kad VS keyboard_stl_generator

As for switch hole sizes, I haven't designed anything myself but heard ppl use http://builder.swillkb.com/ to design their plates - it's some generator with size standards for switches and stabs.

Not 3d printing, but found this site which can generate files for laser cutting http://builder.swillkb.com/

In terms of workflow: I'm using a generated layout from Plate & Case Builder - swillkb after pasting in the raw data from http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/ : if there's a better workflow out there im all ears and open to trying anything new.

Use SwillKB to create layer design files

I design my own key layout and copy paste the raw json file to this site to generate the case and the plates. http://builder.swillkb.com

The only thing is, it's hard to do a plateless design with handwiring - but not many customs are plateless, anyway. You'll need to get a plate cut, but that workflow can be quite streamlined using a tool like Swillkb's builder.

I used this incredible tool to generate the top and bottom .svg files for the switch portion of the plate and a vector graphics editor to make the silly screen bump on the top right. The cost for the plates on this one was around 180USD after shipping but they charge by area so I was at a distinct disadvantage. I wish you luck on your keeb! This project was very fulfilling once all the bugs got hammered out, I hope yours is as well.

If you can't find a plate file, make a QAZ layout with KLE, import it to this plate generator to make a plate file. The thing is, the generated plate file will be without mounting point or holes. If you want more control, use this one, it's more complicated but with more options.

I just swiped it off of here. seeing as it's a custom board and all hahaha.

I’m currently working on a keyboard that I used jeffminton’s keyboard stl generator for (https://github.com/jeffminton/keyboard_stl_generator) which turned out to be a lot easier and require no CAD work. However, there where a couple things I did want to edit about the output design that where very frustrating to edit because the designs it spits out have lots of broken internal geometries (they print fine though if you don’t need to edit them!)

3D printing a case. If you have access to a 3D printer there are many free designs available online or use something like Keyboard STL Generator to design your own case and send it off toa 3rd party printing service.

I did also find https://github.com/jeffminton/keyboard_stl_generator which takes keyboard-layout-editor data and makes boxes, which is perfect! Now I need to figure out how to install Python and the libraries this needs. Unless of course someone has it installed and is willing to run a super simple one for me!

If you have any issues or feature requests feel free to post them to the github repo here https://github.com/jeffminton/keyboard_stl_generator/issues.

The source is here https://github.com/jeffminton/keyboard_stl_generator