Author Topic: Custom Keycap Ideas Thread - all ideas welcome (Read 992655 times)

divito · « **Reply #850 on:** Wed, 20 August 2014, 11:21:42 »

Quote from: rainb1ood on Wed, 20 August 2014, 11:20:45

Idea: 'PCB cap'

While bored at work I was working with there bunch of small PCB and thought what if theres a key cap made out of old PCBs. Maybe this has already been posted, so I'm not sure.

Protoype: (I used double sided tape to stick it on 5 sides of a key cap.
Show Image

Show Image

Show Image

What do you guys think. Half of me think its dumb.

I think that's pretty cool actually.

rainb1ood · « **Reply #851 on:** Wed, 20 August 2014, 11:36:19 »

Quote from: divito on Wed, 20 August 2014, 11:21:42

Quote from: rainb1ood on Wed, 20 August 2014, 11:20:45
Idea: 'PCB cap'

While bored at work I was working with there bunch of small PCB and thought what if theres a key cap made out of old PCBs. Maybe this has already been posted, so I'm not sure.

Protoype: (I used double sided tape to stick it on 5 sides of a key cap.
Show Image

Show Image

Show Image

What do you guys think. Half of me think its dumb.

I think that's pretty cool actually.

Thanks. I dont know yet how to make the edges look cleaner

do_Og@n · « **Reply #852 on:** Wed, 20 August 2014, 23:21:50 »

Quote from: rainb1ood on Wed, 20 August 2014, 11:20:45

Idea: 'PCB cap'

While bored at work I was working with these bunch of small PCB and thought what if theres a key cap made out of old PCBs. Maybe this has already been posted, so I'm not sure.

Protoype: (I used double sided tape to stick it on 5 sides of a key cap.
Show Image

Show Image

Show Image

What do you guys think. Half of me think its dumb.

I like it...hope you keep us all posted.

Dog · « **Reply #853 on:** Sun, 24 August 2014, 03:19:41 »

I made this today while messing around in photoshop. Don't really know what I'm doing though. I named it "60s Diner" because that was all I could think to name it.

Any thoughts?

Tasker · « **Reply #854 on:** Sun, 24 August 2014, 15:19:52 »

Wow, some great ideas here. I have a shop on shapeways with a few 3D printed keycaps on it:
https://www.shapeways.com/shops/gizmobazaar
I might have to just trawl through this whole thread and see what other cool designs I can put together!

nubbinator · « **Reply #855 on:** Sun, 24 August 2014, 18:23:48 »

Quote from: Tasker on Sun, 24 August 2014, 15:19:52

Wow, some great ideas here. I have a shop on shapeways with a few 3D printed keycaps on it:
https://www.shapeways.com/shops/gizmobazaar
I might have to just trawl through this whole thread and see what other cool designs I can put together!

Did you just steal a bunch of caps from people? I saw that because you have more than a few of Cherpella's caps in your store, including her Smallfry tribute cap.

Tasker · « **Reply #856 on:** Mon, 25 August 2014, 03:02:06 »

Quote from: nubbinator on Sun, 24 August 2014, 18:23:48

Quote from: Tasker on Sun, 24 August 2014, 15:19:52
Wow, some great ideas here. I have a shop on shapeways with a few 3D printed keycaps on it:
https://www.shapeways.com/shops/gizmobazaar
I might have to just trawl through this whole thread and see what other cool designs I can put together!

Did you just steal a bunch of caps from people? I saw that because you have more than a few of Cherpella's caps in your store, including her Smallfry tribute cap.

lol no, I've actually been working with Cherp to create some of the keycaps (like the small fry tribute and the starman keycap). That's why her name is mentioned in some of the photos.
She's been coming up with some ideas and I've been trying to make them, but I'm always on the lookout for new ones!

noisyturtle · « **Reply #857 on:** Mon, 25 August 2014, 03:08:35 »

What about a key cap with a small pressure sensor above the stem, and every time you press it there's a voice that says 'PING'

nubbinator · « **Reply #858 on:** Mon, 25 August 2014, 09:12:53 »

Quote from: Tasker on Mon, 25 August 2014, 03:02:06

Quote from: nubbinator on Sun, 24 August 2014, 18:23:48
Quote from: Tasker on Sun, 24 August 2014, 15:19:52
Wow, some great ideas here. I have a shop on shapeways with a few 3D printed keycaps on it:
https://www.shapeways.com/shops/gizmobazaar
I might have to just trawl through this whole thread and see what other cool designs I can put together!

Did you just steal a bunch of caps from people? I saw that because you have more than a few of Cherpella's caps in your store, including her Smallfry tribute cap.

lol no, I've actually been working with Cherp to create some of the keycaps (like the small fry tribute and the starman keycap). That's why her name is mentioned in some of the photos.
She's been coming up with some ideas and I've been trying to make them, but I'm always on the lookout for new ones!

Ahh, okay. There have just been too many people doing this recently that I've turned into quite the cynic.

Tasker · « **Reply #859 on:** Mon, 25 August 2014, 09:46:28 »

That's cool... Ironically I might have to steal that comic though. Made me chuckle

captain · « **Reply #860 on:** Wed, 27 August 2014, 08:51:51 »

Quote from: jdcarpe on Tue, 05 August 2014, 10:48:23

Awesome, DSA. My wallet remains safe.

I don't want to crap on anyone's GB, but what's with all the DSA sets lately? Isn't the whole point of spending $100s on keyboards to make them as perfect as possible, including ergonomics? Great color choices on several sets lately, but that sad, flat, hard-sticking, industrial DSA profile sucks. Get on the DCS bandwagon, people! Your fingers will thank you, and your GBs will go To The Moon! :-)

Hell, sigplast even writes, "The DSA family was mainly created for industrial applications where customers required the keyboard to sustain a drop test of 4-6 feet, so the tighter the mount fit the better. These customers, unlike keyboard enthusiast, were not pulling keys on and off the keyboard." i.e. DCS is for *keyboard enthusiasts"! DSA is for clumsy wanks who drop their keyboards on the floor.

nubbinator · « **Reply #861 on:** Wed, 27 August 2014, 09:20:44 »

Some people don't care for DCS because of how thin it is.

cherpalla · « **Reply #862 on:** Fri, 05 September 2014, 13:56:32 »

Quote from: nubbinator on Wed, 27 August 2014, 09:20:44

Some people don't care for DCS because of how thin it is.

Nub I just read you have a sad. I'm so sorry.

Also, I was considering doing a stone-looking set when I get all my acrylic stuff. I have experience with many different types of faux finishes. What do we think of rocks?

FrostyToast · « **Reply #863 on:** Fri, 05 September 2014, 14:00:32 »

Quote from: rainb1ood on Wed, 20 August 2014, 11:20:45

Idea: 'PCB cap'

While bored at work I was working with these bunch of small PCB and thought what if theres a key cap made out of old PCBs. Maybe this has already been posted, so I'm not sure.

Protoype: (I used double sided tape to stick it on 5 sides of a key cap.
Show Image

Show Image

Show Image

What do you guys think. Half of me think its dumb.

It would be so cool (yet expensive as hell) to have actual circuitry for something like and annoy-a-tron on the actual keycap.

anne · « **Reply #864 on:** Mon, 08 September 2014, 16:39:26 »

Hi folks, I'm new here... ijprest's keyboard layout editor is quite possibly the most fun thing ever. Here are two ideas I've been kicking around, and I'd love any feedback.

This first set was inspired by a peaceful koi pond. I love keycool's rainbow pastel set, but I wanted something ... how shall I say this? With a little less ... unicorn poop?
http://imgur.com/QwpNxel

This one was because I love those purple shades--they remind me of black raspberry and purple yam ice cream!
http://imgur.com/5cnDHe5

Dihedral · « **Reply #865 on:** Fri, 28 November 2014, 07:46:22 »

Quote from: rainb1ood on Wed, 20 August 2014, 11:20:45

Idea: 'PCB cap'

While bored at work I was working with these bunch of small PCB and thought what if theres a key cap made out of old PCBs. Maybe this has already been posted, so I'm not sure.

Protoype: (I used double sided tape to stick it on 5 sides of a key cap.
Show Image

Show Image

Show Image

What do you guys think. Half of me think its dumb.

If refined a bit this could be nice!

coldpizzaa · « **Reply #866 on:** Sat, 29 November 2014, 20:52:09 »

Quote from: noisyturtle on Wed, 06 August 2014, 16:44:22

I want this to happen:
(Attachment Link)

I can't think of any good ideas but that sounds amazing

derezzed · « **Reply #867 on:** Sat, 20 December 2014, 00:57:05 »

I recently got an NMB keyboard (with split space bar) with space invader switches and thought that Space Invader keycaps would look great. But then I thought that they would look better as dye-subbed, laser etched, backlit keys on a black keyboard. Lighting effects from a Ducky Shine keyboard would really make this keycap set stand out. RGB LEDs would make it even better. I didn't finish the whole board but I think this image gives a good idea of what this set could look like.

awesom-o · « **Reply #868 on:** Sat, 20 December 2014, 13:47:47 »

Would really love love love a geek_feng style aluminum silhouette keycap from Case Closed.

Black body, polished silver outline of hair, glasses, nose, smirk, bow tie.

erroneousdetails · « **Reply #869 on:** Mon, 22 December 2014, 08:46:21 »

Quote from: derezzed on Sat, 20 December 2014, 00:57:05

I recently got an NMB keyboard (with split space bar) with space invader switches and thought that Space Invader keycaps would look great. But then I thought that they would look better as dye-subbed, laser etched, backlit keys on a black keyboard. Lighting effects from a Ducky Shine keyboard would really make this keycap set stand out. RGB LEDs would make it even better. I didn't finish the whole board but I think this image gives a good idea of what this set could look like.
(Attachment Link)

I would love this! Space invader caps! I hope someone makes this! I agree that it would be an amazing backlit key.

oledome · « **Reply #870 on:** Tue, 13 January 2015, 15:23:19 »

One of the first keyboards I used I believe to be a BBC Micro computer made by Acorn.

I like the function keys using what looks like a latin ƒ, only there is no hook at the end, and how the number is in subscript.

Dihedral · « **Reply #871 on:** Fri, 16 January 2015, 15:39:54 »

Quote from: oledome on Tue, 13 January 2015, 15:23:19

One of the first keyboards I used I believe to be a BBC Micro computer made by Acorn.

I like the function keys using what looks like a latin ƒ, only there is no hook at the end, and how the number is in subscript.

Show Image

These are nice! Would look good on a retro (Olivetti, or Model M style) keyset.

JinxBones · « **Reply #872 on:** Tue, 20 January 2015, 06:09:37 »

can't seem to find the template you guys use for your keycap ideas. I worked one up on the WASD website but I imagine it's definitely not the standard here. Help a newb out, please.

rowdy · « **Reply #873 on:** Tue, 20 January 2015, 15:21:03 »

Quote from: JinxBones on Tue, 20 January 2015, 06:09:37

can't seem to find the template you guys use for your keycap ideas. I worked one up on the WASD website but I imagine it's definitely not the standard here. Help a newb out, please.

Welcome to Geekhack!

Maybe this one: http://lab.cubiq.org/kbcc/#GFW,WA,GFW,WA

Or this one: http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/

This question is covered in the Simple Questions thread

JinxBones · « **Reply #874 on:** Tue, 20 January 2015, 17:53:30 »

Gah! I fell in the newb hole, thank you so much. I tried the search but I should have looked up that New Stuff page first. Thanks again and my bad.

rowdy · « **Reply #875 on:** Tue, 20 January 2015, 18:44:16 »

Quote from: JinxBones on Tue, 20 January 2015, 17:53:30

Gah! I fell in the newb hole, thank you so much. I tried the search but I should have looked up that New Stuff page first. Thanks again and my bad.

Searching GH effectively is covered there too

JinxBones · « **Reply #876 on:** Tue, 20 January 2015, 23:03:23 »

I have been working with some native Russian speakers to mock up a set of keycaps that would represent a "natively Russian" set of keys since the modifiers on a Russian keyboard are the same modifiers we use in the United States. Tell me what you think.

noktrnlco · « **Reply #877 on:** Sun, 25 January 2015, 05:30:53 »

Here is my idea for a Futurama themed 60% keyset.

"Alienese" Language symbols from the show where available.
Sorry my Photoshop skills are limited. Front Side Print (or anything really) not properly aligned. Colors not yet matched to SP colors. Profile and legend alignment up for suggestions?

Dihedral · « **Reply #878 on:** Sun, 25 January 2015, 05:42:04 »

Quote from: noktrnlco on Sun, 25 January 2015, 05:30:53

Here is my idea for a Futurama themed 60% keyset.

"Alienese" Language symbols from the show where available.
Sorry my Photoshop skills are limited. Front Side Print (or anything really) not properly aligned. Colors not yet matched to SP colors. Profile and legend alignment up for suggestions?

That's pretty wild! Not into futurama but I'm sure there are fans who would lap it up.

suicidal_orange · « **Reply #879 on:** Sun, 25 January 2015, 07:41:11 »

Quote from: JinxBones on Tue, 20 January 2015, 23:03:23

I have been working with some native Russian speakers to mock up a set of keycaps that would represent a "natively Russian" set of keys since the modifiers on a Russian keyboard are the same modifiers we use in the United States. Tell me what you think.

I think you should buy a keyboard with media keys above the number pad to complete the flag

)

Other than that it looks nice and colourful and has a clear meaning - it's a good idea and I'm sure it would sell well.

JinxBones · « **Reply #880 on:** Sun, 25 January 2015, 17:40:47 »

Quote

I think you should buy a keyboard with media keys above the number pad to complete the flag )

Other than that it looks nice and colourful and has a clear meaning - it's a good idea and I'm sure it would sell well.

Thanks for the positive words of encouragement. After posting this to my Russian peers, it turns out that Russians would look at this color arrangement as nearly satirical, as using the flag on everything is not the same as here in 'Murica. So, a more typical color scheme might be more in order. Not that it stopped me from ordering a brightly colored set from WASDkeyboards (as a test run to see how they look before getting into making a set on PBTs).

ZergWriter · « **Reply #881 on:** Wed, 28 January 2015, 15:09:51 »

Quote from: noktrnlco on Sun, 25 January 2015, 05:30:53

Here is my idea for a Futurama themed 60% keyset.

"Alienese" Language symbols from the show where available.
Sorry my Photoshop skills are limited. Front Side Print (or anything really) not properly aligned. Colors not yet matched to SP colors. Profile and legend alignment up for suggestions?

That is an awesome set.

This isn't an idea per say but I'm looking to get a set of backlight compatible keys printed using the Korean layout any advice on where I would go to get it done or where I could buy them? I'm still new to the custom keycap scene so I've no idea where to start I've looked at most of the sites but what I want seems to niche.

JinxBones · « **Reply #882 on:** Mon, 02 February 2015, 18:11:21 »

Here is a set I had worked up by WASDkeyboards as a sample. Also, my only camera is on a crappy phone so...my bad on that part.

phishy · « **Reply #883 on:** Thu, 05 February 2015, 09:25:44 »

How much interest would there be in something like this?

http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/layouts/c3c22158cd225ab512be8d32111207e6

Nai_Calus · « **Reply #884 on:** Fri, 06 February 2015, 14:04:46 »

No one else would ever want either of them, especially not the second, but I totally want ~~both~~all three of these:

http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/layouts/6c151b0be8a44167cc92cf4dd3d7e0fd

http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/layouts/d903be43b19c53216f000f2dd6b59fe7

http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/layouts/a8bf7d9110765ba13ed801317682e541

(The first one is Elsa's ice dress colours, the second is Anna's coronation dress colours, the third is her travel outfit. I've watched too much Frozen.)

derezzed · « **Reply #885 on:** Sat, 07 February 2015, 00:50:20 »

Quote from: JinxBones on Mon, 02 February 2015, 18:11:21

Here is a set I had worked up by WASDkeyboards as a sample. Also, my only camera is on a crappy phone so...my bad on that part.

I don't foresee myself buying keycaps until my collection is nearly complete. I'd rather spend the money on keyboards than on keycaps. However, I love the vintage look of this set. If I had a vintage TKL board, I would seriously consider buying this set. If the legends on the alphas are engraved and painted (they kind of appear to be in the image), that's a really nice touch.

Dihedral · « **Reply #886 on:** Mon, 16 February 2015, 10:52:38 »

Quote from: phishy on Thu, 05 February 2015, 09:25:44

How much interest would there be in something like this?

http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/layouts/c3c22158cd225ab512be8d32111207e6

Looks like midnight in reverse. Like all the PMK key sets, its a bit bright for me.

FoC_Tow · « **Reply #887 on:** Wed, 18 February 2015, 19:50:50 »

Quote from: divito on Wed, 20 August 2014, 11:21:42

Quote from: rainb1ood on Wed, 20 August 2014, 11:20:45
Idea: 'PCB cap'

While bored at work I was working with there bunch of small PCB and thought what if theres a key cap made out of old PCBs. Maybe this has already been posted, so I'm not sure.

Protoype: (I used double sided tape to stick it on 5 sides of a key cap.
Show Image

Show Image

Show Image

What do you guys think. Half of me think its dumb.

I think that's pretty cool actually.

I really like the idea as well actually and I think it would be awesome to turn this into an artisan cap!

If someone would sculpt a pcb on a cap (maybe even different variations) and make molds from them it could look pretty awesome imo.
Especially double shot as a clear cap with opaque (any color really) pcb on top...

A full f row of clear caps with different colored and style PCBs on top would be amazing!

jawad83 · « **Reply #888 on:** Sat, 28 February 2015, 06:08:32 »

I'm in the process of making some caps with different faces here are some pics of the so far😉

d.caminero · « **Reply #889 on:** Sun, 01 March 2015, 14:55:13 »

Quote from: noktrnlco on Sun, 25 January 2015, 05:30:53

Here is my idea for a Futurama themed 60% keyset.

"Alienese" Language symbols from the show where available.
Sorry my Photoshop skills are limited. Front Side Print (or anything really) not properly aligned. Colors not yet matched to SP colors. Profile and legend alignment up for suggestions?

Maybe a bit late, but wow I'd love that keyset! Maybe some Bender love? or the character faces for the F row?

blastoid · « **Reply #890 on:** Mon, 09 March 2015, 14:41:21 »

Quote from: JinxBones on Tue, 20 January 2015, 23:03:23

I have been working with some native Russian speakers to mock up a set of keycaps that would represent a "natively Russian" set of keys since the modifiers on a Russian keyboard are the same modifiers we use in the United States. Tell me what you think.

Omg. I have been working on exactly this, except without access to any native Russian speakers. (Well, there's Dimitar at work, but I really don't know him all that well...)

Actually, just last night I gave up on trying to translate and went with phonetics instead: шифт, делийт

Why am I doing this? Because my dream keyboard looks like could have launched a cold war-era nuclear strike. Brown keys, SA profile, Cyrillic labels, and instead of Enter, a big red ЛАУНЧ. Edit: That's LAUNCH for the uninitiated.

derezzed · « **Reply #891 on:** Mon, 09 March 2015, 23:57:57 »

Quote from: blastoid on Mon, 09 March 2015, 14:41:21

Quote from: JinxBones on Tue, 20 January 2015, 23:03:23
I have been working with some native Russian speakers to mock up a set of keycaps that would represent a "natively Russian" set of keys since the modifiers on a Russian keyboard are the same modifiers we use in the United States. Tell me what you think.

Omg. I have been working on exactly this, except without access to any native Russian speakers. (Well, there's Dimitar at work, but I really don't know him all that well...)

Actually, just last night I gave up on trying to translate and went with phonetics instead: шифт, делийт

Why am I doing this? Because my dream keyboard looks like could have launched a cold war-era nuclear strike. Brown keys, SA profile, Cyrillic labels, and instead of Enter, a big red ЛАУНЧ. Edit: That's LAUNCH for the uninitiated.

Please post images when you get your design hammered out. I already complimented JinxBones' design and I share your sentiment. I want a keycap set that looks like it came from a Soviet or American computer from the era of the 1950s to the early 1970s.

vax · « **Reply #892 on:** Thu, 19 March 2015, 09:55:01 »

Why hasnt there been a Raindrop PBT GB yet? What am I missing?

SpAmRaY · « **Reply #893 on:** Thu, 19 March 2015, 09:57:05 »

Quote from: vax on Thu, 19 March 2015, 09:55:01

Why hasnt there been a Raindrop PBT GB yet? What am I missing?

Massdrop just put up blue on white pbt vortex caps.

noisyturtle · « **Reply #894 on:** Sat, 21 March 2015, 19:16:02 »

Why has no one done a Jason hockey mask yet? Just imagine the backlight possibilities

Bloo · « **Reply #895 on:** Sun, 22 March 2015, 00:37:50 »

I'm very new around here so I don't know much about what's hot and what's not...but why don't I see more ZBIG love?

credit: https://www.massdrop.com/vote/triumph-adler-gmk-replica----cherry-mx-keycap-set-1?referer=KQJNA3#tab-voting

rowdy · « **Reply #896 on:** Sun, 22 March 2015, 01:26:33 »

Quote from: Bloo on Sun, 22 March 2015, 00:37:50

I'm very new around here so I don't know much about what's hot and what's not...but why don't I see more ZBIG love?

Show Image

credit: https://www.massdrop.com/vote/triumph-adler-gmk-replica----cherry-mx-keycap-set-1?referer=KQJNA3#tab-voting

Welcome to Geekhack!

The horrible legends might be one reason why this sort of thing gets no love. Around here Cherry legends seem to be very much preferred ;)

blastoid · « **Reply #897 on:** Tue, 24 March 2015, 14:50:46 »

Quote from: derezzed on Mon, 09 March 2015, 23:57:57

Quote from: blastoid on Mon, 09 March 2015, 14:41:21
Quote from: JinxBones on Tue, 20 January 2015, 23:03:23
I have been working with some native Russian speakers to mock up a set of keycaps that would represent a "natively Russian" set of keys since the modifiers on a Russian keyboard are the same modifiers we use in the United States. Tell me what you think.

Omg. I have been working on exactly this, except without access to any native Russian speakers. (Well, there's Dimitar at work, but I really don't know him all that well...)

Actually, just last night I gave up on trying to translate and went with phonetics instead: шифт, делийт

Why am I doing this? Because my dream keyboard looks like could have launched a cold war-era nuclear strike. Brown keys, SA profile, Cyrillic labels, and instead of Enter, a big red ЛАУНЧ. Edit: That's LAUNCH for the uninitiated.

Please post images when you get your design hammered out. I already complimented JinxBones' design and I share your sentiment. I want a keycap set that looks like it came from a Soviet or American computer from the era of the 1950s to the early 1970s.

Thoughts on this?

http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/layouts/cd2be51682fa25cd3a6c2f1767cf97be

Edit: Oh lord, it's in a disgusting serif font on my Windows laptop. It looked great on my Linux box; I'll have to post a screenshot from there tomorrow.

blastoid · « **Reply #898 on:** Wed, 25 March 2015, 12:00:30 »

derezzed · « **Reply #899 on:** Wed, 25 March 2015, 20:02:29 »

Looks good. I'm not sure how I feel about the colorway, though. It would probably look a lot better on an actual set of keys. I also don't see a caret symbol or greater than symbol. Is that deliberate?


120/100g linear Zealio R1 GMK Hyperfuse 'Split everything' perfection	MX Clear SA Hack'd by Geeks EasyAVR mod

News:

Author Topic: Custom Keycap Ideas Thread - all ideas welcome (Read 992655 times)