vb87m_keycaps

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WASD keycaps for Varmilo VB87M keyboard

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WASD keycaps for Varmilo VB87M keyboard
=======================================

This is a
[WASD Keyboards custom layout](wasd-vb87m-layout.svg)
for an
[87 key Cherry MX keycap set from WASD Keyboards,](http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/products/keycap-set/87-key-cherry-mx-keycap-set.html)
optimized for the
[Varmilo VB87M Bluetooth keyboard,](https://www.massdrop.com/buy/varmilo-vb87m-bluetooth)
one of the few mechanical keyboards that is also wireless.

Description
-----------

The Varmilo VB87M is one of the rare keyboards that offers both
mechanical key switches as well as wireless connectivity, and one of the
even rarer ones that is nominally Mac compatible. It can periodically be
purchased through [Massdrop](https://www.massdrop.com/) for around $130.

The model I ordered is black, with Gateron Brown switches and light
grey, top-printed dye sub keycaps:

![Varmilo VB87M](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/andrewgho/vb87m_keycaps/master/images/varmilo_vb87m.jpg)

The keyboard has some problems in the look and feel department:

* Default keycap color options are highly conspicuous (grey, white, or green).
* All of the mechanical switch options are quite loud.
* Classic PC layout has a Windows key, <kbd>Alt</kbd>, and so on, non-ideal for Mac usage.
* Raised bumps on <kbd>F</kbd> and <kbd>J</kbd> are a bit too small.

A replacement keycap set from
[WASD Keyboards](http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/)
addresses all of these problems: keys are available in black or dark
grey, with o-rings to slightly dampen key click, and in a Mac layout.
The raised bumps on <kbd>F</kbd> and <kbd>J</kbd> are more noticeable
than those on the keys that ship with the Varmilo VB87M.

![WASD Keyboard keycaps](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/andrewgho/vb87m_keycaps/master/images/wasd_keycaps.jpg)

WASD Keyboards also offers a
[Mac hotkey shortcuts keycap set](http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/products/keycap-mod-packs/mac-hotkey-shortcuts-cherry-mx-keycap-set.html)
for normal Mac keyboards; however, the media keys on the Varmilo VB87M
are slightly astandard:

![Varmilo VB87M media keys](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/andrewgho/vb87m_keycaps/master/images/varmilo_media_keys.jpg)

* <kbd>Fn</kbd>+<kbd>F7</kbd> = Mute
* <kbd>Fn</kbd>+<kbd>F8</kbd> = Volume up
* <kbd>Fn</kbd>+<kbd>F9</kbd> = Volume down
* <kbd>Fn</kbd>+<kbd>F10</kbd> = Play/pause
* <kbd>Fn</kbd>+<kbd>F11</kbd> = Rewind/previous track
* <kbd>Fn</kbd>+<kbd>F12</kbd> = Fast forward/next track
* <kbd>Print Screen</kbd> = <kbd>F13</kbd>
* <kbd>Scroll Lock</kbd> = Brightness down (does _not_ register as <kbd>F14</kbd>)
* <kbd>Pause</kbd> = Brightness up (does _not_ register as <kbd>F15</kbd>)

Finally, there are a few keyboard-specific shortcuts, most usefully:

* <kbd>Fn</kbd>+<kbd>Insert</kbd> = Toggle keyboard power
* <kbd>Fn</kbd>+<kbd>→</kbd> = Enter Bluetooth pairing mode

WASD Keyboards allows customers to upload a
[custom layout file](http://support.wasdkeyboards.com/customer/portal/articles/1518370-creating-a-custom-layout)
when ordering a set of keycaps. This repository contains a custom layout
that puts the media keys in the correct spots for the Varmilo VB87M,
adds power and Bluetooth icons for the keyboard-specific shortcuts.
changes <kbd>caps lock</kbd> to <kbd>control</kbd> (mapped via
[Seil](https://pqrs.org/osx/karabiner/seil.html.en)), and uses uppercase
for the function keys, _i.e.,_ <kbd>F1</kbd> instead of <kbd>f1</kbd>.

Install
-------

WASD Keyboards custom layouts are SVG files, and WASD Keyboards
recommends using [Inkscape](https://inkscape.org/) to edit them.
Local copies of open source installation files:

* [Inkscape](install/Inkscape-0.91-1-x11-10.7-x86_64.dmg) (GPLv2)
* [XQuartz](install/XQuartz-2.7.8.dmg) (APSL)

If you want to edit any of the Mac layout keycap text, you will also
need the proprietary
[VAG Rounded Light](http://www.linotype.com/1562959/vag-rounded-light-product.html)
font (keycaps use size 9pt).

Related openly licensed media:

* [Bluetooth icon vector graphic](Bluetooth_white_tray_icon.svg) (public domain, from [Wikipedia source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bluetooth_white_tray_icon.svg))
* [WASD Keyboard layout template](wasd-inkscape-104-10.23.2015.svg) (license unspecified, from [WASD custom layout template file download page](http://support.wasdkeyboards.com/customer/portal/kb_article_attachments/67914/original.svg?1445632730))

Related projects:

* https://github.com/aasmith/mac-wasd-keyboard

Changes
-------

On `Mac` layer:

* Replace function keys with uppercase variants
* Remove <kbd>F14</kbd> and <kbd>F15</kbd>
* Change <kbd>caps lock</kbd> to <kbd>control</kbd>

On `Mods - Media Keys` layer:

* Add mute icon to <kbd>F7</kbd>
* Add play/pause icon to <kbd>F10</kbd>
* Add fast forward/next track icon to <kbd>F11</kbd>
* Add rewind/previous track icon to <kbd>F12</kbd>

On `Stock Artwork` layer:

* Add volume down icon to <kbd>F8</kbd>
* Add volume up icon to <kbd>F9</kbd>
* Add brightness down icon to former <kbd>F14</kbd>
* Add brightness up icon to former <kbd>F15</kbd>
* Add power icon to <kbd>insert</kbd>

Add new `Bluetooth Icon` layer:

* Add Bluetooth icon (foreground only, stroked to black) to <kbd>→</kbd>

Icons are scaled to match mute icon height (7.998px) as reference.

To-Do
-----

I rarely use the media keys other than volume controls, and
<kbd>F13</kbd> doesn't do anything by default on my OS X configuration,
so it would be nice to figure out how to remap <kbd>F14</kbd> and
<kbd>F15</kbd> to have this configuration (no <kbd>Fn</kbd> modifier
needed):

* <kbd>F13</kbd> = mute
* <kbd>F14</kbd> = volume down
* <kbd>F15</kbd> = volume up

Neither the OS X keyboard configuration tool nor
[Karabiner](https://pqrs.org/osx/karabiner/)
seem to be able to recognize or remap <kbd>F14</kbd> or <kbd>F15</kbd>,
but the following hints might help:

* http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/tips/remap_function_keys.html
* http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=20050801052917667

Author
------

Andrew Ho (<andrew@zeuscat.com>)

License
-------

Local copies of Inkscape, XQuartz, and the WASD Keyboards custom layout
template are covered under their respective licenses. The Bluetooth icon
is public domain. The other files authored by Andrew are covered by the
following 3-clause BSD license:

Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
    modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions
    are met:

Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice,
    this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.

Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
    notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the
    documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.

Neither the name of the author nor the names of its contributors may
    be used to endorse or promote products derived from this software
    without specific prior written permission.

THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS
    "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
    LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR
    A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT
    HOLDER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
    SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT
    LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE,
    DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY
    THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT
    (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE
    OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

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