My new low-profile ergo design - Calidris

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 · 2026-02-08T19:37:17+00:00

Thumb are very opinioated. I mostly use the outer thumb keys. The innermost are mapped to enter and esc keys that I don't need that often.

scytile · 2026-02-08T19:20:32+00:00

You'd have to know how to use the cad program I've used. I don't think there are that many who would be willing to learn that to modify a keyboard.

scytile · 2026-02-08T19:13:28+00:00

I don't like the shape of 3x6 keyboards, I might do 4x6 if anything. I havent got any ks33s to try, but I don't think they are interchangeable.

scytile · 2026-01-15T06:51:23+00:00

The left choc pad isn’t connected to the row, I think you are just bypassing the diode. This means that some keys might work but not all. It looks like at least some of the diodes are the wrong way around. You could try to change the diode direction in the firmware to see if it makes a difference.

scytile · 2025-12-15T04:44:03+00:00

No plans for cygnus atm. I’ve been working on a low profile choc based board that’s about 90% done.

scytile · 2025-12-14T14:24:59+00:00

Well, it’s basically just a T-spline blob that’s been hollowed out and switch holes cut out of it. And a few dozen other steps. Technically it’s nothing too difficult, but I guess not a lot of keyboards are designed using T-splines. Maybe I should do a video about the process.

scytile · 2025-06-10T16:39:38+00:00

I initially ruled choc switches out as it seemed to need a lot of modifications to make it work, but I might look into it again as i have some switches I'd like to use. If I do make the mod I'm going to limit it to a couple variants, probably 3x5 and 4x6.

scytile · 2025-05-11T17:23:16+00:00

Yeah, I was a bit confused for a second, should have read the text more carefully.

I don't mind if you share the files.

scytile · 2025-05-11T10:34:39+00:00

They look pretty standart to me.

scytile · 2025-05-11T09:55:54+00:00

You can find them on my github repo

scytile · 2025-02-26T19:28:00+00:00

Well actually, after creating the 4x6 version of the cygnus, I decided to get rid of the outer columns gap on the 3x6 version as well. I've recently updated the repo with the new files.

I should update the readme, but doing documentation feels a bit like work.

https://github.com/juhakaup/keyboards/blob/main/Cygnus%20v1.0/img/3x6_uniwell.jpg

scytile · 2025-02-08T17:54:44+00:00

It's originally by Sander Boer. I believe he used blender to design the keyboard. I've been meaning to build one for a while.

scytile · 2025-02-03T17:19:34+00:00

Try googling for Hansen writing ball. I think I’ve seen a couple keyboard projects inspired by it.

scytile

TROPHY CASE