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Show HN: Keyboard Simulator – virtual keyboard designer

210 points| crsnbrt | 5 years ago |keyboardsimulator.xyz | reply

63 comments

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[+] airstrike|5 years ago|reply
This is great. From the title, I thought it was http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/ but this is a nice addition.

Almost wish it combined the functionality of the two, or at least offered a few more layouts. Personally, I really don't understand why 75%s aren't more popular... https://www.keyboardco.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/H...

[+] crsnbrt|5 years ago|reply
Thanks, you're right it could use a few more layouts, 75% is probably the biggest omission. I didn't want it to be too overwhelming with too many variations as I see this as more of a tool to get a vibe for what a board could look like (possibly to help with interest checks) rather than a tool to recreate all possible layouts.

I'd also like to explore adding different audio options for switches types but that seemed like a projects unto itself haha.

[+] weinzierl|5 years ago|reply
This is fantastic! If I had a wish I'd wish for the addition of split keyboard layouts (like Ergodox) and the Granite color scheme.

One minor thing: I can scroll through the list of color schemes with the cursor keys but the selected color scheme doesn't activate until I click with the mouse. I don't know if it is possible but it would be cool if you could zap through the color schemes just with the keyboard.

Thanks for making this!

[+] maddyboo|5 years ago|reply
The 3D viewport is super smooth on mobile, great job & awesome tool!
[+] ivanstojic|5 years ago|reply
I think the 40% ortho keyboard model doesn't really accurately represent what that class of keyboards look like.
[+] raihansaputra|5 years ago|reply
Yeah I just realized that too. The spacebar should be 2u instead of 3u.
[+] raynr|5 years ago|reply
Oh wow this is great, very smooth on my PC! Lets me look at various colour combos. Is this just meant to be a visualisation tool?

Imports from http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com would be even better. There are so many layout options.

[+] SommaRaikkonen|5 years ago|reply
Thanks a lot for sharing. I used to go on /r/MKB a lot a few years ago, but I had to stop because I wouldn't ever be able to afford such nice-looking keyboards, as they were usually so expensive :(
[+] colmvp|5 years ago|reply
I ended up buying an expensive mechanic keyboard because a coder I follow on YouTube had such a beautiful sounding keyboard whenever he typed, that I had to get something similar.

I'm not even going to try justifying the cost based efficiency or ergonomics or build quality, I simply love the sound of a well-produced mechanic keyboard.

[+] sascha_sl|5 years ago|reply
It really depends what you want. If 80% of the way there is enough, or if you're more after key feel than sound, there are relatively cheap options, from cheap $40 outemu socket boards (that only fit outemu keys unless you wanna file off some thickness from other keys legs) to something like the GMMK barebone, over to a full kit like the NK65 Milkshake (which is INCREDEBLE value and runs for a few more days)
[+] crsnbrt|5 years ago|reply
That mk sticker shock is no joke, part of the inspiration for this :)
[+] arvinsim|5 years ago|reply
Really wish there were more affordable full size split keyboards.

I love typing on mechanical keyboards but would love an ergonomic option.

Yes, I know there are keyboards like Kinesis and Ergodox but it's hard to get them outside US.

[+] samatman|5 years ago|reply
Ergodox EZ will ship anywhere, afaik. They ship from Taiwan, even when you order them from the US.

I don't know if it's what you consider affordable, but given the hours I put in on the thing, it's a worthwhile investment.

[+] toyg|5 years ago|reply
I got my Kinesis in the UK via Osmond Ergonomics. It’s cheaper than direct US shipping (which Kinesis would do, but then it’s a bit of a pain with border taxes). Osmond is a pretty small company, very friendly, I expect they could probably get you other Kinesis stuff not featured on their webstore, if you ask them.
[+] tapland|5 years ago|reply
I couldn’t afford a full size one but got a 40% split and it has been great. Joint issues but placed a mouse and later a trackball that I can use with right hand or thumb in between the halves and a few layers to get F-keys up to 24, numpad and media buttons.

Absolutely amazing to use and has rid me of a lot of pain.

[+] dirtyid|5 years ago|reply
Anyone have experience with 50% keyboard with numpad on left side and spit space/backspace? It seems very functional, especially for frequent number entry in CAD.
[+] frosted-flakes|5 years ago|reply
So-called "left-handed"[1] keyboards intrigue me, and I've always wanted one. I use the numpad heavily, but it gets in the way of the mouse. Plus, as you mentioned, it would mean you could nicely enter numbers with the left hand while mousing with the right hand for CAD programs.

This[2] is my dream keyboard. Totally standard layout, except the number pad is moved to the other side. Unfortunately, no one makes these, and I came across this one after the group buy was already done.

[2]: https://switchplate.co/collections/southpaw-full-size-group-...

[1]: Really, they should be called right-handed keyboards. Left-handed mouse users can already use a regular full-size keyboard without the numpad getting in the way.

[+] crsnbrt|5 years ago|reply
I'm not sure if the official name for this is 50% but I included it because, as a lefty, I love the idea of it. no experience using them however.
[+] mncharity|5 years ago|reply
Issue: clicking Case Finish Matte selects Glossy. Reload; click CASE OPTIONS; for Case Finish, expect Brushed to be shown as selected. Click on the Matte radio button circle. Glossy is now shown as selected, rather than Matte. On recent desktop firefox and chromium.
[+] crsnbrt|5 years ago|reply
thanks, I'll take a look
[+] 127|5 years ago|reply
I guess that's pretty cool. The 65% is not 65% IMO, but the Drop 65%. There's a key missing left of the arrows.

Also would be nice to have keyboard height, split keyboards, switch types and keycap types.

[+] bradly|5 years ago|reply
It isn't missing a key. It is called a blocker. They are fairly common on 65% keyboards.
[+] noisy_boy|5 years ago|reply
Feature request: allow setting/fixing the overall background; for some themes, it is too bright and distracts from the keyboard itself.
[+] crsnbrt|5 years ago|reply
thanks for the feedback, I probably need to separate the background from the ui accent color. Any colorway with a dark accent will increase the "brightness" to for a more accessible contrast ratio.
[+] Rokid|5 years ago|reply
Which technology did you use for the 3D stuff? I've never seen anything quite like this!
[+] mherrmann|5 years ago|reply
Very cool. I love how even on mobile I can just rotate, pan and zoom in the 3D view.
[+] g105b|5 years ago|reply
If only there was a [BUY NOW], you would make a serious load of cash.
[+] bradly|5 years ago|reply
This is really nice. Would like to see an option for SA keycaps as well. Great job.
[+] ReedJessen|5 years ago|reply
This is an amazingly slick 3d system in my browser. What tech stack is this?
[+] crsnbrt|5 years ago|reply
It's a react app using three.js or the keyboard rendering
[+] stanislavb|5 years ago|reply
It's somehow very satisfying to play with this :)