DCX vs DCD vs DCL - Drop’s Keycap Profiles Explained
We’ve covered the basics of keycap profiles before—spherical/cylindrical, sculpted/uniform, etc. One thing that has come up more and more over the years as we’ve expanded our portfolio of offerings here at Drop is the distinction between some of our similar profiles. Specifically, what is the actual difference between DCX, DCD, and DCL? Cylindrical Profiles To recap the previous article on the topic, one of the most basic ways to separate various keycap profiles is by shape (cylindrical, spherical, or flat). DCX, DCD, and DCL are all cylindrical profiles. The most famous cylindrical profile is Cherry profile, as defined by the original manufacturer of the keycaps—Cherry. GMK now owns those tools, and as such, only they can technically claim to produce “Cherry” profile keycaps. Similar keycap profiles are often called Cherry profile colloquially, but are in actuality slightly different. For the sake of not splitting hairs, all of the cylindrical profiles discussed here are...
Apr 9, 2024
Layer 0 - Default Layer
Toggle Keys
Keymapping The is pretty much a default keyboard layout except for the layer toggles. Layer 1 - LED / Fn Layer
Colors
Keymapping
Layer 2 - VIM / Word / Outlook Layer
Toggle Keys
Colors The yellow and orange are kind of hard to distinguish in the photos.
Keymapping
Navigation
Vim
Word Helpers
- U = ctrl + page up (Beginning of paragraph)
- M = ctrl + page down (End of paragraph)
- W = ctrl + right arrow (Navigates to next word)
- B = ctrl + left arrow (Navigates to previous word)
- 4$ = ctrl + home (Navigates to end of line)
- 0) = ctrl + end (Navigates to start of line)
I tried to figure out a way to navigate sentences but I didn’t want to write VB macros. Excel HelperShortcuts
Outlook
Word
Layer 3 - Excel Layer
Toggle Keys The Drop configurator has an option to toggle a layer for one keypress. I use this to toggle this layer from the Default layer and the Vim layer. After I press a shortcut, the keyboard reverts back to the previous layer. Colors
Keymapping
Formatting
Excel Commands
Excel Navigation
Conclusion This set up as worked out really well so far. I will probably make a couple tweaks here and there but I’ve gotten used to the layout after a full day’s use. It’s worked out so well I’m considering buying another one for home to replace my dev keyboard, an Apple Magic Keyboard. At $200 shipped, the Alt Keyboard isn’t cheap but what would you pay to finally learn all the Vim keybindings?