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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: cosm2000 on Sat, 19 November 2011, 16:33:30
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7/17/2014 Update: Finally I uploaded all related files (.ai files, KeyRemap4Macbook configuration file, and pictures) to GitHub and now my server's downtime won't affect their availability anymore.
https://github.com/ychw/CustomMacKeycaps
Please "star" the repository if you like. ;-)
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2/7/2014 Update: I have got many requests for the keyboard design files. You can download them from my blog: http://www.clingmarks.com/custom-mac-mechanical-keyboard-lets-have-some-fun/893. The files are at the bottom of the page.
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Since I started playing with mechanical keyboards, I always tried to find a Mac compatible one. Sure, most of the keyboards do work on Mac, but I think what I am looking for is more a "mac feeling" keyboard. I tried Matias Tactile Pro 3, but just didn't like the feeling of alps and its ping. So eventually I comprised and bought a DAS keyboard w/ blue switch. I thought if I liked it, I could buy their mac keycap set and turn it to to semi-mac-keyboard -- because their mac key caps only have opt and cmd keys.
Until I found this post from iindigo: http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?23203-Finishing-Touches-for-a-Layout (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?23203-Finishing-Touches-for-a-Layout)
iindigo is genius. :) He designed this wonderful mac keyboard layout to match exactly the look of the original mac keyboard. All the font, position of each character, are carefully designed so that they look just like the Apple mac keyboard. And he's general enough to share his work.
(iindigo's design: http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=29448&d=1319258366 (http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=29448&d=1319258366))
So I asked him to send me the layout, and added a little extras based on the layout of current Apple keyboard (http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB110LL/B (http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB110LL/B)). The changes to iindigo's edition are:
- Multimedia symbols on F1-F15
- Change the original "menu" key to a apple logo key
- Right-align the right "control" key
- And just for fun, I added a "pig king" from Angry Bird to the space bar! :)
I submitted an order on http://www.wasdkeyboards.com (http://www.wasdkeyboards.com) on Wednesday night. On Thursday, Weyman, the owner of wasd keyboards, told me I could pick it up on Friday (yes, I am luck enough to be close to them, ;-) ). He's also kind enough to offer me to change all the keys in his office so that I can use his wire key cap puller -- just to make things easier.
Yesterday, I went to wasd keyboards. And yeah, my key caps are already there, nicely laid out on a table, just like on a keyboard:
(http://www.clingmarks.com/download/keyboard2_keycaps.jpg)
At first look, I was a little worried that the letters seemed a bit too thin, and not dark enough on the keys. But overall, they are very crisp, high quality print. Weyman is a really nice guy. Not only he let me do the key switching in his office, he also showed me how to lubricate the stabilizers of the bigger keys (this is my first time changing all the keys of a mechanical keyboard). The whole thing turned out longer than I thought. But once I finished, I was really amazed by the overall look of this "new" keyboard. The font is perfect, not thin at all. As to the key caps from WASD, I would say it's the same quality as das keyboard's original ones. Now I have used it for about a day, and everything is good.
My next step is to use KeyRemap4Macbook to generate a custom configuration file, to remap all the F keys to its multimedia keys. I designed the Apple Logo key (Fn key) as a black key, to give the keyboard a kick. However, it turned out not completely as I expected. The apple logo is dark brown, instead light gray I expected. But Weyman already made me an extra one with white background, which is pretty good.
OK, enough talk. Let's look at the pictures. I also attached the design layout at the end.
DAS keyboard w/o keys:
(http://www.clingmarks.com/download/keyboard2_empty.jpg)
Finished keyboard
(http://www.clingmarks.com/download/keyboard2_whole.jpg)
Right side of the keyboard:
(http://www.clingmarks.com/download/keyboard2_right.jpg)
Multimedia keys:
(http://www.clingmarks.com/download/keyboard2_f1-f4.jpg)
(http://www.clingmarks.com/download/keyboard2_f9-f12.jpg)
(http://www.clingmarks.com/download/keyboard2_f13-f15.jpg)
Arrow Keys:
(http://www.clingmarks.com/download/keyboard2_arrows.jpg)
Option and Command keys:
(http://www.clingmarks.com/download/keyboard2_opt-cmd.jpg)
(http://www.clingmarks.com/download/keyboard2_left-cmd.jpg)
The black Apple Logo key:
(http://www.clingmarks.com/download/keyboard2_fn.jpg)
The pig king on the space bar:
(http://www.clingmarks.com/download/keyboard2_pig.jpg)
Keyboard layout:
(http://www.clingmarks.com/download/keyboard2_layout.jpg)
Compare with DAS key (you can see the result of different printing technologies):
(http://www.clingmarks.com/download/keyboard2_key-compare-1.jpg)
(http://www.clingmarks.com/download/keyboard2_key-compare-2.jpg)
Finally, all credit goes to the original layout designer iindigo. And I highly recommend http://www.wasdkeyboards.com (http://www.wasdkeyboards.com), it's very good company with high quality product and service.
Let me know if you have any question.
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Wow, good review, and wonderful pictures. I'm glad you enjoy WASD too!
The black key was a good idea. Sometimes I wish etching black plastic would go more predictably.
But it looks like everything has worked out! enjoy your keycaps!
Those legends really look impressive.
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Wow, looks good! I'm glad I could help.
The only problem is that seeing this makes me want to get a white keycap set for my own keyboard! My black ones look good but I think white might have been a better choice.
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Wow, looks good! I'm glad I could help.
The only problem is that seeing this makes me want to get a white keycap set for my own keyboard! My black ones look good but I think white might have been a better choice.
Thanks for your help!
Weyman told me the white ones are more resistant to scratch. I also think white ones have a more authentic apple feeling. :)
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Awww....look at that! Nice! Too bad I'm against legends otherwise I'd do exactly the same thing...looks sharp.
Thanks for showing, pics are good too. WASD does good work as always :)
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Do you happen to know how the legends will hold up over time? Is it a lasered burn/etch?
It looks really awesome. I'd buy an aluminum housed keyboard like the Corsair ones and slap this set on it for a nice mac feel.
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Do you happen to know how the legends will hold up over time? Is it a lasered burn/etch?
It looks really awesome. I'd buy an aluminum housed keyboard like the Corsair ones and slap this set on it for a nice mac feel.
Since I got this set about two weeks ago, I can't really say how long they will last. Yes, it is laser etched. And according to WASD keyboards, white key caps tend to last longer than black ones, which is another reason I want a white set.
Which Corsair keyboard were you talking about? I love to take a look.
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Since I got this set about two weeks ago, I can't really say how long they will last. Yes, it is laser etched. And according to WASD keyboards, white key caps tend to last longer than black ones, which is another reason I want a white set.
Which Corsair keyboard were you talking about? I love to take a look.
http://www.corsair.com/vengeance-k60-performance-fps-mechanical-gaming-keyboard.html
I bet this would look great with these keys.
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http://www.corsair.com/vengeance-k60-performance-fps-mechanical-gaming-keyboard.html
I bet this would look great with these keys.
hmm, I heard it's not a full mechanical keyboard?
http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Vengeance-Performance-Mechanical-CH-9000004-NA/product-reviews/B005QUQP80
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Yeah they skimped on a bunch of keys arguing that they aren't used as often as other keys so mechanical switches aren't crucial. It's unfortunate because I really like the design
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Wow it fits !
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This looks great!
cosm2000, did you ever get around to creating that KeyRemap4Macbook custom config file?
I'm contemplating ordering this set of keys myself, and I noticed that your positions for the multimedia keys don't line up with the defaults in KeyRemap4Macbook (so I think I wouldn't just be able to enable the existing options there...I'd have to create those options manually). So at the moment I'm trying to decide if it'd be easier to create the custom configuration file or edit your layout to move the multimedia symbols around. But if you have a custom config, and are willing to share it, then I don't have to do either :)
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NVM, found your blog post http://www.clingmarks.com/custom-mac-mechanical-keyboard-lets-have-some-fun/893 with your configuration file.
But I would like to request the vector file (as much as I like Angry Birds, I think I want to put something else on my space bar :)
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Was sent here by GeorgeStorm - frankly this is fantastic and exactly what I'm after for my Filco.
A shame mines a UK layout and therefore the keys aren't quite the same or I'd be ordering this now! I don't suppose WASD support UK layouts but I've dropped them an email to check.
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Was sent here by GeorgeStorm - frankly this is fantastic and exactly what I'm after for my Filco.
A shame mines a UK layout and therefore the keys aren't quite the same or I'd be ordering this now! I don't suppose WASD support UK layouts but I've dropped them an email to check.
They actually do, although they may have to update their website ;) And I must say that I'm working on a group-buy for a local forum and going through Wasdkeyboards is just fantastic ;) They do really take care of their customers...
Lets hope they release TKL boards soon so I can get a few for myself, it won't be soon enough!
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Yeah, got a reply back and they said they were just waiting for the website to be update and to check back in a few days, though I'm struggling to figure out how to order a custom set - from looks I go to Products > Keycap Set and select the set I want (currently no ISO but for sake of argument we'll use ANSI here), select 104 set (and laser etched) and then under Products > Custom Keycap options I upload my own version?
Now to decide if I want white or black keys!
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But I would like to request the vector file (as much as I like Angry Birds, I think I want to put something else on my space bar :)
I too would love a copy of the vector graphics file -- WASD will be getting my business as soon as I get a layout I'm happy with whipped up.
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Yeah, got a reply back and they said they were just waiting for the website to be update and to check back in a few days, though I'm struggling to figure out how to order a custom set - from looks I go to Products > Keycap Set and select the set I want (currently no ISO but for sake of argument we'll use ANSI here), select 104 set (and laser etched) and then under Products > Custom Keycap options I upload my own version?
Now to decide if I want white or black keys!
You go into the custom keyboard section and lay out the keyboard, then you click the keycaps only button and it will place the order for the caps you have specified without the keyboard.
To avoid individual graphics charges you can use there templates, such as this:
http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/media/wasd_v1_104_classic_template.pdf
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I have updated the post. Now the .ai file is included. enjoy! :-)
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I have updated the post. Now the .ai file is included. enjoy! :-)
Geekhack has lost that old attachment, but I found it on your site here:
http://www.clingmarks.com/custom-mac-mechanical-keyboard-lets-have-some-fun/893
Thanks :)
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Wow! That's a very nice set you have! Really like it!
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I have updated the post. Now the .ai file is included. enjoy! :-)
Geekhack has lost that old attachment, but I found it on your site here:
http://www.clingmarks.com/custom-mac-mechanical-keyboard-lets-have-some-fun/893
Thanks :)
Thanks for sharing the file again here. You really uphold the community.
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The end product looks amazing, except for one detail: why did you label the key above Forward Delete "insert"? On the Mac, that key is "help".
I will likely make a set of these for the Filco I just got. Or at least once the caps look dirty. :P
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Hi all,
The clingmarks webpage doesn't seem to be loading. Is someone able to share this attachment another way?
Thanks!
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^ Anyone?
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I'm keen to get a keyboard with Apple keys on it. Can anyone upload a template that I can use?
Many thanks :D
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Hey guys, the links for this post are dead. It makes sense since it's very old.
Here is my template file for WASD Keyboard, Mac layout: https://github.com/kreso22/WASD-keyboard---MAC-layout
Since this address pops up first in google, I thought I should link here. Hopefully save someone 30mins or more of their time.
Kreso
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Actually you can still download the original design file from my blog: http://www.clingmarks.com/custom-mac-mechanical-keyboard-lets-have-some-fun/893 . The link to the files is at the bottom of the page.
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nice keyboard, just wondering how much did they charge you for the whole set?
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Actually you can still download the original design file from my blog: http://www.clingmarks.com/custom-mac-mechanical-keyboard-lets-have-some-fun/893 . The link to the files is at the bottom of the page.
Again, the end product looks amazing, except for one detail: why did you label the key above Forward Delete "insert"? On the Mac, that key is "help".
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I'm a little confused on the lettering... I thought WASD keys were pad-printed? But they seem laser-etched from the photos...
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Huh? WASD's specialty is custom keys, which is basically synonymous with laser. (Which is indeed what they do.)
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Huh? WASD's specialty is custom keys, which is basically synonymous with laser. (Which is indeed what they do.)
custom isn't synonymous with laser. You still can get dyesub and pad printed custom designs
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In the specifications listed on their site: http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/products/keycap-set/104-key-cherry-mx-keycap-set.html
It says the keycap material is "UV coated ABS", and I just had assumed the "UV coat" was related to pad-printing. So they are indeed laser-etched?
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custom isn't synonymous with laser. You still can get dyesub and pad printed custom designs
For one-off keys? I though you needed to pay set-up costs for dye-sub and pad printing.
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Sorry to necro this, but the clingmarks site is down and all the attachments in the OP are no longer available. Anyone still have a copy of the template file lying around somewhere?
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Sorry to necro this, but the clingmarks site is down and all the attachments in the OP are no longer available. Anyone still have a copy of the template file lying around somewhere?
kreso has the template file available on Github here:
https://github.com/kreso22/WASD-keyboard---MAC-layout
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FWIW I've noticed that EK now has those cheap pad-printed keycaps with Command and Option keys (green linked, but other colours available):
http://www.elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=access,cherrymxkeys&pid=dmx_cmd_grn_tw
http://www.elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=access,cherrymxkeys&pid=dmx_opt_grn_tw
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I uploaded all related files (.ai files, KeyRemap4Macbook configuration file, and pictures) to GitHub and now my server's downtime won't affect their availability anymore.
https://github.com/ychw/CustomMacKeycaps
Please "star" the repository if you like. ;-)
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I uploaded all related files (.ai files, KeyRemap4Macbook configuration file, and pictures) to GitHub and now my server's downtime won't affect their availability anymore.
https://github.com/ychw/CustomMacKeycaps
Please "star" the repository if you like. ;-)
Bit of a necro, but this is kind of important.
I had two keyboards customized by WASD in the past month. Both times I uploaded your .ai file. The first keyboard's keycaps turned out great. The second not so much. I received the second keyboard in person at the WASD office and noticed the problem right away. The font they used was wrong. We discussed the issue and it turns out Illustrator can't find the font "VAG Rounded" in the file. It's also using a very old version of their template.
So why did the first keyboard turn out okay? Apparently the person at WASD responsible for most of the printing uses his own "fixed" version of your template whenever a customer uploads your file. The second keyboard was printed with your template by someone else at WASD while the other employee was sick and not at the office.
Basically anyone ordering keycaps with this template just needs to leave a note in the comment window with a reminder that the uploaded version of the template is old, and to use WASD's own fixed version of Yuchen's template instead.
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VAG Rounded does not seem to be a standard font - maybe WASD upgraded their PCs and lost the one with that font.
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VAG Rounded does not seem to be a standard font - maybe WASD upgraded their PCs and lost the one with that font.
It isn't a standard font, so it has to be embedded in the template or vectorized. The file on github popped up with an error when they opened it in Illustrator.
WASD has their own "fixed" version that is used whenever someone requests Yuchen's layout. It's just that someone not in the know (hilariously it was Weyman) printed my keycaps while the usual employee was out sick. They told me that in the future I should leave a note in the comments box that I want Yuchen's custom Mac layout and not to bother with uploading his file.
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VAG Rounded does not seem to be a standard font - maybe WASD upgraded their PCs and lost the one with that font.
It isn't a standard font, so it has to be embedded in the template or vectorized. The file on github popped up with an error when they opened it in Illustrator.
WASD has their own "fixed" version that is used whenever someone requests Yuchen's layout. It's just that someone not in the know (hilariously it was Weyman) printed my keycaps while the usual employee was out sick. They told me that in the future I should leave a note in the comments box that I want Yuchen's custom Mac layout and not to bother with uploading his file.
Or maybe they could make the corrected layout available for the community?
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What you really should do is simply convert all your fonts to vector data before you send it in to them. That way, they don't need the font on their system. All the text will then simply be vector objects.
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Glad, I stumbled upon this thread.
Does anyone have an updated mac layout? supposedly some of the function keys have changed. i.e., no more dashboard. Also, this should work with a filco keyboard right?
thanks
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Glad, I stumbled upon this thread.
Does anyone have an updated mac layout? supposedly some of the function keys have changed. i.e., no more dashboard. Also, this should work with a filco keyboard right?
thanks
Well, I have the layout file I used for my keyboard. You can see the results in this thread (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=60349.msg1391989#msg1391989).
I've also created a layout based on the "granite" set but I haven't had keys made from it yet. I took a screenshot (attached below) of what it looks like in Inkscape with a sample keyboard behind the legends so you can get an idea of what it would look like.
Let me know if you'd like either of these layouts.
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I acutally like your layout in the linked thread. it looks good on a black keyboard with mixed white and gray keys. The updated layout was F3 and F4, there's no more dashboard, instead it's a different legend for launcher. It's on your WASD keyboard. You can see the difference with your wireless apple keyboard.
I'm going to figure out which keyboard, I'm going to use with the iMac. I might be the filco mx red since I cannot seem to source any topre keycaps. I'll keep that keyboard with my pc.
thanks
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I acutally like your layout in the linked thread. it looks good on a black keyboard with mixed white and gray keys. The updated layout was F3 and F4, there's no more dashboard, instead it's a different legend for launcher. It's on your WASD keyboard. You can see the difference with your wireless apple keyboard.
I'm going to figure out which keyboard, I'm going to use with the iMac. I might be the filco mx red since I cannot seem to source any topre keycaps. I'll keep that keyboard with my pc.
thanks
Yeah, F3 and F4 have changed on the Mac keyboards. F3 is now Mission Control and F4 is Launch Pad.
However, that is only true with the built-in keyboards and actual Apple keyboards. Those functions don't work "out of the box" with a third party keyboard, like the WASD or any other. In order to get my WASD to have the function keys work like an Apple keyboard, I use a program called Karabiner (https://pqrs.org/osx/karabiner/). With it, you can pretty much customize the whole keyboard however you want. So, since I wasn't limited to exactly matching the Apple keyboard, I shifted things a bit, as you can see in both my designs. Namely, I put all the media control keys on the third function key cluster (F9 - F12) instead of using normal Mac design of F7-F9 (and separate eject key) as using the Mac design would separate the media keys between function key clusters on the WASD. I also put the volume keys on F13-F15 instead of F10-F12. This organizes these keys nicely.
I've attached the layout I used on my keyboard in that linked thread. The layout includes everything for a full size keyboard but my keyboard is the TKL version so I haven't actually seen how the numpad looks on an actual keyboard.
The attached layout has already had all the fonts converted to vectors so it is ready to send to WASD. They can use that layout file for a TKL or full sized keyboard.
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^ thanks, mer. Did you use the same fonts as the guy in the beginning of this thread? it seems that your keycap text fonts are thicker. I actually like it more.
thanks
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^ thanks, mer. Did you use the same fonts as the guy in the beginning of this thread? it seems that your keycap text fonts are thicker. I actually like it more.
thanks
I don't know what the other guy used for the font. I took the Apple keyboard layout that is included in the layout template file from WASD and modified it a bit (added the function key icons, etc) and I used the same font that they used (VAG Rounded Light).
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thank you for the layout file. Going to order some keycaps with your layout. Did you use the darker gray for your modifiers?
Now I need to figure out which keyboard I'm going to keep. I currently have a Filco 104 red. I wished, I had a brown or blue to type with just to test all the keys out. Not really sure I need the number pad, though. My current setup is a the apple bluetooth keyboard and trackpad attached together. Now, I have to find something to keep the filco and trackpad together.
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thank you for the layout file. Going to order some keycaps with your layout. Did you use the darker gray for your modifiers?
Now I need to figure out which keyboard I'm going to keep. I currently have a Filco 104 red. I wished, I had a brown or blue to type with just to test all the keys out. Not really sure I need the number pad, though. My current setup is a the apple bluetooth keyboard and trackpad attached together. Now, I have to find something to keep the filco and trackpad together.
Yes, I used white and the dark grey for my keycaps.
I have the green switches and love them. I can't imagine using something lighter (such as blues) as I think they'd simply be too light for me. I'm a touch-typist and programmer so I hate it if I get accidental key presses.
I have an Apple track pad as well but I don't use it very much (usually only when I do stuff in Inkscape). I have a track ball next to the keyboard with the track pad next to that. Having a full-size keyboard for me would cause both the track ball and track pad to be too far away from the main typing area of the keyboard and I'd have to reach too far to use the track ball and track pad.
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New to this site. registered just to say thanks for sharing your layout file. I just received my WASD keycap set based on it and could not be happier. Would also be interested in the layout you are using in your granite mockup above if you plan on sharing that.
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New to this site. registered just to say thanks for sharing your layout file. I just received my WASD keycap set based on it and could not be happier. Would also be interested in the layout you are using in your granite mockup above if you plan on sharing that.
Welcome to Geekhack!
Where's the picture? :p
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New to this site. registered just to say thanks for sharing your layout file. I just received my WASD keycap set based on it and could not be happier. Would also be interested in the layout you are using in your granite mockup above if you plan on sharing that.
Hey, no problem. I've attached the my "granite" mono-legend design. Again, I haven't actually had any keycaps made from this yet. If you do, please post pics of the results!
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New to this site. registered just to say thanks for sharing your layout file. I just received my WASD keycap set based on it and could not be happier. Would also be interested in the layout you are using in your granite mockup above if you plan on sharing that.
Welcome to Geekhack!
Where's the picture? :p
[attach=1]
New to this site. registered just to say thanks for sharing your layout file. I just received my WASD keycap set based on it and could not be happier. Would also be interested in the layout you are using in your granite mockup above if you plan on sharing that.
Hey, no problem. I've attached the my "granite" mono-legend design. Again, I haven't actually had any keycaps made from this yet. If you do, please post pics of the results!
Will do, thanks very much!
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Very nice and clean layout! :)
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did you have any issues fitting the wasd keycaps to the stabilizers on the larger keys?