Ortho Layout, with numpad, using standard caps.

[trees]

Hi all.

Recently i have started getting into building keyboards, and while there are many great options that you can build that are already out there, I have been wanting more.

I started to, in my head, think of what I would be looking for in a "dream" board, giving me the features i want without compromise. 

I came up with a list of features that i was hoping to get from a board:

• A Ortho layout, meaning grid layout, not staggered
• A numpad
• It must use standard caps
• Semi-Compact, im mostly a 60% or B.mini type guy

Currently, this isn't available. So I took to the layout editor and put my mind to work and this is what i came up with: http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/gists/67ba11284fd9e5c979ea




I have made adjustments based on feedback I had gotten on IRC. (you should totally join #geekhack, if you dont already).

It has a slant to it, which i like, and the case would also be cut on a slant to match.

Its obviously a work in progress, and looks like right now I will end up having to handwire it, unless someone who knows who to design PCBs can help me out.


I would also love to know what people think!


Bonus 40%+arrows & Numpad:

More

http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/gists/068b3f747d1571656f3b

[jaffers]

My future keyboard layout ^:)

[jaffers]

Also, the slant will mean that pcb will be more expensive if you were to make one. HAND WIRING 

[trenzafeeds]

I kind of like the idea of a slant case, that'd look funky and cool imo. It's also a nice idea to make an ortho layout that uses standard caps, as I remember caps have been a big issue in previous designs I've seen for larger ortho keyboards. I'm not sure I could see myself investing in something this odd looking, but it is very cool.

[trees]

I kind of like the idea of a slant case, that'd look funky and cool imo. It's also a nice idea to make an ortho layout that uses standard caps, as I remember caps have been a big issue in previous designs I've seen for larger ortho keyboards. I'm not sure I could see myself investing in something this odd looking, but it is very cool.

Yeah, currently you cant have both completely standard caps AND ortho layout. Lets alone even ortho + numpad.

I know its strange, but because of the size of standard caps, there isn't a way to keep the alphas ortho and hold a more traditional shape

[absyrd]

I actually like the step down diagonal **** on either side. Doesn't need to be a rectangle. And adding a space bar from any GB is usually easy.

I'm guessing you are dependent upon legends which is why you wanna use standard caps, but your 2nd and 3rd etc layers are going to require memory.

[trees]

I actually like the step down diagonal **** on either side. Doesn't need to be a rectangle. And adding a space bar from any GB is usually easy.

I'm guessing you are dependent upon legends which is why you wanna use standard caps, but your 2nd and 3rd etc layers are going to require memory.

Haha, yes, I can touch type a bit but im not perfect at it.

I figured out of everything a second space bar is the easiest to get.

[suicidal_orange]

Looks great but there is one compromise I'm seeing with the layout - there's no way to do a ctrl +I, O or P with one hand, and depending on how big your hands are perhaps no ctrl + U or N either.  Not sure what you're intending to use the board for to know if this matters but ctrl + U would be a must for me (to quickly ... I'm losing the plot  )

Another thing you might like to consider is how wide the gap in the middle should be - when I had an Ergo Pro (a split board) on loan I found that a gap of 6u plus the middle casing was most comfortable, but if you're trying to keep it small you may want to ignore this - any split is better than none

[trees]

Looks great but there is one compromise I'm seeing with the layout - there's no way to do a ctrl +I, O or P with one hand, and depending on how big your hands are perhaps no ctrl + U or N either.  Not sure what you're intending to use the board for to know if this matters but ctrl + U would be a must for me (to quickly ... I'm losing the plot  )

Another thing you might like to consider is how wide the gap in the middle should be - when I had an Ergo Pro (a split board) on loan I found that a gap of 6u plus the middle casing was most comfortable, but if you're trying to keep it small you may want to ignore this - any split is better than none

Hmm, I've never had to use Ctrl+I/O/P/U/N before. What are they shortcuts for?


As for the middle gap, its currently 4.5u, i WAS considering adding another .5u to either side of the numpad, but then it started to look sloppy.  The current design looked visually best (but this really isnt about visuals now is it. When I sit at my keyboard and let my hands fall naturally it is at about 5u or so gap.

[alexjd99]

Interesting, I like the numpad in the middle.
I made this layout a while ago, thinking of making one

[suicidal_orange]

Hmm, I've never had to use Ctrl+I/O/P/U/N before. What are they shortcuts for?

Italic Open Print and New.  Like I said, I went a bit crazy with U - I was thinking redo (ctrl+Y) but somehow wrote undo and pressed post, but as everyone knows that's Z

I definitely do copy (after using the mouse to select part of an image), new, then paste and one handed is great for that, but if you don't know/use the shortcuts you won't miss them.  Much like WIndows key and D is show desktop, you can't do that on this board either.  Or Alt and Tab to switch program while holding your mouse...

[trees]

Hmm, I've never had to use Ctrl+I/O/P/U/N before. What are they shortcuts for?

Italic Open Print and New.  Like I said, I went a bit crazy with U - I was thinking redo (ctrl+Y) but somehow wrote undo and pressed post, but as everyone knows that's Z

I definitely do copy (after using the mouse to select part of an image), new, then paste and one handed is great for that, but if you don't know/use the shortcuts you won't miss them.  Much like WIndows key and D is show desktop, you can't do that on this board either.  Or Alt and Tab to switch program while holding your mouse...

Interesting. You gave me some stuff to think about. I originally had a more 'complete' bottom row that had the right bottom row use a 2.75 space (you could use the unused full size right shift) with a full set of mods. But it seemed a little strange.