The Energon Pub

I recently got back into Transformers and started a collection of masterpiece scale figures. I came across info on the iGear computer control center and thought it was really cool; until I saw the scale and read all the reviews ...and of course then I saw how much it is going for on ebay

I saw some scratch built versions from other folks on the web and one from someone who did a kit bash of the iGear playset and they all inspired me...

So I decided to make my own version. I have built many a model as a kid and am fairly handy but never scratch built a model/diorama before.

My goal is to have diorama large enough to pose masterpiece figures in and around. The final dimensions of just the control center will be approximately 2ft x 4ft x 11in. Eventually there will a front view with a section of the mountain and the tail end of the Ark extending out (when I figure out how to do that bit). A rear view that is cross section of control room with Teletraan 1. I am planning on lighting it with LEDs and screen.

So far I have my plywood base, styrene, arduino (for controlling the lights and screen) and an LCD screen, various other supplies.

I have a couple of unpainted wall sections completed so far... not sure how long this undertaking will last...the panel line detail will be eaier to see once I get these sections painted...







Here are the wall sections laid out the top opening will be the entrance.







Next I will detail some floor plating and get those and the wall sections painted and detailed and affixed to the base and then start working on the housing for Teletraan 1 --- I am also going to see about scratch building some of the other various items seen in the G1 toon like the medical bed...

I scribed out a floor plate. Just going to do a simple grid patter for those.

At the same time I was hunting for colors to be as close to G1 color as accurate (the burnt orangey/butterscotchey color).

I wanted them to be metallic since the panels are supposed to be metal. I found two colors but for me the choice seems obvious...the bottom lighter color. I will see if I can incorporate the other color somehow since I bought it...although I can also return it if need be...

Ok so I settled on the lighter color (Sienna Mist Metallic) to cover the interior of the control center.

Once the paint cures I will put the panel line details on and then a matte finish.

Oh, that color looks nice! I'll be watching this to see your progress, as someone super lazy, I just went with Toystages but customs of Ark stuff are always super cool in my book!

Thanks ScottyP, I had looked at those Toystages backgrounds as well. Thinking of buying some since I won't be able to put all my figures in the Ark when it's completed.

UPDATE:

Spent sometime doing the panel lines on this section afterwork, and put a matte finish on the paint...that gloss was awful...

Liking this look a lot!



Also got the LCD screen and shield hooked up and running, just some test sketches that came with it. Gotta figure out how to get some cartoon pics and or vid clips to play from the SD card...that'll be something for the end. Need to figure out how to affix and cool it in the Teletraan 1 that I still need to build.

That's pretty amazing (although I would recommend sticking with the metallic finish rather than a matte look). I look forward to seeing this progress.

Also, one of the looping images on the screen (which is an ingenious idea BTW) must be a screenshot of Seibertron.com. Or TFW2005 with every single word replaced with "ANKLE TILTS".

LOL I should be to do something like that, would be pretty funny. Although I would love to be able to loop the NGSMOOV psy-gungam style video on it...that would be pretty funny in the background.

Thanks for the comments too, I wouldn't mind the glossy look but it is murder when trying to take pictures...the metallic flecks in the paint still come through pretty good with the matte finish.

Well I have gotten some more work completed on the project. Things are coming along smoothly (so far...).

I made half of the base out of 1/2 plywood and 1x3s.

The main walls complete and I have the floor tiles 90% complete.

I also started on the panels for creating the Teletraan 1, Oh and Optimus has been "supervising" while Wheeljack lends a hand...

I decided to test fit everything and see how it looks together.

Looking nice! I can't wait to see this finished.

Completed some work on Teletraan 1,

Constructed the pieces for the center control panel with a keyboard and test fit them with some tape.

Also roughed in the LCD screen to the front panel.

Did a little more work tonight...

put a frame around the screen to clean it up a bit. Also start assembling the main body of Teletraan 1, decided to re-purpose some lego pieces as the keys for the keyboard, figure I didn't want to drive myself crazy trying to cut a bunch of small pieces to the exact same size and shape...

That's a clever Idea, using lego for the keyboard.

Might I suggest adding a joystick/lever or something on one side?

That's a cool idea have to see if I can fit in...I did pick up the reprolabels for the iGear CCC and mapped out where I want them to go. Ill see if they can be re-arranged if not maybe ill make them and xbox or Wii to plug into Teletraan...

your work looks amazing! ill be keeping an eye on this

Thanks much appreciated!

Did a little bit more tonight, gotta get to the train store to buy more styrene...got start building support for the Arduino board(s) and other electronics.

But I got some working vents at the top and an exhaust fan roughed in on the side. I don't think it will get too hot in the enclosure; mainly because I don't intend it to be on for hours on end. However, it is styrene and depending on how long it is kept on the board could get hot so better safe than sorry...

Next I will get the right hand lower panels put in place and then putty, sanding and hopefully painting.

I have the Teletraan 1 main console finished and unpainted.

Next up the internal wiring and such...prob have some time to do that while we get snowed in this week.

Excellent work it looks great so far

So I have been slacking for a bit on this project, but for good reason I had some goodies come in the mail so I was momentarily distracted...I will add pics of those figures in my collection post.

So I have the main Teletraan 1 display completed and working.

In my last post I had finished assembling the piece, with some errors that needed to be corrected
Oh well for my first scratch build I learned a lot and am quite pleased with it.


So I have painted the whole thing to match the walls and floor, I'll spare you the other pics of my many mishaps with painting it...had to strip the whole thing and do it over...meh. But here it is with the LEDs fitted to the front work panel.



After that I attached the screen and put some Lego "lens covers" over the LEDs.



As for the inside....here are the gory details. I decided to use 2 boards and run them off a bus for power; the bus is not in there because it will ultimately be external. 1 board for the LEDs and fan. 1 board for the screen. The screen takes up sooo much of the actual power; processing and electrical. So having them all connected would make the light and screen performance look jerky, the addition of the fan would be over the current limit I want to push through the boards. It is all connected via a bread board to make it temporary since I may change things and I would like to ability to re-purpose the boards if I need/want to.



After getting the electronics working I applied the stickers from the Reprolabels iGear ACCC set.







Now for some obligatory shots with the figures. Everything is still test fit here but is pretty much in it's permanent place...









Next up for the diorama will be some sideboard workstations for Teletraan 1 and I want to re-create the medical bed but with a working light and instead of 1 articulated tool arm I am going to do several. Waiting on some ball joints to come in to see how that will work out.

awesome! are the characters on the keypad actually cybertronian?

Hey thanks a lot!

Uh not sure LOL but they look it, right?! They are the keyboard stickers from the Reprolabels set. I still have a ton of key stickers left and then they repeat in white, so I figured when I get the energy to do a Nemesis diorama I can use them there since white on purple will look better...

Well I have done some more work.

I go the other half of the base ready; this will be the side with a section of mountain and the tail end of the Ark sticking out. I put some wooden dowels on one side to help line it up when they are together. I want to keep it modular so I can move it when needed. I also got some tension latches to put on the sides to lock it together when in use.





I also started work on the tail end of the Ark itself got the rough shape done. Sandwiched some dry floral foam between some craft foam, carved the rough shaped and then coated it with joint compound and now starting to coat it in modge podge...





Now I need to figure out how to make the engine thrust ports...hmmm. Got some foam building blocks that I am gonna play around with and see how that works.

WOW!
just freakin' stinkin' WOW.
That LCD screen.......

Makes my VHS rig look like there was a fire at Blockbuster.

Good job dude. Good good job.

Thank you I really appreciate that. Don't knock your "VHS rig" I really like that idea!

I was totally looking for some type of reasonably priced chain base that I could convert...but alas not a lot out there and what is out there is not really in the scale or design I wanted. Using the windows on the tapes as light sources is really kewl I totally love that effect.