The Energon Pub

by **G_Works** » Wed Feb 04, 2015 10:59 am

gothsaurus wrote:I see the colors to cast the plastic in, but didn't see any paint colors... like for the blue and yellow on Nightbeat. (Maybe I'm missing it?) That blue seems like a tough one to match.

I guess it's only really important if you have actually found some good matches to the actual toy... or innovations - like that pink clear stuff. That's a game changer!

Again, huge props and much appreciation for helping bring these figures to life. You have mad skillz.

Ahh, I see! I usually mix paint on the fly to get colours I want, which doesn't help, but I think I've given paint details for the Dreadwing gatling at least. I suppose I should do the same for Nightbeat if I can ever remember what the blue is...

News Credits: 12 · by **Evil Eye** » Wed Feb 04, 2015 12:55 pm

Good news: I'm doing 3D modelling at college and made an articulated drill-tentacle!

Bad news: When I uploaded it to Shapeways, there were bits of it that were too thin (no biggy, fixed that) and for some reason despite being only 9cm X 9cm X 11cm, the machine volume was calculated at over 145cm, resulting in a cost of over €127. Did I do something wrong with the model?

(And yes I did sprue it so it isn't a problem of too many parts).

by **G_Works** » Wed Feb 04, 2015 3:44 pm

Delta Magnus wrote:Good news: I'm doing 3D modelling at college and made an articulated drill-tentacle!

Bad news: When I uploaded it to Shapeways, there were bits of it that were too thin (no biggy, fixed that) and for some reason despite being only 9cm X 9cm X 11cm, the machine volume was calculated at over 145cm, resulting in a cost of over €127. Did I do something wrong with the model?

(And yes I did sprue it so it isn't a problem of too many parts).

9cmx9cmx11cm is pretty huge for a 3D printed anything? That cost sounds about right. My huge bundle of parts I boxed and sprued up was about 6x9x14cm and cost around 90 Euros...

News Credits: 12 · by **Evil Eye** » Wed Feb 04, 2015 3:46 pm

Wait, I meant 8cm, not 9cm. Either way, I actually submitted a slightly larger model and it came back much, much cheaper. Saying that, that was a hollow static figurine...

by **G_Works** » Wed Feb 04, 2015 3:49 pm

Delta Magnus wrote:Wait, I meant 8cm, not 9cm. Either way, I actually submitted a slightly larger model and it came back much, much cheaper. Saying that, that was a hollow static figurine...

Yeah, a hollow figurine will come back cheaper than semi-densely used space.

News Credits: 2 · by **Skyfire77** » Sun Feb 08, 2015 8:50 pm

GlauG wrote:

https://www.shapeways.com/model/3003565/

Well, that's a request from TFW done. Frustratingly, due to how Chromia's designed, you'll need to disassemble the entire torso to fit it, and I'll add a pictoral instruction to the model on my Shapeways store sometime.

Have you worked up instructions for this by any chance? I bought them 'cause I like the idea, but I'm not sure I want to attempt the modification without seeing it done first.
Thanks!

by **G_Works** » Mon Feb 09, 2015 6:10 am

Skyfire77 wrote:
Have you worked up instructions for this by any chance? I bought them 'cause I like the idea, but I'm not sure I want to attempt the modification without seeing it done first.
Thanks!

I took photos for one but haven't had time to sit down and write it up, sorry! I'm just hoping the assembly is fairly consistent on her as it's nearly all pins which need pushing out. I will add the guide to this thread and, if possible, the SW page once I write it up.

by **synapse** » Wed Feb 18, 2015 3:10 am

Come on man, let me buy that neck extension for Nightbeat already! :BOWDOWN:

News Credits: 12 · by **Evil Eye** » Wed Feb 18, 2015 2:45 pm

Any chance you might sprue up the Heavytread upgrade kit? If I can find a Heavytread (once I actually have money anyway) I'd be happy to test it for you but at present it's unsprued and so a little costly.

by **G_Works** » Mon Feb 23, 2015 8:26 pm

Skyfire77 wrote:
GlauG wrote:

https://www.shapeways.com/model/3003565/

Well, that's a request from TFW done. Frustratingly, due to how Chromia's designed, you'll need to disassemble the entire torso to fit it, and I'll add a pictoral instruction to the model on my Shapeways store sometime.

Have you worked up instructions for this by any chance? I bought them 'cause I like the idea, but I'm not sure I want to attempt the modification without seeing it done first.
Thanks!

Okay, I promised I'd make one of these: A quick pictoral tutorial for disassembling Chromia.

DISCLAIMER: This toy is pretty fragile (even if she's not as bad as Windblade). In particular, it is very likely you will slightly crack or fracture the clear acrylic joint even if you are otherwise very careful. It's under paint and difficult to notice, but it can happen. Otherwise, this is fairly simple as long as yours has been assembled the same way as mine, which it should be.

This is a star-headed screwdriver I got from a local branch of a UK electronics store chain (Maplin). The smallest head is a little less than 2mm wide, so that makes it perfect for pushing out pins. I push pins on a cutting mat as it's slightly cushioned and helps stop the plastic getting scuffed/crushed too. Once the pin's popped out, I grab the rough end with a pair of needlenosed pliers and pull slowly but firmly until it's clear.

Do this pin first. This is the key to unlocking the rest of the toy.

After that, the whole torso plate will slide forward on these shoulder pins, which have no rough "gripping" part. However...

...You still need to remove this screw too, then you can pull the rest of her torso apart.

Once again, push this pin out in the direction indicated. Be careful of leaning on or crushing the clear windshield piece.

This is the scary one. Push this one out in the direction indicated.

That's it! You can now swap out the large, main nylon bar for my handle kit. Reverse the order to reassemble her.

Hope that helps.

synapse wrote::grin: Come on man, let me buy that neck extension for Nightbeat already!

Reworking it was a bigger job than I expected! Will have it finished soon. Got distracted by thinking new ratchets for CW Prime was a small job...

Delta Magnus wrote:Any chance you might sprue up the Heavytread upgrade kit? If I can find a Heavytread (once I actually have money anyway) I'd be happy to test it for you but at present it's unsprued and so a little costly.

I thought it was a waste of time with CW Bruticus presumably incoming, I must admit. I'll add it to the to-do list, however.

by **Nemesis Maximo** » Tue Feb 24, 2015 3:08 pm

GlauG, I just wan to say thank you for bein so accommodating to our near constant nagging! :lol:

But really, I think it's awesome how often you answer questions and try to tweak things given feedback. Not all customizers are like that.

News Credits: 12 · by **Evil Eye** » Tue Feb 24, 2015 3:39 pm

So I tried to make a chain weapon for Shapeways today. Got lots of problems with wall thickness/spacing issues. Maybe I should try something less ambitious.

Also thanks for the instructions! I'm going to just get the Tecrom upgrade kit for my PRID Arcee to make my Chromia, but I'll definitely benefit from the pin-pushing information!

by **G_Works** » Tue Feb 24, 2015 7:00 pm

Thanks, Nem-Max! No point this stuff existing if it doesn't work, and isn't what people need/want.

Don't try and run before you can walk, Delta.

I learned that the hard way with Thunderclash...

I have a laundry list of issues with CW Prime, but here's the one that was quickest to deal with: A new set of thigh ratchets! http://shpws.me/FxmD

News Credits: 12 · by **Evil Eye** » Wed Feb 25, 2015 11:34 am

Ooh, that is clever! I just hope the plastic SW uses can take the pressure...

by **G_Works** » Wed Feb 25, 2015 11:35 am

Delta Magnus wrote:Ooh, that is clever! I just hope the plastic SW uses can take the pressure...

Considering allowing it to be printed in steel.

News Credits: 12 · by **Evil Eye** » Wed Feb 25, 2015 12:12 pm

GlauG wrote:
Delta Magnus wrote:Ooh, that is clever! I just hope the plastic SW uses can take the pressure...

Considering allowing it to be printed in steel.

And then Optimus Prime was Duke Nukem.

"I've got hips of steel..."

News Credits: 12 · by **Evil Eye** » Tue Mar 03, 2015 6:54 pm

So I made something and uploaded it to Shapeways. I'm probably going to order it myself (in a larger order to get the best value for shipping) to make sure it works, but I figured I might as well put it up anyway.

https://www.shapeways.com/product/NNQZU29W4/segmentacle

It did come up with thin wall warnings but it seems to be printable. It uses a series of ball-socket connections which do worry me a little.

Would you suggest WSF or WSFP for this?

by **G_Works** » Sat Mar 07, 2015 3:49 am

Someone asked me about Combiner Wars ankle tilts. While I doubt these are perfect, they should be functional, based on how crazy stiff the ones on my Thunderclash set are.

http://shpws.me/Gtxq

by **G_Works** » Sat Mar 07, 2015 3:19 pm

Okay, I remembered I had a spare set of my Truck Leader Ankles and TL Hands kicking around since doing a second test print for Thunderclash, and decided to put them to use.

Just for some comparison against a "stock" KO Classics Prime.

And a shot with my testbed Thunderclash (who is in dire need of paint/replacement)

[url="http://shpws.me/DMeX"]http://shpws.me/DMeX[/url]

There are a few different versions if you check out my store, including this one (which makes OP slightly taller) and one designed to fit inside City/Nemesis/DIA commander and be closer to his original height.

News Credits: 12 · by **Evil Eye** » Sat Mar 07, 2015 6:12 pm

Oh my- who is that teal Trailbreaker I spy in one of those pics?

by **G_Works** » Sun Mar 08, 2015 7:25 am

He's a custom-painted (and dyed) Generations Hoist with a newly-sculpted face. Once he's got some pink flame details, he'll be G2 "Turbofire"

by **G_Works** » Sun Mar 08, 2015 4:50 pm

Had a bit of bad news about the CW Prime ratchets, apparently the original versions were too fragile. :/ I've thickened them significantly, so fingers crossed they'll be okay from now on.