The PCB is fully functional except the LEDs at this point?
Keeping an eye one this. Will it have individually programmable leds and a custom plate mount enclosure?
The PCB is fully functional except the LEDs at this point?
Only in CAD so far.Keeping an eye one this. Will it have individually programmable leds and a custom plate mount enclosure?
No to the LEDs, yes to the plate and enclosure.
- Ron I samwisekoi
So you ditched the idea of having 2 extra columns to the left (like the KMAC mini)? :(
Nevertheless, looking forward on this project coming together.
So you ditched the idea of having 2 extra columns to the left (like the KMAC mini)? :(
Nevertheless, looking forward on this project coming together.
More that I forgot that discussion.
I think the GH65 would be quite interesting with the function keys on the left. I'll ponder that after I get this first pass done.
Thanks for the reminder!
- Ron I samwisekoi
GH65 Still has my vote.
How about something like this? Remove the function key block you don't want.
(Attachment Link)
GH75 with choice of function-key block.
And, if desired, you could use neither block for the smallest profile and still have the arrow keys, etc.
NOTE: All of the resulting configurations would be larger than existing cases.
- Ron | samwisekoiShow Image(http://www.samwisekoi.com/pixelart/GH75.png)
Why couldn't you use both blocks? And if you just slap that left block over to the right, we're good enough to have a numpad there, funtion row above the alphas, and remove the very top row.
And that's why people choose to use TKL over fullsize, right? But this would be even shorter than TKL. And with the functionality of a fullsize board.
Function keys!GH65 Still has my vote.
With or without the function keys on the left?Show Image(http://www.samwisekoi.com/pixelart/GH75.png)
GH65 Still has my vote.
With or without the function keys on the left?
Also, assuming only ten function keys are on the left, a couple of questions:
1) Which two keys should be relegated to an F-layer from stock? F7 and F8 are not used during any boot sequence that I know of, so that would be my vote.
2) What about the Escape key? In the tilde position or in the extreme upper left?
- Ron | samwisekoiShow Image(http://www.samwisekoi.com/pixelart/GH75.png)
If someone designs a sexy ass aluminum case for this it would be the last keyboard I will ever buy!(hopefully :P)
Why couldn't you use both blocks? And if you just slap that left block over to the right, we're good enough to have a numpad there, function row above the alphas, and remove the very top row.
If someone designs a sexy ass aluminum case for this it would be the last keyboard I will ever buy!(hopefully :P)
Fat chance.
...If someone designs a sexy ass aluminum case for this it would be the last keyboard I will ever buy!(hopefully :P)
Fat chance.
My plan is to design at least one case, hopefully in aluminum (or stainless) for a complete keyboard. The Poker-esque look has been done to death, as has the Korean flat-look. I have not started any case design work at all but I am thinking about something like a size-reduced XT case with pivoting steel feet. We'll see. Maybe Matt30 will do a sexy Italian case design for this keyboard.
this it would be the last keyboard I will ever buy!(hopefully :P)
Fat chance.
NOTE: All of the resulting configurations would be larger than existing cases.I'm hoping my printer will fill some of that void.
I shall follow this thread. Is iso left shift possible? 1.25 shift and 1 "<>|" button (same length total as ansi shift).
Would it not be possible to keep the USB connector on the back (under the F-row), but pulled back so that it's attached near the break-away point and not on the F-row? It would mean that the 70/75% layouts would have a recessed connector design like many current TKL/104 boards, but the 65% version would be more or less flush with the back edge of the case.
I'd like to voice support for having the same layout of Ctrl, Alt, Super keys on the left and right of the keyboard. It will be very difficult to find properly-labeled keys for the right side of the space. I understand the spacebar may need to be shortened, but I'd rather try to find 1 custom key than 3 and I think a small group buy of spacebars would be a lot easier to run than one for the modifiers.
Aside from that, the layout looks great. It would be great if we could still find a way to keep the USB port in a standard location.
Though I am only sticking to TKL I can see my self getting this one, small and portable.
i have two questions:
1) I should be able to use standard key caps set right? The only difference with this keyboard is that the right modifiers (Alt,Ctrl,winkey) are single key size?
2) just being curious but will it be possible to toggle like a number cluster?
I am not much of a DIYer, so looking forward to buy a complete keyboard. My first custom? Woot! :)
Working on this now. I think yes.
[edit]
Done. ISO left shift +1 and ISO enter +1 added to PCB.
[/edit]
I have added a 1.50 modifier choice to both sides. So you would be able to use two pairs of 1.50 ctrl-alt keys, which are readily available. That would still leave you with a 1x spot for a Fn key on the left and normal arrow keys on the right.
Really like the design of the 75%. But have noticed that I've been missing the keypad..
Mayb next time we can see a extended version of this with addition of the keypad, I find a full size keyboard to big to lugg around.
Wouldn't it be 1.5 1.5 7.0 1.5 1.5 1.0 1.0 1.0I'd like to voice support for having the same layout of Ctrl, Alt, Super keys on the left and right of the keyboard. It will be very difficult to find properly-labeled keys for the right side of the space. I understand the spacebar may need to be shortened, but I'd rather try to find 1 custom key than 3 and I think a small group buy of spacebars would be a lot easier to run than one for the modifiers.
Aside from that, the layout looks great. It would be great if we could still find a way to keep the USB port in a standard location.
I have added a 1.50 modifier choice to both sides. So you would be able to use two pairs of 1.50 ctrl-alt keys, which are readily available. That would still leave you with a 1x spot for a Fn key on the left and normal arrow keys on the right. In that layout, a really good choice would be a 1.50 RGBY set which would have all the keys you need, including (probably) a little yellow diamond/cherry/horse key for the Fn spot.
Note: You would then also need to use a 7.00 spacebar, but the board already allows for that.
I am not going to support custom spacebar lengths, because those are in fact MUCH harder to find than custom modifier keycaps.
- Ron | samwisekoiShow Image(http://www.samwisekoi.com/pixelart/GH75.png)
Wouldn't it be 1.5 1.5 7.0 1.5 1.5 1.0 1.0 1.0I'd like to voice support for having the same layout of Ctrl, Alt, Super keys on the left and right of the keyboard. It will be very difficult to find properly-labeled keys for the right side of the space. I understand the spacebar may need to be shortened, but I'd rather try to find 1 custom key than 3 and I think a small group buy of spacebars would be a lot easier to run than one for the modifiers.
Aside from that, the layout looks great. It would be great if we could still find a way to keep the USB port in a standard location.
I have added a 1.50 modifier choice to both sides. So you would be able to use two pairs of 1.50 ctrl-alt keys, which are readily available. That would still leave you with a 1x spot for a Fn key on the left and normal arrow keys on the right. In that layout, a really good choice would be a 1.50 RGBY set which would have all the keys you need, including (probably) a little yellow diamond/cherry/horse key for the Fn spot.
Note: You would then also need to use a 7.00 spacebar, but the board already allows for that.
I am not going to support custom spacebar lengths, because those are in fact MUCH harder to find than custom modifier keycaps.
- Ron | samwisekoiShow Image(http://www.samwisekoi.com/pixelart/GH75.png)
Where would the extra 1x fn go? Like this right?Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/sKl4OgM.jpg)
Really like the design of the 75%. But have noticed that I've been missing the keypad..
Mayb next time we can see a extended version of this with addition of the keypad, I find a full size keyboard to big to lugg around.
I'm confused...what's the difference between a 75% + 10-key and a full-size keyboard? :confused:
Sweet! I would love x4 1.5, 7.0 spacebar, and left/down/right arrows.
That's really super nice!
Also, I am looking at the pcb, and I know almost nothing about pcb, but I see the dots for the leds hole and I only see a link for the capslock led. Does it mean we will need to wire the other leds manually under the pcb or is there another magic trick?
Hope the question is not too n00b, but I still have a LOT to learn ;D
Also, thx for doing that!
For this version, left function keys and top function keys share matrix positions, so it remains a "pick one" setup, although it will be modular.:(
I've been telling everyone I know I'm going to be done with keyboards after I get my LZGHs, but goddamn do I want a GH75.
1) Which two keys should be relegated to an F-layer from stock? F7 and F8 are not used during any boot sequence that I know of, so that would be my vote.
2) What about the Escape key? In the tilde position or in the extreme upper left?
Sweet! I would love x4 1.5, 7.0 spacebar, and left/down/right arrows.
OK done. Rev 514J of the PCB now has every bottom row configuration requested, although probably not as many as the GH60.
(Arrow keys in RED.)
1.25 - 1.25 - 1.25 - 6.25 - 1 - 1 - 1- 1 - 1 - 1
1.50 - 1 - 1.50 - 6.00 - 1 - 1 - 1- 1 - 1 - 1
1.50 - 1 - 1.50 - 7.00 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1
1.50 - 1.50 - 7.00 - 1.50 - 1.50 - 1 - 1 - 1
And probably some other accidental combinations as well.
Also both ANSI and ISO Shift-L and Enter configurations are supported. And both Caps Lock switch positions.
For this version, left function keys and top function keys share matrix positions, so it remains a "pick one" setup, although it will be modular.
The image of the PCB in CAD below shown the top function-key row elevated, but that is only for illustration. I will pull those back down to the height of a Race/Pure PCB for production. The left-side function keys will remain offset by .375".
(Attachment Link)
CAD image of GH75 PCB version 514J by samwisekoi
I am going to take some photos of the possible key configurations in a bit.
- Ron | samwisekoiShow Image(http://www.samwisekoi.com/pixelart/GH75.png)
are you going to add full LED support?
Sweet! I would love x4 1.5, 7.0 spacebar, and left/down/right arrows.
OK done. Rev 514J of the PCB now has every bottom row configuration requested, although probably not as many as the GH60.
(Arrow keys in RED.)
1.25 - 1.25 - 1.25 - 6.25 - 1 - 1 - 1- 1 - 1 - 1
1.50 - 1 - 1.50 - 6.00 - 1 - 1 - 1- 1 - 1 - 1
1.50 - 1 - 1.50 - 7.00 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1
1.50 - 1.50 - 7.00 - 1.50 - 1.50 - 1 - 1 - 1
And probably some other accidental combinations as well.
Also both ANSI and ISO Shift-L and Enter configurations are supported. And both Caps Lock switch positions.
For this version, left function keys and top function keys share matrix positions, so it remains a "pick one" setup, although it will be modular.
The image of the PCB in CAD below shown the top function-key row elevated, but that is only for illustration. I will pull those back down to the height of a Race/Pure PCB for production. The left-side function keys will remain offset by .375".
(Attachment Link)
CAD image of GH75 PCB version 514J by samwisekoi
I am going to take some photos of the possible key configurations in a bit.
- Ron | samwisekoiShow Image(http://www.samwisekoi.com/pixelart/GH75.png)
So its gonna have a 2x5 block on the left? meh was hoping for a more "pure" 75%
samewisekoi, what stabilizers do you support? I would like to see PCB-mount Cherry stabilizer support. That would make an acrylic case design much more possible. Are you going to use Teensy as the controller or something else?
Quick update.
I went back to the drawing board to re-do all the traces on the board. I am not finished yet, but here are the changes in the current working version:
1) All switches are individually placed on the matrix.
2) Height of board will match Race/Pure cases.
3) I ran double-wide traces to every LED on the board, and will push power and ground to all of them, with a PWM pin for brightness control.
That's right, the GH75 will be full LED-capable. Max of 95 programmable, backlit keys. Or, snap it down to just a 65% board. Someone else will have to do LED-control firmware, but the board will be ready.
I had to give up PCB-mount stabilizers to fit that all in, so the board will require a plate, which means Cherry or Costar plate-mount stabilizers. The plates I've designed have the spiffy combo mounts.
Below is an UNFINISHED board layout. Note the LED wiring at position D3 -- that will be replicated at every key location.
(Attachment Link)
Unfinished GH75 PCB layout version 517K by samwisekoi.
More to do. This was not a simple matrix, so it will not be done for a week or so.
FYI,
- Ron | samwisekoiShow Image(http://www.samwisekoi.com/pixelart/GH75.png)
Quick update.
I went back to the drawing board to re-do all the traces on the board. I am not finished yet, but here are the changes in the current working version:
1) All switches are individually placed on the matrix.
2) Height of board will match Race/Pure cases.
3) I ran double-wide traces to every LED on the board, and will push power and ground to all of them, with a PWM pin for brightness control.
That's right, the GH75 will be full LED-capable. Max of 95 programmable, backlit keys. Or, snap it down to just a 65% board. Someone else will have to do LED-control firmware, but the board will be ready.
I had to give up PCB-mount stabilizers to fit that all in, so the board will require a plate, which means Cherry or Costar plate-mount stabilizers. The plates I've designed have the spiffy combo mounts.
Below is an UNFINISHED board layout. Note the LED wiring at position D3 -- that will be replicated at every key location.
(Attachment Link)
Unfinished GH75 PCB layout version 517K by samwisekoi.
More to do. This was not a simple matrix, so it will not be done for a week or so.
FYI,
- Ron | samwisekoiShow Image(http://www.samwisekoi.com/pixelart/GH75.png)
If I understand what I'm seeing/reading, the new left-hand function block is now usable with the top function-row? Great design you've got cooking up, I can't wait to get a good look at it let alone one for myself.
samewisekoi, what stabilizers do you support? I would like to see PCB-mount Cherry stabilizer support. That would make an acrylic case design much more possible. Are you going to use Teensy as the controller or something else?
The board will be socketed for a Teensy, mostly so surface-mount soldering is not required.
Fantastic. :)If I understand what I'm seeing/reading, the new left-hand function block is now usable with the top function-row? Great design you've got cooking up, I can't wait to get a good look at it let alone one for myself.
Thanks. You are reading this correctly. I hadn't intended for the board to be used in its entirety, but it certainly can be.
The board will be socketed for a Teensy, mostly so surface-mount soldering is not required.
Are you married to the Teensy solution? It's such a pain to get that soldered onto the board so the switches sit flush...the SMD chips are so much smaller and only adds a few dollars to the price when you get them pre-soldered during manufacturing. Then it's just a matter of placing your switches and diodes you're done. ;)
Awesome stuff. What was the reason behind adding two rows to the left ala kmac mini style?
Awesome stuff. What was the reason behind adding two rows to the left ala kmac mini style?
It looks cool...I don't think there's any real reason (not) to have it!
Awesome stuff. What was the reason behind adding two rows to the left ala kmac mini style?
It looks cool...I don't think there's any real reason (not) to have it!
I started this to provide some programmable options between 60% and TKL, mostly because I always miss arrow keys. But since some people want a 65% AND function keys, the left block was suggested, and hey, it is cool and different.
Now, having stared at this layout in CAD for 80 hours, I have to say that an ISO 65% plus those left function keys will be pretty sweet, and a nice middle-ground form factor. Function keys on the left and a big old retro Enter on the right above the arrow cluster.
THAT is what a configurable layout can provide!
- Ron I samwisekoi
Do you expect there will be a plate that can be converted as a case (with folding) like for the GH65++?
As a complement to my ErgoDox, absolutely!!! I'm assuming it would be possible to wire it up like a std ten key on a full size board (no extra keys, big enter and big +)?
Another redesign and it seems even more amazing.
Have you given much more thought to having displaced caps/number/scroll/function/ect. LEDs? I notice the row you had setup on a previous revision is now gone.
Thanks.
That was a numpad that I designed as a testbed only. It got no love, so I moved back to the big board. I may get back to that at some point, but not right now.
- Ron | samwisekoiShow Image(http://www.samwisekoi.com/pixelart/GH75.png)
OMG this keyboard with the left hand function row will be my holy grail. You sir are a god amongst men.
After careful consideration today this is my dream 75% layout. This should fit in with the layout of the PCB yeah?Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/sQiIufj.png)
Has anything happened to this since the last update?
I think I was confusing when I said "top" and "bottom" of the PCB, sorry about that. I meant the top side of the PCB, like the side the switches are mounted to, not the top of the PCB, like near the function row. :) The way the MX Mini mounts the SMD controller is what I had in mind when doing my poor job of describing it.Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/jGEOAU1.jpg)
That's an interesting choice for the Teensy...mostly because it's going to be completely impossible to solder...either you do the Teensy first and you can't solder the switches or you solder the switches first and you can't solder the Teensy.
That's an interesting choice for the Teensy...mostly because it's going to be completely impossible to solder...either you do the Teensy first and you can't solder the switches or you solder the switches first and you can't solder the Teensy.
You just can't solder the legs of the teensy to the teensy the first thing you do. You solder the legs of the teensy to the back of the pcb, then the switches on the front, and then the teensy to the legs which you soldered first. Or did I miss something?
Sorry, I was replying in a hurry. I understood your suggestion, and have an MX Mini PCB for reference. In that form factor the spacebar is pretty much the only place to mount an SMD controller. And the top side of the PCB could work, but I have not thought about that because SMD isn't in this version at all.
The reason I mentioned the top row was because that is where the Phantom mounts the Teensy, and properly so to reduce the interference of the larger form factor controller. Filco mounts it above the arrow cluster, but the Phantom has switches there. And the GH75 doesn't even have a "there" there.
So I wanted to put the controller as close to the top row as possible to provide the maximum amount of room when the keyboard is at a normal angle. But because of the slicing that the PCB supports, I had to keep it one row away from anywhere someone might cut. And if you look at the latest version, there are now cut lines on three edges of the PCB! That placed the controller under the QWERTY row, just to the right of center so the USB cable can exit either top center or top left.
So that is that. FWIW, I think the MX Mini is a beautiful PCB. But it is missing many features the GH75 has or will have, all of which take up real estate. Holes for PCB-mount switches, holes for PCB-mount stabilizers, and extra mounts for different layout options are three that leap to mind, and all of them make the bottom row very crowded. Also, the top-mounted passives on the MX Mini make the plate have a gap under CV that looks ugly to me, must weaken the mounting for those two switches and probably the space bar switch as well.
Anyhow, the short answer remains "not for Alpha", but hopefully the long version above gives you a better explanation.
- Ron | samwisekoi
The bottom row I would really want for this is
1,5 - 1.5 - 7 - 1.5 - 1.5 - 1 - 1 - 1
Also without any F-keys.
Just for those interested in the 75%, since this thread is quite dead anyway, there is a GB for a 75% pcb and case by sprit right now. So if you are really interested in a 75%, that's probably the best occasion you will have to get one in the near future.
Just for those interested in the 75%, since this thread is quite dead anyway, there is a GB for a 75% pcb and case by sprit right now. So if you are really interested in a 75%, that's probably the best occasion you will have to get one in the near future.
Link?
This one:
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=50579.0
This one:
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=50579.0
Its actually this one: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=50580.0
You linked the case thread. Both are relevant though. If you buy a PCB you probably want a case...
Just for those interested in the 75%, since this thread is quite dead anyway, there is a GB for a 75% pcb and case by sprit right now. So if you are really interested in a 75%, that's probably the best occasion you will have to get one in the near future.
Link?
Probably this one : http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=49902.0
Just for those interested in the 75%, since this thread is quite dead anyway, there is a GB for a 75% pcb and case by sprit right now. So if you are really interested in a 75%, that's probably the best occasion you will have to get one in the near future.
Link?
Probably this one : http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=49902.0
Thanks for this. I'm still a bit confused as to what I'll need for a full keyboard. This is the first time I've considered doing a custom board, buying the individual pieces. I'm not sure if there is a wiki somewhere that mentions everything.
Do i have to solder the switches on the PCB?
Are the switches sold separately?
Sorry for the rookie questions, any help is much appreciated.
Just for those interested in the 75%, since this thread is quite dead anyway, there is a GB for a 75% pcb and case by sprit right now. So if you are really interested in a 75%, that's probably the best occasion you will have to get one in the near future.
Link?
Probably this one : http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=49902.0
Thanks for this. I'm still a bit confused as to what I'll need for a full keyboard. This is the first time I've considered doing a custom board, buying the individual pieces. I'm not sure if there is a wiki somewhere that mentions everything.
Do i have to solder the switches on the PCB?
Are the switches sold separately?
Sorry for the rookie questions, any help is much appreciated.
You can find all this information on the forum, but maybe not at the same place. Here's a list of what you will need in order to get a fully functional keyboard if you get this pcb:
- Case
- Switches (need to buy them elsewhere)
- plate if you use plate mounted switches
- stabilizers
- soldering tools to solder the switches
- usb cable
- keycaps
- optionaly leds
While not that hard from what I heard (it's gonna be my first one), getting all of this will not be cheap and will take some time to gather/build. But looks to be a super nice project and be able to get a quite unique a very advanced keyboard. I am telling you all of this out of my mind, may forget some things and if you search the forum you will find a lot of info, but it should give you a good idea.