Dactyl Generator Demo

中文版

Dactyl Generator is a website to generate 3D model in form of scad file for dactyl keyboard case. This project dactyl-generator-demo is a Java program which shows how the parameters work by generating models and preview images using Dactyl Generator API. It helps you adjust the parameters. Currently only dactyl manuform is demonstrated.

The curvature and tenting are measured in radian. PI radian is equal to 180 degree. PI/180 is equal to 1 degree.

The original Dactyl Generator website was reported to be down on 2022-06-23. Thanks for Michael Bugert hosting an alternative website using the open source project. If something bad happens in the future, check in the issues whether someone generous hosts an alternative website, or follow the steps to run the website on your own computer.

Table of Contents

• Base
  • Keys
  • Curvature & Tenting
  • Connectors
  • Form of the Case
  • Misc
• Keys
  • Thumb key count
  • Last row key counts
  • Key hole
  • Inner index finger’s column
  • Hide bottom pinky
• Curvature & Tenting
  • Column’s curvature
  • Pinky’s column curvature
  • Row’s curvature
  • Center of the curvature for the column
  • Tenting Angle
  • Rotation around row axis
• Connectors
  • Internal connector RJ9 Mini USB
  • Internal connector TRRS Micro USB
  • Internal connector none
  • External Holder
• Form of the Case
  • Hotswap socket
  • Thumb cluster offsets center x (toward the pinky)
  • Thumb cluster offsets center y (toward the index)
  • Thumb cluster offsets center z (altitude)
  • Stagger
  • Index finger measurement y
  • Index finger measurement z
  • Middle finger measurement y
  • Middle finger measurement z
  • Ring finger measurement y
  • Ring finger measurement z
  • Pinky finger measurement y
  • Pinky finger measurement z
  • Wide pinky
  • Height offset
  • Web thickness
  • Wall thickness
  • Wire posts
  • Screw inserts
• Misc
  • Show Keycaps
  • Right side or left side
• Known Issues
• Credit
• External Links
  • My Tutorials in Chinese Speaking
• Sponsor

Base

This is a base model for comparison. Most of parameters use the default value. Those non-default values are specified in form of (default value used value). The combination of (number of columns: 6, last row key counts: use all keys) helps demo the effect of param hide bottom pinky. If param height offset is set to default value 4mm, the demo model of some parameters is broken, so it’s set to 10mm.

Keys

• number of columns: 5 6
• number of rows: 4
• thumb key count: 6
• last row key counts: two use all keys
• key hole: Box and MX
• inner index finger’s column: normal
• hide bottom pinky: no

Curvature & Tenting

• column’s curvature: pi/12 (15°)
• pinky’s column’s curvature: pi/12 (15°)
• row’s curvature: pi/36 (5°)
• center of the curvature for the column: pinky finger’s column
• tenting angle: pi/15 (12°)
• rotation around row axis: pi/180 (1°)

Connectors

• use loligagger’s external holder: no
• connector: RJ9
• USB hole: Mini

Form of the Case

• hotswap socket: no
• thumb cluster offsets center x (toward the pinky): 6mm
• thumb cluster offsets center y (toward the index): -3mm
• thumb cluster offsets center z (altitude): 7mm
• custom thumb cluster (Experimental): no
• custom thumb cluster top right, top left, middle left are skipped. See known issue #1
• stagger: yes
• index finger measurement y: 0
• index finger measurement z: 0
• middle finger measurement y: 2.8mm
• middle finger measurement z: -6.5mm
• ring finger measurement y: 0mm
• ring finger measurement z: 0mm
• pinky finger measurement y: -13mm
• pinky finger measurement z: 6mm
• wide pinky: no
• height offset: 4mm 10mm
• web thickness: 7mm
• wall thickness: 3mm
• wire posts: no
• screw inserts: no

Misc

• show keycaps: no
• right side or left side: right

Keys

Thumb key count

2, 3, 3-mini, 4, 5, 6 in order

Last row key counts

“no last row” vs “use all keys”

column 3 to 6 have 3 rows

two vs “use all keys”

column 5 and 6 have 3 rows

Key hole

Cherry switch and Gateron switch are MX switch, which have a notch. Outemu switch is similar to Kailh Box switch. TTC switch is MX switch.

MX vs “Box and MX”

Additional nub which is stuck in the MX switch notch. Without the nub, hot glue is required.

“MX snap-in” vs MX

Notice the space under the nub, which helps nub firmly snap in the switch notch. I personally prefer MX snap in to MX when I use Gateron switch.

Alps vs “Box and MX”

Key hole size is different

Choc vs “Box and MX”

The switch hole wall is thinner. Added in Sep 2020 ibnuda/dactyl-keyboard#50 and some fixes later

Kailh vs “Box and MX”

The two teeth of switch shell can be stuck in the notch.

I only have one Kailh box white switch. This switch can be stuck neither very badly nor very well. Hot glue is unnecessary. Because the size of switch and 3D printed keyhole have allowance or tolerance, your case may be different from my test result.

Cherry and Gateron MX switches can be plugged into Kailh key hole, but are much less firmly stuck than MX snap in. In my test to Gateron switches, there is a chance when I pull out the keycap, the switch is also pulled out, which breaks the soldering. Not a problem in the case of hotswap.

Inner index finger’s column

“Use inner column (like ergodox)” vs Normal

Two more keys on the left

Without vs Normal

The left most column is gone

Hide bottom pinky

Yes vs No

The bottom right key is disabled

Curvature & Tenting

PI radian is equal to 180 degree. PI/180 radian is equal to 1 degree.

Column’s curvature

pi/6 (30°) vs pi/12 (15°)

The curvature pi/6 of (index, middle, ring) finger’s column, that is, column 1, 2, 3 and 4 is steeper

Pinky’s column curvature

pi/6 (30°) vs pi/12 (15°)

The curvature of pinky finger column, that is, column 5 and 6 is steeper

Row’s curvature

pi/18 (10°) vs pi/36 (5°)

Center of the curvature for the column

Index, middle, ring, pinky in order

Tenting Angle

pi/6 (30°) vs pi/15 (12°)

Row tilt is larger

Rotation around row axis

pi/10 (18°) vs pi/180 (1°)

-pi/10 (-18°) vs pi/180 (1°)

-pi/36 (-5°) vs pi/180 (1°)

Connectors

Internal connector RJ9 Mini USB

4:00 to 25:00 of Kevin Eckert’s build log is a good reference.

I don’t try this and I am not sure the connector size is the same. TRRS Micro USB option is more recommended than this if you want internal connector.

Internal connector TRRS Micro USB

“internal connector TRRS Micro USB” vs “internal connector RJ9 Mini USB”

• A 3.5mm audio jack connector PJ-320B can be used in the TRRS hole of case
• A micro USB breakout board can be used in the USB rectangle hole of case
• The pro micro board can be hung on the L hook (also called pro micro holder)
• The pro micro board is connected to the USB breakout board with a cable

This looks more complicated than external holder, but it’s fine to use internal holder in the secondary part (typically the right part), because the secondary part is connected to the master part with an audio cable and no USB is required.

micro USB breakout board

Below image comes from Leo’s build log.

The position of the L hook (also called pro micro holder) is not calculated correctly in some case. Check it carefully. For example with the default dactyl manuform parameters, the L hook is separated from keyboard case.

Either consider external holder or follow below steps to change the position.

1. click openscad menu window -> editor to open code editor
2. right click the L hook (pro micro holder), click the cube to jump to the code
3. the L hook is a difference of a big cube and a small cube

   difference () {
     translate ([-94.9015632882982, 24.40298907331629, 16.208123960789713]) {
       cube ([6, 12, 12], center=true);
     }
     translate ([-95.9015632882982, 23.40298907331629, 16.208123960789713]) {
       cube ([4, 10, 12], center=true);
     }
   }
       

   

4. wrap the difference() statement with a translate([x, y, z]) statement, for example

   translate([-1, -2, 3]){
     difference () {
       translate ([-94.9015632882982, 24.40298907331629, 16.208123960789713]) {
         cube ([6, 12, 12], center=true);
       }
       translate ([-95.9015632882982, 23.40298907331629, 16.208123960789713]) {
         cube ([4, 10, 12], center=true);
       }
     }
   }
       

   moves the L hook (pro micro holder) 1mm to the left, 2mm back, 3mm up

Internal connector none

“internal none” vs “internal RJ9 Mini USB”

This is used for wireless keyboard using non-chargeable batteries or wireless charging. If use wired chargeable batteries, no hole to plug the USB cable for charging.

External Holder

Yes vs “internal RJ9 Mini USB”

The case back wall thickness is about 5mm, if wall thickness is 3mm by default, which is too thick for promicro v1 and v2 holder. The promicro v3 holder fits the case even though not 100% well-fitting. There is a separated part in v3 holder model. Here is the fixed version for right case and a mirror version for left case. The 3.5mm audio jack connector PJ-320B and pro micro board fit the holder.

It is highly recommended to set connector to none, otherwise the hole may not be cut correctly and prevent the external holder from plugging. A pull request is created but no response from author.

There is pro micro type-c version which is 2mm longer than micro USB version.

I made a type-c compatible holder by lengthening 2mm and enlarging the USB hole. Notice that it is untested. left model and right.

Form of the Case

Hotswap socket

Yes vs No

Glue the hotswap socket

Thumb cluster offsets center x (toward the pinky)

The greater the value, thumb cluster is closer to right, toward pinky finger, toward x positive direction

-10mm vs 6mm

Thumb cluster offsets center y (toward the index)

The greater the value, thumb cluster is more toward to index finger, toward y positive direction

-23mm vs -3mm

Thumb cluster offsets center z (altitude)

The greater the value, thumb cluster is higher

27mm vs 7mm

Stagger

No vs Yes

Index finger measurement y

The greater the value, index finger’s column (column 1 and 2) and thumb cluster are more far away from hand, toward y positive direction

10mm vs 0mm

Index finger measurement z

The greater the value, index finger’s column (column 1 and 2) and thumb cluster are higher

15mm vs 0mm

Middle finger measurement y

The greater the value, the middle finger’s column (column 3) is more far away from hand, toward y positive direction

10mm vs 2.8mm

Middle finger measurement z

The greater the value, the middle finger’s column (column 3) is higher

10mm vs -6.5mm

Ring finger measurement y

The greater the value, the ring finger’s column (column 4) is more far away from hand, toward y positive direction

10mm vs 0mm

Ring finger measurement z

The greater the value, the ring finger’s column (column 4) is higher

15mm vs 0mm

Pinky finger measurement y

The greater the value, the pinky finger’s column (column 5 and 6) is more far away from hand, toward y positive direction

0mm vs -13mm

Pinky finger measurement z

The greater the value, the pinky finger’s column (column 5 and 6) is higher

26mm vs 6mm

Wide pinky

Whether the right most column uses 1.5u keycap

Yes vs No

Height offset

The overall height of the keyboard case

4mm vs 10mm

Web thickness

Top part of the keyboard around the keyholes

20mm vs 7mm

Wall thickness

Wall around the keyboard

1mm vs 3mm

Wire posts

Sorry I haven’t tried it. Enable it if you think it helps wiring.

Screw inserts

5 screw hole. They are hollow even though they looks solid in the rendered preview image, because OpenSCAD full geometry render is time-consuming.

Yes vs No

Misc

Show Keycaps

Just for display

Yes vs No

Right side or left side

Left vs Right

Known Issues

1. Custom thumb cluster

   This function is experimental and only top 3 thumb keys (take right thumb cluster for example, top right, top left, middle left) are customizable. See this dactyl generator issue for an example. The demo to these parameters is skipped.

Credit

• Original Dactyl Generator goes to ibnuda
• Hosting the alternative Dactyl Generator website goes to Michael Bugert
• Original dactyl keyboard design goes to adereth
• Dactyl manuform fork goes to tshort
• I just use dactyl generator API to generate the images.

External Links

My Tutorials in Chinese Speaking

Though I speak Chinese in the videos, the videos are still helpful. You can find more build tutorials in Youtube.

1. Keyboard case modeling
2. Keyboard build
3. Keyboard build detail about diodes
4. Flash QMK firmware with QMK Toolbox
5. Right side doesn’t input anything because some pro micro clone lacks vbus

Sponsor

Paypal me or buy me a coffee.