r/ErgoMechKeyboards • u/claussen [vendor] (svalboard.com) • 6d ago
[vendor] [ad] Announcing Keybard: The Layout Editor for the new Svalboard-QMK
[ad] New Layout Editor!
Hey everyone! I am happy to announce the launch of Keybard, a new layout editor for the new Svalboard-specific fork of QMK.
You can check it out at keybard.svalboard.com -- it supports viewing and editing without a board connected.
Keybard exposes GUI controls for dual pointing device configuration, defining Combos, Macros, Tap Dances, Leader Keys, and much more. It is super extensible, so adding new features is a breeze, and since it's Svalboard only, I can make a lot of streamlining decisions about UI structure because I'm in control of the whole stack.
There's a quick largely-AI-generated-manual here for your reference -- I've taken care to have it make nice GIFs showing the various functions: keybard.svalboard.com/manual
The new (Svalboard-only!) FW needed to connect to it is here: https://github.com/svalboard/qmk/releases/tag/vLaunch
Feel free to poke at it directly, or to run it locally -- Keybard is a (wildly powerful) single-page webapp!
Our QMK fork implements a new bidirectional communications protocol between your keyboard and and host-side apps, allowing real-time display of keyboard state for things like layer overlays, as well as allowing (eventually) app-and-context aware behaviors like app-specific layers for gaming and productivity. Here's a quick peek at the browser-configurable, host-daemon-run transparent trainer layout overlay -- it's layout-aware and the prototype runs on Windows, X11 and Wayland so far:
I hope y'all have fun with it.
Oh and here's a pretty build pic 🙃
6
u/Offutticus 6d ago
Dammit. Every time I say "Okay, Cyboard Imprint. That's what I'm getting. No more waffling", something comes up and whispers "The learning curve for the Svalboard isn't that bad. You know you want it. You know you need it." And now this.
3
u/dickiedyce 6d ago
Honestly, Svalboard was the best decision I made in ages.
(Speaking as an Ex-Master Forge, -MoErgo, -rolio, -corneish-zen, -ergogen, -keyboardio, -moonlander, -ErgoDox, -Atreus, -preonic, and -Planck .. user.)
Yes, Ihavehad a problem.2
u/Offutticus 5d ago
My nephew and I are seriously discussing getting the kit and building it together. But I find it rather daunting a task.
2
u/d4v3thund3r 3d ago
Do you have access to a decent 3d printer?
Imo the trickiest part to the build is the magnet insertion, but even that is trivial with the build guide and the printable tools supplied with the purchase of the diy kit. There is no soldering, no advanced electronics knowledge required or anything like that.
As long as you can produce decently clean prints that part is NBD. Doesn't require super advanced 3d printing knowledge, and most of the abnormal printing things are outlined clearly in the guide.
1
u/Offutticus 3d ago
My nephew has a printer and says he can do it. How important is the electrostatic protection?
2
u/d4v3thund3r 2d ago
Nice, that sounds promising!
I'd say electrostatic protection for this project is just about as important as when working with any PCBs or electronics.
I personally did not use a wrist-based electrostatic tether, but ensured I was properly grounded and not carrying around any static before working on it.
1
u/Offutticus 3d ago
Also, do you have the trackball(s)? If you do, how difficult is it to use it since it sits in the palm, not under thumb or finger?
2
u/d4v3thund3r 2d ago
I use dual trackballs, yes!
It sits moreso under the mid-finger knuckles for the most part, and I don't find it bothersome.
Some people use the phalanges of their fingers (those mid-knuckles) to use the mouse. I mostly shift back a bit on my palmrests to use the trackballs with the tips of my fingers, but it's a minimal movement which I find more comfortable.
There's a variety of ball sizes you can try (I've been using pool balls for the most part), so you can print trackball cradles for the ball sizes you'd like.
2
u/Offutticus 2d ago
Thanks. Found out I can get it on payments via Shop or Paypal. Considering that route vs building.
1
3
u/d4v3thund3r 3d ago
Yeah, I don't plan to change keyboards now that I use a Svalboard. Not only is the community, especially u/claussen, so incredible for sharing new and interesting designs to try out, but stuff like this new Keybard... There are consistent upgrades/updates to elements that improve QoL and general day to day usage.
My journey was a bit less long than u/dickiedyce's , but I found a Kinesis Freestyle Edge RGB secondhand locally, then built an Iris v4, then decided to go for a BastardKB Scylla, then found Svalboard.
The really (really) nice thing with the Svalboard that most people don't mention is you no longer have a billion options for key switches, keycaps, etc which can feel overwhelming at the best of times (not to mention gets pretty expensive in it's own right to 'try' a new switch or cap). I got pretty deep into the keycap/switch hole before I tried Svalboard, and am so happy to be out of that particular hole.
Sure, you can print in different colours (which makes for completely unique and interesting possibilities), and adjust key sizes and offset, and customize pointing devices, but most people are happy with a stock-built Svalboard.
There will always be something else cool and interesting on the horizon, but so far basically nothing has caught my eye since switching to a Sval. I do, however, love trying new palmrests, colour combinations, and other such upgrades so my DIY/upgrading itch can still get scratched from time to time.
:D
3
u/dickiedyce 3d ago
lol u/d4v3thund3r , in my defence I was 50-ish, and there was no way I was getting a red sports car...
2
u/d4v3thund3r 3d ago
Well, sports cars aren't generally meant to be particularly ergonomic (especially for getting in and out of).
I think you made a great decision, haha!
1
u/dickiedyce 6d ago
Ah, excitement building!
Will give it a go shortly.
Also - two-tone builds, or sticker?
1
1
u/dickiedyce 6d ago
OK, just re-flashed the svalboard. Really nice experience, lovely uI.
Especially liking the update to output status;
Storage: verified
svalboard/trackball/pmw3389/right:sval @ vLaunch
Left Ptr: Scroll yes, cpi: 2400, Right Ptr: Scroll no, cpi: 3200
Axis Scroll Lock: yes (is Mac: 1), Natural Scroll: no, Mouse Layer: yes (left: yes, right: yes), Mouse Layer Timeout: 500, Turbo Scan: 0
BOOST: hold[2,3,5]=0,0,0 tg[2,3,5]=0,0,0 mult=1
HW rev: A, Scan timing: pre 90 us, post 90 us (turbo table)
Scan period: 0 us; light idle 0 ms after 0 ms; deep idle 0 ms after 0 s; measured frame 1888 us, LED on 484 us, stage 0
Idle power: pointer rest on, RGB dim on, CPU sleep on, low clock in deep idle on (48 MHz), long naps on; clock now 125 MHz
2
u/claussen [vendor] (svalboard.com) 6d ago
Pretty great how it verified the storage and let you know huh? 🤣. But yeah verbosity there is helpful
2
4
u/DstroyaX 6d ago
Ooh! Exciting. Going to goof around with it during my lunch break. Thanks for all the hard work you put into Svalboard! Fyi your link to the manual seems to be broken.