The only thing limiting your design if you go with dyesub PBT SA is the fact that SP currently only has dyesub setup boards for R3 at the moment. There's no reason you can't have an ISO kit or a kit for alternate layouts.
DSA Hiragana with English subscript is the clear winner for me.I agree :)
DSA Hiragana with English subscript is the clear winner for me.I agree :)
Even in Meiji period (1868-1912), Japanese language did not have left to right writting. If you write 11 and 12 in Kansuuji, it should be vertical or right to left. Kansuuji means numbers written in Chinese characters used in Japan.The only problem is with the people who have the double zero key on the numpad. How do you represent a double zero with 零?
Maybe "零" for numerical 0 character looks cool.
I'll be the first person to say that while the red Roman letters provide a nice accent, I strongly prefer the kana-only legends. I can't decide whether I prefer the Hiragana or the Katakana. Also, this set pretty much requires a keyboard with a function row because you're losing a major component of the colorway without the function row keys. That's not a criticism, just an observation that it would be a crime not to put those caps on the keyboard. You can check out the High Contrast Granite set at Pimp My Keyboard for an example of how distinguishable the legends would be on the modifiers.
Even in Meiji period (1868-1912), Japanese language did not have left to right writting. If you write 11 and 12 in Kansuuji, it should be vertical or right to left. Kansuuji means numbers written in Chinese characters used in Japan.
Maybe "零" for numerical 0 character looks cool.
Interested! Really like the Hiragana, wether with latin alpha or not. My 2 cent: the capslock, shift, and alt icon are too tall compared to their width. I vote for using icon mod tho, loving my granite.
Any chance of a 6u spacebar for novatouched HHKB/Topre compatibility? Man I really wish these boards just had a 6.25u space, so many sets are a no-go. :/
Oblivion is looking like it's going to be a relatively popular SA set. Have you considered working with SP to make one?Any chance of a 6u spacebar for novatouched HHKB/Topre compatibility? Man I really wish these boards just had a 6.25u space, so many sets are a no-go. :/
Signature Plastics doesn't have a 6u Spacebar mold
Like the colorway but not the all R3 profile :thumb:
"零々" or "零零". I found usage of 零々 in the complete works of Fukuzawa Yukichi published in 1898. 100285 could be written like 十萬零々二百八十. "萬" is old character form of "万"(ten thousand).Even in Meiji period (1868-1912), Japanese language did not have left to right writting. If you write 11 and 12 in Kansuuji, it should be vertical or right to left. Kansuuji means numbers written in Chinese characters used in Japan.The only problem is with the people who have the double zero key on the numpad. How do you represent a double zero with 零?
Maybe "零" for numerical 0 character looks cool.
Not to go too off-topic but regarding the 6u SA space bar, I just learned that the Danger Zone set actually had a 6u space bar. Is there a reason SP wouldn't be able to just use their mold from that set for this (and others)? I don't know anything about keycap manufacturing processes so is it that ABS (Danger Zone) uses different molds than PBT?
I'm probably literally the only person who cares so it probably wouldn't be added to the set even if possible, but I really do like this colorway and have never tried SA so I'm still clinging to hope.
My vote would be for Hiragana (or katakana) with no latin. I dislike sublegends overall, though it does look alright in your mockups too so if that's the way it ends up being I'd still be in.
I agree with what Seelen said. Except for the icon mod :p for me the icon just look more suitable than text but of course, using kanji as the text bring it to another level which I think will look great too. Point is, don't mix the Hiragana with Latin-text-modifiers.
Another suggestion regarding colors. The red on the F row is amazing, adding a nice simple touch to the overall scheme but seems like it will lost on keyboards without F row so my take is: how about red numrow? If you think it will destroy the overall composition, just add it as separate child kit and maybe with more novelties icon (I'm thinking about old Yen coin and make it like dice face–2 coins for number 2) like Carbon did. This way the variation will be richer and most importantly, the overall ambience can be applied on smaller keyboards.
oh yes! PBT SA... that I can live with very well... make it happen! (I usually prefer DSA, but for this set, SA is perfect, especially in PBT)
how the GB gonna be done? (Massdrop, or other?)
Is there any reason the numeric keypad keycaps can't have Arabic digits on them like usual? Japanese keyboards have them, and there would be no question about the appropriate legends for the "0" and "00" keycaps.
I agree with what Seelen said. Except for the icon mod :p for me the icon just look more suitable than text but of course, using kanji as the text bring it to another level which I think will look great too. Point is, don't mix the Hiragana with Latin-text-modifiers.
Another suggestion regarding colors. The red on the F row is amazing, adding a nice simple touch to the overall scheme but seems like it will lost on keyboards without F row so my take is: how about red numrow? If you think it will destroy the overall composition, just add it as separate child kit and maybe with more novelties icon (I'm thinking about old Yen coin and make it like dice face–2 coins for number 2) like Carbon did. This way the variation will be richer and most importantly, the overall ambience can be applied on smaller keyboards.
Perhaps all the legends of this set can be patterned after those of HiPro keycaps?I agree with what Seelen said. Except for the icon mod :p for me the icon just look more suitable than text but of course, using kanji as the text bring it to another level which I think will look great too. Point is, don't mix the Hiragana with Latin-text-modifiers.
Another suggestion regarding colors. The red on the F row is amazing, adding a nice simple touch to the overall scheme but seems like it will lost on keyboards without F row so my take is: how about red numrow? If you think it will destroy the overall composition, just add it as separate child kit and maybe with more novelties icon (I'm thinking about old Yen coin and make it like dice face–2 coins for number 2) like Carbon did. This way the variation will be richer and most importantly, the overall ambience can be applied on smaller keyboards.
Aww, what about Latin on the Shift and Tab? After seeing Realforce HiPro keys - https://imgur.com/YWsM3YQ they look like they'd fit well.
Also, I want to try and keep the key count low for decent pricing.
I don't know about all, I do like the unicode symbols and some keys don't have the real estate for text and a symbol.Please keep us updated if any news arise, really good looking set.....def will join GB
I do think I'll add a 1u 半/全 key to the novelties though
I agree with what Seelen said. Except for the icon mod :p for me the icon just look more suitable than text but of course, using kanji as the text bring it to another level which I think will look great too. Point is, don't mix the Hiragana with Latin-text-modifiers.
Another suggestion regarding colors. The red on the F row is amazing, adding a nice simple touch to the overall scheme but seems like it will lost on keyboards without F row so my take is: how about red numrow? If you think it will destroy the overall composition, just add it as separate child kit and maybe with more novelties icon (I'm thinking about old Yen coin and make it like dice face–2 coins for number 2) like Carbon did. This way the variation will be richer and most importantly, the overall ambience can be applied on smaller keyboards.
I suppose you could always use the F-row 1-12 as your number row, being symbols like they are it's almost interchangeable (well - and + would be your 11/12).
I can add a red spacebar, that way with there are red accented Esc, enter, space bar, and even arrow keys on layouts smaller than TKL.Show Image(https://i.imgur.com/QsE37ax.jpg)MoreAs for the numbers, how's something like this?
Taking an example from the Hanafuda Card game (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanafuda) (no Koi-Koi jokes ;)) which uses months/flowers for 1-12 (maybe 1-12 is better on the F-row instead of numpad), and 'empty' for zero and 'nothing' for double-zero:Show Image(https://i.imgur.com/D5Dqmf6.jpg)
Damn right the F-Row! Why I miss that jeez.. Okay so all good now, just waiting on the modifiers decision. I have some experience in graphic design so don't hesitate if you need any help :)
I think it's best if you used icons only, or alternatively the legends of HiPro keycaps. I find this approach a little, well, inconsistent.Damn right the F-Row! Why I miss that jeez.. Okay so all good now, just waiting on the modifiers decision. I have some experience in graphic design so don't hesitate if you need any help :)
So, I saw the HiPro keys and liked the look of the Tab/Shift.
I think I'm going to stick with the unicode symbol mods with text on the Tab/Shift as the current mock up in the original post shows.
I believe we are running into the exact same issue as we did with the legends of the numeric keypad keycaps. There really is no precedent, and we are not exactly qualified to set one. Personally I think the easiest way out would be to just copy the legends on HiPro keycaps. That would also allow the set have the most utility for both Japanese speakers and non-Japanese speakers.
Realforce HiPro homageThis gave me a boner.......... Almost came :)) cant wait for this to drop for GBShow Image(https://i.imgur.com/wKVxgYj.jpg)
I think using x instead of * for 'times' in numpad is more fitting since you use ÷ instead of /Arallu is taking inspiration from HiPro keycaps.
Look at GMK numpad or DSA Granite for reference.
Since it's in SA you will add more kit right? I mean Ortho of course :D And I suggest using full icon for Ortho kit.
I think using x instead of * for 'times' in numpad is more fitting since you use ÷ instead of /Arallu is taking inspiration from HiPro keycaps.
Look at GMK numpad or DSA Granite for reference.
Since it's in SA you will add more kit right? I mean Ortho of course :D And I suggest using full icon for Ortho kit.
Here we go, I'll just call it Black and Tan and throw the red keys into a color pack add-onShow Image(https://i.imgur.com/lowyNbS.jpg)
The red adds so much to the set, why wouldn't you include it in the base? I would argue that everyone wants the red touches without having to pay extra for that little splash or color. Make more red key alternatives available, but don't take away the red Esc and Enter from the base set at least?Oh I know, I'll have at least the Esc and probably the Enter in the base, just taking pictures. Updated the post above, and going to redo the kits.
I like this second picture for the base set but without the red Shift/Tab, I like the idea of just the esc/enter being the color accent keys without additional add-ons
Maybe it's just me but I would think the backspace should be labeled 切腹.Seppuku?
Agreed, I think the red F-row is much more striking and should be the default.
I really like this design! I would like it in DSA of GMK! :thumb:
I'm not even big on Japanese culture but this is wonderful. I much prefer DSA to SA and I think it'd fit the theme better than GMK, though I'd not say no to it then either.
Not really. My last price quotes were pretty high and I'm not sure this would hit a MOQ to make sense.
I was also waiting to see how GRADE does and what it's priced at when PMK launches it, since it is also PBT R3 dyesub.
I think I still need to cut more keys/color options from the kits to help with price, in hopes of hitting an MOQ's of 50 which might still be a tad pricey.
The recent pricing changes from SP have made it challenging and expensive to run a community group buy. When my TKL quote at MOQ 250 is still 30% higher than Ice Cap's current TKL kit at retail, albeit with a 7 key difference, something is odd.
If it was placed as a set of the month where moq isn't needed, pricing would probably be similar perhaps a little higher to something like IceCap or Industrial or GRADE I would think.
I'm not sure if there's enough interest for an MX compatible uniform R3 rendition of the limited edition Realforce 108UW HiPro JIS keycaps however.
If SP SA is going to be a challenge, you could look into XDA since you were gonna do uniform profile anyway. Obviously it's not as tall as SA, but it is a bit taller and wider than DSA and more pleasant to type on IMO.
I've heard that Maxkeys now has novelty support, that might be the way to go if you want to keep the sculpted SA profile :thumb:
Green inspiredShow Image(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/a0/45/3e/a0453e5c79c5174d0ba02ab6f7a1db77.jpg)Show Image(https://i.imgur.com/QBpHGgF.png)
Green inspiredShow Image(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/a0/45/3e/a0453e5c79c5174d0ba02ab6f7a1db77.jpg)Show Image(https://i.imgur.com/QBpHGgF.png)
The green layout is absolutely gorgeous!!
Could you provide some legends on the ISO enter Key please? Perhaps one of the novelties or so, blank doesn't fit too well
If SP SA is going to be a challenge, you could look into XDA since you were gonna do uniform profile anyway. Obviously it's not as tall as SA, but it is a bit taller and wider than DSA and more pleasant to type on IMO.I second this :D really like the xda profile
I like your Kabuto SA - Meditation keyset. I was thinking of making something of similar colors, but a GMK version.yay :P
Green inspiredShow Image(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/a0/45/3e/a0453e5c79c5174d0ba02ab6f7a1db77.jpg)Show Image(https://i.imgur.com/QBpHGgF.png)
Not a fan of the English sub legends, rather it be only the Japanese. But that's just me.It's not just you :thumb: