Background:GMK Triumph Adler is around the corner. The original keyset came with the keyboard of the TA Dario computer system. For the keyboard, the Cherry G8*-3000 case was used. The case had a blue LED overlay matching the blue keycaps, which due to a manufacturing defect turned more to a teal over time.
intelli78's GMK Replica set aims to make the super rare, but wonderfully looking teal-colored keys more accessible and affordable with the successful group buy.
I'm a fan of the keyset and I think it looks great on a keyboard with a G8*-3000 case. I've also seen other community members looking for 3000 cases specifically for the TA set. The problem is, there's no 3000 case with a teal LED overlay matching the Replica set in a similar way as the original had a blue overlay for the blue keycaps.
Original case on the left; normal 3000 case on the rightMy Goal:I want to recreate the LED overlay in GMK Triumph Adler-colors for the perfect match. This means drawing and producing them.
What I've done so far:I've redrawn the overlays as a vector graphic using Inkscape based on the the Samples I have and high resolution photographs.
Here are my drawings:
The vector files are available as attachement to this post (best viewed in Inkscape).Thanks hashbaz for providing the vector drawings of the Cherry legends!
The colors I've used:
Grey/Beige overlay- Background: #F0F0C6
- Frame: #807C70
- Legends: #282828
(those are purely from eye-balling and I would need to test multiple combination IRL)
TA overlay- Background: #F0F0C6 (Pantone PQ-427 C)
- Frame: #00677F (Pantone PQ-315 C)
- Legends: #004680 (Pantone PQ-2154 C)
(colors used for the GMK TA keyset,
source)
What I need help with:Drawing:It would be awesome to make overlay for other cases like the G8*-1800. I only have the two overlays from the 3000s, but maybe someone else can provide a scan/drawing of them.
The colors are by no means final and are purely based on guessing. I still have to see how they looked when printed out.
Production:I ultimately want to produce the overlays. Unfortuantely, I don't have a clue on how to go about it.
From the inspection of my overlays, I gathered that the used plastic is rough on the front and smooth and shiny on the back. The base is transparent and is printed from the back. The first layer are the dark legends and frame and the second layer is the background infill in color of the case with open spots for the LEDs to shine through.
What material are they made of?Makrofol (which apparently is Polycarbonate)
How are they printed?Screen printing
Where can I print them?I'll try to print them myself and check the quality.
If anyone has some tips/experience/suggestions, please hit me up!
