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?
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.
Cut it up! Print only thumbs for a while that you can “locate” to a standard set of finger keywells. Do the same for other features you’re wanting to customize.
I know this is not part of your question, but I those wrist rests are beautiful. When you do get the layout you like, make the rest. Haha
There’s a 3D hand model roaming around somewhere that you can put into the Dactyl model and give it a try. Also, if you know anyone with a Kinesis Advantage (2 or 360) you can test drive a default Dactyl (it’s based on that). I 3D printed mine blindly knowing that I have smaller than average hands and want more aggressive stagger + tent and it worked out really well for me.
Also check out Ergogen and Ergopad for truly customized to your hand experiences. This video is a great primer.
This thing is gorgeous!
A bit late to the game, but I happened to stumble upon the github to this very dactyl design today. Here you go, in case you ever felt like making it yourself.
