The Energon Pub

My 3D printed Kreon vests arrived on Christmas Eve (Merry Christmas!), so I took some time tonight to have my generic Autobot troopers do some modelling.


Reflector:


Mini-bots (Brawn, Gears, and "full car hood"):




Backpack hoods (good for Throttlebots, battlechargers, or just to beef up a bot or con):


Huffer hood:




Autobots (Sunstreaker, Hound, and the Prowlvest):

some of these certainly came out better than others. I really like the Hound chest, for example, and the Reflector chests. Prowl came out a bit on the flat side and the Huffer hood looks massive! XD Still though it's true to character. In your email you mentioned the bit of midriff showing and it looks like it's equal to the thickness of the material going across the top of the torso. Just double check the measurement of the inside of the chest pieces to make sure they match the torso measurement. I assume that the outside measurement is what matches, but that's just a guess.

It's so exciting when you get something in the mail that YOU designed and thought up isn't it?? I find myself forsaking my other hobbies/tasks in favor of continuing with this custom design work. Looks like I'm going to have to hurry up and finish some stuff so I can keep up with "Tresob and Wulongti's Kustom Kreon Korner"

wulongti wrote:some of these certainly came out better than others. I really like the Hound chest, for example, and the Reflector chests. Prowl came out a bit on the flat side and the Huffer hood looks massive! XD Still though it's true to character. In your email you mentioned the bit of midriff showing and it looks like it's equal to the thickness of the material going across the top of the torso. Just double check the measurement of the inside of the chest pieces to make sure they match the torso measurement. I assume that the outside measurement is what matches, but that's just a guess.

It's so exciting when you get something in the mail that YOU designed and thought up isn't it?? I find myself forsaking my other hobbies/tasks in favor of continuing with this custom design work. Looks like I'm going to have to hurry up and finish some stuff so I can keep up with "Tresob and Wulongti's Kustom Kreon Korner"

Thanks! Hound and Reflector came out the best in my opinion as well. I'm thinking of making some of the car-roofs project out a little further so their windows can pop more. The angles on the Gears vest might have been a little too subtle, so they blurred together a bit. I figure if someone with better painting skills could get their hands on these, the details would be more visible.

The chest-pieces should be consistent in thickness (for some reason I started cutting the chest-pieces down to 11.5 mm from 13mm, which is what led to the short midriffs). I did curve the tops of the chest pieces, which might be what you are noticing...I didn't like having the sharp corners at the top for some reason. The neckbrace is not as wide as the whole Kreon torso, although the chest-piece is.

Hound's vest had a weird thickness problem along the front of his neck brace which makes his chest a little loose. Can't figure out what caused it. Might have been a hiccup in the printer.

I have no idea if any of that makes sense. I find harder to type in three-dimensions than to draw in them now.

weird w/ the hound vest. I guess you'll know when you reorder the part along w/ the modified others. projecting out the car hoods more is a good idea, though you go too far and you'll end up w/ something akin to the Halo Minimates. lol

just shooting from the hip here, but when viewing your model in sketchup, maybe turning off lines might help you see how well the detail will translate. I haven't done too much requiring a lot of detail yet, but that's my thought at any rate.

Just ordered these

Can't wait till they arrive

Dough-bot wrote:Just ordered these

Can't wait till they arrive

That's really cool! Definitely give me a full report on how they turn out for you.

So...uhm...anyone have recommendations on painting these things? I dropped by a craft store today (I was the conspicuously male customer) but had no idea what I was looking at when I went to the acrylics aisle. Reading on the Interwebs leads me to conclude I should be coating these vests with a primer and then using a very tiny brush with watered down acrylics. Anyone have recommendations on what kind of primer I should be picking up? Any other tips or strategies?

Tresob wrote:So...uhm...anyone have recommendations on painting these things? I dropped by a craft store today (I was the conspicuously male customer) but had no idea what I was looking at when I went to the acrylics aisle. Reading on the Interwebs leads me to conclude I should be coating these vests with a primer and then using a very tiny brush with watered down acrylics. Anyone have recommendations on what kind of primer I should be picking up? Any other tips or strategies?

these two fine fellows were painted up using paint markers.



I found that the initial application of paint did tend to bleed through the material. additional applications did not though. Of course, you'll want to use an old toothbrush to really clean your parts first of any support material. After that I've heard good things of giving a clear coat first to prime. I've also heard that some folks use Future floor polish or clear nail polish to prime it and that using this gives the final painted product a much smoother texture. Haven't tried it myself yet, but that's the rumor.

a quick romp through google revealed the following:

http://www.shapeways.com/tutorials/painting3dprintedsls

wulongti wrote:

Tresob wrote:So...uhm...anyone have recommendations on painting these things? I dropped by a craft store today (I was the conspicuously male customer) but had no idea what I was looking at when I went to the acrylics aisle. Reading on the Interwebs leads me to conclude I should be coating these vests with a primer and then using a very tiny brush with watered down acrylics. Anyone have recommendations on what kind of primer I should be picking up? Any other tips or strategies?

these two fine fellows were painted up using paint markers.



I found that the initial application of paint did tend to bleed through the material. additional applications did not though. Of course, you'll want to use an old toothbrush to really clean your parts first of any support material. After that I've heard good things of giving a clear coat first to prime. I've also heard that some folks use Future floor polish or clear nail polish to prime it and that using this gives the final painted product a much smoother texture. Haven't tried it myself yet, but that's the rumor.

a quick romp through google revealed the following:

http://www.shapeways.com/tutorials/painting3dprintedsls

Cool. Are you putting some kind of sealer over the paint markers? What keeps them from chipping and/or leaving marks on furniture?

I haven't put any sealer on them at all, but then they don't get a whole lot of play time. I've found that the silver paint will rub off but normal colors soak into the material. I may try using Ritt dye on my next set, though that won't do anything for the texture

My revised Kreon vests came in today from Shapeways, and I'm pleased to say that the back peg now supports "leading brand" pieces.

I feel comfortable unleashing the world:
http://www.shapeways.com/model/844901/robovests-vol-1-14-vests.htm.

That set includes all three Reflector vests, Sunstreaker, Prowl, Hound, Gears, Brawn, mini-car chest, sportscar chest, Hot Rod, Kup, Blurr, Frenzy.

I'm piecing together a second volume that will contain different vests, as well as thinking about different combinations.

Tresob wrote:My revised Kreon vests came in today from Shapeways, and I'm pleased to say that the back peg now supports "leading brand" pieces.

I feel comfortable unleashing the world:
http://www.shapeways.com/model/844901/robovests-vol-1-14-vests.htm.

That set includes all three Reflector vests, Sunstreaker, Prowl, Hound, Gears, Brawn, mini-car chest, sportscar chest, Hot Rod, Kup, Blurr, Frenzy.

I'm piecing together a second volume that will contain different vests, as well as thinking about different combinations.

what are those little floating disks? and it looks like only 3 of them have the backs connected to the fronts.



probably a minor upload error or something ^__^

wulongti wrote:

Tresob wrote:My revised Kreon vests came in today from Shapeways, and I'm pleased to say that the back peg now supports "leading brand" pieces.

I feel comfortable unleashing the world:
http://www.shapeways.com/model/844901/robovests-vol-1-14-vests.htm.

That set includes all three Reflector vests, Sunstreaker, Prowl, Hound, Gears, Brawn, mini-car chest, sportscar chest, Hot Rod, Kup, Blurr, Frenzy.

I'm piecing together a second volume that will contain different vests, as well as thinking about different combinations.

what are those little floating disks? and it looks like only 3 of them have the backs connected to the fronts.



probably a minor upload error or something ^__^

Hummina hummina wha?

Thanks for catching that...

I'm on it...

UPDATE: Fixed!

It looks like the bottoms of all the neck braces were erased from when I double-checked them. Go fig. But things should be corrected.

Good eye, though, Wulongti!

Here's the final product of the vests for Blurr, Hot Rod, and Kup:



I'm pretty happy with how these came out. Hot Rod's flames were far more visible than I thought they would be.


And here's Frenzy/Rumble:



I think that might be my favorite vest so far. The lines are crisp and clear and cast shadow well. Plus, it works for two different figures, so it's a time saver.

those look amazing!! to you and Wulongti,so much so that I've downloaded ShetchUp to try some myself.

was this the set I ordered?? (finger crossed as Hot Rod Looks Epic)

if not I'll be ordering them on the 22nd!, and if you could get the helmets ready as well then i'll order a set of those (especially the Magnus one as mine isn't that great

Dough-bot wrote:those look amazing!! to you and Wulongti,so much so that I've downloaded ShetchUp to try some myself.

was this the set I ordered?? (finger crossed as Hot Rod Looks Epic)

if not I'll be ordering them on the 22nd!, and if you could get the helmets ready as well then i'll order a set of those (especially the Magnus one as mine isn't that great

Cool! These vests really aren't that hard to make at all once you get the hang of it.

If you ordered the 14 vest set, then you should have the Hot Rod vest in there.

I'm about to put in an order for a new batch of test helmets, so I can't guarantee I'll be happy with things by the 22nd. If you are willing to risk a few dollars on an untested new head interior, I can definitely have some revisions up by then.

If you like these vests, I'm almost ready to release Volume 2, which so far will feature chest plates for Ultra Magnus, Springer, Twin Twist, Topspin, Wreck-gar, two different junkion vests, and a Seeker.

Do you have any requests?

Tresob wrote:

Dough-bot wrote:those look amazing!! to you and Wulongti,so much so that I've downloaded ShetchUp to try some myself.

was this the set I ordered?? (finger crossed as Hot Rod Looks Epic)

if not I'll be ordering them on the 22nd!, and if you could get the helmets ready as well then i'll order a set of those (especially the Magnus one as mine isn't that great

Cool! These vests really aren't that hard to make at all once you get the hang of it.

If you ordered the 14 vest set, then you should have the Hot Rod vest in there.

I'm about to put in an order for a new batch of test helmets, so I can't guarantee I'll be happy with things by the 22nd. If you are willing to risk a few dollars on an untested new head interior, I can definitely have some revisions up by then.

If you like these vests, I'm almost ready to release Volume 2, which so far will feature chest plates for Ultra Magnus, Springer, Twin Twist, Topspin, Wreck-gar, two different junkion vests, and a Seeker.

Do you have any requests?

for me you've now done 2 of my 3 favourite characters (Hot Rod & Magnus)
I have a 'super Kre-on' Ultra Magnus in the works from Wulongti' Bruiser and a Powermaster Prime as well.

the real Holy Grail Kre-ons for me would be some of the Character's from Transformers Prime.- bumblebee is my all time favourite (hopefully that's a challenge for you)
and maybe six-shot, Fort max, cerebos & spike. (i did have an idea about turning kreons into headmasters),but as I had 3 weeks off over the holidays and no-one picked up anything from my workstate I'm flat out for the next few weeks.

Dough-bot wrote:I've downloaded ShetchUp to try some myself.

Awesome, can't wait to see what all you can come up with

Dough-bot wrote:I have a 'super Kre-on' Ultra Magnus in the works from Wulongti' Bruiser and a Powermaster Prime as well.

I can't wait to see some pics of this, really looking forward to it. don't forget to send me that email so I can order you some proper shins

Dough-bot wrote:the real Holy Grail Kre-ons for me would be some of the Character's from Transformers Prime.- bumblebee is my all time favourite (hopefully that's a challenge for you)
and maybe six-shot, Fort max, cerebos & spike. (i did have an idea about turning kreons into headmasters),but as I had 3 weeks off over the holidays and no-one picked up anything from my workstate I'm flat out for the next few weeks.

I was thinking of doing addons for the Bruiser set for the different Giants... Omega being the first, but also thinking of doing Ft. Max, Metroplex, combiners, etc.

As for the idea of having Kreon Headmasters, here's some sketches I did last week:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =3&theater

Dough-bot wrote:for me you've now done 2 of my 3 favourite characters (Hot Rod & Magnus)
I have a 'super Kre-on' Ultra Magnus in the works from Wulongti' Bruiser and a Powermaster Prime as well.

the real Holy Grail Kre-ons for me would be some of the Character's from Transformers Prime.- bumblebee is my all time favourite (hopefully that's a challenge for you)
and maybe six-shot, Fort max, cerebos & spike. (i did have an idea about turning kreons into headmasters),but as I had 3 weeks off over the holidays and no-one picked up anything from my workstate I'm flat out for the next few weeks.

I don't see why I couldn't put those vests together, but there is already a Bumblebee with a Prime style chest stamp: [url]http://www.hasbro.com/kre-o/en_US/shop/details.cfm?R=6CD42221-5056-900B-10D4-722B0FEB7569:en_US
[/url]

@Dough-bot:

Will this do for Sixshot?

that would look awesome w/ the bruiser set

Oh, you had asked about requests...

I'd like to see accurate vests and helmets for the combiner teams coming out this month. I'm doing helmets, hands and other addons for the gestalt form, but sets for the individual members would be pretty cool given that nearly all of them have those flak jacket vests

@Wulongti
Most of those combiners look like they have character-accurate stamps on their chests (which also have the advantage of already being in color). In those cases, it's probably better just to use a Lego neckbrace so you can still mount their back pieces and reveal the art on their chest.

I am working on a generic combiner chestpiece, though, since pretty much all of the limb-robots have the same style chassis. And I'm pretty sure I'll end up making individual vests for characters like Long Haul whose chests don't seem to be the right color (if I'm remembering correctly).

Now, as for helmets, I've already done Air Raid and Slingshot...which were probably the most egregiously inaccurate...but I'll definitely take a look and see what else needs the Tresob-treatment. Anyone in particular in mind?


@Dough-bot

Max:

Actually there IS NO Long Haul... not even in the blind packs

I am planning on doing Long Haul part w/ the Devastator upgrade though so that a second Hook can be made into him.

yeah, they all have the nice tampos but the 3D vests just look so much better.. lol

In my sketchbook I've got parts designed for MixMaster's cement drum, a bed for LongHaul, feathers for DiveBomb and a proper mane for RazorClaw. I really can't think of anything to do for the Combaticons or the Aerialbots other than the helmet and actual hands for the gestalt.

wulongti wrote:Actually there IS NO Long Haul... not even in the blind packs

I am planning on doing Long Haul part w/ the Devastator upgrade though so that a second Hook can be made into him.

yeah, they all have the nice tampos but the 3D vests just look so much better.. lol

In my sketchbook I've got parts designed for MixMaster's cement drum, a bed for LongHaul, feathers for DiveBomb and a proper mane for RazorClaw. I really can't think of anything to do for the Combaticons or the Aerialbots other than the helmet and actual hands for the gestalt.

What!?! No Long Haul?!? Wasn't it insulting enough that he had to transform into Devastator's butt (brings new meaning to "dump" truck), now he isn't even on the team anymore?

Fortunately, I've already converted two extra Skorponoks into generic Constructicons, so one of them will have to fill in. The Spinister helmet does a fair job for a temporary Long Haul head since it is dome-like.



Oh, and Spike...

And Bumblebee Prime Edition...



Maybe. I dunno. Perhaps once you paint it yellow?

And that should take care of Dough-bot's requests. Unless, of course, he intended to request vests that actually resembled the characters he was requesting.