As far as I can tell, this would need to have either reverse dye sub modifiers, new double shot moulds and pad printed secondary legends for the alphas, or a mixture of pbt alphas and abs modifiers. This would be ambitious, expensive or undesirable, respectively.
Reverse dye sub should be possible. Look at DSA Starry Night, that has some super high quality reverse dye sub.Show Image(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1674/0405/products/Untitled-2_881707fe-c92f-4696-b2bd-46b295bd3b10.png)
Changed all the modifiers to text and made them all visually consistent, really digging the clean look of all type. Typography was such a huge part of the film so it didn't make sense to have symbols. Thanks everyone who suggested it.Show Image(https://i.imgur.com/sPvcdmo.png)
Here it is in a render:Show Image(https://i.imgur.com/nbFK4EY.png)
Looks much better with the all-text legends IMO.
And as has been mentioned I think you'd be better off contacting the Chinese company (companies?) that does reverse dye-sub rather than trying to figure out how to stick with SP since it'd either be expensive and eh (full set of custom legends if going ABS and even then needing pad-printing) or weird (ABS mod/PBT alpha mix).
Looks much better with the all-text legends IMO.
And as has been mentioned I think you'd be better off contacting the Chinese company (companies?) that does reverse dye-sub rather than trying to figure out how to stick with SP since it'd either be expensive and eh (full set of custom legends if going ABS and even then needing pad-printing) or weird (ABS mod/PBT alpha mix).
I'll definitely look more into manufacturing options if this design gains enough interest! I knew it probably would've been expensive to produce when designing it, but really wanted to make something that wasn't just a recolor with reused legend styles. For now it's just a dream.. Thanks for the guidance though, Chinese manufacturing might be the only realistic option here.
the all text is really good
this set is actually really nice, voted on MD and might pick it up if it goes to GB
TGR alice support pls
get in touch with whoever did DSA drifter, i think it was zFrontier
Looking nice. I guess this would require custom molds for ABS double-shot, or then some precision-work in PBT reverse dyesub. Which one did you have in mind?
Definitely interested. It looks original and cool.
Ok, thanks. Good luck with the set!Looking nice. I guess this would require custom molds for ABS double-shot, or then some precision-work in PBT reverse dyesub. Which one did you have in mind?
Definitely interested. It looks original and cool.
Probably double shot ABS with the red hiragana characters pad printed!
what about support for hhkb and others (atreus/ergo)?
The ones I'm familiar with are ergodox and atreus/Planck based.what about support for hhkb and others (atreus/ergo)?
Not looking to support hhkb, but looking into an ergo kit (to work with many types of ergo style keyboards), will have to do some research on those since I don't know much about them. If you have any resources I can check out let me know!
what about support for hhkb and others (atreus/ergo)?
Not looking to support hhkb, but looking into an ergo kit (to work with many types of ergo style keyboards), will have to do some research on those since I don't know much about them. If you have any resources I can check out let me know!
HHKB/tsangan is super important, i probably won't pick it up without support for those
Pretty sure it's the layout. Most people who want custom caps on topre have modded their hhkb stems to mx ones. We are not asking for topre keycaps, only mx ones.HHKB/tsangan is super important, i probably won't pick it up without support for those
Referencing this: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-x-mito-xda-godspeed-custom-keycap-set/talk/1773549
Looks like I'll need alphas, base mods, numpad, ortho, 40%, tsangan, ergo, ISO, and space bars so I have some work to do this weekend. HHKB are topre switches afaik, are you referring to custom mx HHKBs or just the layout?
HHKB/tsangan is super important, i probably won't pick it up without support for those
Referencing this: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-x-mito-xda-godspeed-custom-keycap-set/talk/1773549
Looks like I'll need alphas, base mods, numpad, ortho, 40%, tsangan, ergo, ISO, and space bars so I have some work to do this weekend. HHKB are topre switches afaik, are you referring to custom mx HHKBs or just the layout?
MX HHKBsHHKB/tsangan is super important, i probably won't pick it up without support for those
Referencing this: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-x-mito-xda-godspeed-custom-keycap-set/talk/1773549
Looks like I'll need alphas, base mods, numpad, ortho, 40%, tsangan, ergo, ISO, and space bars so I have some work to do this weekend. HHKB are topre switches afaik, are you referring to custom mx HHKBs or just the layout?
1.5x mods, split backspace, split right shift, and maybe a 6u spacebar
vitally important layout to support
Pretty sure it's the layout. Most people who want custom caps on topre have modded their hhkb stems to mx ones. We are not asking for topre keycaps, only mx ones.
Yeah, when people ask for HHKB support they largely mean the style of layout since it's become fairly popular to use on custom MX boards. Though with the easily accessible topre-to-mx sliders around, it also refers to the HHKB itself too other than the spacebar.
MX HHKBs
1.5x mods, split backspace, split right shift, and maybe a 6u spacebar
vitally important layout to support
Added kits for ISO, tsangan, ortho, ergo, and spacebars.
Please let me know if I'm missing any keys or added too many! I tried to use MiTo's XDA Godspeed kits as reference.
A 7u spacebar would be great. I guess Tsangan contains 1.5u mods so maybe add it to the same kit to make it partly a WKL kit?
Ah, in that case, no worries then!A 7u spacebar would be great. I guess Tsangan contains 1.5u mods so maybe add it to the same kit to make it partly a WKL kit?
Ah shoot I forgot to attach the spacebar kit to the post, will do that when I get home. It includes 7u, 6.5u, 6.25u, 6u, 5.5u, 4.5u, 2x 3u, 2x 2.75u, 2x 2.25u, 2u and 1.75u spacebars.
Awesome.
What's the next step?
Reach out to manufacturers/partners!
So things happened quickly and I'll be partnering with zFrontier to produce this set! Looks like we won't have to pad print after all!
Great news!
Do you know what manufacturing process Zfrontier will use?
Manufacturing will be done by Keyreative using their air dye-sub process! From what I've seen the legends are super sharp and detailed, should have samples for this set in a week or two.
Nice. Guessing the mods will be reverse dye sub?
I'm brand new to custom keysets but I LOVE this kit and want to make absolutely sure I get in when it goes up :-*. How can I get notified via GH/Massdrop, and what's the time frame for this sort of thing usually like?
I'm brand new to custom keysets but I LOVE this kit and want to make absolutely sure I get in when it goes up :-*. How can I get notified via GH/Massdrop, and what's the time frame for this sort of thing usually like?Notify button sends you emails. And just as you replied the forum added this topic to a list that gets listed in the "Show new replies to your posts" view when there are new replies. It is in the header under the GH logo.
looks fantastic so far, loving the alphas, keep it the way it is. I agree with the yellows, it could be a bit brighter but maybe that's because how small the texts are? As for the red, yes, moar red!!!
I wonder how this set would look on champagne M65-A ^-^
This will not affect DSA Mystery Group Buy and future Keyreative DSA products.
Keyreative will maintain it's DSA line along with the new KAM line.
In the email they sent Starry Night GB participants they also said:QuoteThis will not affect DSA Mystery Group Buy and future Keyreative DSA products.
Keyreative will maintain it's DSA line along with the new KAM line.
I think the hiragana looked great in the renders but turned out a little too thick in the samples. I think they need to be slightly thinner to not look like one mushy blob
Love your attention to detail. Glad you're designing and running this set. Can't wait.
very nice kema, I like the no-compromise attitude you have with this project. It will definitely pay off!
Any updates on this set?
ScrambledEggz of zFrontier has suggested going with KAM profile after trying out the new KAT profile for awhile and I'm up for that change. Better quality, smooth tops, and homing keys (which Keyreative DSA lacks). Downside is GB will be pushed back by 1-2 months. But at this point it seems like Keyreative is backed up with other sets and we might have needed to wait that long anyways.What material will this keyset be made of then? ABS or PBT?
ScrambledEggz of zFrontier has suggested going with KAM profile after trying out the new KAT profile for awhile and I'm up for that change. Better quality, smooth tops, and homing keys (which Keyreative DSA lacks). Downside is GB will be pushed back by 1-2 months. But at this point it seems like Keyreative is backed up with other sets and we might have needed to wait that long anyways.What material will this keyset be made of then? ABS or PBT?
Changing from DSA definitely removes the option to customize/mix which sucks, but KAM is closer to the original vision and better quality overall - also homing keys are pretty huge for usability.
My main concern is that Zfrontier has been trying to push many GBs to use KAM because it is their own profile but they're claims of better quality as unsubstantiated. Especially with a keyset like this one with very intricate designs, who knows how it's going to turn out.
As someone who uses DSA extensively, lack of a honing key had never been an issue. Also, KAM is 1mm taller, making the keys look lanky.
KAM is uniform so mixing should be fine I thought. KAT, however, is not uniform
Also I hate to suddenly switch from DSA on you man, you've been active in the thread for a while and I really do appreciate that. I feel like KAM is worth a shot and I'm personally interested in trying it.
I'm looking forward to trying the KAM profile and appreciate a little more time to budget for the set. I've been very impressed and appreciative of your attention to detail and how communicative you have been. I am on board regardless of the profile and wish you the best in this endeavor.
LOOKING FORWARD TO THE KAM PROFILE BRING IT ON FEELIN THE LOVE
I'm looking forward to trying the KAM profile and appreciate a little more time to budget for the set. I've been very impressed and appreciative of your attention to detail and how communicative you have been. I am on board regardless of the profile and wish you the best in this endeavor.
DSA or not, I don't mind trying out something new, especially with this set. That means group buy won't start until another 2months correct?
i would love to get this set. Will it be pbt dye sub?
KAM was a uniform profile as well, right? Need to check some comparison photos.
You convinced me. This is amazingi would love to get this set. Will it be pbt dye sub?
Yessir!KAM was a uniform profile as well, right? Need to check some comparison photos.
Yup, you can see some rendered comparison images with DSA here: https://www.zfrontier.com/post/detail/7214
We should be seeing Starry Night in KAM profile soon so hopefully someone out there will make a comparison post.
Any updates?
How are we lookin? I love this key set and need it... help
Oooh can't wait. Is there ever such a thing as having too many keysets?
We should be seeing Starry Night in KAM profile soon so hopefully someone out there will make a comparison post.
Hi all, sorry for the lack of updates. I've been messaging my contact at zFrontier over the past month but haven't gotten any response, really not sure what's going on ): . Will update you all when I do finally hear back.Thanks! No update is still an update. Haha
Hey kema, I think some stuff are odd in the ergo set.
For the center columns there are 3 white vertical 2u and 1 black (fn).
I'm not sure how the horizontal 1.5u are supposed to fit some are white some are black.
There are no 1u for the bottom row beside the arrow keys and 2 blanks, are you supposed to get the ortho kit along with the ergo kit ?
It would be nice to have consistent colour patterns across vertical and horizontal ergo keys. Black outer columns would be awesome on my future Boardwalk :cool:
A colevrak kit would be awesome and could help gain popularity in GB (susuwatari colevrak got 10% rate of order).
It would need scooped T, U, N, H to cover a wide range of alternative layouts.
Most of the kit are featuring the secondary colour from the keyset, sometime with additionnal keys for colour accent or text label.
The bare minimun is 12 * 1.5u (4 vertical, 8 horisontal) 4 vertical 2u for thumbs, 20 * 1u.
I think you could pick between two common approach :
Mod keys with labels
Not the easiest way as a lot of ergo users are heavily customizing their keymaps to their needs.
The defaut layout in QMK is the default Ergodox EZ (https://camo.githubusercontent.com/7422b16317f9674c83448763a2f5e24a1f9e7955/68747470733a2f2f692e696d6775722e636f6d2f426535336a48372e706e67) one.
Some keycaps creators are trying to provide some labeled keys with usually several options.
Examples: dsa miami (https://massdrop-s3.imgix.net/product-images/massdrop-x-k-bares-miami-dolch-dsa-custom-keycaps/Ergodox%20Kit_20170430181726.jpg), dsa light cycle, dsa granite (https://cdn10.bigcommerce.com/s-ktpi93fl/product_images/attribute_rule_images/632_zoom_1506970054.png), Nautilus (https://i.imgur.com/SlMxnKE.png) (lot of options there)
Some provide labeled keys with thematic text unrelated to key function:
Examples: mt3 godspeed (https://massdrop-s3.imgix.net/product-images/massdrop-x-mito-mt3-godspeed-custom-keycap-set/FP/7knC1JcVQTWvfV6boBai_7%20-%20apollo%20ergo.jpg), kam wraith (https://i.imgur.com/9PnLq81.jpg), etc.
Blank keycaps
Obviously the main choice here.
Examples: Mt3 Susuwatri (https://massdrop-s3.imgix.net/product-images/massdrop-x-matt3o-mt3-susuwatari-custom-keycap-set/FP/bnMlXyKPTdejsrGbEw2g_ergodox-01.jpg) (simple kit with a few colour accent option), dsa royal navy (https://assets.bigcartel.com/product_images/213617308/3456+G2G.jpg?auto=format&fit=max&h=1000&w=1000) (minimalist kit), SA Vilebloom (https://assets.bigcartel.com/product_images/217414366/05_Ortho-06_Ergo.jpg?auto=format&fit=max&w=2000), gmk terminal (https://geekhack.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=85838.0;attach=156954;image)
As I'm not a designer I couldn't help you further, I guess you'll have to pick a solution.
My advice if you stick to labeled keys, keep colour pattern consistent and offer a few key variations.
My guess is that the hiatus is more because the designer is busy than because there are issues with the KAM profile, but hopefully we'll get an update eventually.
05/21/19 Alpha letters will be larger, no other updates!
Quote05/21/19 Alpha letters will be larger, no other updates!
Interesting. Bumping the thread for anyone subscribed like me, keeping the dream alive. At least Starry Night appears to finally be finishing soon.
I actually think the size of the legends in the current renders are perfect, but I'm personally a sucker for small-ish type styles. Just my opinion.
Any timescale as to when this might go up for GB? I am keen. Would also be great to see updated renders of the new font eventually
Man zFrontier is just the worst. I'm still waiting for a set of keycaps ordered in March 2018. I really should've just filed a chargeback and moved on.
Have you considered working with KBDfans or another vendor instead?
I actually think the size of the legends in the current renders are perfect, but I'm personally a sucker for small-ish type styles. Just my opinion.
I love small type as well, but when handling the DSA samples, the letters just felt too small so I bumped them up by ~30% (still much smaller than what you'd see on other keycaps). I feel like there should be some size difference between the alphas and modifier text.
I actually think the size of the legends in the current renders are perfect, but I'm personally a sucker for small-ish type styles. Just my opinion.
I love small type as well, but when handling the DSA samples, the letters just felt too small so I bumped them up by ~30% (still much smaller than what you'd see on other keycaps). I feel like there should be some size difference between the alphas and modifier text.
You said "when handling the DSA samples" but this set will be KAM, right?
Just saw this set, definitely an auto-purchase for me if it comes to fruition. The colors and layout are amazing. Hoping to see it up in the coming months.
Do you have any updated pictures of the larger characters?
Exciting! Is this 2020 or 2019 GB?
Nice, you should post the samples somewhere else soon, before the group buy so it can gain traction.
Sent from my G8341 using Tapatalk
so the final set will be glossy?
Nice, you should post the samples somewhere else soon, before the group buy so it can gain traction.
Sent from my G8341 using Tapatalk
Will post elsewhere when I get the new round of samples in person!
Speaking of those here's a sneak peek:Show Image(https://imgur.com/muH19X8.png)
Final black modifiers will start with a yellow plastic and use a black mask (as opposed to white plastic with legend and black dyed on), so they should look much better.
Also there's the homing bars that DSA didn't have.
Will have updates around pricing and group buy date shortly!
oh damn, KAT officially just got interesting to me, didn't realize it had gloss finish! This project has officially made its way back onto my radar.
I struggle to justify getting DSA profile sets but the design on this is too enticing.
Red is made like black, right? Yellow plastic with red mask?
The legends on the black modifiers are looking good now! Will update you all as soon as I know the GB date.AwesomeShow Image(https://imgur.com/0EU4uyA.png)Show Image(https://imgur.com/LNVjPeB.png)
Updated the main post, groupbuy starts December 1st!
Changes:
– Homing kit for Colemak/Dvorak support
– Small changes to ISO UK & Ergo kits
– Adjustments to hiragana legends
Could you add homing "A" to the Colevrak kit to support Carpalx QGMLWY?Show Image(https://i.imgur.com/1gaqEym.png)
Could you add homing "A" to the Colevrak kit to support Carpalx QGMLWY?Show Image(https://i.imgur.com/1gaqEym.png)
Can do!
Here's a suggestion: Put the 1.5u Tab key in the Alphas kit (and remove it from Base Mods & Ergo kits) and put an Esc and a Return key in the normal mod colors in the Exotic kit. Why? Because this has several nice benefits: This would make the Exotic kit a _standalone HHKB Mod kit_!! Which would dramatically decrease the cost of getting this set for an HHKB layout without inconveniencing anyone else. Similarly, someone who wants to outfit two keyboards with different layouts with this set has a high chance of only needing one each of the Base Mods and the Exotic kits, since each mod kit would provide Esc and Return keys and the Tab would be provided by the Alphas, which one naturally would have to buy twice. Lastly, the Exotic kit would not only serve as extra mods for exotic layouts and a standalone mod kit for HHKB, but also as a de-accent kit (due to including non-accented Esc and Return) which are often very popular. Alternatively, the Esc and Return keys in the Exotic kit could have the mods base color but a different legend color, like red (my preference I think) or white, so that they're still accents, just more subtle ones.
What do you think?
Edit: Now that I think about it, the accented 1u Esc key might as well be in the Alphas kit as well. You never need more Esc keys than you need Qs, Ws etc and it's in just about every mod kit.
Another Edit: Thinking about the Exotic kit a bit more, I think I would prefer it if Fn and Ctrl keys of size 1.5 or higher said "Function" and "Control" instead. The 1.25 Fn key could also say "Func" imo.
Hey, unfortunately kits are already locked in and quoted. We're getting pretty close to the GB date and focusing on other details at this point.Oh noo that's unfortunate :( Sorry for being late with that. What are the expected prices, then?
Hey, unfortunately kits are already locked in and quoted. We're getting pretty close to the GB date and focusing on other details at this point.Oh noo that's unfortunate :( Sorry for being late with that. What are the expected prices, then?
Any idea when the prices will be announced?
Nice set !
Would it be possible adding a French, aka ISO-FR, aka baguette, kit ? I guess it's dye sub so I feel free to ask.
Thanks.
Am I missing something or why were no novelties considered?
Great, I'm a fan, definitely going to pick a set up! Great job!
But lol at the numpad, is that what the numbers will look like or just the render? Why didn't you increase the size like you did with the latin alphabet characters? I don't use a numpad usually but you might as well make it look good :P
aaaah much better imo! now I'm wondering if the F keys should have the same size as well, 2-3 tiny characters are obviously never as lonely as 1 tiny character on the numpad but it might still look better if all alpha-colour keys that don't take up 2 lines consistently have the same font size.
a render I'd be interested in seeing would be some keyboard with 8-10 F-keys to the left of the main area. I think this set would look strong on something like this because the F-keys use only one colour.
Hey all, we're gonna push back launch a bit to Dec 6th, next Friday. Need some more time for setting up, thank you for understanding. 🙏Could you update the kits pictures, it's offline today?
Also just quickly noting, the Exotic kit will have an enter key included, and estimated ship date for the set is late May 2020.
Hey all, we're gonna push back launch a bit to Dec 6th, next Friday. Need some more time for setting up, thank you for understanding. 🙏Could you update the kits pictures, it's offline today?
Also just quickly noting, the Exotic kit will have an enter key included, and estimated ship date for the set is late May 2020.