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
Please refer to the link below for a multitude of renders and combinations featuring the kits:
* http://mitormk.com/pulse
And for those who are curious, this is what the backlit compatible Novelties look like:
Hope you guys enjoy what's coming, let me know what you think!
I just wanted to check in and see what you think here as it will influence my purchase decision.
Thanks!
Gotta break characters in the middle and the final result is lame.
I always assumed this to be due to the height of the profile - the lighting may not shine though completely, or may look dimly/partially lit, especially on sculpted SA with different row heights.
The stylistic choice could be another reason - for instance, the legends on Pulse are centered on the key cap, while LEDs are usually top aligned - OEM profile caps that do shine through legends typically top align their legends so that illumination is more uniform, but this might not look just as nice on an SA cap. It could also be that SP has some limitations ? Other ideas anyone ?
Sure, this works wonders. Because that's a, let's say, Razer Blackwidow. What if the customer has a Cooler Master Quickfire RGB? His LED's will be positioned at another direction. You can't design backlit keycaps that can be sold as universal kits and expect them to look good on all different keyboards.
GMK has been doing quite a bunch of homework regarding this, though. But it comes with lots of challenges, stability of the stem, durability of the keycaps, materials used, etc. Trust me, there are guys doing college Masters regarding this topic (materials).
At the end of the day, there is a heck ton of work and technology involded behind this and the reward is marginal.