guess 2, and that's because I really want to offer a choice... and if we get enough orders we could "unlock" a 3rd color. I haven't worked on the numbers yet but that's the plan I'd like to go by, I'll know more by the next update hopefully!

Rynxe · « **Reply #73 on:** Tue, 04 August 2020, 07:37:53 »

Quote from: fkcaps on Sun, 26 July 2020, 21:55:07

I have had a tough time at my job the last couple months but things have gone back to normal a few weeks ago so I am now actively working on it. 3D files are in the works, design will come next. Still some way to go but not giving up!

Stay strong my dude!

nalgene · « **Reply #74 on:** Sun, 09 August 2020, 23:57:27 »

IC form submitted. Would be in for basically anything honestly. FC660C owner but even just extra alphas would be nice.

tacomn · « **Reply #75 on:** Tue, 27 October 2020, 23:57:12 »

Would like to buy for my fc660c black. Even just the alphas I would be interested. Is this still in the works?

fkcaps · « **Reply #76 on:** Wed, 28 October 2020, 00:54:53 »

Sorry for the lack of updates I have been chasing time lately... The project is still actively in the works, I have found a competent and affordable dye sub manufacturer, the keycap factory has received a Realforce keyboard (Topre isn't common in China), kits have been set (there will be a kit with alphas only), so we are about to produce a test mold before doing all of them, just to check stuff before going GB. Thanks for your patience, sorry for the wait, and YES this is happening!

Regarding design and colors I am now working with a great designer, and the dye sub manu has pretty low MOQ so we may expect to have at least a couple options from the start!

tacomn · « **Reply #77 on:** Wed, 28 October 2020, 01:32:47 »

Great to hear so it will only be for realforce and not something like fc660c? What will the quality be of these caps you figure compared to stock topre? Always hear that most non stock caps happen to be of worse comparative quality.

fkcaps · « **Reply #78 on:** Wed, 28 October 2020, 01:38:30 »

Not at all, they just needed original switches to test on. Here are the kit details that were sent via the last email update (btw to subscribe to email updates, just fill in the IC form).

We are aiming for quality (afaik most keycap clones so far have been poorly designed), that is 1.5mm thick PBT and "good" dye sub (ie. no bleeding, aligned legends and good looking colors). Stock keycaps are great quality so it's definitely a challenge, but we are on our way to deliver and you'll be the judge!

noorejji · « **Reply #79 on:** Wed, 28 October 2020, 09:21:42 »

Quote from: fkcaps on Wed, 28 October 2020, 01:38:30

We are aiming for quality (afaik most keycap clones so far have been poorly designed), that is 1.5mm thick PBT and "good" dye sub (ie. no bleeding, aligned legends and good looking colors).

Good to hear. My main issue with the Kbdfans keycaps were skewed mounts making them misaligned, so that might be something to watch out for.

RickVigorous · « **Reply #80 on:** Sun, 01 November 2020, 09:02:54 »

form completed - great to hear this is still in the works!

Techichi · « **Reply #81 on:** Sun, 01 November 2020, 09:38:20 »

Definitely interested. IC form filled.

iamtienng · « **Reply #82 on:** Sun, 01 November 2020, 10:18:18 »

Yeah I need to replace keycaps for my HHKB

Auxo · « **Reply #83 on:** Sun, 01 November 2020, 11:43:29 »

threepscoot · « **Reply #84 on:** Sun, 01 November 2020, 17:17:27 »

Yes absolutely

Sent from my GM1913 using Tapatalk

AristideTorchia · « **Reply #85 on:** Thu, 05 November 2020, 11:13:01 »

Does anyone have any idea as to when this is going to happen? It's been a long while now...

And on the visual point, I'd put it in the form already but never hurts to repeat: All the topre keys I've seen, be it original realforce or custom ones, are ugly as f...

Please do produce something that is actually aesthetically pleasing, for the first time in the history of topre caps.

Here's my HHKB with original Brother typewriter hi-pros transplanted for reference of what I'd call beautiful key design:
https://www.reddit.com/r/HHKB/comments/iazi9d/hhkb_hybrid_vintage_70ies_typewriter_caps/

directheatedtriode · « **Reply #86 on:** Thu, 05 November 2020, 12:04:03 »

Removed

avtar · « **Reply #87 on:** Fri, 06 November 2020, 01:37:31 »

I'd be in for Cherry profile and some bright coloured sets.

_PixelNinja · « **Reply #88 on:** Fri, 06 November 2020, 02:55:34 »

Personally I would be curious to see thicker caps for Topre.

Ensaum · « **Reply #89 on:** Sun, 10 January 2021, 13:32:10 »

Still interested in this. Hope it's not abandoned

fkcaps · « **Reply #90 on:** Mon, 11 January 2021, 03:20:39 »

It isn't at all, I was just waiting to have something substantial before sending an email update to all IC subscribers...

The designer is working on preparing some legends, and we ordered a test mold for spacebars (to make sure the stems are good and there is no warping), that I should receive samples of by the end of the month.

The plan is to dispatch some of those samples to a few people so they test the fit on as many brands/models as possible (as I only own a RF88u), and then once we are 100% sure the samples are perfect, we start the GB.

gautema · « **Reply #91 on:** Mon, 11 January 2021, 04:12:33 »

I'm really looking forward to something like this. Interested in everything but blanks

Xeryn · « **Reply #92 on:** Sat, 16 January 2021, 17:31:35 »

A little late but filled out the form! Definitely +1 for hi pro profile, OEM second choice.

Excited to see what colors you end up going with, I will fill out the design form for sure when it's out.

Auxo · « **Reply #93 on:** Tue, 26 January 2021, 19:08:31 »

Quote from: fkcaps on Mon, 11 January 2021, 03:20:39

It isn't at all, I was just waiting to have something substantial before sending an email update to all IC subscribers...

The designer is working on preparing some legends, and we ordered a test mold for spacebars (to make sure the stems are good and there is no warping), that I should receive samples of by the end of the month.

The plan is to dispatch some of those samples to a few people so they test the fit on as many brands/models as possible (as I only own a RF88u), and then once we are 100% sure the samples are perfect, we start the GB.

LMK if you're ever able to get any samples of a 7u spacebar created for 84/86u, thats where my money is sitting

Kookiekurls · « **Reply #94 on:** Tue, 26 January 2021, 23:58:39 »

This is desparately needed. Especially for keycap sets for boards other than HHKB. I have the FC980C and there are so few options for keycap sets out there. It would be nice to have more sets that support it.

thanatic · « **Reply #95 on:** Wed, 27 January 2021, 00:24:33 »

Always looking for hipro

Dyto69 · « **Reply #96 on:** Wed, 27 January 2021, 07:40:12 »

Quote from: noorejji on Mon, 13 April 2020, 13:09:01

WoB would be huge. Classic grey or beige, or some variant of Dolch would be very interesting as well. I’m thirsty for Topre keycaps, but it would have to be better quality than the offerings from KBDfans. The crooked stems are unusable imo, so you would have to prove that you can do better.

Yes i agree with this, im using some KBDFans Keycaps on my 87U right now and i don't really like them, they feel weird and rough, the clack more and wobble more than oem caps

snurrebassen · « **Reply #97 on:** Thu, 28 January 2021, 01:56:04 »

Filled in IC

We desperately need this.

zalimander · « **Reply #98 on:** Wed, 14 April 2021, 20:24:06 »

Any updates? Realize it's been a wild year-plus so not trying to rush anyone, but really excited for this to happen.

P103 · « **Reply #99 on:** Wed, 14 April 2021, 21:04:51 »

In for a cherry profile one.

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Author Topic: [IC] Topre keycaps (Read 40873 times)