KEYCAP DESIGN TUTORIAL--KEYCAP HEIGHT AND CHARACTER ENGRAVING
17 Oct 2024
KEYCAP HEIGHT DESCRIPTION
Some traditional keycap heights: Cherry, OEM, MDA, XDA, etc.
Some new heights that appeared later:
EOA, FOA, MOA, SOA and other OA,
Special heights such as panda head, bear head... (I believe there will be more in the future)
Rough comparison:
- Height rough comparison: MDA>OEM>Cherry&KCA
- Contact area comparison of fingertips: MDA, KCA, XDA have larger contact areas, Cherry, OEM have slightly smaller contact areas.
- Rounded edge comparison: MDA, KCA, XDA have rounded edges, Cherry, OEM have hard edges.
KEYCAP HEIGHT CHARACTERISTICS
Cherry
The most common traditional height, with ergonomic slope (each row of keycaps has different heights), suitable for most people, but the edge of the keycaps is relatively hard, some people may feel that it cuts their hands.
OEM
Similar to the original, with a slope, also suitable for most people, but slightly higher than the original keycaps.
MDA
Similar to the original height, with rounded edges, the fingertip contact surface is larger than the original, and the touch is more comfortable. Because the front area is larger, the gap will appear smaller.
KCA
Similar to the original height, with rounded edges, the curvature of the fingertip contact surface fits the fingertip better, and the feel is more special, but not everyone can adapt well
XDA
No slope at the same height, more comfortable touch, larger payment contact surface, because the height is uniform and the gap is small, it is easier to touch by mistake when typing before adaptation
CHARACTER ENGRAVING METHOD:
engraved keycap
characters are on the top of the keycap, the most common mainstream method
Side engraved keycap
characters are on the side of the keycap, very suitable for designs that are inconvenient to add characters on the top. (Currently generally original or OEM height)
Non-engraved keycap
no letters, suitable for blind typing