CG visualization of key cap color combinations

[kaporkle]

I'm not entirely sure if this is the correct board to post in, so please forgive me if I goofed up.

I've created a 3d model of a Realforce 87U and a very basic system for visualizing different key cap colors. I've been giving some thought to offering this as a service, providing renders of color combos. Something similar to the WASD Custom Keyboard Designer. The input wouldn't be as advanced, but the output should be prettier. I'm not sure if the idea sounds ridiculous or not to be honest. At the moment I've only created models for topre caps and the RF board, but if this is something the community is interested in it could be extended to MX and BS. But for the moment I'd just like to see if you guys/gals would be interested in helping me test the system.

What I'd like you to do is save the image below, open it in your favorite image editor (Photoshop, GIMP, Paint, etc) and use the 'bucket fill' tool to fill in colors for the keys and the board itself. Come up with whatever colors you think would look cool. It can be an Angry Fruit Salad theme or something tasteful and understated. Whatever your heart desires. I will take your submissions and post the renders here. Hopefully I'll get a few, around 5-10 would probably be perfect. A couple of notes if you decide to participate: 1) Please don't crop the image as the colors are applied via UV coordinates. 2) Save it as png rather than jpg, just to make sure there aren't any compression artifacts being introduced. Cheers and thank you!

[esoomenona]

Do you have an example that you might have made already? The template looks nice empty, so I'm interested to see how it looks completed.

[oneproduct]

Here you go my good man. A veritable mish mash of color.

[jeroplane]

Looks like the template has some anti-aliasing issues with fill in some programs?

[kaporkle]

Do you have an example that you might have made already? The template looks nice empty, so I'm interested to see how it looks completed.

Yeah definitely, here's one I rendered last night:

Here you go my good man. A veritable mish mash of color.

Thank you! I'll set it up to render.

Looks like the template has some anti-aliasing issues with fill in some programs?

That's okay. Only a small portion of each key template is sampled for color.


I forgot to mention, you can opt to have printed or blank key caps.

[reverkiller]

I call it....
GREEN

[mashby]

Ok, this is freakin' awesome!

[kaporkle]

Here you go my good man. A veritable mish mash of color.

The lighting needs some work to play a bit nicer with different color combinations.

I call it....
GREEN

Good name.
Now rendering.

[absyrd]

This is pretty cool. Will keep my eye on this thread for future renderings.

[daerid]

What program are you using for this?

[hashbaz]

This is amazing stuff, well done!

[esoomenona]

Ok, this is freakin' awesome!

My thoughts exactly.

Great job, OP. This will be an amazing help to the community.

[litster]

Very nice!! 

[CPTBadAss]

Sweet! I've been hoping that this would come about. Thanks for doing this!

I hate to be this guy but can you do one for the numberpad/keypads as well? For us still stuck on the full size flow 

[razorsharpgears]

Ok, this is freakin' awesome!

My thoughts exactly.

Great job, OP. This will be an amazing help to the community.

This is indeed very awesome^

[rowdy]

It would be perfect if there was some way to specify the legend colour too

[kaporkle]

Thanks for the kind words, I really wasn't expecting that.
I hope this doesn't lead to any disappointment, but the idea was that it would be a paid service. A few bucks for a 1080p (or higher-res) render. I looked at the OP again and realize that I didn't specify this at all, so apologies. Each one of these takes 3+ hours to render and the only way I could justify setting up different layouts and modeling different boards [Filco, Model M, etc] would be if there was at least some compensation involved.

What program are you using for this?

Hi daerid, it's an animation package called Houdini. http://www.sidefx.com/

On with it.

That's intense!

Here are a few other screencaps/test renders

[daerid]

Wow... those are impressive.

[rowdy]

Stop it!  You are making me drool on my keyboard

[reverkiller]

I think they are cool, and I'd spend a couple bucks on it.

(IF I DIDN'T ALREADY HAVE MY FREE RENDER! SUCKERS! HAHAHAHA)

)

(if/when you set this up, pm me and I can compensate you )

[jeroplane]

Holy crap... These are amazingly realistic! Really great work!

[mashby]

I'm totally cool with this being a paid service and happy to pay the fee. I can imagine a lot of key cap group buys taking advantage of your service as well.

One question though. How much trouble and cost would it be to add a KBC Poker to your model options? Just curious. 

[NikoGasm]

This is really, really cool and I'd love to see a version for some MX and BS boards.

I'm definitely going to mess around with a color scheme when I get home.

[CPTBadAss]

Thanks for the kind words, I really wasn't expecting that.
I hope this doesn't lead to any disappointment, but the idea was that it would be a paid service. A few bucks for a 1080p (or higher-res) render. I looked at the OP again and realize that I didn't specify this at all, so apologies. Each one of these takes 3+ hours to render and the only way I could justify setting up different layouts and modeling different boards [Filco, Model M, etc] would be if there was at least some compensation involved.

What program are you using for this?

Hi daerid, it's an animation package called Houdini. http://www.sidefx.com/

On with it.

Show Image

That's intense! :D

Here are a few other screencaps/test renders

Show Image

Show Image

Show Image

Show Image

Whoa, these are really awesome...definitely worth it if this became a paid service.

[NikoGasm]

Alright, here's my shot at it.

[esoomenona]

How much time and work did it take you to make that? Would it be possible (not too hard) to make a 104 Filco as well?

[Batmann]

^ This or even a tkl
This is trully awesome
unmatchables mock ups for GB!

[esoomenona]

^ This or even a tkl
This is trully awesome
unmatchables mock ups for GB!

And you know that's something when this guy says so.

[razorsharpgears]

^ This or even a tkl
This is trully awesome
unmatchables mock ups for GB!

And you know that's something when this guy says so.

^^Batmann's mock-ups are still classic though!
But yeah this new service will be great for future group-buys here, and the price to be charged seems reasonable enough.

[kaporkle]

Thank you guys again! It's definitely been a more positive reception than I was expecting. I want to address some of the questions posted but I've had no time to sit down. Late tonight or tomorrow evening I should get a chance to do so.
In the meantime here's your render NikoGasm.

[Dgsbllx]

Almost looks fluorescent!
These rendering look really good, great ideas as mentioned about making them for group buys etc

[kaporkle]

I hate to be this guy but can you do one for the numberpad/keypads as well? For us still stuck on the full size flow 

Hello CPT, yes that would be planned.

It would be perfect if there was some way to specify the legend colour too

Hi rowdy, there is now.
Coloring the print is done the same way as the caps, although there is a seperate sheet. Changing the font and placement of legends is possible too, though it's not an automated process.

One question though. How much trouble and cost would it be to add a KBC Poker to your model options? Just curious. 

This is really, really cool and I'd love to see a version for some MX and BS boards.

How much time and work did it take you to make that? Would it be possible (not too hard) to make a 104 Filco as well?

The case design for the KBC Poker and Filco seem fairly simple to model. Something like a Model M looks a bit more challenging. Having good reference material is really important. With the Realforce I have the real thing in front of me so it doesn't get much better than that. I put a lot of hours into it, honestly probably too much, it's modeled down to the bevels on the dip switches. I wouldn't bother modeling the undersides for any future kbs for example. But the first step to making other boards would be to model the key caps for their respective switches. I wasn't able to find accurate blueprints of topre caps, so I ended up taking my 87u and pulling one cap from each profile and taking photos of it from different angles.

In Houdini I matched the 3d camera to the focal length of my DSLR's lens and used the photos as reference for getting the shape right. It's still not a 100% accurate, but I would say good enough for visualization purposes. I can't do the same for MX/BS/ALPS because I don't own any boards with those switches. What I would need are accurate blueprints, so I will begin by looking for those. Failing that, perhaps some kind geekhackers would be willing to mail me some spare caps, just one of each unique profile.

[Batmann]

again, impressive!
making it a non free service will probably avoid you getting bored doing this and thus assure mockups supply in the long term but on the other hand I don't like when it always comes back to money 

For custom legends would a vector based file work?

[baldgye]

god damn, amazing work!

[Glissant]

Those renders are close to mind blowing. I am wholly impressed by this, and would imagine people running group buys would love renders of their sets to illustrate what they might look like.
Extremely well done, my friend!

[McWilloughby]

I hate to be this guy but can you do one for the numberpad/keypads as well? For us still stuck on the full size flow 

Hello CPT, yes that would be planned.

It would be perfect if there was some way to specify the legend colour too

Hi rowdy, there is now.
Coloring the print is done the same way as the caps, although there is a seperate sheet. Changing the font and placement of legends is possible too, though it's not an automated process.

Show Image

Show Image

One question though. How much trouble and cost would it be to add a KBC Poker to your model options? Just curious. 

This is really, really cool and I'd love to see a version for some MX and BS boards.

How much time and work did it take you to make that? Would it be possible (not too hard) to make a 104 Filco as well?

The case design for the KBC Poker and Filco seem fairly simple to model. Something like a Model M looks a bit more challenging. Having good reference material is really important. With the Realforce I have the real thing in front of me so it doesn't get much better than that. I put a lot of hours into it, honestly probably too much, it's modeled down to the bevels on the dip switches. I wouldn't bother modeling the undersides for any future kbs for example. But the first step to making other boards would be to model the key caps for their respective switches. I wasn't able to find accurate blueprints of topre caps, so I ended up taking my 87u and pulling one cap from each profile and taking photos of it from different angles.

Show Image

In Houdini I matched the 3d camera to the focal length of my DSLR's lens and used the photos as reference for getting the shape right. It's still not a 100% accurate, but I would say good enough for visualization purposes. I can't do the same for MX/BS/ALPS because I don't own any boards with those switches. What I would need are accurate blueprints, so I will begin by looking for those. Failing that, perhaps some kind geekhackers would be willing to mail me some spare caps, just one of each unique profile.

If you tell me how you'd like the keycaps photographed I can do it that way, I have all the necessary gear and can send you the specs for the lens I'd be using. Seems like a great project and I'd gladly spend the time doing this.

[kaporkle]

Thanks again all.

For custom legends would a vector based file work?

I think as long as Inkscape can open the files we should be good.

If you tell me how you'd like the keycaps photographed I can do it that way, I have all the necessary gear and can send you the specs for the lens I'd be using. Seems like a great project and I'd gladly spend the time doing this.

Thank you for the offer McWilloughby! That would be a tremendous help and I would definitely return the favor. This was my process if you're interested in helping:
I set up the camera on a tripod. The key was placed on a 8.5x11 piece of paper on my desk. The paper was supposed to serve as a reference object, as a way to match perspective in 3d.

That proved to be a little difficult because I only had it partially in the frame and because of slight barrel distortion in the lens. If I did it again I would trim the paper down to something like 3x3 inches. Telephoto focal ranges are more helpful than wide angle. The lines I drew on the paper were to make sure the key cap stayed in the same spot. I poked a small hole through the underside to make a little mound that the topre stem could turn on (it's pretty heavy stock paper). The camera was set to a 2 second delay to avoid vibration, and as delicately as I could, I turned the keycap 45 degrees between each shot. 8 images for each of the 4 unique profiles.
Can I ask what switches you have access to? I would like to add Cherry MX (both OEM and Cherry profile) and buckling spring for now. I was considering Alps, but I'm not sure if there is any demand. It seems like only Matias is manufacturing Alps boards, and custom key caps seem to be a rare thing, but someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

[CPTBadAss]

So yeah...just when I thought this thread wouldn't get better...it did!

I REALLY like the idea of a gif of a keycap so you can see all the angles. Might I suggest you show the underside as well? It seems like a lot of people really like seeing it and I wouldn't mind it just for thoroughness' sake.

Also, thanks for responding. It's hard to visualize a full size set sometimes when the only pics I can find are of TKL or 60%/75% boards. Granted they look great but sometime I want to picture something and not ogle other people's boards.

[kaporkle]

So yeah...just when I thought this thread wouldn't get better...it did!

I REALLY like the idea of a gif of a keycap so you can see all the angles. Might I suggest you show the underside as well? It seems like a lot of people really like seeing it and I wouldn't mind it just for thoroughness' sake.

Also, thanks for responding. It's hard to visualize a full size set sometimes when the only pics I can find are of TKL or 60%/75% boards. Granted they look great but sometime I want to picture something and not ogle other people's boards.

No problem. :]
And that's an interesting idea. If someone wants that it's definitely doable. However, while the insides of the caps can have thickness to them, I never added any stems since they were not intended for manufacture.

[npgatech]

Very cool idea. Is there anyway you can export your models in a standard file like (.step or sat)? I have SolidWorks'12 at work and I can mess around with rendering as well :-) Thanks!

[CPTBadAss]

Very cool idea. Is there anyway you can export your models in a standard file like (.step or sat)? I have SolidWorks'12 at work and I can mess around with rendering as well :-) Thanks!

I also have access to Solidworks, if that might help your project at all.

[KuhnTang]

Do you have an example that you might have made already? The template looks nice empty, so I'm interested to see how it looks completed.

Yeah definitely, here's one I rendered last night:

Show Image

Show Image

Here you go my good man. A veritable mish mash of color.

Thank you! I'll set it up to render.

Looks like the template has some anti-aliasing issues with fill in some programs?

That's okay. Only a small portion of each key template is sampled for color.


I forgot to mention, you can opt to have printed or blank key caps.

This color is AWESOME!

[McWilloughby]

That proved to be a little difficult because I only had it partially in the frame and because of slight barrel distortion in the lens. If I did it again I would trim the paper down to something like 3x3 inches. Telephoto focal ranges are more helpful than wide angle. The lines I drew on the paper were to make sure the key cap stayed in the same spot. I poked a small hole through the underside to make a little mound that the topre stem could turn on (it's pretty heavy stock paper). The camera was set to a 2 second delay to avoid vibration, and as delicately as I could, I turned the keycap 45 degrees between each shot. 8 images for each of the 4 unique profiles.
Can I ask what switches you have access to? I would like to add Cherry MX (both OEM and Cherry profile) and buckling spring for now. I was considering Alps, but I'm not sure if there is any demand. It seems like only Matias is manufacturing Alps boards, and custom key caps seem to be a rare thing, but someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

I'll probably use a 50mm but I can go up to 70mm if you think that would be better. The perspective setup will be easy enough to make, will try to get started in the next couple of days. I have access to Cherry MX OEM profile keys that come on an ISO layout QFR. Other than that some of my housemates have mechanical keyboards so I'll be able to get numpad specific stuff, only things I won't have access to will be ANSI specific keys (though would the enter key be the only problem?). I can also do a K series (spherical) key if you want.

Also, what format would you like the photos in? I know nothing about modelling/building up the lighting for this stuff but if it would help I can send you RAW files as it'll give you way more control over how the photo looks (no idea if this would be useful at all). If not I'll just send jpegs. Wanna PM me your email so I can send them your way?

[TheSoulhunter]

Impressive!

[kaporkle]

Very cool idea. Is there anyway you can export your models in a standard file like (.step or sat)? I have SolidWorks'12 at work and I can mess around with rendering as well :-) Thanks!

Hi npgatech, Houdini won't export to those formats (or CAD formats in general).
At work we sometimes receive step files from clients. Since they are NURBS data we have to convert them to polygons to be able to work with them in Maya (basically recreating the whole model). I don't believe it's trivial to go from polys to NURBS unless it's simple primitives.

I'll probably use a 50mm but I can go up to 70mm if you think that would be better. The perspective setup will be easy enough to make, will try to get started in the next couple of days. I have access to Cherry MX OEM profile keys that come on an ISO layout QFR. Other than that some of my housemates have mechanical keyboards so I'll be able to get numpad specific stuff, only things I won't have access to will be ANSI specific keys (though would the enter key be the only problem?). I can also do a K series (spherical) key if you want.

Also, what format would you like the photos in? I know nothing about modelling/building up the lighting for this stuff but if it would help I can send you RAW files as it'll give you way more control over how the photo looks (no idea if this would be useful at all). If not I'll just send jpegs. Wanna PM me your email so I can send them your way?

50mm is what I used, but whichever you think is the sharper lens. I believe the photos were at f8 or thereabouts. I do usually shoot RAW so that would be great actually, but if the files end up being too big jpegs would do just fine. :]
I would really only need the 1x keys from each unique profile. All the other caps (both ANSI and ISO) can be derived from those, including numpad Enters and such. Spherical keys may be tricky and would require me to rework the system I've build for generating keycaps models, but perhaps down the line... I do like the look of spherical caps.
I'll PM you my e-mail right now, thank you again for offering to do this.

[McWilloughby]

I'll do this tonight when I finish working then, won't really take me much time if you only need the 1x's. No worries though, always looking for reasons to procrastinate in exam season.

Do you need side on/top views as well by the way or just the isometric type pictures?

[kaporkle]

Great, then I may be able to get started this weekend. And it should be fine with just the isometric pics.
I'm collecting reference photos of the KBC Poker right now, since that was the first board requested. Cheers!

[xyril]

idk im bored . :PPP

[Wopian]

Amazing work!

Would love to see what this would look like:

[McWilloughby]

Ever so slowly uploading the files to my dropbox, may have to wait until tomorrow morning (UK time) as my housemates were complaining about lag. Gotta love RAW files