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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: eribabu on Fri, 27 March 2020, 00:08:10

Title: Is it possible? "Ice" Doubleshot Keycap (Inverted white shine-through keycap)
Post by: eribabu on Fri, 27 March 2020, 00:08:10

Idea:
Originally, I was thinking of a different take on the ice-like aesthetic of white keycaps, imagining a set like frozen ice cubes. Essentially the idea is that by inverting the colours of a white shine-through keycap, the translucent body would emulate the shiny liquid layer that covers melting ice. Using a "seamless" double-shot method (if at all possible) that completely fills in the sidewalls and top face with opaque plastic, one could get some really cool visual effects.

• Ice (Clear translucent body, white inner/legend colour)
  
• Ruby (Clear translucent body, dark red/green/blue inner/legend colour)
  
• Obsidian (Black-tinted translucent body + black legend)
  

Inspiration:

• SP SA 1 Space Relegendable - These keycaps with the translucent outer layer have a "wet" effect on blue MX inner cap.
  (https://cdn10.bigcommerce.com/s-ktpi93fl/products/142/images/550/SAreleg__35556.1438123834.800.600.jpg?c=2)

Challenge:

• All doubleshot keycaps I've seen use the most minimal amount of plastic for the legends - the manufacturing method would have to create a complete inner cap and allow a legend to be successful.
  
• Reference:
  
  • (https://deskthority.net/wiki/images/thumb/d/d4/Double_shot_capslock1.jpg/440px-Double_shot_capslock1.jpg)

Title: Re: Is it possible? "Ice" Doubleshot Keycap (Inverted white shine-through keycap)
Post by: pixelpusher on Fri, 27 March 2020, 00:48:45

would it give enough contrast to have the same color under the clear used as the legend?  Seems like it would be hard to read.  Maybe I'm missunderstanding.

Title: Re: Is it possible? "Ice" Doubleshot Keycap (Inverted white shine-through keycap)
Post by: eribabu on Fri, 27 March 2020, 15:37:17

Quote from: pixelpusher on Fri, 27 March 2020, 00:48:45

would it give enough contrast to have the same color under the clear used as the legend?  Seems like it would be hard to read.  Maybe I'm missunderstanding.

No, I am thinking you're understanding correctly - that would have to be tested and a valid concern. I think for the ice idea, perhaps a cool grey inside plastic would help with legend contrast. I think the target audience for such a keycap would be those who don't require legends but like the detail of them on inspection. This would certainly be a form over function design.

Title: Re: Is it possible? "Ice" Doubleshot Keycap (Inverted white shine-through keycap)
Post by: pixelpusher on Sat, 28 March 2020, 00:05:33

It's a novel idea for sure.  Just a matter of finding a way to make them affordable.  Most people won't pay a premium for something new and untested.  Also, most people don't pay a lot for blanks (and as you said, these could be in that territory as far as readability).

Anyway, I like your thinking. These would go great on the Canon60 which just started Group Buy today:
https://codakeys.store/