[IC] DCS Dark Sky [LIVE]

[Puddsy]

GB THREAD IS LIVE

DCS Dark Sky

GB August 5-19 2022

This project is inspired by my all time favorite colorway, Soware. I had always wondered what a dark version of the original DCS soware would look like, so I decided to make it a reality.
I've been working on putting this together for approximately 8 months now, and I'm so excited to finally be able to post this IC.

The Colors


Alphas: GPA (same as original Soware mods)
Mods: GQM (not used in original Soware)
Legends: BFQ (original Soware uses BBQ and BBJ, I prefer using only one color and this splits the difference)
Red: RDD (original soware uses RR, which has been retired by SP)
Blue: BDH (same as original Soware)
Yellow: YCH (original Soware uses YY, which has been retired by SP)
Green: VCS (original uses VCM, I prefer this green)
Orange: OBH (not used in original Soware)

No color matching needs to be done with SP before this set begins production, as it only uses stock colors. HIBI will be sent pysical color chips for color matching once the sales period concludes.

NK87 by Novelkeys




Vendors and pricing

US: Novelkeys
CA: Desk Hero
UK: Prototypist
EU: Oblotzky
Asia: zFrontier
AU: Daily Clack
SEA: IllumKB

The set will be listed on Novelkeys for $145. Not sure about the other vendors just yet. Lead time will be around a year, so late Q2/early Q3 2023.

HIBI
Pricing pending

More

One base kit. One HIBI.

Open to any kit changes. I wanted to have physical support for as many layouts as possible, meaning that the vast majority of people will be able to buy this set and have it fit on their keyboard, even if the legends aren't quite right.
My only keyboard regret is not buying the tsangan kit for the DCS Smallfry set and now I can't use it on most of my boards. I don't want that to happen to anyone who buys this set.

More renders:
*NOTE: Some renders have been slightly resized due to imgur file size limits.*

More

Keycult No 2



Novelkeys NK65




Keycult No 1/60




Fjell by Mekanisk



Wampus by Zoo

Special thanks:
Cruel World, for helping me find the motivation and for helping in the initial phases of this project.
Pwade, for helping with some of the original renders for this project.
Sora, for running the original Soware set in the early 2010s.
j2c, for including colorchips in the photos of his Soware run in 2016.
My friends in the NYC keyboard scene.
Caro, Bowl, Ankit, and Taicho, for sitting in discord with me while I wrote this post.

[Puddsy]

reserved

[iNViSiBiLiTi]

Oh my god visible legends,  who knew it was possible. 

[of_sam]

puddsy moment

[Aiwanei]

Looks great, glwgb. As a fellow DCS enjoyer, I'm excited for this.

[Shell058]

nice

[Fraaaan]

Consider adding nipple homing keys.

[Ensaum]

Oh my, this looks very nice 

[LightningXI]

This looks very good. As a big SoWaRe fan, I'm in.

[paulgali]

$145 is a tough pill to swallow, but knowing SP pricing and how much it has gone up, I fear this is being priced at a low MOQ

STILL, DCS, I like, will probably buy. Good job bringing back a classic (sorta) even if this is one of those presale ICs

[Puddsy]

$145 is a tough pill to swallow, but knowing SP pricing and how much it has gone up, I fear this is being priced at a low MOQ

STILL, DCS, I like, will probably buy. Good job bringing back a classic (sorta) even if this is one of those presale ICs

If this does well, I hope to bring back a truer version of the classic as my next DCS project.

[paulgali]

$145 is a tough pill to swallow, but knowing SP pricing and how much it has gone up, I fear this is being priced at a low MOQ

STILL, DCS, I like, will probably buy. Good job bringing back a classic (sorta) even if this is one of those presale ICs

If this does well, I hope to bring back a truer version of the classic as my next DCS project.

We’re all being back classics now


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Taicho]

Pog

[Pyroo]

Hello puddsy

[Neely_12]

Please add some alt mods with just light blue

[blunt]

:pepeprayge2:

[Puddsy]

Please add some alt mods with just light blue

If GB numbers start to go back up, this is something I'd consider including in a potential R2. It's not really feasible right now.

[TyPo.mk]

Please add some alt mods with just light blue

I also love modo 2 mist

[nu_types]

Add wide purse and I'll buy.

[Puddsy]

Add wide purse and I'll buy.

I did consider a wide purse, but trying to save on lead time by not cutting new legends. I'm gonna try and do it for real Soware, though.

[lewisflude]

nice

[Puddsy]

Oh my god visible legends,  who knew it was possible.

FWIW, I actually had to dig pretty hard to get the actual color codes for the OG set. A quick look at my reddit post history will show you about a year's worth of looking for the OG version, with no luck.

Of course, I'd still love to buy an OG Soware set if anyone is selling one.

Finding out from J2c's post that it uses different legend colors for alphas and mods was seriously illuminating. Even the GMK version only uses one color for the main legends.

[pwade3]

nice

[whirlwind]

nice

[pixelpusher]

Oh my god visible legends,  who knew it was possible.

I mean, the GMK set legends are very visible IRL.  It's just hard to photograph.

[wigol2506]

This set is making me venture into DCS for the first time, big fan of soware as well. Somehow feels that SP legends on this set works much better than gmk legends would. GLWIC!

[Puddsy]

Oh my god visible legends,  who knew it was possible.

I mean, the GMK set legends are very visible IRL.  It's just hard to photograph.

It's more a reference to Chronicler, I think.

[ankit]

nice

[Kokaloo]

Soware dark is a really great idea.
Is that a 2u or 2.25u bar? Either way I think having both would be preferred.
Also any consideration for the front print on the 2, 3, and 4 keys like in the gmk version?

[FiEND]

been a long time coming. best of luck with the ic & inevitable gb.

[Puddsy]

Soware dark is a really great idea.
Is that a 2u or 2.25u bar? Either way I think having both would be preferred.
Also any consideration for the front print on the 2, 3, and 4 keys like in the gmk version?

2.25 and the added cost of front print (vs. the number of users it benefits) doesn't really make it feasible.

[Kokaloo]

Soware dark is a really great idea.
Is that a 2u or 2.25u bar? Either way I think having both would be preferred.
Also any consideration for the front print on the 2, 3, and 4 keys like in the gmk version?

2.25 and the added cost of front print (vs. the number of users it benefits) doesn't really make it feasible.

Front print is understandable, all good.
2.25/2.75u is very commonly the only support for a lot of split bar layouts. I would even go as far as to say that 2.25u is often used more in split layouts than 2u, and I can try and put together some data if you'd like. Not having a 2.25u bag would kill almost half of my boards for compat since 2u isn't an option in them.

[Puddsy]

Soware dark is a really great idea.
Is that a 2u or 2.25u bar? Either way I think having both would be preferred.
Also any consideration for the front print on the 2, 3, and 4 keys like in the gmk version?

2.25 and the added cost of front print (vs. the number of users it benefits) doesn't really make it feasible.

Front print is understandable, all good.
2.25/2.75u is very commonly the only support for a lot of split bar layouts. I would even go as far as to say that 2.25u is often used than 2u.

2.25/2.75 is what's included in the kit for exactly that reason.

[Kokaloo]

Soware dark is a really great idea.
Is that a 2u or 2.25u bar? Either way I think having both would be preferred.
Also any consideration for the front print on the 2, 3, and 4 keys like in the gmk version?

2.25 and the added cost of front print (vs. the number of users it benefits) doesn't really make it feasible.

Front print is understandable, all good.
2.25/2.75u is very commonly the only support for a lot of split bar layouts. I would even go as far as to say that 2.25u is often used than 2u.

2.25/2.75 is what's included in the kit expressly for that reason.

Ohhhh gotcha. No commas made it read different, I see what ya mean.
I'm in then, good set. I've always friended for sky modo and dcs soware and this is like the lil baby boy of both.

[roostrc0gburn]

Please add some alt mods with just light blue

If GB numbers start to go back up, this is something I'd consider including in a potential R2. It's not really feasible right now.

i'll second this. would be great if you added an inverted esc + enter. otherwise looks great pudds

nice.

[caroeggu]

nice

[Puddsy]

Please add some alt mods with just light blue

If GB numbers start to go back up, this is something I'd consider including in a potential R2. It's not really feasible right now.

i'll second this. would be great if you added an inverted esc + enter. otherwise looks great pudds

nice.

I probably could add these, but I think it would be too busy visually, since the set has built in accents already.

[roostrc0gburn]

Please add some alt mods with just light blue

If GB numbers start to go back up, this is something I'd consider including in a potential R2. It's not really feasible right now.

i'll second this. would be great if you added an inverted esc + enter. otherwise looks great pudds

nice.

I probably could add these, but I think it would be too busy visually, since the set has built in accents already.

understandable have a great day

[Sandy]

great effing job puddsy knocked it out the park! I can't wait to buy this set =). only request is a 6u spacebar even if it's centered but the answer might be no just gotta throw it out. keep up the great work

[Aiwanei]

great effing job puddsy knocked it out the park! I can't wait to buy this set =). only request is a 6u spacebar even if it's centered but the answer might be no just gotta throw it out. keep up the great work

DCS 6U is only centered, but not at the same mounting points as GMK and others, so it works with some vintage setups and the razer blackwidow, but will not work with standard 6u stabilizers.

[Puddsy]

great effing job puddsy knocked it out the park! I can't wait to buy this set =). only request is a 6u spacebar even if it's centered but the answer might be no just gotta throw it out. keep up the great work

DCS 6U is only centered, but not at the same mounting points as GMK and others, so it works with some vintage setups and the razer blackwidow, but will not work with standard 6u stabilizers.

yep, no reason to add it to this set until they fix it

[Puddsy]

Also just realized, I need to double check that SP will have 2.25/2.75 convex molds. Right now I think they only have concave. I don't believe they have convex but it may be in the works.

[Bub]

Also just realized, I need to double check that SP will have 2.25/2.75 convex molds. Right now I think they only have concave. I don't believe they have convex but it may be in the works.

i believe this to be the case as well... not 100% sure though.

also

nice

[Puddsy]

Also just realized, I need to double check that SP will have 2.25/2.75 convex molds. Right now I think they only have concave. I don't believe they have convex but it may be in the works.

i believe this to be the case as well... not 100% sure though.

also

nice

Personally, I prefer shifts to convex caps on my alice/split space boards, but I know it's not necessarily the majority preference. I want to make sure I know for sure so that people who want those caps are aware ahead of time.

[Aiwanei]

Also just realized, I need to double check that SP will have 2.25/2.75 convex molds. Right now I think they only have concave. I don't believe they have convex but it may be in the works.

They are still concave only, they are doing one profile at a time, SA has been done, so still have DSA, DSS and DCS, and DCS is last on that list based on what someone who asked SP told me (so doesn't hurt to double check especially with increasing popularity in DCS)

[Cobertt]

nice

[justinhigley]

Was there any thought to making the R3 Control legend red? As an R3 Control user I really appreciated with DSS Late Harvest took that route with the RGB mods there.

[Tyson]

Oh my god visible legends,  who knew it was possible.

I mean, the GMK set legends are very visible IRL.  It's just hard to photograph.

It's more a reference to Chronicler, I think.

Someone mentioning Chronicler? Where are my MOD keys? I need my 1u and 1.25u yellow MOD keys!!! )

[Fooblitzky]

Oh my.

Perfection.

[hottrout]

This reminds me of the original 7bit Round 4 I think.  I still have it somewhere.  I like this.

[Rob27shred]

Oh hell yes Puddsy! This colorway smacks & running it in DCS... Good ****, good ****

[Rob27shred]

Also just realized, I need to double check that SP will have 2.25/2.75 convex molds. Right now I think they only have concave. I don't believe they have convex but it may be in the works.

While personally I do prefer convex bars on my Alice like boards, the DCS concave bars are actually pretty comfy. I got them with my Sleeper set & thought it might bother me, but it doesn't at all. Can't say this will be true for everyone, just want to put it out there.

[Puddsy]

Was there any thought to making the R3 Control legend red? As an R3 Control user I really appreciated with DSS Late Harvest took that route with the RGB mods there.

This is a good idea, I'll forward it along and see if it's possible.

[Puddsy]

By the way, for people who prefer Discord for questions or updates, you can join mine here: https://discord.com/invite/pjdyjS5

I'll be posting updates to GH first, as I have with my past projects.

[CaesarAZealad]

[treeleaf64]

Rabble rubber Roman runner Yay Yay Yay!

Hello The Puddsy and the Ruddsy.

[infinitum]

puddsy pog. glwic!

[Puddsy]

Was there any thought to making the R3 Control legend red? As an R3 Control user I really appreciated with DSS Late Harvest took that route with the RGB mods there.

This is a good idea, I'll forward it along and see if it's possible.

Update on this, it's doable and we're making new renders to reflect the change. Thanks for your feedback.

[Puddsy]

Also, at this point I don't think we'll be adding any more accent keys. I did some research and I think it would neither help nor hurt sales numbers, but would add some cost, which I don't like.

[rpiguy9907]

Add one blank 2u spacebar please.

[Puddsy]

Add one blank 2u spacebar please.

What layout does this add support for?

[Puddsy]

Insanely busy this week, but I have updated renders with red R3 control (Thanks to justinhigley for suggesting it) and concave spacebars instead of convex that I'll upload post when I get some time.

Here's the new base kit render to hold you over, apologies for the extra white space.

[zhol]

Add one blank 2u spacebar please.

What layout does this add support for?

way too many 40's with split bar layouts to name (although looking at all the bottom row layouts that omnibus supports could be a start reference), hotswap-only arisu derivatives

[Puddsy]

Add one blank 2u spacebar please.

What layout does this add support for?

way too many 40's with split bar layouts to name (although looking at all the bottom row layouts that omnibus supports could be a start reference), hotswap-only arisu derivatives

Do any of these layouts also use 2u shift? SP doesn't have convex bars so technically it's already supported. Adding a 2u blank feels redundant to me.

[zhol]

Do any of these layouts also use 2u shift? SP doesn't have convex bars so technically it's already supported. Adding a 2u blank feels redundant to me.

yeah, forgot about the convex bar situation. 2u shift could be used I suppose, but seeing a flipped mod-colored shift on one bar and an alpha-colored blank bar on the other is also kind of a scuffed look; I'd just end up using two split shifts to retain a uniform look. maybe it's within the realm of acceptable scuff for consumers who'd put this on a split bar board to tolerate (esp for dcs), maybe not, idk man. que sera sera

[Mecxs]

The set has no 2u shift - there is a single R4 2u key, and that's numpad 0. Which isn't super awful, since at least it's alpha-coloured. But it won't match the other shift you use.

[Puddsy]

The set has no 2u shift - there is a single R4 2u key, and that's numpad 0. Which isn't super awful, since at least it's alpha-coloured. But it won't match the other shift you use.

Oop, you're right, it's a 1.75 and a 2.25 there, but no 2, since that's just for those weird 60-with-arrows layouts. Regardless, it'll work.

[gotgoodiez]

I remember you talked about liking Soware a lot and wanting every set plus how great DCS is so I am glad to see you did your own. Especially since I can pick one up since I wasn't in the hobby back then. GLWIC and can't wait to see this ran!

[Puddsy]

I remember you talked about liking Soware a lot and wanting every set plus how great DCS is so I am glad to see you did your own. Especially since I can pick one up since I wasn't in the hobby back then. GLWIC and can't wait to see this ran!

Thanks, I'm really excited to finally be able to run something Soware inspired.

[Puddsy]

Just a heads up that we are not making any more changes to the kit at this point. GB starts Friday.

[Fraaaan]

Running with only barred homing keys is a crime. Good luck with group buy anyways!

[Puddsy]

Running with only barred homing keys is a crime. Good luck with group buy anyways!

DCS doesn't offer scoops. Bars and nubbins only. I prefer bars so that's what I went with.

[m0pher]

This looks great! I already have a keyboard in mind for it.

[HungerMechanic]

Set was recently featured in MechMerlin upcoming GB:

I personally think the colours are perfect, although barred-homing keys is a turn-off for me.

[Puddsy]

I personally think the colours are perfect, although barred-homing keys is a turn-off for me.

As I explained above, SP doesn't offer scoops in DCS. You're welcome to lobby SP to add them.

[pixelpusher]

Those stepped 1.5 mods on DCS Hyperfuse are pretty hot.   Just sayin...

[Puddsy]

Those stepped 1.5 mods on DCS Hyperfuse are pretty hot.   Just sayin...

I personally really hate that look, but if GB numbers start picking up, I can add those to something in the future. Right now, the kit for this is locked in.

I'll be posting the GB thread shortly.

[pixelpusher]

Those stepped 1.5 mods on DCS Hyperfuse are pretty hot.   Just sayin...

I personally really hate that look, but if GB numbers start picking up, I can add those to something in the future. Right now, the kit for this is locked in.

I'll be posting the GB thread shortly.

 

[Puddsy]

https://novelkeys.com/products/dcs-dark-sky

the GB is live, i'm really busy again but i'll try and post a thread for it soon

[Puddsy]

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=118025.0

GB thread is live. Locking this thread and will post updates there. Thank you all for your input on this set.