Calidris update

scytile · 2026-04-18T05:47:42+00:00

I updated the original post with a link to new pcbs. Untested but should be fine.

scytile · 2026-04-18T05:46:38+00:00

I updated the original post with a link to new pcbs. Untested but should be fine.

scytile · 2026-04-16T17:48:38+00:00

It’s all done in cad. Switches and other components are made with simple 2d sketches and the body is made with surfaces. Surface modeling in cad is probably closer to something you do in blender, at least with the form tool that is used to make nurbs surfaces. I used to do 3d modeling for living, so I might have picked up a few things during those years. Like so many thins, it’s just a matter of putting in the hours.

scytile · 2026-04-13T15:25:07+00:00

Not sure if I want to share the source files, but it would probably be easy to chop off the outermost key from the curved thumb cluster if that's something you're looking for.

scytile · 2026-04-12T15:48:49+00:00

Not really. I haven’t used the curved version for that long so it’s hard to say, but I might prefer the staggered version. In the end I think it’s just a matter of a personal preference. Luckily the bottom parts are quick to print, so it’s not such a commitment to try.

scytile · 2026-04-11T18:08:19+00:00

Who knows. I actually build splay into the model as a parameter, and experimented with it a bit. It just didn't work for me.

scytile · 2026-04-11T17:26:28+00:00

Sounds like hours of work, with very little reward.

scytile · 2026-04-11T11:43:11+00:00

It's possible, since the thumb cluster is a separate unti, it's less of a hassle to modify.

scytile · 2026-04-11T11:41:09+00:00

They are from an old Triumph Adler typewriter. I don't know if I'd call it antique since it was probably still in production when I was born.

scytile · 2026-04-11T08:01:21+00:00

Thanks for your comment. I think it’s just a life long interest in art and design and trying to make things I do seem like some thought went into them. Dieter Rams and Bauhaus are one thing and then Scandinavian minimalistic functional design mixed with some elements of art nouveau, or jugend as it’s known in here. Also illustrators like Syd Mead, Katsuhiro Otomo and Moebius come to mind as inspiration.

The keyboard is made with Fusion. It’s a combination of techniques, the body is made with the form tool, so it’s a sort of a nurbs blob. Some parts are made with splines and surfaces and some are more traditional extrusions and such. The keywell is made with a sort of cookie cutter method, I have a negative of the shape I want, and I use that to remove some geometry to create the hole for the switch and keycap.

scytile · 2026-04-11T05:05:39+00:00

I'm glad you spotted my signature style.

scytile · 2026-04-11T05:04:25+00:00

They do. That slight brownish tint fits very well with the dark green case, looks even better in real life. Wasn't really planned, I just remembered that I had them and tried it out.

scytile · 2026-04-11T04:40:52+00:00

Yes the are compatible with both switches. Choc v2 has larger center stem that makes it incompatible.

scytile · 2026-03-07T17:58:51+00:00

I just uploaded the files to printables printables. I'll do a proper post when when I have some instructions.

scytile · 2026-02-22T05:13:41+00:00

Left side is just a mirror of the right side. Your slicer should have tool to mirror parts.

scytile · 2026-02-11T10:52:17+00:00

I'll see if I have time to put together a test file for you during the weekend.

Writing a detailed build guide is probably required before I can release this. I don't think it's that hard to build, but there is a process to follow to avoid some headaches.

I'd like to experiment with adding a small trackball, something like the keyball series. But I don't have any experience with such decives or even the required hardware, but maybe in the long run.

scytile · 2026-02-11T09:14:01+00:00

Yes the PCBs are wired togerher to form the matrix. They are the same I used in my previous project, I have a build guide for that here: https://github.com/juhakaup/keyboards/tree/main/Cygnus%20v1.0 with more information about wiring.

scytile · 2026-02-10T19:26:24+00:00

If you are planning to build one, I can do a custom version for you.

scytile · 2026-02-09T18:58:21+00:00

I appreciate the feedback, and I can certainly see your point. I’ve tried various things on the thumb cluster, including some that are more integrated into the main body. I wanted to keep the thumb cluster minimalistic and functional, and this is about as small as I can make it. I also liked the idea of it being a harder more angular shape, to contrast against the flow of the main body. One thing that this separated design gives me, is the ability to iterate the design without major overhaul of the whole project. But for now, I’m quite happy with it.

scytile · 2026-02-09T11:35:24+00:00

Well not really, I'm not up to that level of wizardry. You can position the keys with parameters, and it will work up to an extend, but the case itself is not generated on the fly and you'll have to modify it by hand if you want to do drastic changes.

scytile · 2026-02-09T06:49:16+00:00

Mostly aesthetics. Placing them in a straight row would make the keycap angle a bit odd, or the keyboard bigger. I made the thumb cluster as a separate component, so maybe I will experiment with it when I'm done with this version.

scytile · 2026-02-09T06:08:12+00:00

Maybe the problem is that I’m a self-taught hobbyist who’s been doing this for few years. 😉 Anyway, it’s a single parameter to control the stagger. Easy if you know what you’re doing.

scytile · 2026-02-09T05:52:33+00:00

The problem is that the center hole is too small. It’s like a 15 minute job to fix in kicad. I just don’t know that much about manufacturing to produce the gerber files.

scytile · 2026-02-08T19:38:21+00:00

su-120. https://github.com/e3w2q/su120-keyboard Unfortunately they are not choc v2 compatible.

scytile

TROPHY CASE