The Energon Pub

So inspired by Seibertron's very own GlauG I've taken the plunge into 3D printing. I'm using Blender (as it is very powerful and it's free!) and at present am focussing on making weapons and accessories for existing figures, though I may make more advanced stuff later on.

Here's some of the stuff I've made thus far:

5mm posted flail. Designed for any Megatron in need of a good flail. Scaled for Voyager figures.

The Segmentacle. Inspired by Fakebusker's Dreadacles, these are 5mm posted modular tentacles that can be connected together in chains as long as you want. UNTESTED, test print coming soon.

Nemesis Scythe. A 5mm posted 2-part scythe intended for Legends figures, specifically Nemesis Prime. UNTESTED, test print coming soon.

A Megatron-styled head for Cybertron Defence Scattorshot. This one...didn't really work out. I do have a test print coming soon but I'm sceptical as to how well it will come out.

Any advice, criticism, abuse and death threats are welcome! I am still learning the ropes so please bear that in mind. Hopefully I'll upload some pictures of the painted flail soon.

Cool stuff! Although I would suggest you make the post for the flail about an inch long as opposed to a quarter-inch, so that enthusiasts (like me) can put it in the hands of other figures.

Nemesis Maximo wrote:Cool stuff! Although I would suggest you make the post for the flail about an inch long as opposed to a quarter-inch, so that enthusiasts (like me) can put it in the hands of other figures.

That's a very good idea! I'll update the model.

In other news, the Nemesis Scythe and the Segmentacle came through today.

THE GOOD:

The Nemesis Scythe works exactly as intended, and looks great on Legends Nemesis Prime. I shall be painting it soon I think.

THE BAD:

All the polishing process served to do on the scythe is make the pegs looser. It's still annoyingly grainy, though sanding should fix that.

THE UGLY:

The Segmentacle does not work...at all. The ball joints are completely useless, the parts are fused together out of package and, well, it isn't any good for anything besides maybe gluing together for a static miniature.

I like your designs.

I am looking at using Shapeways for a custom Battletrap I want to do.

How did you find it and was Blender easy to use to do your designs in?

Well I'm very much a beginner, but I find Blender relatively easy to use, and it's totally free! The biggest problem is the somewhat confusing interface.

Delta Magnus wrote:

Nemesis Maximo wrote:Cool stuff! Although I would suggest you make the post for the flail about an inch long as opposed to a quarter-inch, so that enthusiasts (like me) can put it in the hands of other figures.

That's a very good idea! I'll update the model.

In other news, the Nemesis Scythe and the Segmentacle came through today.

THE GOOD:

The Nemesis Scythe works exactly as intended, and looks great on Legends Nemesis Prime. I shall be painting it soon I think.

THE BAD:

All the polishing process served to do on the scythe is make the pegs looser. It's still annoyingly grainy, though sanding should fix that.

THE UGLY:

The Segmentacle does not work...at all. The ball joints are completely useless, the parts are fused together out of package and, well, it isn't any good for anything besides maybe gluing together for a static miniature.

Are the ball joints just a bit too loose or is more like a pebble down a hallway too lose, or something else?

They won't even stay together. They are literally totally useless. I think I made the ball cup too shallow.

Delta Magnus wrote:They won't even stay together. They are literally totally useless. I think I made the ball cup too shallow.

I like the idea of it. Maybe look at RiD 2015 Warrior Steeljaw's tail for a better idea on how much depth you'd need for that kind of joint.

Delta Magnus wrote:Well I'm very much a beginner, but I find Blender relatively easy to use, and it's totally free! The biggest problem is the somewhat confusing interface.

Thanks for the tips dude.

I have solid works so I was just going use that but if there is something out there that is a bit easier to use I will try that.

I have heard Shapeways can get expensive so I think I might try a local company to do the 3d printing so I don't have to pay any shipping

Oh rotten and decrepit thread, arise from the grave! ARISE!

Anyway...I finally got off my arse and made something new, and actually good this time! I hope. You know those combiner feet Nonnef makes? You know how they're great as feet but don't do anything else? Well with the magic of Blender I have created a solution to this problem: guns you can stick on top of the 5mm pegs in order to turn the combiner boots into gun emplacements!

Behold... The Dual Dakka Dispenser!

I should warn you I literally uploaded this to Shapeways, like, 5 minutes ago, so it's completely untested. I will be buying some test prints as soon as my Nonnef feet arrive.