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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: HoosTrax on Mon, 29 July 2013, 14:30:20

Title: Why no doubleshots with clear first shots
Post by: HoosTrax on Mon, 29 July 2013, 14:30:20: I guess your typical backlit key is just a clear key with black painted over the parts that aren't meant to be part of the legend. Why don't I see doubleshots meant for backlit use where the legend color is clear ABS?
Title: Re: Why no doubleshots with clear first shots
Post by: SpAmRaY on Mon, 29 July 2013, 14:34:32: I've seen some doublshots like this where the clear part was for a window.
Title: Re: Why no doubleshots with clear first shots
Post by: UniClown on Mon, 29 July 2013, 14:39:41: Signature Plastics has a few novelty caps made this way. It's not like it can't be done, it's just not popular, I guess. Most people enjoy the looks of backlighting even without clear legends.
Title: Re: Why no doubleshots with clear first shots
Post by: jdcarpe on Mon, 29 July 2013, 14:41:24: There are actually a few of them in existence. I have a few myself, that someone gave me from an SP "crap bag." They were a test run by SP to see how they would look. The problem is that due to the grid pattern of the second shot running through the underside where the first shot has the legends, the legends aren't clearly lit, and the results can vary widely, due to the varying patterns of the second shot.
Title: Re: Why no doubleshots with clear first shots
Post by: UniClown on Mon, 29 July 2013, 14:47:53: Quote from: jdcarpe on Mon, 29 July 2013, 14:41:24
There are actually a few of them in existence. I have a few myself, that someone gave me from an SP "crap bag." They were a test run by SP to see how they would look. The problem is that due to the grid pattern of the second shot running through the underside where the first shot has the legends, the legends aren't clearly lit, and the results can vary widely, due to the varying patterns of the second shot.

Is this why the legends on SmallFry's set have the striped appearance?
here is a picture of what I think you're describing.
(http://i.imgur.com/8AKFUu9.jpg)
Title: Re: Why no doubleshots with clear first shots
Post by: jdcarpe on Mon, 29 July 2013, 14:49:08: Quote from: UniClown on Mon, 29 July 2013, 14:47:53
Quote from: jdcarpe on Mon, 29 July 2013, 14:41:24
There are actually a few of them in existence. I have a few myself, that someone gave me from an SP "crap bag." They were a test run by SP to see how they would look. The problem is that due to the grid pattern of the second shot running through the underside where the first shot has the legends, the legends aren't clearly lit, and the results can vary widely, due to the varying patterns of the second shot.

Is this why the legends on SmallFry's set have the striped appearance?
here is a picture of what I think you're describing.
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/8AKFUu9.jpg)

Yes, that exactly. For the reverse, see the (January?, February?) polycarb GH pack.
Title: Re: Why no doubleshots with clear first shots
Post by: HoosTrax on Mon, 29 July 2013, 14:55:25: Ah, I've seen that GH backspace and wondered why it looked a bit unusual. I guess that explains it. FWIW, I don't think the striped pattern looks bad per say. I wonder what effect it has on light shining through though.
Title: Re: Why no doubleshots with clear first shots
Post by: UniClown on Mon, 29 July 2013, 16:10:45: Quote from: HoosTrax on Mon, 29 July 2013, 14:55:25
Ah, I've seen that GH backspace and wondered why it looked a bit unusual. I guess that explains it. FWIW, I don't think the striped pattern looks bad per say. I wonder what effect it has on light shining through though.

I imagine wherever the darker stripe is, it will block light much more. I also don't like how the striping goes in different directions. Potentially the striping could block out the letter I completely. These are minor things, but I imagine they would bug me over time.
Title: Re: Why no doubleshots with clear first shots
Post by: Broadmonkey on Mon, 29 July 2013, 18:14:08: Quote from: UniClown on Mon, 29 July 2013, 14:47:53
Quote from: jdcarpe on Mon, 29 July 2013, 14:41:24
There are actually a few of them in existence. I have a few myself, that someone gave me from an SP "crap bag." They were a test run by SP to see how they would look. The problem is that due to the grid pattern of the second shot running through the underside where the first shot has the legends, the legends aren't clearly lit, and the results can vary widely, due to the varying patterns of the second shot.

Is this why the legends on SmallFry's set have the striped appearance?
here is a picture of what I think you're describing.
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/8AKFUu9.jpg)

Wow, those keys looks great! only bad thing about the is the round corners (DCS profile)
Title: Re: Why no doubleshots with clear first shots
Post by: CalmB4tehPwn on Thu, 01 August 2013, 19:38:12: I would like to see manufacturer spend more time in perfecting this. It seems like a great solution. Even if it can't be done perfectly, and lines appear, I'd like to see it done consistently. I'd buy in a heartbeat.
Title: Re: Why no doubleshots with clear first shots
Post by: i3oilermaker on Thu, 01 August 2013, 21:59:10: Clear first shots allow for very little contrast (depending on the second shot) and look bad without backlighting
Title: Re: Why no doubleshots with clear first shots
Post by: CalmB4tehPwn on Fri, 02 August 2013, 04:56:34: I think most people who got doubleshots with clear 1st would get them specifically with backlighting in mind. I don't think the contrast is a big deal.
Title: Re: Why no doubleshots with clear first shots
Post by: tp4tissue on Fri, 02 August 2013, 05:41:31: Because it looks like crap...
Title: Re: Why no doubleshots with clear first shots
Post by: ViewMaster on Fri, 02 August 2013, 16:00:35: Fantastic idea. I'd be in on that GB!
Title: Re: Why no doubleshots with clear first shots
Post by: Grimfire on Mon, 05 August 2013, 02:02:25: I would jump on a GB of that as well.
Title: Re: Why no doubleshots with clear first shots
Post by: MTManiac on Mon, 05 August 2013, 11:28:22: Quote from: Grimfire on Mon, 05 August 2013, 02:02:25
I would jump on a GB of that as well.

Add me to that list :D
Title: Re: Why no doubleshots with clear first shots
Post by: noisyturtle on Mon, 05 August 2013, 15:45:10: There's also those super ugly poly caps that are clear and filled with uneven blotches and splatters of colored plastic. Man they are hideous.