I’ve been working on a design for a split keyboard that is a hybrid between a Corne and a Sofle.

So fair the electrical and software aspects work, I still need to sort out the chassis.

Some features:

  • Efficient backlight circuit (at 100% it uses 20mA)
  • Custom MBK Choc caps from fkcaps.com (the glow is awesome)
  • ~250mAh battery (still low profile as there’s a hole in the PCB for the battery)
  • Dual EVQ encoders
  • Fully wireless using Nice Nanos
  • The layout has MacOS and Windows modes
  • Choc spacing

Once I’ve got the chassis done and I’ve cleaned everything up a bit I’ll open source it.

Here’s a preview of the chassis design so far:

  • MickiusMousius@lemmy.worldOP
    2·
    11 months ago

    Nice, I highly recommend the fk caps guys, really happy with them.

    I have an updated set of caps that I’ll order soon, I’m currently tinkering with the backlight glyphs. Still not quite satisfied.

    I like your caps idea, I toyed with dye sublimation but then decided against that (clear stickers would have been way easier). Then I saw a link to FK caps somewhere and gave it a go.

    My encoders are mostly mapped to arrow keys. But, here’s the current map (it’s derived from my Corne’s map):

    https://pastebin.com/9XRqkKYH

    • RustedSwitch@lemmy.world
      2·
      11 months ago

      I have an updated set of caps that I’ll order soon, I’m currently tinkering with the backlight glyphs. Still not quite satisfied.

      Do you know if their system allows to share designs as a starting point? I know you can save for later.

      I like your caps idea, I toyed with dye sublimation but then decided against that (clear stickers would have been way easier).

      Thanks! I was happy-ish with the result. I created the font from a handwritten script I use when I send greeting cards. I didn’t find a way to keep the ink from rubbing off though, so they never lasted very long. I tried lacquering them, but likely didn’t do a very good job - I can be aggravatingly impatient.

      My encoders are mostly mapped to arrow keys.

      I think that’s almost what I’d do too - I’d like an easier way to select text when composing email/whatever, so I dream of a single key whole-word select function. I’d map it to a (variable) shift arrow, depending on whether I’m on the MacBook or the windows box.

      Side note - I noticed your map has both windows and Mac specific commands - I didn’t know that was possible. Are these separate layers, or is the keyboard somehow aware of the OS it is attached to?

      • MickiusMousius@lemmy.worldOP
        2·
        11 months ago

        If the GUI key is tapped twice it switches to the windows base layer, double tap again and it goes to the Mac OS (default) layer. This is done using a “tap dance”, look for “td” in the map to find it.

        If you look at the conditional layers you’ll see how I accomplished the stacking of key bindings.

        Since the board is naked I’ve not really used it, but I was playing with the scrollers and doing text navigation, it was very very nice.

        I think you can share layouts from FK Caps:

        https://fkcaps.com/custom/HUA582

        The above is my current WIP. Hopefully it works, I’d like to share it as a basis for people to customise the Rolio if they want.

        • RustedSwitch@lemmy.world
          1·
          11 months ago

          If the GUI key is tapped twice it switches to the windows base layer, double tap again and it goes to the Mac OS (default) layer. This is done using a “tap dance”, look for “td” in the map to find it.

          This could easily a game changer for me! My brain warps whenever I require a multi key/layer function, while I’m connected to a windows box from my mac.

          I think you can share layouts from FK Caps

          Nice, I’m on mobile but will make a note to check this out later.

          Honestly, this project, caps, and key map… I feel like you are me, lol