Author Topic: Custom Artwork Key Caps - Show us your work logs. (Read 7494 times)

Bertross · « **on:** Tue, 07 February 2012, 16:49:27 »

Hey guys and gals. Ive taken a strong interest in this mech KB saga and I've been researching a little bit about custom art on key caps.

I was wondering if i made a few designs how i would go about getting them printed. I saw WASD have this feature and tbh its probably something i will use initially.

I have no issues designing them in Illustrator as Vector art but what is required on the output stage. As far as i understand WASD only have ABS keys i was more inclined on PBT.

This could turn into a custom art thread, i actually invite it. Over the next few days i might have some templates up to start with, can anyone help me by supplying a template to go by that accurate say for a FIlco MJ2 or WASD V1?

Thanks, mods please move if in wrong section.

hazeluff · « **Reply #1 on:** Tue, 07 February 2012, 16:53:49 »

Theres a thread already somewhere about ideas. Anyway I guess this is different enough.

http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/products/custom-keyboard-options/custom-option-upload-your-key-design.html Bottom of page for layout for WASD.

Also check out my sig for some of the stuff I've done over the few months I've joined. (I got some stuff hidden on my computer and can't be bothered to upload).

Other ways of making keys:

1) Buy a makerbot with dual extruders.
2) Make designs everyone love and will want. So you can start a Group Buy and everyone can buy purdy keycaps.

Also: My templates for single keycaps and a ANSI 104 Layout. Basically for seeing what they might look like as well as stripping the "keycap" border from the single keycap template and saving is what I send to SP (Its not configured to the right sizes, its a bit off. But it is to scale).

Bertross · « **Reply #2 on:** Tue, 07 February 2012, 17:24:06 »

thanks for that appreciate it. I might try some single caps 1st, i really wanted to do something unique on the spacebar to as it a nice size to show off a little

hazeluff · « **Reply #3 on:** Tue, 07 February 2012, 17:27:18 »

Forgot to answer of of your questions:

The output you give to others varies from the makers. But SP wants SVGs and I think WASD will take any image format and even draw them for you. But SVG works out nice, since its scaleable and most "printable" designs won't have raster effects.

Doubleshots have some restrictions. But I'll leave that unless you want to know.

Bertross · « **Reply #4 on:** Tue, 07 February 2012, 17:34:32 »

yeah i did kinda of thought Double shots would have some restrictions due to it being a cutout over a laser print. what i might do it make a few this week and send them through to WASD for a test. Ill also grab some Geekhack keys while I'm at it to. After that i can then ask some more questions.

Be interested in some more ideas and designs.

Bertross · « **Reply #5 on:** Thu, 09 February 2012, 21:28:41 »

been working on this last night before i went to bed.

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hazeluff · « **Reply #6 on:** Thu, 09 February 2012, 21:43:18 »

Quote from: Bertross;510708

been working on this last night before i went to bed.

(Attachment Link) 39964[/ATTACH]

I like your work. Very beautiful. More creative than me = p

Bertross · « **Reply #7 on:** Thu, 09 February 2012, 21:45:22 »

thanks Haze, its just the beginning! Im a graphic designer atm, i used to illustrate a lot freelance. Been drawing since i can remember

should have seen me mock this up at 12 last night...my eyes are hanging out the back of my head and still haven't had my coffee today!

Here i just put this onto the WASD i had for a glimpse. Now to make a set i like and really understand the transformers styling which will reflect the final outlook.

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Zamorph · « **Reply #8 on:** Thu, 09 February 2012, 22:15:25 »

Quote from: Bertross;510715

thanks Haze, its just the beginning! Im a graphic designer atm, i used to illustrate a lot freelance. Been drawing since i can remember should have seen me mock this up at 12 last night...my eyes are hanging out the back of my head and still haven't had my coffee today!

Here i just put this onto the WASD i had for a glimpse. Now to make a set i like and really understand the transformers styling which will reflect the final outlook.

(Attachment Link) 39971[/ATTACH]

I want a set!

Bertross · « **Reply #9 on:** Thu, 09 February 2012, 22:17:20 »

when i get a set I'm happy with might do a bulk order.

cactux · « **Reply #10 on:** Thu, 09 February 2012, 22:19:54 »

^ You live in Australia right?

Bertross · « **Reply #11 on:** Thu, 09 February 2012, 22:20:35 »

yeah mate.

cactux · « **Reply #12 on:** Thu, 09 February 2012, 22:22:15 »

^ good ;-)

Bertross · « **Reply #13 on:** Thu, 09 February 2012, 22:24:26 »

how come ? you to?

Update: [ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 39975[/ATTACH]

Update: got the actual Logos and hacked some bits off. i like.

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tsangan · « **Reply #14 on:** Thu, 09 February 2012, 22:55:35 »

Decepticon!!

Very very nice work

Bertross · « **Reply #15 on:** Thu, 09 February 2012, 23:11:33 »

looks like the interest is high enough for me to make a set

, i get my new TKL Filco Brown on monday and i will be designing it towards that. I think i will go down white caps with blue legends. I can make other to suit. Its easy

cactux · « **Reply #16 on:** Fri, 10 February 2012, 00:45:53 »

^ Yes me 2 ;-)

Bertross · « **Reply #17 on:** Tue, 14 February 2012, 22:33:08 »

I've been working on this bait and this is where I'm at.

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captain · « **Reply #18 on:** Wed, 22 February 2012, 12:38:21 »

Fantastic work Bertross! Too bad I'm not a transformers fan. Do one for StarTrek! :-)

mehkat1974 · « **Reply #19 on:** Wed, 22 February 2012, 23:14:37 »

HATE Transformers
LOVE that arrow set Bert

baldgye · « **Reply #20 on:** Thu, 23 February 2012, 14:04:24 »

Quote from: Bertross;514789

I've been working on this bait and this is where I'm at.

(Attachment Link) 40558[/ATTACH]

now that looks bad-ass!

IvanIvanovich · « **Reply #21 on:** Sun, 18 March 2012, 01:28:49 »

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Something I've been slaving over for a bit, tweaking, redrawing and so on and so on. I think I am finished. I would like some feedback... I know it's my own set and my board and all, but I have mad dreams of trying to swing a GB anyway...

MyNameIsFinn · « **Reply #22 on:** Sun, 18 March 2012, 01:29:49 »

Quote from: lysol;549521

(Attachment Link) 44731[/ATTACH]

Something I've been slaving over for a bit, tweaking, redrawing and so on and so on. I think I am finished. I would like some feedback... I know it's my own set and my board and all, but I have mad dreams of trying to swing a GB anyway...

I would buy it, like now. That looks fricken amazing.

MyNameIsFinn · « **Reply #23 on:** Sun, 18 March 2012, 01:31:45 »

Quote from: lysol;549521

(Attachment Link) 44731[/ATTACH]

Something I've been slaving over for a bit, tweaking, redrawing and so on and so on. I think I am finished. I would like some feedback... I know it's my own set and my board and all, but I have mad dreams of trying to swing a GB anyway...

btw, what did you use to make that?

IvanIvanovich · « **Reply #24 on:** Sun, 18 March 2012, 01:35:00 »

illustrator, and lots and lots of time.

Thanks, 24 more to go... LOL.

zirb · « **Reply #25 on:** Tue, 20 March 2012, 11:01:02 »

Quote from: lysol;549521

(Attachment Link) 44731[/ATTACH]

Something I've been slaving over for a bit, tweaking, redrawing and so on and so on. I think I am finished. I would like some feedback... I know it's my own set and my board and all, but I have mad dreams of trying to swing a GB anyway...

Haha, pretty cool!
This would be a really unique set of keycaps. But I also have to admit that I wouldn't buy something freaky like that ^^

In Dye-sub I guess?

sth · « **Reply #26 on:** Tue, 20 March 2012, 11:09:13 »

still looking for some feedback/potential interest in this layout for mac poker users:

[ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 45024[/ATTACH]

I might try to simplify the fn layer.

IvanIvanovich · « **Reply #27 on:** Tue, 20 March 2012, 11:39:22 »

Very nice sth. Not sure how much more you could simplify it, but the one suggestion I have is make volume icons the same light grey. I'm not a mac user, but would be interested in a set like that provided I could get alternate modifier keys.

sth · « **Reply #28 on:** Tue, 20 March 2012, 11:46:47 »

The legends will all be the same color if I do it through WASD although I was thinking lasered for the main layer and engraved for the second layer could be really cool.

I am willing to whip up the additional modifiers to make this into a win/lin/nix board but it would look weird. It would definitely have a 'super' key instead of a windows logo. I also already have the legends lined up to swap caps and L_control.

Sure wish I could order just 60-odd keys instead of the full 104 layout, or swap some of the extra R4 / numpad keys for modifiers to have a mac, win and unix specific set.

IvanIvanovich · « **Reply #29 on:** Tue, 20 March 2012, 12:33:31 »

Depending on your budget, you might ask imsto about doing them as dyesubs. Though last time I asked it was quite expensive for a full custom set, I don't remember the exact amount but it was somewhat higher than the standard sets but still $1000 less than SP one off LOL.

Fuzzy Dunlop · « **Reply #30 on:** Tue, 20 March 2012, 12:43:17 »

Quote from: lysol;549521

(Attachment Link) 44731[/ATTACH]

Something I've been slaving over for a bit, tweaking, redrawing and so on and so on. I think I am finished. I would like some feedback... I know it's my own set and my board and all, but I have mad dreams of trying to swing a GB anyway...

Really interesting. Usability purists would complain about the lettering, however as art it's very compelling. I like the handwritten quality a lot, the way no two letters look the same. That being said there are a few keys that could use a bit more finesse to make them more consistent with the overall layout. The shift key, for example, looks crowded – I would suggest removing the arrow symbol. Also, I'm not sure about the pencil key legend, same with the delete key (the drips are inconsistent with the permanent marker stroke you've used everywhere else). If you're going for wildstyle lettering, keep it consistent and stick with letters only. Apart from that, there are maybe 2 or 3 key legends where the stroke weight on the letters seems out of whack compared to the others.

Overall, love it

IvanIvanovich · « **Reply #31 on:** Tue, 20 March 2012, 13:05:29 »

Thanks. Some things to think about. Perhaps a few letters should gain some weight.

Edit: fixed weight, little changes, switched to standard numerals instead of words, and did a Russian version for fun.
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absyrd · « **Reply #32 on:** Tue, 20 March 2012, 18:59:02 »

I like.

Maybe throw the Banksy rat on a diff key (Caps Lock?) and just do the GH on the esc key and have the red drip down to the tilde and tab? Or toss the rat down to the r1 Ctrl and scatter some red throughout?

It is too neat! Mess it up a bit.

IvanIvanovich · « **Reply #33 on:** Tue, 20 March 2012, 19:29:52 »

The Banksy GH is the ESC key. Too neat? Well I thought it should still be readable.
Now this is neat:
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Author Topic: Custom Artwork Key Caps - Show us your work logs. (Read 7494 times)