Justiciar

Some of you guys may have seen: in the fan art section. Well, now I have this to show: Sorry about the photo quality. I hope to get some good ones (with it painted up nice) soon. It looks a heckuva lot better in person and it's not glossy/speckled in real life. There's quite a bit of detail (missiles, rivets, armor plating, etc.) that's not coming through in the photos, but is clearly visible on the mini itself. It's not perfect, but overall I'm pretty happy with it. At least, until the next rev. And every single joint is poseable, though you'd really want to pick one and glue it in place (unless you're using magnets). Hope you like it.

Keep in mind that it's designed for 1/300 scale. That's ~45 millimeters tall. So, no, the cannons aren't going to be hollowed out unless/until I decide to make a bigger one. Regarding price point, under $20 for the little fella. Pricing for the big fella will have to wait. Sorry. Here's the final, updated pics. Enjoy.

Don't know about Maya. Rhino is quite different from most, from what I hear. Well, here are some other issues to consider...Some people might be ok with adding additional details themselves, but for as much as you'd pay for the kit, I really think it ought to be there to begin with. Right now, the model is solid (it's designed to be tiny) and it probably needs to be hollowed out for 1/35 scale. The joints probably aren't as poseable right now as would be expected on a larger kit. They're also not as detailed. Designing functioning joints in CAD is pretty time intensive. And the missile bays would have to be completely re-designed. If you wanted me to just scale it up to 1/35, yeah, I could do that w/o too much difficulty. The problem is that I just don't think it would be a very good kit and I don't want to put out crap. So there'd be a lot of time redesigning stuff to give it the treatment it deserves. Bottom line, yes, I'm interested in exploring this further, but there are some caveats. It is going to have to wait until after GenCon (August 16-19 in Indianapolis). I'm also not going to do it if there's only 10 people interested. And before you ask, yes, I'd also consider doing the rest (I have the Defender and Phalanx finished, need to re-build the Monster, haven't started on the Spartan yet). Probably not the answers you're hoping for, but give it time.

Well, it's in CAD, so we can scale it to whatever we need. Our milling machine and lathe can make some pretty big parts. The two concerns I have are: 1) that it was designed for 1/300, so there is some detail that can't be seen at that scale, and therefore was not modeled, but would probably look incomplete in 1/35 without it (rivets mostly). And I can't make a clear canopy. and 2) I'm guessing we're talking about a very, very limited run, which would make it expensive to do. Couple that with me not being being much of an artist (no box art) and not having decals for it, I'm not sure it would be good value. End result is that I would like to, but it will probably have to wait a little while (maybe a couple months?) and I'd be worried about price. So I guess that qualifies as a definite maybe. Probably. We'll see.

Rhino. There will be just a little more detail added. The plan is to produce this in 6mm (1/300 scale). I refer to it as a micro-model because it's comprised of 34 parts (includes two spares). Points of articulation include: toes, heels, ankles, knees, hips, pelvis, shoulder (out and around), elbow (swing and rotate) and all missile bay doors. Incidentally, the chest missile pods are removable and can be fitted with different load-outs (12 as shown, 24 micro-missiles, 6 heavy missiles, etc). We're looking at high-impact polystyrene injection-molding. You caught me at a talkative moment. And no, it's not for the faint of heart, but it is light on the wallet.

I need to finish the project within the next 3 weeks, otherwise it doesn't really matter when I get to it. I'm building a physical model in 1/300 scale. Any help you (or anyone else) can provide would be greatly appreciated and I'm sure we could work something out. I hear ya on the broken ankle. Had one once. Definitely sucks. Hope it heals straight and quickly.

Hi all, I'm looking for this kit: I think that's Imai's B1217 1/72 kit from '82-'83 but I'm not sure. I used to have this kit...sigh... It's non-transformable, but that's ok. I'm sure some of the dimensions are off on it, but that's ok. I like the slightly beefier look. Specifically what I'm looking for is either instructions, diagrams or "schematic views." I want to model this in Rhino and need a good source. Thanks in advance.

Exact? No. But for my purposes, close enough. Hope you like.

That'd be great. Thanks. Anyone have a preference for the model being completely faithful to the line-art (like the fully assembled cgi shot posted) vs the added detail (based on the scratchbuilt kit, also previously posted)?

I think the last time I read anything about CBT gauss rifles, they weren't railguns at all, they 'worked' on the principle of a series of high-tesla toroid electromagnets with activation timed by huge capacitors... ...although from what little I remember from secondary-school physics, the power required to accelerate a high-mass slug in such a manner over such a short distance would probably heat the thing up a fair bit more than a machine-gun anyway. ;-) You just described a coilgun, another implementation of (slug firing) electromagnetic weaponry. (painfully resisting urge to pimp my own giant fighting robot game over CBT...)

I might be able to handle those. Will definitely need much more to work with. And if someone (after I've proved I'm legit) had a doner kit...wait, it has detailed instructions, right? That'd probably suffice. But I definitely need more art to work from.

I know reputation is part of the problem. That's why I'm not asking for pre-orders or down-payments or anything like that. Just a verbal "Yeah, I'm interested" is enough to let me know to keep going. Maybe picking the Monster first wasn't the best idea. OTOH, it is the largest, and directly affects the tooling requirements. THOR, we'll probably need to take it to PM. But for everyone else, look at the link he posted to the 3D scanner. That thing by itself is $2500. That doesn't even begin to compare to the price of a rapid prototyper. I'm willing to go in debt to further the hobby, but I need a way to get back out again, and in a decent amount of time. Incidentally, the resolution on my machine is greater than that scanner. I could use the smaller machine and section certain parts. That's what I was intending, to an extent. But would people be ok with having the barrel in 2 or 3 parts? I'm talking about the undetailed part of the barrel. I personally would not like that. One of my main goals is to have very high quality kits, and if a part is supposed to be one piece, then I'd like to keep it that way. Maybe I'll look into enemy mecha next. Suggestions? And what are the Movie N Ger and Mac Plus N Ger Kai? I dont' believe I've heard of these, let alone have reference art. That I've gotten a few extra people to respond is a little more encouraging.

Potentially bad news. There are two machines that I'm looking at. The really cool one costs almost four times as much as the other. Because there's been almost no interest (what, a half dozen different people?), it's hard for me to justify the extra expense. This is important because the cheaper machine can't handle as large a part. That means I won't be able to do 1/35 or 1/48. 1/60 will be very difficult. 1/72 is the largest Monster that I could do with relative ease. I know you guys are used to these sorts of projects taking months, and many times upwards of a year or more. That's not the case here. I'll be ready to start shipping kits inside of a month. When I start in with my begging and pleading tone, there's a reason for it. You guys have a huge impact on not only how this project turns out, but future ones as well (frex, I note that there's a wish list. I was planning on starting on that after I was finished with the destroids, inside of 6 months). So if you guys are interested, or know anyone who is, please point them here and get 'em to comment. Thanks. As to LSTO's hinted at question... All the projects I get involved in have the model first done as a CAD model, which is subsequently exported to a rapid prototyping machine. This methodology is what allows me to produce models in varying scales with relative ease. It's also what limits the sizes I can handle.

The current status of the Monster can be seen right here. It includes shots of the original model, as well as updated higher detail shots of the arms and the feet. Input is, of course, greatly appreciated.

Cool. I can handle that. What are the end points you're using for the barrels to get that measurement? I was thinking about trying to work it so people could do an RC version, but think that might be a little ambitious...

Any chance you know off the top of your head how long the main guns are (tip to connection point) in 1/48 and especially 1/35? That's going to be the limiting factor for how easy something is for me to do. Outside and inside diameter would also be nice. Incidentally, I don't have a way to design decals. So if anyone has advice there...

I don't actually have DYRL to watch, nor have I ever seen it... <ducks> The photoshop art is helpful. It seems I was more or less right with how I thought things would move. I was afraid of that. The arms for all will be simple enough. Those legs are going to be a hassle. Ball joints are rather hard to do. That "flexible cover" behind the knee might require multiple pieces (fully extended, fully bent, midpoint), with the end modeller choosing which pose he wants and using the appropriate piece. But if you guys want that (and understand that that sort of detail makes it a little more expensive), then I'll see what I can do. This kind of coincides with the Monster thread. If any Mod cares to merge the threads... I'll be starting with the Monster. From there I'll progress to the other Destroids. From there on to some of the "weirder" variable fighters (Vampire, frex). I'll try to be as accomodating as possible re scales. If everyone is ok with it, I think I'll offer a drawing, for each model I do, to give away a free one.

Actually, an electromagnetic railgun creates a MASSIVE amount of heat. The slug is literally arc-welded, broken free, re-arc-welded the entire length of the rails. The rails are usually only good for a couple of shots before they're destroyed. It's the limiting factor in railgun technology. CBT is completely wrong with its interpretation (1 heat, pfft). AFAIK, the 40cm guns on the Monster are 16" battleship guns. Great work on the build up, Brian.

Does anyone care about poseability? It's kind of synonymous with detail for me, but it might not be for anyone else. We're trying to decide between moveable legs (so far the foot moves in three different places), which would allow people to pose it in more dynamic poses, or just leaving it as a static model. Actually, working that out for every joint. Jointing is difficult, but doable. But if no one minds it being static, I'd rather not do the extra work of creating joints. Based on the response the 1/72 Monster project is getting, I assume there's interest here. So if anyone is even remotely interested in 1/60 and 1/144, please say something. You do have an impact on what direction this goes. I'd say something in the 1/72 thread (since more people seem to be showing interest there), but that seems a little rude, so I won't. And the more people that are interested, the cheaper it gets. I know the 1/60 will get cheaper than the $350 I was thinking. Sorry for the begging tone. This project is progressing very, very rapidly. If I had to guess I'd say we'll start seeing the actual kits being available by the end of July/beginning of August. So I need your input now. And one last note. One lucky person will have the opportunity to get one of these for "free." More on that later.

I believe I'll aim for 1/60 and 1/144. Any who would like a different scale should feel free to ask. I'll do my best to be accomodating. I'm hoping that you guys are ok with a little artist's interpretation. I really like Fernando Faria's work and that's what I'm planning on using for the final version. There'll be a couple small differences. No hoses is the big one. I haven't decided on how to handle the cockpit. I like his interpretation, but it's "wrong," so comment if you care. I'll probably go with the Club-M kit for the detail on the inner forearms. I hope to have pics of the final version within a week. Hopefully not to long after that I'll have pics of a physical model. After that, I'd appreciate you pointing potentially interested people to the thread. /end shameless begging/.

Easy there, I'm not MAX-L, I don't swing that way Are the toes supposed to bend? How about the ankles? Are the hips just supposed to move fore & aft or are they supposed to move outwards as well? One thing I hate about 1/285 is the lack of poseability. What I'm planning is more akin to miniature model kits rather than traditional minis. I'd like to make them a little more kit-bash friendly. So I'm trying to figure out how to handle the joints.

OK, 1/100 are also off the list. As for 1/35, yes, I can do that (potato cannon conversion kits not included). Just realize that that's an awful lot of work and an awful lot of resin and an awful lot of time. There are two 1/35 Gundam kits that I know of, one goes for $2500, the other for $1700. I'll I say right now is that a 1/35 Monster will be less that that. I don't anticipate much desire (well, not much affordable desire) for a Monster that big. Would you be interested in a removable cockpit module? What other sorts of easter eggs would you like (talking specifically about the Monster)? 1/60 is more reasonable. If I had to guess, I'd say ~ $350, shipped. 1/144 is also much more reasonable, under $200. This brings up a few questions. I'm pretty sure instructions won't be much of an issue. Will people want box art? If yes, and you want something other than cgi I'll need a little help (even if it's photos of the finished model). Also, I plan on doing the rest of the destroids. So if y'all could figure out which ones you want and at what scale that'd be great. Yes, the other destroids cost less than the Monster. Sorry, no pricing right now, not even preliminary guesses. You can tell me through a PM or in a thread for all to see. I apologize for throwing around such large numbers. These really aren't scales that I want to work in, but I have the ability to and would like to provide what the community wants. As time goes on I'll get a better idea of where things are, and I'll keep you updated.

This page (lower right link under the "#5 1/240 Destroid Monster" heading towards the bottom of the page) served as the basis for the cgi model. This page I believe is what will be used for the finishing touches. Now's the time to comment if you'd like to see any changes. In case one missed an earlier comment (other thread), this is the model I'll be using on the rapid prototyping machine. And the nature of the beast is that I can make models in whatever scale people want, except for 1/72. I won't step on Mike's (?) toes. /edit Forgot to answer other questions. I don't have any other shots atm. I'll see about getting some. I'm a bit strapped for time, so please bear with.

Thanks for the heads up. I'm not a very gifted modeller and have no desire for the sort of hassle you're describing. S'ok, didn't figure they'd be worth a darn.

I need to share this Monster before proceeding any further. Hope you like it. This is for my 1/285 project. Anyone have any comments, concerns, suggestions to add?