[IC] KAT Ice Dragon

[driftingbunnies]

Hey everyone! I've been wanting to show off a blue set that I've had in the works for a little bit. The theme is Ice Dragon but I wanted to use the eastern dragon rather than the western dragon. The kit images are just there to demonstrate the keys in each kit. We will be using the default KAT fonts for both regular alphas and Cangjie Alphas. I'll make sure to reach out to zfrontier about the novelty details to confirm if those are possible. I've reached out for some samples and hope to receive some in the next month or so. I don't have a deskmat designed for it yet but if there's enough interest, I'll look to get one done. Without further ado, KAT Ice Dragon!

IC Form



Kits








































Deskmat


by caozheng_

Renders












Current list of changes to be made:

• Update "Ice" character to be the Chinese character rather than Japanese
• Add R4 Esc
• Add Norde Kit (North)
• Separate 40s/Ortho
• Add mod colored Pipe key for UK ISO
• Change mod pipe keys to alpha kits
• Add legends to ergo kit
• Change mod ~ keys to alpha kits

To dos:

• Receive samples and feedback from IC
• Get more renders
• Get deskmat designed
• Reach out to vendors

Special thanks

• MetallicCharles for the quick renders
• eskimojo for the help with his ai files to get me started
• MechsOnDeck discord for the feedback
• DriftMechanics team for the feedback
• OCM for the awesome novelties and icon mods

Please fill out the IC Form! Thanks!
Discord
Instagram

Please add this to your sig to show support! Thanks!

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[url=https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=104535.0][img width=640 height=98]https://imgur.com/3IIsqRC.jpg[/img][/url]

[Hisui]

I like this but with the current name "Ice" I think a lighter blue would fit better or rather if this was called "Water dragon". Either way, I like the set and its theme pretty good, it's great to see more KAT! Best of luck 

[KingOfMemes]

Kat set. Count me in for colevrak, mods, and alphas at least. Other sets will be a game time decision

[Rensuya]

1. KAT profile
2. Blue colorway

All I needed to know. But for real it looks good, count me in 

[Audiobs]

Nice set! So we are inventing our own Kanji or Chinese character now? That doesn't look like 'Ice' to me.

[driftingbunnies]

Nice set! So we are inventing our own Kanji or Chinese character now? That doesn't look like 'Ice' to me.

haha yes! just kidding. It's the Japanese character. I'll get it fixed soon.

[teexcue]

This looks great, love the blue! Count me in.

[Tefrem34]

Are the mods pure white or a very light grey? It would be nice to see some color samples along with the kits. It would be nice if this set makes it.

[chanchan]

You have my wallet.

[YMwoo]

really loving the colors! I'm a big fan of dark alpha and light mods.
However, even though it might be hard, is there any possibility for the following kit?
- icon mod Ergo
- Mono Korean Alpha

It'll be perfect if you have those two 

[psxndc]

Eh, I'm more of a weeb, so I'll pas... *sees Colevrak support* I'm in.

[Joaquox]

NorDe kit and I'm in!

[Vireca]

2 things

Ortho and 40s sets should be 2 kits, justo buy whatever you need. The ortho kit should have two 2u spacebars and two 1.5u spacebars. This is more some ergos like Kyria or Corne

If you are going to make Control un R2 in the capslock position, make a capslock key for R1 too. Same with a FN for R2

Also, theire is no ESC key in R4. You need it for 60-65% users

[D3LTA]

Thanks for adding Colevrak kit support. Will definitely keep an eye on this IC.

[Shurakai]

I love the colors and the novelties so far. We need more dark alpha sets like this.

Also, second the ortho comments here:

2 things

Ortho and 40s sets should be 2 kits, justo buy whatever you need. The ortho kit should have two 2u spacebars and two 1.5u spacebars. This is more some ergos like Kyria or Corne

If you are going to make Control un R2 in the capslock position, make a capslock key for R1 too. Same with a FN for R2

Also, theire is no ESC key in R4. You need it for 60-65% users

Especially the 2 1.5 and 2u space key part. That would be great for split orthos like the Corne and Kyria, but also for some ortho layouts that just use a 2x2u layout.

[Galdom]

NorDe kit and I'm in!

Amen on that! 

[driftingbunnies]

2 things

Ortho and 40s sets should be 2 kits, justo buy whatever you need. The ortho kit should have two 2u spacebars and two 1.5u spacebars. This is more some ergos like Kyria or Corne

If you are going to make Control un R2 in the capslock position, make a capslock key for R1 too. Same with a FN for R2

Also, theire is no ESC key in R4. You need it for 60-65% users

I'm not sure I understand the Caps lock in R1. Would it be a 1.25u or 1.5u? Do people even use that? Also, Ctrl for R2 is already kind of niche, I would think FN R2 for 1.75 would be even more. People would probably just use Ctrl instead.

I appreciate the feedback though. I'll look to separate the 40s/ortho, add spacebars for ortho and add the ESC for R4.  Thanks!

[depletedvespene]

2 things

Ortho and 40s sets should be 2 kits, justo buy whatever you need. The ortho kit should have two 2u spacebars and two 1.5u spacebars. This is more some ergos like Kyria or Corne

If you are going to make Control un R2 in the capslock position, make a capslock key for R1 too. Same with a FN for R2

Also, theire is no ESC key in R4. You need it for 60-65% users

I'm not sure I understand the Caps lock in R1. Would it be a 1.25u or 1.5u? Do people even use that? Also, Ctrl for R2 is already kind of niche, I would think FN R2 for 1.75 would be even more. People would probably just use Ctrl instead.

Some people swap the Ctrl and Caps Lock keys (so Control will be between Shift and Tab, as was the custom before the Enhanced layout came out); if using an R3 (R2 in KAT parlance) Ctrl keycap for the position, the keyboard will now have three keys labelled as such, but one (the bottom left corner key, typically) will not really be Ctrl). Some sets, most notably sets from Originative, include two R4 (R1 in KAT parlance) Caps Lock keys, in 1.5U and 1.25U sizes, to provide for this.

[kzwai]

i am a weeb but i like the color scheme. am in

[Vizir]

any plans on adding legends or icons to the ergo set?

[vaf1en]

I like these colours; they're quite subtle.
Would like to see your take on accents – I am thinking a lighter blue, maybe even turqoise.

[dmatx1]

Nice colors and it has text mods variant of the 40/ortho set

[honoka]

I would love to see blue color mods aswell for a uniform look

[tanega]

Hi very nice set !

Could you consider adding an international kit similar too the one in othe Kat GB? Keyreative moq principle makes it possible to offer maximum compatibilities for European regional layouts, it would be sad to drop it.

[chriszhu]

Lovely subtle colours!

[driftingbunnies]

Hi very nice set !

Could you consider adding an international kit similar too the one in othe Kat GB? Keyreative moq principle makes it possible to offer maximum compatibilities for European regional layouts, it would be sad to drop it.

I'll try to work on including int'l kits. Which region are you looking for?

[DaMnED]

South kit plz. Insta buy.

[honoka]

nordic kit aswell, probably called North
and as I asked for, blue mods

[YMwoo]

hi, just want to make sure about my previous comment about Mono Korean Alpha, will it be possible?
I know it's a longshot, but I personally would love it.
also Korean dragon is considered as Eastern Dragon too anyway  )

[driftingbunnies]

hi, just want to make sure about my previous comment about Mono Korean Alpha, will it be possible?
I know it's a longshot, but I personally would love it.
also Korean dragon is considered as Eastern Dragon too anyway  )

Hey! I think Mono korean alphas might be too much. i'm not sure if it would match with the novelties. I think it might look good separately but I don't think it fits as a whole. Thanks for your feedback though!

[YMwoo]

hi, just want to make sure about my previous comment about Mono Korean Alpha, will it be possible?
I know it's a longshot, but I personally would love it.
also Korean dragon is considered as Eastern Dragon too anyway  )

Hey! I think Mono korean alphas might be too much. i'm not sure if it would match with the novelties. I think it might look good separately but I don't think it fits as a whole. Thanks for your feedback though!

Understood. Thanks for confirming.
If I may have some other question/suggestions:

• Any ETA when you will run this?
• 1u keys for inner column on ergo kits

will wait for the icon mods for ergo kits too. have some worries but will wait for your update first

[Vizir]

hi, just want to make sure about my previous comment about Mono Korean Alpha, will it be possible?
I know it's a longshot, but I personally would love it.
also Korean dragon is considered as Eastern Dragon too anyway  )

Hey! I think Mono korean alphas might be too much. i'm not sure if it would match with the novelties. I think it might look good separately but I don't think it fits as a whole. Thanks for your feedback though!

Understood. Thanks for confirming.
If I may have some other question/suggestions:

• Any ETA when you will run this?
• 1u keys for inner column on ergo kits

will wait for the icon mods for ergo kits too. have some worries but will wait for your update first

Yes. R3/R2/R1 each 2x1u would be useful for inside row ergo kits.

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

[driftingbunnies]

hi, just want to make sure about my previous comment about Mono Korean Alpha, will it be possible?
I know it's a longshot, but I personally would love it.
also Korean dragon is considered as Eastern Dragon too anyway  )

Hey! I think Mono korean alphas might be too much. i'm not sure if it would match with the novelties. I think it might look good separately but I don't think it fits as a whole. Thanks for your feedback though!

Understood. Thanks for confirming.
If I may have some other question/suggestions:

• Any ETA when you will run this?
• 1u keys for inner column on ergo kits

will wait for the icon mods for ergo kits too. have some worries but will wait for your update first

Yes. R3/R2/R1 each 2x1u would be useful for inside row ergo kits.

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

I hope to spend some working on the ergo and splitting the 40s/ortho kits this week and next week.

I haven't heard anything from zfrontier about the samples but I'm 99% sure they're still not really operating due to the coronavirus. I update the thread once I receive more information from them. If they're able to do it, I'll get quotes and reach out to vendors to see when they have slots available. If there are any vendors interested, please point them my way. Thanks!

[Mcnos]

hi, just want to make sure about my previous comment about Mono Korean Alpha, will it be possible?
I know it's a longshot, but I personally would love it.
also Korean dragon is considered as Eastern Dragon too anyway  )

Hey! I think Mono korean alphas might be too much. i'm not sure if it would match with the novelties. I think it might look good separately but I don't think it fits as a whole. Thanks for your feedback though!

Understood. Thanks for confirming.
If I may have some other question/suggestions:

• Any ETA when you will run this?
• 1u keys for inner column on ergo kits

will wait for the icon mods for ergo kits too. have some worries but will wait for your update first

Yes. R3/R2/R1 each 2x1u would be useful for inside row ergo kits.

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

I hope to spend some working on the ergo and splitting the 40s/ortho kits this week and next week.

I haven't heard anything from zfrontier about the samples but I'm 99% sure they're still not really operating due to the coronavirus. I update the thread once I receive more information from them. If they're able to do it, I'll get quotes and reach out to vendors to see when they have slots available. If there are any vendors interested, please point them my way. Thanks!

Can confirm that they are not operational this week

[driftingbunnies]

Updated ergodox to include icons, let me know how they look. Thanks!

[YMwoo]

Updated ergodox to include icons, let me know how they look. Thanks!

The expanded kits are very nice 
Was hoping at least R2 enter but I know the kits here are the common layout so i guess can't really complain.
I can't decide whether i like this or blank one better )

[terrad]

Any possibility of blue mods and white alphas? Considering it's KAT extra kits won't really hurt

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[driftingbunnies]

Any possibility of blue mods and white alphas? Considering it's KAT extra kits won't really hurt

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

I'll have to play around to see if I like that combination but my initial inclination is to keep the dark alphas light mods look. There are so many sets that have the white alphas dark mods combo already so it would be hard to differentiate if I do include that.

It would also essentially double the kits so blue text and blue icon mods, blue 40s text and icon mods, blue ortho text and icon mods, blue novelties, and blue ergodox.

[lakeboredom]

Love this, especially the white mods. Not sure if it's possible but I would kill for left-aligned icon mods.

[NoChance]

The White is great looking. 

[Aerospiritual]

Oh man I love these colours. Count me in!

[Rew23]

Set looks great. Loving all the new KAT profile colorways coming out and this blue and white combo is one my favorite. Are these going to be ABS doubleshot or PBT?

[dmatx1]

Set looks great. Loving all the new KAT profile colorways coming out and this blue and white combo is one my favorite. Are these going to be ABS doubleshot or PBT?

PBT dyesub and reverse dyesub.

[titoepfx]

40s/ortho needs another 2u keycap and also consider seperating them

[thedavefulton]

*sigh* Dude, come on! I wasn't gonna buy any more keycaps for awhile 

I really dig this colorway! My only note/request would be that the icons are a bit plain for my taste. While they look perfectly nice, I would hope for something a bit more... designy? Is that super helpful? 

Seriously though, I'd point you to the last two sets I picked up (KAT Milkshake and Eternal) as examples of what I mean. I understand that a major redesign may be unrealistic but could I suggest expanding the novelties a bit? Perhaps just enough for an HHKB layout? *subtle wink*

Regardless I think you've got me for 2 or 3 kits

[Felt]

Agreed with ^^.

Set looks bomb, novelties could use work...

[driftingbunnies]

*sigh* Dude, come on! I wasn't gonna buy any more keycaps for awhile 

I really dig this colorway! My only note/request would be that the icons are a bit plain for my taste. While they look perfectly nice, I would hope for something a bit more... designy? Is that super helpful? 

Seriously though, I'd point you to the last two sets I picked up (KAT Milkshake and Eternal) as examples of what I mean. I understand that a major redesign may be unrealistic but could I suggest expanding the novelties a bit? Perhaps just enough for an HHKB layout? *subtle wink*

Regardless I think you've got me for 2 or 3 kits

Appreciate the feedback. I'm not really an illustrator so I wanted to keep the icons easy for keyreative to use. These are the same icon mods that OCM created for the KAT WoB. Personally I'm still hesitant in keyreative's ability considering that they've delivered one set as of today so I kept fonts and icons as default as they can be.

Agreed with ^^.

Set looks bomb, novelties could use work...

Appreciate the feedback. I'm not sure what other novelties might work, any suggestions?

[nasp]

*sigh* Dude, come on! I wasn't gonna buy any more keycaps for awhile 

I really dig this colorway! My only note/request would be that the icons are a bit plain for my taste. While they look perfectly nice, I would hope for something a bit more... designy? Is that super helpful? 

Seriously though, I'd point you to the last two sets I picked up (KAT Milkshake and Eternal) as examples of what I mean. I understand that a major redesign may be unrealistic but could I suggest expanding the novelties a bit? Perhaps just enough for an HHKB layout? *subtle wink*

Regardless I think you've got me for 2 or 3 kits

Appreciate the feedback. I'm not really an illustrator so I wanted to keep the icons easy for keyreative to use. These are the same icon mods that OCM created for the KAT WoB. Personally I'm still hesitant in keyreative's ability considering that they've delivered one set as of today so I kept fonts and icons as default as they can be.

They've delivered one KAT set as of today. I think that distinction deserves to be mentioned but I agree with your hesitancy nonetheless. That being said, I do prefer these more standard icons over something like KAT Atlantis.

[driftingbunnies]

I've finished updating all the kits so please take a look over them if you're interested in this set. Let me know if I'm missing any. If you've already made a kit change request but don't see it up there, please make a post on the thread since so that I'm aware. It's possible that I missed it while going through the comments/feedback. Thanks!

For those who requested a FR kit or South Kit, based on the numbers from other KAT sets, I've decided to not include those here.

[YMwoo]

personally, after looking at many sets, I think ergo user (and to some extent, 40's/ortho) are the type of users that like to mess up with their layout to find the "best" way.
that makes a lot of these common legends are incorrect to use which can be kind of annoying.
this also applies to 65% users with the rightmost column, but usually it can be covered with novelties.

so if possible, i do like the idea of having a custom, semi-nonsense, icon like Atlantis / Godspeed.
This move can also reduce the number of keys per set which will help in reducing the total cost (since apparently, ergo kit for KAT sets are increasing for each release).
that being said, i do like the very clean, simple default icons.

[driftingbunnies]

personally, after looking at many sets, I think ergo user (and to some extent, 40's/ortho) are the type of users that like to mess up with their layout to find the "best" way.
that makes a lot of these common legends are incorrect to use which can be kind of annoying.
this also applies to 65% users with the rightmost column, but usually it can be covered with novelties.

so if possible, i do like the idea of having a custom, semi-nonsense, icon like Atlantis / Godspeed.
This move can also reduce the number of keys per set which will help in reducing the total cost (since apparently, ergo kit for KAT sets are increasing for each release).
that being said, i do like the very clean, simple default icons.

While I understand what you’re saying, I think blank mods make more sense than middle of the road mods that don’t really make sense for anyone. I’m indifferent but since I’ve already put the effort into including the legends, I’ll probably leave it unless people really prefer blank mods.

[YMwoo]

While I understand what you’re saying, I think blank mods make more sense than middle of the road mods that don’t really make sense for anyone. I’m indifferent but since I’ve already put the effort into including the legends, I’ll probably leave it unless people really prefer blank mods.

Yep, it's totally cool. Either way, I'm still interested in the kit.
Just putting it out there to consider.
Hoping the kit price will be okay though.

[thedavefulton]

*sigh* Dude, come on! I wasn't gonna buy any more keycaps for awhile 

I really dig this colorway! My only note/request would be that the icons are a bit plain for my taste. While they look perfectly nice, I would hope for something a bit more... designy? Is that super helpful? 

Seriously though, I'd point you to the last two sets I picked up (KAT Milkshake and Eternal) as examples of what I mean. I understand that a major redesign may be unrealistic but could I suggest expanding the novelties a bit? Perhaps just enough for an HHKB layout? *subtle wink*

Regardless I think you've got me for 2 or 3 kits

Appreciate the feedback. I'm not really an illustrator so I wanted to keep the icons easy for keyreative to use. These are the same icon mods that OCM created for the KAT WoB. Personally I'm still hesitant in keyreative's ability considering that they've delivered one set as of today so I kept fonts and icons as default as they can be.

Agreed with ^^.

Set looks bomb, novelties could use work...

Appreciate the feedback. I'm not sure what other novelties might work, any suggestions?

Well, that all sounds reasonable enough. I wish I had some ideas for ya, but my role is more "oooh, that looks neat; I'd like to trade you this money for that thing." And like I said, I don't think they look bad by any means .

[julianlamme]

Loving these novelties.

[driftingbunnies]

Just a quick update for those waiting, zFrontier told me I should be able to get quotes on kits this week. I'm not holding my breath on that but hopefully should get an idea soon. With regards to samples, the ones zFrontier received were messed up so they're redoing them.

I've also started the process of commissioning a deskmat and more renders so that's on the horizon. I'm not looking to changing any of the kits unless there's a glaring issue with any of them like a missing key. I also don't have any new novelty ideas so if there's something you would like to see, please let me know and I'll see if it makes sense with the kit.

Thanks everyone!

[lakeboredom]

Still looking forward to this set. White mods are awesome, color is awesome, novelties are awesome (minus the ones I can't read  ).

[driftingbunnies]

Added some new renders!

[Vizir]

Any plans for a mat?

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

[driftingbunnies]

Any plans for a mat?

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

Yes! It's still on my list of requests

[lakeboredom]

Would you consider the other icon Alt that goes upward instead of down? Small thing, but I prefer the other one, specially on hhkb layout.

[lz2019]

That Chinese character "冰" (Ice) is written ugly! Come on, no place has the "冰" character looking like that.
Writing it in a standard and commonly appeared shape is respecting the language, also avoid misleading others.
please improve it, thank you.

[lz2019]

please reference.

[driftingbunnies]

That Chinese character "冰" (Ice) is written ugly! Come on, no place has the "冰" character looking like that.
Writing it in a standard and commonly appeared shape is respecting the language, also avoid misleading others.
please improve it, thank you.

Thanks for your feedback. The reason it was written ugly is because it was actually written and converted into a vector. I'll update both words to an actual font. However, I'm not going to go with a regular font like you linked because I would like it to have a bit more character to it.

[lz2019]

That Chinese character "冰" (Ice) is written ugly! Come on, no place has the "冰" character looking like that.
Writing it in a standard and commonly appeared shape is respecting the language, also avoid misleading others.
please improve it, thank you.

Thanks for your feedback. The reason it was written ugly is because it was actually written and converted into a vector. I'll update both words to an actual font. However, I'm not going to go with a regular font like you linked because I would like it to have a bit more character to it.

Yep, the one I put up is just a googled one. It's great you plan to work more on it.

[loddee]

Any updates on progress with IC/timeline for GB?

[driftingbunnies]

Any updates on progress with IC/timeline for GB?

Nothing solid. I currently have a US vendor interested and obviously zFrontier but for sure it will be after Sloth is in GB. So earliest would be near the end of Q3. Realistically sometime in Q4.

[Yoshi]

Hopefully dailyclack or swtichkeys can be vendors

[rinstady]

I have to registry account, research for the 'A popular serial bus for keyboard connectivity:' answer just to spend my first comment on the forum that
' you have a GREAT job bro '

 

[brandkeebs]

wao first time ive seen this, would love to see this make it to gb

[driftingbunnies]

I'm currently in talks with some vendors to get this started. If there are any kit suggestions, please speak now or forever hold your peace. 

[Rew23]

I've had this set on watch for awhile now. 1u blanks would be awesome to include as part of a kit or as a separate option.

[loddee]

Woho finally! Soon™

[Anakey]

any chance for a 1.25u cloud novelty for those using ISO as you already have the Iso enter novelty?

[driftingbunnies]

any chance for a 1.25u cloud novelty for those using ISO as you already have the Iso enter novelty?

Good suggestion, let me add that to the list.

[driftingbunnies]

Updated sets with new Icon mods

[Sandy]

More great work DriftingBunnies! This set looks  really good and I would love to put it on the forever65

[lakeboredom]

Oh new icon mods are looking good! This alt icon is much better.

[boneandbee]

This set is beautiful! This is absolutely the type of set you NEED to get the desk mat with. When this runs I'll 100% buy it and put it on my Austin

[driftingbunnies]

This set is beautiful! This is absolutely the type of set you NEED to get the desk mat with. When this runs I'll 100% buy it and put it on my Austin

Appreciate it

Unfortunately some bad news. We're putting this set on hold until KAT becomes more reliable. Most recently, there has been delays in getting invoices, warped spacebars and keys 2u or longer, etc etc. I apologize to those looking forward to this set. I'll continue to be in talks with the US vendor to see when the best time will be if we decide to run it.

[boneandbee]

SAD

[IOVERCALLHISTIOCYTES]

Bravo for taking a stand on it

Will buy when this is ready down the road.