Anyone Make Their Own "custom" DSA Kit from SP?

[TheNamesTy45]

Been scrambling to find keycaps I want for an upcoming build and in the interim on my Ducky One TKL. Just wondering who here has done this http://pimpmykeyboard.com/dsa-sublimated-keycap-sets/ and designed your own custom set of keycaps.

Just curious to see what your experiences are because I'm still frustrated that I missed the Mito XDA Canvas drop on Massdrop a few days ago...

Thanks!

[pixelpusher]

I did light green and dark green

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=85019.msg2274806#msg2274806  on a poker


here it is in a royal glam:



I have a full set of granite that I haven't even opened yet, I'm thinking it could look cool with green mods

[Twinguin]

Actually quite straight forward. You can chose between printed and blank caps and select your colours for the Alphas and the Modifiers. If you need special or extra keys, they also have all width blanks.

This is my first try (the upright one), a Gulf theme is to follow...

[TheNamesTy45]

Oooh this is dangerous. I'm liking what I'm seeing!

[pixelpusher]

I ordered the escape keycap set they have to make sure of the colors I wanted.  The colors they offer in dye sub are the same colors that are in the Escape kit
http://pimpmykeyboard.com/dsa-esc-kit/

[zslane]

As posted elsewhere, I call this one "Blues Traveller":

[pixelpusher]

As posted elsewhere, I call this one "Blues Traveller":

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I like it :)

What case is that?

[a_ak57]

I actually just ordered a set over the weekend so I'll probably get it next week, will take some pics and post them here if I remember.  Went with BCT alphas and BFE mods:

http://i.imgur.com/JFzJO5w.png

I was originally going to go with something more traditional like grey alphas with BCT mods, but I figured if I'm spending all the money I am (had to get an alternate kit for HHKB layout) I might as well go for broke with my very loose DSA dyesub knock-off of Dasher.  Worried that BFE will be too light and look more white than I want, but unfortunately I didn't really have a choice since they have so few options.  Guess I can always part it out if the combo looks bad IRL.

[MandrewDavis]

As posted elsewhere, I call this one "Blues Traveller":

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I like it :)

What case is that?

Looks like a 3D printed Z-Case.

[smithyithy]

I'd be tempted to do this myself if shipping / taxes weren't so harsh..

[zslane]

As posted elsewhere, I call this one "Blues Traveller":

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I like it :)

What case is that?

It's just a regular old Vortex Pok3r.

[zslane]

I actually just ordered a set over the weekend so I'll probably get it next week, will take some pics and post them here if I remember.  Went with BCT alphas and BFE mods:

http://i.imgur.com/JFzJO5w.png

Another Blues Traveller keyboard. Excellent choice! 

[zslane]

BTW, I should point out that my Blues Traveller colorway uses BCT and BDJ. It does not use BFE even though the mods look very pale (like BFE) in my photato. That's just cuz my phone camera overexposes everything and makes those BDJ modifiers look like BFE.

[TheNamesTy45]

I actually just ordered a set over the weekend so I'll probably get it next week, will take some pics and post them here if I remember.  Went with BCT alphas and BFE mods:

http://i.imgur.com/JFzJO5w.png

I was originally going to go with something more traditional like grey alphas with BCT mods, but I figured if I'm spending all the money I am (had to get an alternate kit for HHKB layout) I might as well go for broke with my very loose DSA dyesub knock-off of Dasher.  Worried that BFE will be too light and look more white than I want, but unfortunately I didn't really have a choice since they have so few options.  Guess I can always part it out if the combo looks bad IRL.

Yes, please do post the pictures! Enjoying what I'm seeing so far, and think this is the quickest way to get the colorways I want on my keyboards. Know how you feel about missing a set of keycaps. Just missed the Mito Canvas XDA keycaps. Regret that so so much.

Hope you love what arrives and share with us once you have photos!

[a_ak57]

BTW, I should point out that my Blues Traveller colorway uses BCT and BDJ. It does not use BFE even though the mods look very pale (like BFE) in my photato. That's just cuz my phone camera overexposes everything and makes those BDJ modifiers look like BFE.

My first thought was actually BDJ, but I was worried that the two blues wouldn't have enough contrast so I went with BFE (though now my worry is whether BFE is too white).  I was going off the color chip picture as well as the ESC Pack picture; would you say that one of those is accurate to normal lighting or do BCT/BDJ actually have more contrast than either picture shows anyway?

http://pimpmykeyboard.com/colors/
http://pimpmykeyboard.com/dsa-esc-kit/

I actually just wanted to buy color chips to see the three for myself but I didn't see an option for BFE.  Though I'm realizing just now that I could have just bought BCT/BDJ chips and decided whether that was enough contrast or not anyway.  Oh well.

[ArchDill]

This is intriguing. Is there like an editor that you use?

[smithyithy]

Not that I know of. When I was planning / pricing it up, I had all the keycap colour images open like http://pimpmykeyboard.com/template/images/absred.jpg to see which colours were available and which matched up best.

You can at least put them side by side to get an idea of how they look together

[valniro]

I actually just ordered a set over the weekend so I'll probably get it next week, will take some pics and post them here if I remember.  Went with BCT alphas and BFE mods:

http://i.imgur.com/JFzJO5w.png

I'm really curious to see how that turns out. Please post a pic as soon as possible

[stoic-lemon]

Great idea for a thread. I'm planning do this myself, but always chicken out when I see the shipping. Will probably bite the bullet soon though. You know when you have an idea in your head, and it just won't go away.

[Twinguin]

This is intriguing. Is there like an editor that you use?

You can use the Keyboard-Layout-Editor, it has an option for PBT colours.

http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/


Sent from the road.

[a_ak57]

This is intriguing. Is there like an editor that you use?

For my picture I used the layout editor site mentioned above, but I also did the same as smithy and compared the colors via the pictures on PMK's site since the editor obviously isn't a photorealistic representation.  I also compared using the ESC Pack I linked earlier since the lighting is a bit different.

[zslane]

I would say that the color chip photos give you a pretty good idea of what the colors look like. The contrast between BCT and BDJ is not that high, to be honest. You'll get far more contrast with BFE. Also, I don't think BFE will be too "white".

Bear in mind that BCx has more green in it than BFx, so in terms of tint, the two don't quite match up as well as BCT and BDJ.

[mustardgreens]

I made a custom set from DSA blanks. Went for a retro-gamery vibe:

[Twinguin]

I made a custom set from DSA blanks. Went for a retro-gamery vibe:

That looks really slik. Cool.

[Twinguin]

My (other) take on DSA: Pok3r with BFE alphas, OAX modifiers, and GEC modifiers for the arrows

[pixelpusher]

Both look awesome, Twinguin.  I really dig your color choices

[zslane]

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My (other) take on DSA: Pok3r with BFE alphas, OAX modifiers, and GEC modifiers for the arrows

How did you get the PN key to function as an arrow key?

[Twinguin]

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My (other) take on DSA: Pok3r with BFE alphas, OAX modifiers, and GEC modifiers for the arrows

How did you get the PN key to function as an arrow key?

The Vortex boards have this shortcut: LCtrl, RAlt and Space will toggle the right bottom keys to arrow keys. But that's not permanent, need to redo it everytime you plug it back in.

[Twinguin]

Both look awesome, Twinguin.  I really dig your color choices

Well, thank you.

[mustardgreens]

I made a custom set from DSA blanks. Went for a retro-gamery vibe:

That looks really slik. Cool.

Thanks man!! Big fan of yours too, the grey makes it.

[TheNamesTy45]

Really enjoying these. You have far more creative color choices than what I was thinking! Great looking boards, all!

[panaromico]

With that sublimated kit I made a set with the granite colors:

[zslane]

Well done!

[pixelpusher]

Got my keys in! 

GMC for alphas, RCE for mods, accent Enter key in YCR.  I had the Esc key left over from the Esc pack.  I think it will look better in a dark gray or wooden case. Just trying them out in this new case I got from AliExpress.

[stoic-lemon]

Seriously nice.

[pixelpusher]

Also going to throw out an offer here.  If anyone needs a few keys of a certain color I would be happy to order them as addons in my next order and you can pay me with PayPal. Keys are $5 each from SP. they have to be part of the set you are getting but can be any available color in that set

I'll probably order some more dye dub TKL modifiers in the next few weeks

[theasian]

@reececonrad: that color scheme is unique gives me a batman vibe, well done!

[smithyithy]

That looks great dude, really nice colour combo.

[pixelpusher]

Glad you guys like it.  I do too.  I actually got the idea for it when watching the lego batman movie 

[TheNamesTy45]

Got my keys in! 

GMC for alphas, RCE for mods, accent Enter key in YCR.  I had the Esc key left over from the Esc pack.  I think it will look better in a dark gray or wooden case. Just trying them out in this new case I got from AliExpress.

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I absolutely love that set you made.

You actually just helped me a lot. I'm looking at my second keyboard build, and I'm really wanting to use some custom DSA keycaps. Modifiers will be RCE like yours, but using GSF for the alphas. Made a quick mockup on the keyboard layout editor. Hoping to pair the caps with a Zeal60 board and a Gon Acrylic case with black Gateron switches to keep the black and purple theme.

[Viking_Robot]

Seeing all these makes me want to create a set for sure.

[smithyithy]

I've got a couple orders going through ATM but after those, I'm probably going to make a set via this method in preparation for my Mech Mini. I wanted to do SA R3, using the Otholinear set for alphas and coloured blanks for mods, but SP don't have much, if any, SA R3 blanks in stock apart from shades of grey, and it was working out pretty expensive for a lot of surplus keys.

[zslane]

At the moment Ice Cap is PMK's only R3 SA set that has an ortholinear kit available. It looks like they plan to add the same ortholinear kit to Industrial SA, but they haven't cycled that keyset back around into production yet.

[smithyithy]

Yeah, the Ice Cap kit would be perfect for the alphas I think. It's just making up a set of mods that rack the price up unfortunately.

[a_ak57]

Out of curiosity, how long did it take for your orders to be created/shipped out after you submitted your order?  I know they have to actually make them, just curious what the lead time generally is.

[zslane]

Anything you buy from PMK's webstore takes from 1-2 weeks to arrive to you, depending on where in the world they have to ship to.

[pixelpusher]

weird thing is that I got my purple and gray keycaps up there just 5 days after I ordered them.  I guess they had everything in stock, even though they usually create them to order

[zappysnap]

I did a set a few weeks ago, that also uses the RCE, though the rest is the same color codes as Granite. I call it DSA Geode.

[Twinguin]

I mentioned it on Reddit, and love to repeat it here as well: that is so clean and simple, and looks so damn good. I think I need some purple to match my Sun mouse mat.

... and get rid of KÛL's stock caps!!


Sent from the road. Missing my keyboard.

[pixelpusher]

I did a set a few weeks ago, that also uses the RCE, though the rest is the same color codes as Granite. I call it DSA Geode.

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Looks amazing. 

[OfTheWild]

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My (other) take on DSA: Pok3r with BFE alphas, OAX modifiers, and GEC modifiers for the arrows

Ah so thats how you did it! I love this setup btw. Gulf Racing livery is so iconic.

[TheNamesTy45]

I did a set a few weeks ago, that also uses the RCE, though the rest is the same color codes as Granite. I call it DSA Geode.

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 :eek: Beautiful.

[justinmtype]

Just don't ask for Penumbra.

[Twinguin]

This is my first try (the upright one), a Gulf theme is to follow...

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Regarding a discussion over at reddit, I'll add the colour codes, just in case s/o is interested:

The JD45 is more or less Quartz (GKK alphas; GEC modifiers, actually from the Think Different set) plus some OAX highlights. The Core has its Vortex caps plus OAX arrows and an RBH Escape.

[TheNamesTy45]

So, I think I'll be creating a custom set soon because my IC for the Ubuntu / Spyro theme didn't go as well as I had hoped. It's all good though, as I bought some Skeletor caps to keep myself happy with a really unique and vibrant colorway from GMK in the meantime. 

Without further ado, I have purple (RCE) alphas and orange (OAZ) modifiers. The colors aren't as vibrant as the originally intended colors, but I think this is as close as I can get for now. Wish I could get the stepped caps lock in the appropriate color, but beggers can't be choosers.

[fatpolomanjr]

Dang it, I should have looked at this thread before ordering. GMC is lighter in color than I was hoping for. I should have ordered GEC instead. Guess I'll find out on Monday.

[Slippin Jimmy]

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My (other) take on DSA: Pok3r with BFE alphas, OAX modifiers, and GEC modifiers for the arrows

Wow, that's gorgeous. How long was the turnaround once your order was placed?

[Captainbuttmonkey]

Got my keys in! 

GMC for alphas, RCE for mods, accent Enter key in YCR.  I had the Esc key left over from the Esc pack.  I think it will look better in a dark gray or wooden case. Just trying them out in this new case I got from AliExpress.

(Attachment Link)

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Deep Space?

[Twinguin]

Wow, that's gorgeous. How long was the turnaround once your order was placed?

I think it was within two weeks from the order to arriving at my door. Within the US and normal delivery.



Sent from the road. Missing my keyboard.

[potatobot]

I did a set a few weeks ago, that also uses the RCE, though the rest is the same color codes as Granite. I call it DSA Geode.

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I thought it was a DSA version of  Muted.

anyways how much does a 60% custom colored DSA keyset from SP cost? lead time?

wanted to ask if the font they use would be the same as the ones on granite aswell?

Only PBT?

[zappysnap]

I did a set a few weeks ago, that also uses the RCE, though the rest is the same color codes as Granite. I call it DSA Geode.

Show Image

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I thought it was a DSA version of  Muted.

anyways how much does a 60% custom colored DSA keyset from SP cost? lead time?

wanted to ask if the font they use would be the same as the ones on granite aswell?

Only PBT?

They're always this font. This set cost $92 and was in my hands 6 days after ordering. $15 of that was for the three additional keys (the purple ESC and Enter, and the extra FN key to fit in place of Caps Lock)

[pixelpusher]

I did a set a few weeks ago, that also uses the RCE, though the rest is the same color codes as Granite. I call it DSA Geode.

Show Image

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I thought it was a DSA version of  Muted.

anyways how much does a 60% custom colored DSA keyset from SP cost? lead time?

wanted to ask if the font they use would be the same as the ones on granite aswell?

Only PBT?

Here's where we get the sets:
http://pimpmykeyboard.com/dsa-sublimated-keycap-sets/

If the colors you choose are in stock (does happen, but not always), I've received them 4 days after ordering.  Plan on 2 weeks max.

Full set is going to cost around $75 for 60% and $90 for TKL, plus shipping.

It is NOT the same font as Granite, but it's close.  It's really hard to tell on modifiers, but you can spot it on the alphas.  It looks slightly thinner than Granite and some of the letters, like Q, are a dead giveaway for miss-matches.  However, I think it blends nicely if you are mixing alphas with mods.

Yes, these are dye sublimated PBT only.

[potatobot]

I did a set a few weeks ago, that also uses the RCE, though the rest is the same color codes as Granite. I call it DSA Geode.

Show Image

Show Image

Show Image

I thought it was a DSA version of  Muted.

anyways how much does a 60% custom colored DSA keyset from SP cost? lead time?

wanted to ask if the font they use would be the same as the ones on granite aswell?

Only PBT?

They're always this font. This set cost $92 and was in my hands 6 days after ordering.

Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk

I did a set a few weeks ago, that also uses the RCE, though the rest is the same color codes as Granite. I call it DSA Geode.

Show Image

Show Image

Show Image

I thought it was a DSA version of  Muted.

anyways how much does a 60% custom colored DSA keyset from SP cost? lead time?

wanted to ask if the font they use would be the same as the ones on granite aswell?

Only PBT?

Here's where we get the sets:
http://pimpmykeyboard.com/dsa-sublimated-keycap-sets/

If the colors you choose are in stock (does happen, but not always), I've received them 4 days after ordering.  Plan on 2 weeks max.

Full set is going to cost around $75 for 60% and $90 for TKL, plus shipping.

It is NOT the same font as Granite, but it's close.  It's really hard to tell on modifiers, but you can spot it on the alphas.  It looks slightly thinner than Granite and some of the letters, like Q, are a dead giveaway for miss-matches.  However, I think it blends nicely if you are mixing alphas with mods.

Yes, these are dye sublimated PBT only.

Awesome, pricing isnt half as bad, so basically it would depend on the colors you choose then

I might make a set very soon thanks guys!

[zslane]

It is NOT the same font as Granite, but it's close.

SP's font is called Gorton Modified. Granite's font is Gotham Rounded Book. They are similar, but not the same. (They are similar enough that I use Gotham Rounded Book to stand in for Gorton Modified in all my CG keycap renders.)

[jnthnrvs]

Got my keys in! 

GMC for alphas, RCE for mods, accent Enter key in YCR.  I had the Esc key left over from the Esc pack.  I think it will look better in a dark gray or wooden case. Just trying them out in this new case I got from AliExpress.

(Attachment Link)

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I'm really loving RCE on your board and zappysnap's. That's a very classy look. I have some similar stuff in my cart at PMK right this moment.

By the way.. how do you like that Chinese aluminum case? I'm thinking about getting one for my first 60% board, and I was curious about your initial impressions of it. Care to share?

[a_ak57]

Now that I actually have my JTK sliders, I can finally post the set I had mentioned some time back (BCT alphas with BFE mods):




A couple of the keys are crooked sadly, but luckily it's not really noticeable from the angle I normally see the board when sitting.  Also have a 6u BCT spacebar I can use once I get some extra topre spacebars to sacrifice and steal the stems from.

[pixelpusher]

The case is great. Nice finish, super heavy.  The only issue you could have with it is that there is quite a bit of space between the plate and the edge of the case.  I'm pretty picky, though, and it doesn't bother me once the keycaps are on.  I would certainly buy it again if I had the need

I recently noticed they are selling this case on eBay, which is nice 👍

[pixelpusher]

Now that I actually have my JTK sliders, I can finally post the set I had mentioned some time back (BCT alphas with BFE mods):

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A couple of the keys are crooked sadly, but luckily it's not really noticeable from the angle I normally see the board when sitting.  Also have a 6u BCT spacebar I can use once I get some extra topre spacebars to steam the stems from.

Love BCT.  Such a nice clean blue

[fatpolomanjr]

I have my Planck keycaps ready to go. Just need to wait for the planck to ship in June. GKK (light gray / off white) Ortho Base, RBH and GSF Ortho modifiers. They forgot a "." key but shipped it out right when I let them know. I'm happy with the way the colors turned out.

[jnthnrvs]

The case is great. Nice finish, super heavy.  The only issue you could have with it is that there is quite a bit of space between the plate and the edge of the case.  I'm pretty picky, though, and it doesn't bother me once the keycaps are on.  I would certainly buy it again if I had the need

I recently noticed they are selling this case on eBay, which is nice

Super. Thanks for the mini-review. It's on my shopping list once the board comes in.


Back on topic (sorry, everybody): I also pulled the trigger on some custom dye sub DSAs. Went with Granite greys so that I could match it up to that set if some of those kits ever came my way. And then I added some simple mods in RCE, YCR, and Bsomethingsomething. Thanks for the visual inspiration on the RCE especially. It looks so so nice.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[jnthnrvs]

Now that I actually have my JTK sliders, I can finally post the set I had mentioned some time back (BCT alphas with BFE mods):

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Oooo, definitely going to pick up some BFE accents next time around. That's really nice, and I think the closest thing you can get to the BFV (I think) of DSA Quartz.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Ozymandias99]

Anyone have any colour recommendation for a Planck set with this case? I already bought the case (red varient) but I can't figure out what caps to buy.

[jnthnrvs]

Anyone have any colour recommendation for a Planck set with this case? I already bought the case (red varient) but I can't figure out what caps to buy.

Have you had a look at the PBT color chips pictured at the bottom of this page? http://pimpmykeyboard.com/colors/

[jnthnrvs]

My custom DSA caps arrived today, just 7 weekdays after ordering! Very, very pleased about that.

I got these to cover an incoming XD60-based 60%+ board (tentative layout pictured), but also to try on a Tada/Saber68 when it arrives.

I went with Granite colors so that I could easily add a true Granite two-tone numpad kit (the custom kit only gives you a monotone numpad) in the future (for a separate numpad or to cover a UK78 board, if that becomes a reality... or a 96 key layout).

Here's what I bought:
- 60% base
- TKL mods
- 4x 1.75u blanks (planning to make Caps Lock -> FN, and also possibly try some wizardry with right Shift)
- 10x 1u blanks. (Because I don't know what I'll settle on for those 3 bottom right blank keys)
- Indecision BFE, RCE, YCR accents (of which I like YCR and BFE best.)

In retrospect, I probably should have just gotten the "Alternate Kit" instead of all those blanks. Oh well. Some other time.

I would have gone for BFV blue accents ala DSA Quartz, but that color isn't available, apparently.

I'll probably also get a spacebar accent in BFE or maybe in RCB. I think RCE turned out a little dark for such a "light" colorway. Would look nice for cursor key accents maybe?

This is my first DSA set, so I'm interested to see how it will be to type on. Hurry up, USPS. Overall, I'm pleased with what I've seen so far.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[TheNamesTy45]

Just had this bizarre set come in today.

[pixelpusher]

Just had this bizarre set come in today.

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Looks great. Good choice with that case too

[mudcakehoney]

I’m going to hazard a guess that the alphas can only be printed in dark, is this true? Is there anywhere that lets you choose the font colour also?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Twinguin]

I’m going to hazard a guess that the alphas can only be printed in dark, is this true? Is there anywhere that lets you choose the font colour also?

Guessed right! At least the PMK sets will always have dark prints (or be blank of course). I am not aware of any other shop that does fully customisable DSAs.

[mudcakehoney]

I’m going to hazard a guess that the alphas can only be printed in dark, is this true? Is there anywhere that lets you choose the font colour also?

Guessed right! At least the PMK sets will always have dark prints (or be blank of course). I am not aware of any other shop that does fully customisable DSAs.

Makes sense cost wise I guess, but being able to match your modifier keys with the alpha text would give us next level customisation! I would definitely pay more for that.. (If anyone is listening )

[zslane]

As far as I know, reverse dyesub still has difficulty with consistent pigment coverage when doing solid colors (as opposed to the swirly, noisy patterns you typically see).

[Bjack795]

Excuse me, I have my own layout

How can I make it with Pimp my keyboard? I can't find how to submit it on the website

[Rumblehotep]

First ever custom keyset I bought two years ago for my old filco mj2 was this Lithuanian themed set.
Using it now on this convertible for my tv room/couch computering.
Swapped in box pale blues but due to the whole stem cracking thing I put in some gateron blues for the recently acquired artisans.
I didn't want to swap out the pale blues entirely cause I figure 1. dyesub pbt is tougher than gmk abs, 2. they don't have those side spurs on the stem, and 3. the feel of dsa on pale blues is one of my favorites, like typing on a hole punch or clicking your tongue every keystroke.