Author Topic: [IC] KAM Aquanaut (Updated 03/15/19) (Read 61620 times)

FSund · « **Reply #50 on:** Thu, 28 February 2019, 08:59:46 »

Quote from: ThomRM on Thu, 28 February 2019, 08:01:27

Quote from: kidpid on Wed, 27 February 2019, 14:04:32
This set is super cool. I'd definitely rather see it on SA R3 or XDA. I get that you want the caps to look clean (which they do, they look great!), but have you checked what it would look like with the secondary characters on them (i.e. 1!, 2@, etc.)?

I'd considered the secondary characters, but I really love the mono look and I think it fits the set more. If I decide to reuse these legends for another set down the road I might add the secondaries though.

Monolegends look awesome IMO. And expecially for international users like me, since then I don't have to worry about having the wrong legends on the number keys.

Quote from: ThomRM on Thu, 28 February 2019, 08:01:27

Quote from: Minterly on Wed, 27 February 2019, 21:42:01
Holy **** yes 1000% yes on Polarnaut. If you make it SA R3 I'll get 3 sets. Grey on white is the exact colorway I was going to try and design myself and you've done all the work for me 😂

edit: ALSO but please keep the fish related adorable novelties because I love the fish thanks

So far the reaction to Polarnaut has been really good, so that could definitely maybe be a thing! Right now I'm about 75% sure this is going to be DSA, probably to keep the price point and turnaround time reasonable, but I still haven't ruled out SA row 3. I need to talk to some people to see what makes the most sense.

I would be much more interested in PBT than ABS, and AFAIK SP doesn't make R3 PBT sets. I might be wrong though..

kidpid · « **Reply #51 on:** Thu, 28 February 2019, 11:01:42 »

Quote from: FSund on Thu, 28 February 2019, 08:59:46

I would be much more interested in PBT than ABS, and AFAIK SP doesn't make R3 PBT sets. I might be wrong though..

SA Ice Cap is R3 PBT https://pimpmykeyboard.com/sa-ice-cap-keyset/.

Minterly · « **Reply #52 on:** Thu, 28 February 2019, 15:47:40 »

Quote from: kidpid on Thu, 28 February 2019, 11:01:42

Quote from: FSund on Thu, 28 February 2019, 08:59:46
I would be much more interested in PBT than ABS, and AFAIK SP doesn't make R3 PBT sets. I might be wrong though..

SA Ice Cap is R3 PBT https://pimpmykeyboard.com/sa-ice-cap-keyset/.

I love SA Ice. I have 2 sets of it heh

Bruek · « **Reply #53 on:** Thu, 28 February 2019, 21:24:01 »

This is adorable!

Pluto19 · « **Reply #54 on:** Fri, 01 March 2019, 03:18:00 »

This is dope. I love it.

+1 for monolegends
+1 for thick Keyreative KAM

Polarnaut is just okay for me. It's a super clean idea, but it doesn't click as well as the wonderfully executed Aquanaut and theme to me.

And would you be open to adding two 1.5u Alt keys to the Alternate kits for Tsangan/WKL comparability?

ThomRM · « **Reply #55 on:** Fri, 01 March 2019, 06:50:52 »

Quote from: Pluto19 on Fri, 01 March 2019, 03:18:00

This is dope. I love it.

+1 for monolegends
+1 for thick Keyreative KAM

Polarnaut is just okay for me. It's a super clean idea, but it doesn't click as well as the wonderfully executed Aquanaut and theme to me.

And would you be open to adding two 1.5u Alt keys to the Alternate kits for Tsangan/WKL comparability?

I'm aiming for maximum compatibility, so that's definitely a possibility. There's been a lot of interest in the alternates kits, so lots of people need these non-standard keys!

)

kidpid · « **Reply #56 on:** Fri, 01 March 2019, 16:58:40 »

Could you add some 1.25U and 1.5U versions of the navy novelties to the novelties kit so we can replace mods on staggered layouts?

Visionaire · « **Reply #57 on:** Fri, 01 March 2019, 20:37:05 »

Really nice

TuCZnak · « **Reply #58 on:** Sat, 02 March 2019, 17:00:28 »

Polarnaut looks nice, would the white work in combo with blue modifiers? Otherwise digging the legends, DSA PBT for sure, bonus points if you manage to get the keycaps nice and thick ;-)

ThomRM · « **Reply #59 on:** Sun, 03 March 2019, 13:57:09 »

Quote from: TuCZnak on Sat, 02 March 2019, 17:00:28

Polarnaut looks nice, would the white work in combo with blue modifiers? Otherwise digging the legends, DSA PBT for sure, bonus points if you manage to get the keycaps nice and thick ;-)

Yeah! I was thinking you could mix and match with the polars.

lightingghost · « **Reply #60 on:** Sun, 03 March 2019, 16:17:34 »

I do love the color ways! But I feel like it will look better if the keycaps has a smooth surface instead of a matte one. So do you consider KAT or KAM profile?

Jaxxstatic · « **Reply #61 on:** Mon, 04 March 2019, 15:00:40 »

I agree with Brian and Jae from Top Clack about having the F Row keys all light blue to represent the light at the top of the water. I don't particularly like color blocking F5 through F8 on non-gradient keysets anyway.

Radon86 · « **Reply #62 on:** Mon, 04 March 2019, 17:59:52 »

Could the polarnaut version have gradient blue legends? something like DSA Mystery Alphas

obtuse · « **Reply #63 on:** Wed, 06 March 2019, 09:36:38 »

Looks great, totally in on this one. Personally never digged the dark legends on dark background though, but this still looks really cool!

8six753o9 · « **Reply #64 on:** Wed, 06 March 2019, 09:39:18 »

Quote from: Jaxxstatic on Mon, 04 March 2019, 15:00:40

I agree with Brian and Jae from Top Clack about having the F Row keys all light blue to represent the light at the top of the water. I don't particularly like color blocking F5 through F8 on non-gradient keysets anyway.

+1 this!!

velcrovan · « **Reply #65 on:** Thu, 07 March 2019, 09:31:39 »

Quote from: ThomRM on Mon, 18 February 2019, 10:40:23

Quote from: iaman on Mon, 18 February 2019, 10:06:45
Digging the color choices here. Feel like it could use an anchor for a novelty key (or an extra "anchor arrows" kit)

Anchor arrows sound pretty fun! I'll consider that!

Anchors don’t denote movement!

The clear choice for novelty arrows is harpoons

Filled out your form!

jshufelt · « **Reply #66 on:** Fri, 15 March 2019, 06:54:39 »

Seconding the request for the addition of 2 1.5u Alt keys in the Alternate sets.

Otherwise, love these sets!

ThomRM · « **Reply #67 on:** Fri, 15 March 2019, 11:30:22 »

Another update here. I've been really busy with other stuff lately, but I have talked with zFrontier and Keyreative and they've agreed to produce the set. So that means KAM profile instead of DSA. I'll be sending out color chips soon, so they can start matching and getting samples back to me.

I got a load of plastic chips from Pantone to try and get the colors as close to the original vision as possible and after a lot of trial and error, finally nailed down a set that I think works. All of the images have been updated with the new colors, and I also did a few renders and added them to the original post. (I also added a photo of the chips so you can get and idea of what the colors look like in the real world.)

I think I should have a more solid grasp on dates and prices and everything soon, so hopefully another update shortly.

ThomRM · « **Reply #68 on:** Fri, 15 March 2019, 11:32:59 »

Quote from: jshufelt on Fri, 15 March 2019, 06:54:39

Seconding the request for the addition of 2 1.5u Alt keys in the Alternate sets.

Otherwise, love these sets!

Oh! I also swapped out the 1.5u control keys in the alternates kits for alt keys, as that seemed to make more sense...

piit79 · « **Reply #69 on:** Fri, 15 March 2019, 11:35:17 »

Quote from: ThomRM on Fri, 15 March 2019, 11:30:22

Another update here. I've been really busy with other stuff lately, but I have talked with zFrontier and Keyreative...

Is that a wise choice? I read some terrible things about the way zFrontier handle group buys...

Sent from my OnePlus 6T with a rubbish gimmicky bloody annoying unreliable in-display fingerprint reader using Tapatalk

Pluto19 · « **Reply #70 on:** Fri, 15 March 2019, 15:47:14 »

I'm so excited :3

jshufelt · « **Reply #71 on:** Fri, 15 March 2019, 16:07:40 »

Quote from: ThomRM on Fri, 15 March 2019, 11:32:59

Quote from: jshufelt on Fri, 15 March 2019, 06:54:39
Seconding the request for the addition of 2 1.5u Alt keys in the Alternate sets.

Otherwise, love these sets!

Oh! I also swapped out the 1.5u control keys in the alternates kits for alt keys, as that seemed to make more sense...

I probably should have been more clear - I was looking for support for WKL R4, so really, I'm after two 1.5u CTRL and two 1.5u ALT. Would also be necessary for a 1.5/1/1.5/7/1.5/1/1.5 R4 layout.

obtuse · « **Reply #72 on:** Sat, 16 March 2019, 04:18:13 »

Quote from: piit79 on Fri, 15 March 2019, 11:35:17

Quote from: ThomRM on Fri, 15 March 2019, 11:30:22
Another update here. I've been really busy with other stuff lately, but I have talked with zFrontier and Keyreative...

Is that a wise choice? I read some terrible things about the way zFrontier handle group buys...

Sent from my OnePlus 6T with a rubbish gimmicky bloody annoying unreliable in-display fingerprint reader using Tapatalk

I agree, from what I've read in the KIRA80 & KIRA S GB thread I'd stay away from zFrontier. This could be a deal breaker for some folks perhaps... ?

FSund · « **Reply #73 on:** Sat, 16 March 2019, 05:13:27 »

Quote from: obtuse on Sat, 16 March 2019, 04:18:13

Quote from: piit79 on Fri, 15 March 2019, 11:35:17

Quote from: ThomRM on Fri, 15 March 2019, 11:30:22
Another update here. I've been really busy with other stuff lately, but I have talked with zFrontier and Keyreative...

Is that a wise choice? I read some terrible things about the way zFrontier handle group buys...

Sent from my OnePlus 6T with a rubbish gimmicky bloody annoying unreliable in-display fingerprint reader using Tapatalk

I agree, from what I've read in the KIRA80 & KIRA S GB thread I'd stay away from zFrontier. This could be a deal breaker for some folks perhaps... ?

^ This

Also, I would prefer DSA over KAM. Is KAM available in PBT? A quick google search gave no answer.

TuCZnak · « **Reply #74 on:** Sat, 16 March 2019, 05:43:21 »

Quote from: ThomRM on Fri, 15 March 2019, 11:30:22

Another update here. I've been really busy with other stuff lately, but I have talked with zFrontier and Keyreative and they've agreed to produce the set. So that means KAM profile instead of DSA.

RIP, now I can't use any DSA novelties with the Polarnaut. Also heard some bad stuff about zFrontier...

sevenseacat · « **Reply #75 on:** Sat, 16 March 2019, 06:21:48 »

Oh I love the colours, but really want Colemak support!

What bad things have people heard about zFrontier? I've bought a couple of sets from them in GBs, not had any issues...

overflow · « **Reply #76 on:** Sat, 16 March 2019, 06:59:31 »

I am serious. row 3 is NECESSARY. A MUST-HAVE. I really WANT IT!
color scheme is so awesome. many artisans are SA profile. and there are many artisan fits in the color of this key capset.

i love love it

oh.. i didnt notice that you chose KAM profile for it. SAD..

TuCZnak · « **Reply #77 on:** Sat, 16 March 2019, 07:25:26 »

Quote from: sevenseacat on Sat, 16 March 2019, 06:21:48

Oh I love the colours, but really want Colemak support!

What bad things have people heard about zFrontier? I've bought a couple of sets from them in GBs, not had any issues...

Repeated delays and total lack of communication (see e.g. Kira80 thread for "how not to do group buys 101").
As for Colemak, KAM isn't a sculpted profile.

sevenseacat · « **Reply #78 on:** Sat, 16 March 2019, 07:47:31 »

Quote from: TuCZnak on Sat, 16 March 2019, 07:25:26

As for Colemak, KAM isn't a sculpted profile.

That's true, but when all the rows are different colours, mixing them up to match the Colemak layout isn't really optimal

TuCZnak · « **Reply #79 on:** Sat, 16 March 2019, 07:52:32 »

Quote from: sevenseacat on Sat, 16 March 2019, 07:47:31

Quote from: TuCZnak on Sat, 16 March 2019, 07:25:26
As for Colemak, KAM isn't a sculpted profile.

That's true, but when all the rows are different colours, mixing them up to match the Colemak layout isn't really optimal

Welp, I was thinking about Polarnaut and completely forgot, my bad

Pluto19 · « **Reply #80 on:** Sat, 16 March 2019, 16:39:50 »

So I just read up on all this zFrontier shenanigans and I hope KAM works out for the best!

Don't get me wrong. I still want this, but just the current community climate and zFrontier's recent business practices are making me a bit worried.

vicissitude · « **Reply #81 on:** Sat, 16 March 2019, 19:27:05 »

Wow.
This might be my first KAM.
Look forward to it.

riesz · « **Reply #82 on:** Mon, 01 April 2019, 19:15:47 »

Any ideas on distribution channels? A EU reseller would be sweet.

Moridin · « **Reply #83 on:** Mon, 01 April 2019, 23:50:11 »

Oh yeah, we really need an EU proxy.

lightingghost · « **Reply #84 on:** Tue, 02 April 2019, 11:47:46 »

I would appreciate it if you could add a 2u shift

FSund · « **Reply #85 on:** Wed, 03 April 2019, 02:23:39 »

Just to provide some further info on the issues with zFrontier. There have been a lot of problems with the Starry Night set and the Aurora 96 keyboard, as well as other group buys through them.

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=92394.0
https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/axru1y/officially_been_30_days_since_my_zfrontier_order/
https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/b8sfzw/my_disappointing_experience_with_zfrontier/

Yonben · « **Reply #86 on:** Wed, 03 April 2019, 05:33:33 »

Loving the set. Too bad it's zFrontier. Would def consider buying through EU proxy though

Kralj_Sombra · « **Reply #87 on:** Wed, 03 April 2019, 14:39:59 »

Definitely interested in this for a project. It's the first time I've seen something close to the color gradients I've wanted.

After reading up on zFrontier, there's no way I'll join in if it's through them. Seems all of their recent Group Buys have gone south

factoryofidols · « **Reply #88 on:** Tue, 30 April 2019, 13:56:51 »

Would love to see this keep moving forward, such a cool concept.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

piit79 · « **Reply #89 on:** Tue, 30 April 2019, 14:01:15 »

Quote from: ThomRM on Fri, 15 March 2019, 11:32:59

Oh! I also swapped out the 1.5u control keys in the alternates kits for alt keys, as that seemed to make more sense...

Any news? Would also love to see this beautiful set come to life...

Sent from my OnePlus 6T with a rubbish gimmicky bloody annoying unreliable in-display fingerprint reader using Tapatalk

Surefoot · « **Reply #90 on:** Wed, 01 May 2019, 07:42:05 »

I will jump on that one if there is ISO support

I am too not fond of gradient sets, but that one is strikingly beautiful.

enome · « **Reply #91 on:** Sun, 12 May 2019, 16:17:54 »

ne update avail?

jtm94 · « **Reply #92 on:** Tue, 28 May 2019, 21:38:04 »

Am also curious as to potential updates. Really liking how this looks.

jariss · « **Reply #93 on:** Wed, 29 May 2019, 00:01:52 »

Been wanting to try KAM profile. The gradient on this is done right. Hopefully ZF handles the gb well without problems.

MdotMaxson · « **Reply #94 on:** Wed, 29 May 2019, 07:47:09 »

I just woke up from a dream where I was swimming in KAM Aquanaut

Shutter_Shock · « **Reply #95 on:** Fri, 07 June 2019, 00:27:44 »

Count me in. This set is beautiful.

Rensuya · « **Reply #96 on:** Sat, 08 June 2019, 17:25:34 »

I hope this does well. The blues are killer, it will be my first KAM set. Good job on the set

Sintpinty · « **Reply #97 on:** Mon, 10 June 2019, 20:19:50 »

Quote from: ThomRM on Mon, 18 February 2019, 08:53:40

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Hey Guys! This is an IC for my first pass at a custom set, meant to evoke the feeling of diving in some tropical paradise, DSA Aquanaut!
I've designed a full set of custom legends for this, including both text and icon modifiers and a few novelties.
~~DSA profile was chosen because I love the versatility of non-sculpted profiles, but I'd definitely be open to considering something else. (Maybe all SA Row 3?)~~
Keyreative is going to be be producing the set, so it will be KAM profile!

It looks very cute! Love those fish novelties 🐟

I've included some faux-renders (and some actual renders!) that I put together, as well as the different kits I'm proposing.

Thanks for taking a look, and I'd love to hear your feedback!

Google Poll: https://goo.gl/forms/jO3HpMYs5Rpe2nG93

Updates

02/19/19 - Slight tweaks to legends (M, Y, 3, Comma, Semicolon)
02/27/19 - This past week I've been trying to line up some partners to help get this made. I think I should have a bigger update on that soon. Added Polarnaut test.
03/15/19 - Tweaked colors after getting physical pantone chips, and added a few renders. zFrontier and Keyreative will be helping to get this made.

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Renders

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Kits

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Colors

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Polarnaut

The reaction I've gotten to the legends has been pretty positive, so I wanted to get some eyes on this and see if there would be any interest in a more basic kit. All white?

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MdotMaxson · « **Reply #98 on:** Thu, 13 June 2019, 13:39:26 »

Is KAM I sculpted?

eskimojo · « **Reply #99 on:** Fri, 14 June 2019, 06:19:34 »

Quote from: MdotMaxson on Thu, 13 June 2019, 13:39:26

Is KAM I sculpted?

No - KAT is sculpted, KAM is not.

News:

Author Topic: [IC] KAM Aquanaut (Updated 03/15/19) (Read 61620 times)