What is SpaceFN and why you should give it a try
The SpaceFN concept - setting up your space key as a layer switch when held - is probably one of the most useful tweaks in the keyboard hobby. Let me explain how it works. My SpaceFN article on kbd.news made some rounds recently - quite surprisingly given the age of this concept. This piece you're reading is a condensed version of the full post. If you're left with unanswered questions, you'll most likely find the info you're looking for in the original write-up. On my imaginary top list of the most useful keyboard features, tweaks and hacks, SpaceFN would deserve a podium finish for sure. But what makes it so special? In short: SpaceFN is easy to implement, easy to learn, costs nothing, can be used with any keyboard, and can improve your productivity instantly. I will list its benefits below, but can state right at this point that the SpaceFN concept, setting up your space key as a layer switch when held, is clearly one of the most useful tweaks in the keyboard hobby....
Apr 30, 2024
I ordered semi-translucent white blanks, but Massdrop sent me only 47 1u keycaps and their colors are not to my taste.
So I ordered some other keycaps from Novelkeys to compare with mine, but I don't like them either so I decided to paint my keycaps. I'll show this pic to compare their colors between different types of keycaps.
In the top, there are white alphas with legend keycaps, Massdrop say they're PBT, but I think they're just coated with some material on the top of semi-translucent keycaps.
Definitely they're coated on purpose not to make led light pass. The problem is they look a little yellowish with the naked eye. Because they don't cover all keycaps in white so uncovered parts can make a led light line. You can see it in Massdrop promotional pics that's kinda awesome though.
In the middle, you can see a 2u size keycap, that's a semi-translucent keycap Massdrop sent me, it's not white but yellowish white. You can see them in the promotional pics as well. I think most keyboard enthusiaists know keycaps have "glowing" feature are not "pure" white.
Right next to it, you can see a 1u size keycap, that's a white blank keycap Novelkeys sell. They're not white but greenish white, it's weired I don't know why they look greenish, maybe because they're old or they used some wrong paint.
In the bottom, there are keycaps which I spray-painted myself. I got only 47 1u keycaps so I have to sandpaper keycaps from Novelkeys. That's the reason I got 2 flat keys for my space keys.
Here's a pic to compare with my xbox one white controller.
I use only blanks for my keyboards which are not just for display on my shelf. So this is one of my test whether planck light is qualified to be my main driver.
Why do I compare mine with my xbox controller? I want to show you I want my LEDs shine like xbox logo light. I mean xbox controller doesn't look yellowish when it's turned off. That's another reason I painted my keycaps.
Here's a pic when it's turned on.
RGB light still passes without a problem. I didn't change RGB code for you to compare with yours, (disabled a single led in the middle of space) It's RGB test matrix color you can see when you turn on yours which got default firmware.
I still have to do something like replacing some switches making abnormal reaction and complete programming my firmware. After finishing remaining stuff, if I got some time, I can write a detailed review. That's why I wrote this here.
I hope this info helpful to community members who got planck light and who think whether to buy it or not.
P.S. I don't recommend you to paint your keycaps. They're gonna peel off eventually.