Support for Alternative Layouts
This is a summary of how alternative layouts have been supported by kits such as Colevrak and Homing. It is not a discussion of alt layout performance and development, but if that interests you I highly recommend starting with Pascal Getreuer’s A guide to alt keyboard layouts (why, how, which one?). It’s a concise and comprehensive overview with links to some great sites that go deeper. He also has a separate Links about keyboards page. The Keyboard layouts doc he recommends explains layout goals and metrics in detail, summarizing the alt layouts discussed here as well as more than one hundred others. Sculpted-profile The majority of custom keycap sets are sculpted-profile (Cherry, SA, MT3, KAT, etc. - more on profiles generally here) so let’s start there. Because each row has a unique keycap shape, alt layouts require a unique keycap for each legend that moves off its QWERTY row. At first there were two The Dvorak layout was patented in 1936 by August Dvorak & William L....
Apr 23, 2024
I have been working on an 8Bit themed keycap set for several months. Most of that work taking place in an IC on geekhack. I am proud to announce the pre-order for XDA 8Bit - a beautifully dyesubbed classic retro keycap set.
https://thevankeyboards.com/products/xda-8bit-pre-order
Sometimes to Go Forward, We Must First Go Back
To design 8Bit we took a look at some of the most nostalgic memories of our youth and applied them to a keyset. Swords and shields, blocky fonts, two-tone gray and red. We wanted to capture that feeling of blowing on a cartridge, slapping it into a console and hitting power. No responsibility, just one goal, save the day.
Emphasis MiniVan As the creator of the MiniVan we have chosen to make our kits with the MiniVan at the forefront. Many other sizes are supported, but by basing the base kit off of the MiniVan we are able to offer a much lower price to cover the MiniVan.
Dye Sublimated PBT in XDA Profile This keycap set will be produced in the uniform profile, XDA, which is similar to DSA. PBT plastic will be used and the legends will be applied via dye sublimation. Below is an early sublimation sample from the XDA team. The sample also shows the plastic colors selected for the keycaps.
World 1-1 (Base) Kit The World 1-1 kit is the beginning. It covers a MiniVan and Roadkit keyboards. It is also the core of the remaining kits and when combined offers support for many more layouts.
100% Completion (104) Kit 100% completion is all about covering a fullsize layout and many of the inbetween layouts. When paired with World 1-1, Fullsize (104), TKL (80%), and 60% are all covered. If you like to find all the secrets and collect all the achievements hidden within a game, then this is the kit for you.
Inventory Upgrade (Compatibility) Kit Who doesn't like an upgrade? With this kit you get support for Win Keyless (WKL), BananaSplit and Planck. Don't be over encumbered by your non-standard layout, buy the inventory upgrade today!
Equipment Pack (Novelties) Kit It's dangerous to go alone! Here, take my sword and shield. The equipment pack adds a fresh set of novelties to the mix. Alternate bottom row mods sporting a shield, sword and bow. Replacement split spacebars to power on and reset your adventures. Alternate enter and backspace keys for your standard layouts.
Sprite Pack (Icons) Kit What would the classics be without a few sprites? In computer graphics, a sprite is a two-dimensional bitmap that is integrated into a larger scene. The Sprite pack gives you some neat alternatives for you modifiers giving a truly retro look.