I'm thinking about printing my own Dactyl exactly to my measurements but I don't want to print too many iterations before landing on my preferred layout. Any tips on how I could achieve that?
this post was submitted on 20 Jul 2023
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my suggestion is to use a skeleton-edition style case so you print the minimum amount needed, and reuse the base plate. ie print only thumb plate til you get the position close, etc.
I've build a framework for this approach: https://github.com/wolfwood/tryadactyl
trying to link the keyboard parameters to measurable features of your hand helps some, but honestly there's no substitute for typing on it and realizing what you don't like :)
i've has a recent breakthrough (implementing hierarchical/delegated column placement) that makes merging multiple plates with differing centers of rotation just work when switching from an open case style to a closed case.
Do you have a configuration for starting in a more dactyl manuform like place?
you could take my model and replace the cylindrical column spacing for pinkie and index with a flat spacing to have something less intense.
i don't have a clone, but it would be easy to do, for the dactyl fingers. the columns have a standard spacing I believe and the rows are placed on a cylinder with some radius and and a fixed angle (π/32 radians maybe?). then you can either replicate the column and Z stagger they use or tune your own.
the DM thumb is actively bad for me tho so if start with a simple 3 key arc (i think there is a tester for the arc placement) and add and remove keys as you try it out.
Congratulations, you made the rabbit hole within the ergo rabbit hole within the keyboard rabbit hole.
Does it ever end?
Edit: Spelling
Wow, that's a pretty wild looking keyboard... Would be interested to see a typing video ⌨️