Designing the next Topre keycap set

[sth]

[Matt3o]

I hate the internet

[sth]

that's me being excited!!! seriously! this is great. i loved skull squadron and it will be awesome to see it in cylindrical profile. thank you for all your hard work so far matt3o, you have got to be one of the most outstanding members of the keyboard community at large.

[Matt3o]

lol, thanks dude.

I was referring to gifs and memes

[sth]

lol, thanks dude.

I was referring to gifs and memes

i don't meme but i am partial to gifs.
i am MORE partial to topre skull squadron though. here's hoping against hope that there will be blanks

[tofgerl]

Do topre make their own caps? I mean directly.

[Bomble]

Oh boy I'm so ready. Keep up the great work matt3o! Always waiting patiently for further updates.

[Matt3o]

Do topre make their own caps? I mean directly.

they do

[yomammary]

Great!

[romevi]

Aww, yeah!

Don't suppose you can share if this will be a keycap set by itself or if it'll be used on a special edition board?

[strict]

okay I believe we have a winner. The latest SkullSquad revisions I feel meet the "make-it-pop-keep-it-cool" Topre's demands. I made some more updates to the layout and sent it to Topre. I tried to sneak in some extras (such as black ~` and \| and colored WASD). I don't think I will post the final design so it will be a surprise when it comes out All I know is that lead time is 6 months (gosh!)

More work will be needed especially on the legends, but I need to know if they like the overall look and feel. Fingers crossed.

I really think the skull squadron color way is an excellent choice. Thanks for all your hard work, Matt3o!

[Bucake]

damn, 6 months! i'm not necessarily impatient, but i just hope so badly that i will like the set enough to buy it!

and grats matt3o! great work man

[potatowire]

okay I believe we have a winner. The latest SkullSquad revisions I feel meet the "make-it-pop-keep-it-cool" Topre's demands. I made some more updates to the layout and sent it to Topre. I tried to sneak in some extras (such as black ~` and \| and colored WASD). I don't think I will post the final design so it will be a surprise when it comes out All I know is that lead time is 6 months (gosh!)

More work will be needed especially on the legends, but I need to know if they like the overall look and feel. Fingers crossed.

I wish you could also sneak colored HJKL by them too! I'm excited for this.

[tofgerl]

If you need colored HJKL you don't deserve to use vim. You should have to use vi for MONTHS until you're ready to upgrade

[potatowire]

If you need colored HJKL you don't deserve to use vim. You should have to use vi for MONTHS until you're ready to upgrade

Them's fightin' words! I merely want to show my colors in the age-old struggle against evil emacs!

[chiefgrillz]

I've been dormant for a while but i found this thread and was super excited

but with full respect to the great work Matt3o is doing, the final color schemes really aren't what i was hoping for.

in case topre is reading this: i know some others find it boring but i work in a professional environment and I just want a classy set of grey blanks with coloured modifiers (a blank set of anniversary keycaps would be to die for). if the blue/black or lavender/black designs from first post were available I'd be lining up to buy several sets.

anyway depending on the final colour scheme i might buy a set to show Topre there is a market. but i hope if there are other runs in future there might also be a more understated option.

[Chedda7]

I've been dormant for a while but i found this thread and was super excited

but with full respect to the great work Matt3o is doing, the final color schemes really aren't what i was hoping for.

in case topre is reading this: i know some others find it boring but i work in a professional environment and I just want a classy set of grey blanks with coloured modifiers (a blank set of anniversary keycaps would be to die for). if the blue/black or lavender/black designs from first post were available I'd be lining up to buy several sets.

anyway depending on the final colour scheme i might buy a set to show Topre there is a market. but i hope if there are other runs in future there might also be a more understated option.

It seems nearly everything you desire is currently available with the keycap sets Topre has produced in the past.  They would never make a blank set so it's not worth asking.

They wanted something bold and timeless, Matteo, in my opinion, delivered just that. 

[chiefgrillz]

It seems nearly everything you desire is currently available with the keycap sets Topre has produced in the past.  They would never make a blank set so it's not worth asking.
They wanted something bold and timeless, Matteo, in my opinion, delivered just that.

kind of. but availability is the big issue. i was pretty excited about the early designs though.

but yeah, Matteo delivered what topre asked for. looking forward to seeing the final result.

[tofgerl]

It is in fact highly likely that my first Topre board will be one with Matt3o's caps. If it's available on an 87-board, that is.

[Matt3o]

thank you guys for your feedback. It's not easy to make you, me and Topre happy

I'm stil waiting for topre to get back to me on the final set. I'll keep you posted.

[ryahirv]

This is VERY exciting!

Could anyone enlighten me on where/when these should be expected for purchase?
Is this likely an early 2016 type of thing?

Would somebody like EliteKeyboards.com have them?

Would we expect them to be as pricey as the ones that are out there on eBay these days?  (like $150 USD I think)

Thanks so much all!

[Matt3o]

Topre checked the design and they are evaluating feasibility. At a preliminary screening everything seems good.

Massdrop will run a group buy for the set, but as far as I understand it will be a 100% Topre product, so it will be available to all topre retailers.

Manufacturing will probably be very slow, they talked about 6 months, so I'm pretty sure this will be a 2016 product.

[Chedda7]

Topre checked the design and they are evaluating feasibility. At a preliminary screening everything seems good.

Does this mean they approved the aesthetics of the design and are  now doing a technical  review?

[romevi]

Keycaps only or a new board with it?

[ideus]

Congratulations Matt. They are in good grounds with you as a designer, after the phenomenal success of your Granite's design.

I am a Cherry user, and I do not plan to get a Topre keyboard anytime soon, but I wish you the best with this new design. 

[Bucake]

any idea if the colors(white and black) will be color-matched with the white and black RF87U boards..?
that way, it would look very good whether you have a black or a white case

[Matt3o]

any idea if the colors(white and black) will be color-matched with the white and black RF87U boards..?
that way, it would look very good whether you have a black or a white case

no, the colors are different, but they will look good on both white and black case

[korrelate]

variant 2

Show Image

imagine this on a graphite colored case, 55g uniform and silenced.

 that would be damn near an end-game board.

[ryahirv]

I wish they'd make more of the existing key cap sets.
Frustrating.

[yomammary]

Topre checked the design and they are evaluating feasibility. At a preliminary screening everything seems good.

Massdrop will run a group buy for the set, but as far as I understand it will be a 100% Topre product, so it will be available to all topre retailers.

Manufacturing will probably be very slow, they talked about 6 months, so I'm pretty sure this will be a 2016 product.

I already can't wait.

[a_ak57]

What could we roughly expect regarding price?  I mean I know that Topre won't actually state a price for the set this early, but what did they retail the old sets for?  I was late to the game and only saw them sold via resellers on ebay after production apparently ceased.  I figure these would probably be in the ballpark of normal sets but somewhat more expensive due to the limited nature, so I'm curious how much they charged for the old colored sets.

[btctopre]

how much they charged for the old colored sets.

Most single color ANSI sets were around $75 in Japan, then after import/markup EliteKeyboards was selling them for $95-110.

[Hypersphere]

I wish they'd make more of the existing key cap sets.
Frustrating.

+1. I also!

[tofgerl]

The production timetable vexes me. I now want a keyboard with this layout more than I want food. To be fair, I just ate, but still...

[Matt3o]

Topre confirmed feasibility. Now we are picking the right pantone colors.

I don't have any news about pricing sorry.

Also, topre is not able to produce a PBT spacebar, but we already have the tooling, so we are very likely adding one anyway.

[Bucake]

Also, topre is not able to produce a PBT spacebar, but we already have the tooling, so we are very likely adding one anyway.

And will the spacebars be PBT on these?

you betcha

you lied to us!

(jk) thanks for the update!
hopefully those PBT spacebars will happen, because i'm sure i'll be used to the PBT spacebars from massdrop by the time i get this set..

[Bomble]

Nice! When the time comes, do you think the matching PBT spacebars will ship with the set? Or will they be on a separate timeline?

[Matt3o]

Nice! When the time comes, do you think the matching PBT spacebars will ship with the set? Or will they be on a separate timeline?

they will come together.

[Bomble]

Nice! When the time comes, do you think the matching PBT spacebars will ship with the set? Or will they be on a separate timeline?

they will come together.

Music to my ears

[Jedi]

Hey Matt3o any shot they plan on coming back for one more round?  Having a Realforce now, my keyboard wants more! 

[yomammary]

This is will be released next year probably... so I don't get your question.

[chiefgrillz]

Nice! When the time comes, do you think the matching PBT spacebars will ship with the set? Or will they be on a separate timeline?

they will come together.

Excellent! Great job Matt30....  can't wait to order

I hope Topre sees the value in PBT spacebars and can provide them as standard one day (soon preferably  )

[Elrick]

Topre confirmed feasibility. Now we are picking the right pantone colors.

I don't have any news about pricing sorry.

Also, topre is not able to produce a PBT spacebar, but we already have the tooling, so we are very likely adding one anyway.

Didn't I tell everyone here on Geekhack Central, that the Matt3o works of Art shall be recognized everywhere including Japan  .

Now is a PERFECT time to buy some extra Realforce Keyboards because you can now furnish them with Authentic Key-caps made for this particular keyboard.  Shall be buying more 104 keyboards simply because his work looks best upon a full sized keyboard (canvas).

Again thanks for creating another Matt3o special edition.  In fact they (RF) may market their next model keyboard with your babies installed.

[romevi]

Topre confirmed feasibility. Now we are picking the right pantone colors.

I don't have any news about pricing sorry.

Also, topre is not able to produce a PBT spacebar, but we already have the tooling, so we are very likely adding one anyway.

Didn't I tell everyone here on Geekhack Central, that the Matt3o works of Art shall be recognized everywhere including Japan  .

Now is a PERFECT time to buy some extra Realforce Keyboards because you can now furnish them with Authentic Key-caps made for this particular keyboard.  Shall be buying more 104 keyboards simply because his work looks best upon a full sized keyboard (canvas).

Again thanks for creating another Matt3o special edition.  In fact they (RF) may market their next model keyboard with your babies installed.

But isn't the set just for the 87U?

Which, conveniently, is in short supply (at MSRP).

[yomammary]

Topre confirmed feasibility. Now we are picking the right pantone colors.

I don't have any news about pricing sorry.

Also, topre is not able to produce a PBT spacebar, but we already have the tooling, so we are very likely adding one anyway.

Didn't I tell everyone here on Geekhack Central, that the Matt3o works of Art shall be recognized everywhere including Japan  .

Now is a PERFECT time to buy some extra Realforce Keyboards because you can now furnish them with Authentic Key-caps made for this particular keyboard.  Shall be buying more 104 keyboards simply because his work looks best upon a full sized keyboard (canvas).

Again thanks for creating another Matt3o special edition.  In fact they (RF) may market their next model keyboard with your babies installed.

But isn't the set just for the 87U?

Which, conveniently, is in short supply (at MSRP).

All the designs were for 104 keys.

[romevi]

Topre confirmed feasibility. Now we are picking the right pantone colors.

I don't have any news about pricing sorry.

Also, topre is not able to produce a PBT spacebar, but we already have the tooling, so we are very likely adding one anyway.

Didn't I tell everyone here on Geekhack Central, that the Matt3o works of Art shall be recognized everywhere including Japan  .

Now is a PERFECT time to buy some extra Realforce Keyboards because you can now furnish them with Authentic Key-caps made for this particular keyboard.  Shall be buying more 104 keyboards simply because his work looks best upon a full sized keyboard (canvas).

Again thanks for creating another Matt3o special edition.  In fact they (RF) may market their next model keyboard with your babies installed.

But isn't the set just for the 87U?

Which, conveniently, is in short supply (at MSRP).

All the designs were for 104 keys.

Oh, yes. You're right. Was posting from my phone at the time and too lazy to see the original images.

[Bucake]

i am kind of hoping they don't release an actual edition with these caps
this hobby(obsession) is killing my bank account..

[rowdy]

i am kind of hoping they don't release an actual edition with these caps
this hobby(obsession) is killing my bank account..

Welcome to Wallethack

[Bucake]

i am kind of hoping they don't release an actual edition with these caps
this hobby(obsession) is killing my bank account..

Welcome to Wallethack

thank you

[Elrick]

i am kind of hoping they don't release an actual edition with these caps
this hobby(obsession) is killing my bank account..

Welcome to Wallethack

thank you

The best place on Earth to be at, along side with any decent strip club  .