The Energon Pub

Update c/o echotransformer

daimchoc wrote:Update c/o echotransformer

Looked on Shapeways but as of 16:30GMT they are not up yet. I can wait!
These look great but I hope they are not toooo expensive.

I want to ask, the FoC accurate coloured version on the right seems to have a different head and back cannons? Are they specific to that set/version or another add-on available on Shapeways?

echo hasn't released the set yet. These are just showing a painted version of the revised set. If you look closely, both the G2 and SDCC versions have the updated back cannons which is part of the revised set. The middle one is the Hasbro retail version with the initial set. The heads have not been changed.

I hate the amount of sanding I'm going to have to do but all in all I am excited for this. My only grief is that if Echo's Hercs upgrades via Shapeways is nearing $100, then if these are the same price, I'm probably going to pass. I can buy $100 worth of styrene and I'll have enough custom material for the rest of my life.

I wish someone would just bring these out as a retail set. I would gladly pay more to have the hard work done for me. I would want a set in the Takara metallic colors, which is not an easy paint match. I also would want a G2 set, but painting all that purple camo looks too hard.

thats some really good improvement to the feet, the chest isn't too shabby either. going to pass though. I haven't got the patience to deal with making shapeways stuff decent right now.

c/o echotransformer

Wow this looks really good! but the only painting I would do is with a sharpie.... would love a third party release for this

Onslaught should be all set to do some Cyber-Bass fishing!

This kit makes that set look so much better...

Silly question, but...

these parts come painted, right?

gbm wrote:Silly question, but...

these parts come painted, right?

Generally Shapeways stuff does not come pre-painted. I believe that Rated X has been saying that he'd love some of the Shapeways stuff if it were mass produced, already molded or painted in color.

FYI:

echotransformer wrote:Hi Everyone,

It's definitely been too long since my last update...finally I can share some news.

My official decision is that I am going to do my best to bring this to market via mass production instead a Shapeways. This was by no means an easy decision...hence the long period without updates.

All of you have been tremendously supportive of my efforts and have contributed greatly to my understanding of what to do here.

Here are my 'top 3' reasons why I am working towards mass production.

1. Quality. It will simply be the best possible way to enjoy the kit--in quality plastic, crisply molded with factory paint applications and carefully matched color in a nice retail box.
2. Reach. Simply put, more people can enjoy the kit this way because it will be a great price and accessible from many online retail stores.
3. Design. I believe that in the transition to mass production, the kit will go through yet another redesign that will make it even better. I've already started to explore 'mold ready' designs, and some parts will evolve to be 2-sided, while others will receive additional detail and scuplting -- all the while preserving the fundamental proportions and scuplting you have all helped to shape

This will be a journey for me. Although we all enjoy these products on a daily basis, much blood, sweat and tears go into every collectible we buy--and this kit will be no exception. I have brought in a very good friend of mine who has supported my work for many years and together we are already in the process of talking to the industry.

We have goals for this kit:

-top-notch quality
-fair pricing
-good time to market

Balancing these goals will be the challenge. But we're up for it!

We will do our best to share progress which updates and announcements. They will likely not be as frequent as the Radicons/Shapeways projects simply because this kind of work takes more time.

We will also start to transition to the third party thread. (Only Shapeways updates will be posted here)

[SIZE="3"]Lastly: expect continued Radicons/Shapeways projects from the Echotransformer group. I am already working on a few cool surprises that fit best in the Shapeways method, so stay tuned.
[/SIZE]
Again, thanks for all the support--there are many more great things to come. With that, I'll leave you with an updated picture.

--Echotransformer

if this does go third party and it is a reasonable price id get one for my retail and my g2 colored bruticus

I feel this is a good move for all the reasons he listed, more or less. The following updates should be interesting and I'll look forward to more. Even more so if they will eventually do a Wreckers recolor version.

This is good news. I would think overall the mass off fans who where keen on this would definiately pick this up if its not only plastic but distributed through a proper retailer.

I hope the price point is reasonble as I would like to pick up a set to improve on Hasbros output!

I read on another site that he feels kind of hurt about our responses to this add on set. He states in his post that he really likes this site, but our response to it is rather weak. I realize that we don't really like to show support for 3rd party stuff, but come on guys, he is one guy not a true 3rd party company or a knock off company. He is only doing this to improve on the figure. That is something that others here do with their mods and scratch builds. So, he isn't that different. Let's try to show him some support more than we have. It bothers me that as great as I think this site is, that he thinks we are not as welcoming to others, or their ideas. I think that he has done a brilliant job on this set, be it shapeways or third party. I may not buy a lot of 3rd party stuff, but I'd buy this any day. I do not talk bad about Hasbro at all, never have, but we can all say that we can improve on some of their figures in some way. I love the game and the figures for FOC, but Bruticus needed some work. This upgrade does that. Maybe there are things we can suggest that he change, like on the other board. He wants to create a perfect set for everyone, lets try to get on the same agenda. Let's show him some more support and give him our ideas too. Thanks for making this set, and thank you to the guys on this site for the support you have given and will give.

jrgreer74 wrote:I read on another site that he feels kind of hurt about our responses to this add on set. He states in his post that he really likes this site, but our response to it is rather weak. I realize that we don't really like to show support for 3rd party stuff, but come on guys, he is one guy not a true 3rd party company or a knock off company. He is only doing this to improve on the figure. That is something that others here do with their mods and scratch builds. So, he isn't that different. Let's try to show him some support more than we have. It bothers me that as great as I think this site is, that he thinks we are not as welcoming to others, or their ideas. I think that he has done a brilliant job on this set, be it shapeways or third party. I may not buy a lot of 3rd party stuff, but I'd buy this any day. I do not talk bad about Hasbro at all, never have, but we can all say that we can improve on some of their figures in some way. I love the game and the figures for FOC, but Bruticus needed some work. This upgrade does that. Maybe there are things we can suggest that he change, like on the other board. He wants to create a perfect set for everyone, lets try to get on the same agenda. Let's show him some more support and give him our ideas too. Thanks for making this set, and thank you to the guys on this site for the support you have given and will give.

Um....what? Are you sure you are looking at the right site? I just went back and looked through all the posts in this thread, and they are overwhelming positive for this set. It looks great. The only negative comments I read had to do with needing to sand/paint Shapeways items and concern about the price/where available. What negative or non-welcoming comments are you speaking about?

Personally I would seriously consider this if it were put out already painted, and it wasn't too expensive. I also prefer a major retailer like BBTS. But even my "Cyber-Bass fishing" comment only illustrated the look of the trailer to Onslaught. It wasn't meant to be negative in the least.

Are you just concerned about a lack of posts? That's bound to happen if there is not new news or pics on the project. I am keeping an eye on this, but am waiting on more info on price and availability.

jrgreer74 wrote:I read on another site that he feels kind of hurt about our responses to this add on set. He states in his post that he really likes this site, but our response to it is rather weak.

Found the source: http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/radicons-customs/777746-shapeways-foc-bruticus-upgrade-kit-more-game-accurate-89.html#post9651784

echotransformer wrote:I like the Seibertron site, but the reception to the kit (atleast judging by the comments) wasn't as warm as over here...

I don't know if you can say "hurt" based on that statement, but my perspective is that Seibertronians not being as "warm" equates to "we're not kissing enough ass"!

Seriously, I like this project, I like his Predacon project. I've messaged ETF a few times to tell him so. But looking purely at responses in THIS VERY THREAD, the worst critique I can find is that someone isn't "enthused". Other commentators stated that they would not purchase the product because it was going to be released through Shapeways; these folks don't have the time or skill to paint the product and would prefer a mass production. That's some valid feedback, because it means less sales overall. Months later, ETF announces he's looking at the possibility in releasing as a mass production set. WONDERFUL!!! That hopefully equates to more sales. And the people who took the time to comment here will hopefully be able to support him in this endeavor.

I only hope that ETF's statement was more directed towards the volume discrepancy he received here compared to at TFW. Again, look through this thread and find that most responses were VERY positive. It seems we simply don't overwhelm the thread every day with comments/critiques/when's this coming out?/no new updates? as can be found elsewhere.

Overall, it's an individual choice where you want to read or post comments. If anyone finds that the 3P discussion is better elsewhere, no one is holding them back. Hell, I maintain another account for this reason but I'm really active here because I feel I've made more connections with the folks on this board who post. And because it's a lot easier to go through the few comments here compared to multiple pages.

jrgreer74 - There's nothing else for me to comment on about this product. I like it as is, and anxiously await hearing that I can preorder. I don't want a tweak to a color, or sculpt changes, etc. If ETF wants more feedback for something specific, he can come here and ask or maybe another board member can alert us to the matter. Thanks for trying to ramp up support for ETF and his add-on kit, but it seems we're not actively discussing this product because there's nothing more to discuss right now.

I don't keep an account anywhere else, but I did read it in his post. I don't like the fact he feels let down about us. I am sorry if my comment offended you but I didn't read any of the comments here, nor gig I read yours. I just stated what he said, and would like for us to make him feel at home here. This wasn't an attack just a call to make him feel welcomed. Is that so bad?

"did not gig, hit the wrong keys sorry"

You didn't offend me by posting ETF's comments or trying to rally for a cause, it simply seems like the original comment about not being as "warm" was unwarranted. I don't fully understand it, and the man is not here to further elaborate or defend it.

It just seems that some people here voiced a concern with purchasing a product which requires additional work in order to get the required results. I'm sure that this concern is not limited to only this board. Most people here praised the work that was done and were very intrigued to find out more about it. But without breaking news, there's simply nothing else to discuss about it past what we've already posted.

Dammit I saw this thread at the top and was hoping for a pre-order...

That's cool! Like you, I like the set as is, and can't wait until it is finished. I'd like to order it. The "warm" comment is referring to the lack of posts. More posts would equal better reception from us.I just don't want him thinking we are unwelcoming. This is a great site, and there are a lot of great people here!