Nerd-linger Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 First time poster, long time lurker. I hope this is the right forum, if not please feel free to move or close the thread. I've been working on this for what feels like years, not that it is a particularly difficult project, but finding the time is and it's still not done. Anyway the project is an attempt at a poor-man's 1/60 scale factory diorama. The basic idea is to create printouts that can be glued on foamboard/cardstock and assembled into a reasonably nice diorama. The cost involved would be little more than supplies and time. The design is modular to allow for some re-arranging of walls (not much more than the order). I currently have 3 sections designed. The first is the Gate with the staircase. The gate will not open but the turntable will be rotated The second is the lift platform with the gantry crane (crane design is not done). Again the turntable will move as well as the gantry crane will be free to move side to side and the lift platform moved up and down as well as side to side. Eventually I hope devise some sort of simple mechanical arm to hang off the crane. The Third is the end walls which does nothing, One section including end walls will fit in a Detolf display case. Nothing exists outside of the computer right now, so things may change if my theories on the construction techniques are flawed, but the basic idea is there. What you are seeing in the attached images is the 3d render of 6 sections (two of each) with some basic lighting in an attempt to see what the actual diorama might look like once built for real. Obviously things will be very different depending on real world lighting conditions, but you get the idea. I thought I would post what I have for some feedback. Basically just looking for some general reactions and any suggestions. Plus maybe some input will motivate me to actually finish the project. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nerd-linger Posted September 1, 2009 Author Share Posted September 1, 2009 Nobody? I would have thought someone would be interested in a free do-do-it-yourself factory diorama. I guess once I have pictures of one built with some valks displayed in it there might be more feedback. I've attached an example of one of the pages that's part of one of the walls. I've broken them up so they can be printed out on a 8.5 x 11 (Legal) page on any color printer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VFTF1 Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 I think it's a great project and would definitely be interested in printing these up and putting them on some cardboard. My Yamatos could use a good diaorama. I will definitely be using these. Great work Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
007-vf1 Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 I think this is fantastic!! It is a great option for people who can't afford the resin model or have the build/paint skills to put one together. For me it can be used as a template or fill up for the resin kit.. I just need it on a 1/72 option.. The scale of modeling kings. I would suggest you to wait a little bit for people to find and read this thread.. I just came across by accident since i don't frequent this forums as much as wished to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megafaunic Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 these look fantastic! one question, would the staircases etc. be made out of the same materials as the walls? i look forward to seeing the finished product! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahiachris Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 It's fantastic job. For the computer technology we have right now, I believe we can scale it down to 1/72 ourselves very easily. I'm definitely interest in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AcroRay Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 I think its a great idea, and a wonderful rendering! Basically an elaborate papercraft. Bandai and Kayiodo (and Yamato?) both offer similar diorama/base-hangars for download with some of their products. You're filling a need for the Macross community! Personally, I'd like to rescale it for use with my 1/55 & 1/100 Macross mecha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miriya Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 Totally awesome! I love it and I want one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claude grant Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 Cuz, do you know how bad to the bone this "little" idea of yours is? I have been contemplating how to cost effectively build/design a diorama to display my Valks; specifically my 1/48 VF-1's. I took a look at what you've done thus far, and my jaw utterly dropped! It takes way too many M.C.B.'s (and ducats) to try and accomplish this same effect. If you will do three things, then you can count me as a definite customer of the finished product: 1) Do what 007-vf1 says in his post...give this thread some marinatin' time. Once folk start to hone in on what you're doing, you are bound to get plenty of feedbacks & PMs. 2) As well as a request for a 1/72 scale option, please do 1/48 also; I have a slew of yammies that I would love to place in a diorama this good looking & functional. ...And 3) FINISH THIS PROJECT/BUILD!! Please don't let this die on the vine. This is just too beautiful & frugal for you not to bring to fruition. PM me when you're done so I can place my orders . Keep this grand work going craftsman, cause I am sho' nuff feelin' it & I AM SOLD ON IT! How's that for a general reaction? So, in the words of Jay-Z's song, 'what mo' can I say?' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miriya Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 I wonder if the pieces could be moulded in emossed full color plastic sheets? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claude grant Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 Man, I like the way you think Miriya...now get with Nerd-linger & make it happen ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nerd-linger Posted September 16, 2009 Author Share Posted September 16, 2009 No progress on this project since my original post, but thanks for the encouragement thus far. From the comments so far it would appear the major issue is the desire for various scales. I'm pretty confident that as it is now this would work for 1/60 and 1/72. It's technically a little on the small side for 1/60 as I am using modified 1/72 ground crew figure kits as 1/60 people. Basically I'd say it's somewhere in between 1/60 and 1/72. It might work for 1/55 but that would be pushing things and 1/48 would probably not work at all. Even though the majority of my collection is 1/48 I made the decision early on to concentrate on 1/60 since that is Yamato's official scale and 1/48 is basically dead. Unfortunately simply scaling up the images won't really work as much of the current design relies on using 3/16 foamboard. Having said that it is possible that once this project is done I may consider going back and make a 1/48 version, but no promises. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nerd-linger Posted September 16, 2009 Author Share Posted September 16, 2009 these look fantastic! one question, would the staircases etc. be made out of the same materials as the walls? i look forward to seeing the finished product! Yes and no... My plan is that everything will be made with a combo of foamboard and cardstock, the staircase included. The stairs themselves are foamboard, each step is one piece of foamboard making each step 3/16" high. The platform is two layers of foamboard and the railing/walls are two layers of cardstock. I'm considering trying to make the whole staircase out of cardstock, but until I start building it for real I won't know which is the better way to go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PetarB Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 Surprised I missed this. Awesome graphics work, right there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derex3592 Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 Very interesting idea. I'd be willing to try it out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bitterp Posted September 29, 2009 Share Posted September 29, 2009 Nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EXO Posted September 29, 2009 Share Posted September 29, 2009 Just saw this... Awesome idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 I just stumbled on this too, it looks great, has anyone printed them up yet? I'd like to see some pics next to a few Yamatos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mospeadamacrosstech Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 This is exactly what I have been looking for! I am very interested. Keep us posted on the details. I'll pick up a few! :-) Thanks for the hard work. It is just awesome work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miriya Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 YOu should hook up with the member who has the 3d printer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shinagami Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 u did this in 3d? what software or format did u use? very interesting....great work....as miriya suggest, u should print this on 3d, give some preview or review...this will sell totally. awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kicker773 Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 c'mon lets get this thing going and produced.. need a background for the combo detolf =) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mospeadamacrosstech Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 c'mon lets get this thing going and produced.. need a background for the combo detolf =) Agreed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nerd-linger Posted January 4, 2010 Author Share Posted January 4, 2010 Just a small update. Finally finished the textures for the gantry cranes. I decided to go with a cable type system instead of a mechanical arm on the crane. The mechanical arm was becoming too cumbersome and complicated. The Plan is to use small ribbon for the cables, but string or small chain should work too. I still have some odds and ends to do for the textures and will probably move onto a ceiling of some sort to enclose the space. Still a long way to go but this project is not dead. I've been getting some PMs requesting the images I'm using for the textures so I thought I'd let everyone know the situation. This is still very much a work in progress so I am holding off releasing the images until everything is done. There are a couple reasons for this. The first being that I have not done a test assembly of the diorama. I have a plan in my head on how this should all go together, but until I actually build it I don't know if everything will go according to plan. I therefore may need to make changes to the design and would prefer to not have different versions of the images floating around. The second reason is because I will need to make instructions on how to assemble the diorama. The printouts alone will not make too much sense without knowing how they are meant to go together and I can't make the instructions until I build it. I'd rather not be bombarded by people asking how the printouts go together when in truth I don't entirely know yet. Having said that, once everything is done the plan is to release the images and instructions so anyone can make their own dioramas so please be patient. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kicker773 Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 I'm so waiting for this!!! Subscribed DITTO WOOT WOOT!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miriya Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 Brilliant work there. Thanks for the update. This is really gorgeous! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leading edge Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 Brilliant work there. Thanks for the update. This is really gorgeous! I like the idea of an expansive environment. Have you thought of putting some windows to view SDF-1 workers? I think the idea is inspired as another suggestion what about doors which can with electric motors open and close. Lighting effects might help to display you planes. Maybe a suspended or broken Valk with mechanics for a working effect. Just some ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macrossmaster Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 Thats freakin' sweet. No idea how I missed it, I will totally be downloading and making this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claude grant Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 Hey N-L, just keep doing your thang, and we'll wait patiently while you do it. This is still one of the coolest ideas I've seen in a long time, and I appreciate any and all updates you see fit to bless us with. You've planned your work, so keep working your plan. The noise level is high, so keep your antenna fine tuned at all times. Stay focused and clear in your objective, and deliver it when you are ready & on your terms. I, for one, cannot wait to partake of the end result! Happy New Year & stay blessed. Peace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ultimateone Posted January 11, 2010 Share Posted January 11, 2010 What a cool idea for those of us that would like a dio but lack the funds/skills. Thanks for sharing and looking forward to the completed project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 I'm so waiting for this!!! Subscribed DITTO WOOT WOOT!! Yeah, I just subscribed to this as well....awesome man, can't wait to see it done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Air Elijah Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 Great idea and really good job executing it. The art work is fantastic! Can't wait to see it printed and assembled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cokefiend Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 Very nice! It will be cool to print this up and add to it what ever I want. Thanx for doing this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neko_fr Posted January 23, 2010 Share Posted January 23, 2010 Hi! Itlooks great! I'm impatient to see your job assembled Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skull-1 Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 Love it. Very very cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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