Nice. Few questions: Does the piece stay on to the backpack during the transformation or does it partsform? Would the Battle Core Optimus Prime crotch piece work as well? Is there any way I could print it myself or is it Shapeways only?
I don't know about partsforming since I've only used it in combined mode but if battle core primes crotch piece is the same as menasors then it will work as well
Okay, so it is a partsforming bit. Usually I hate stuff like this, but considering how insignificant it is and how I'm repainting my Hotspot anyway to look like the KO Micromaster in my sig it's no problem.
I really like this concept! Personally, I'd leave Hotspot's arms folded to give him a more slender waist to prevent the legs from looking thin, but that's personal preference, very clever use of a leftover part!
Thanks for all the support guys! Having slight breather while settling family matters, went to design wingsaber86's suggestion and created a simple peg to hold onto the chest piece. it is now on Shapeways! https://www.shapeways.com/product/BAVQ3QBSU/defensor-chestpeg?optionId=59556811 BTW stay tuned! I have some designs to upgrade your current PerfectEffect upgrades!
I've placed the Chestpeg on shapeways for purchase! https://www.shapeways.com/product/BAVQ3QBSU/defensor-chestpeg?optionId=59556811
I've finally got the crotch adapter from Shapeways today. This is my first purchase from Shapeways, so I decided to test their quality with this adapter. The quality is pretty much what I expected, it's somewhat solid but also feels somewhat fragile, and it has a weird grainy texture to it. Definitely different than the thigh extensions I got from Scramblecore, those were solid plastic feel but had print lines instead of the grainy texture. As an adapter that you don't really see it works great, but I wouldn't get Shapeways pieces as visual upgrades. Out of the box, the adapter wasn't wide enough to stay in Defensor's crotch cavity, the pegs that connect to the crotch plate were too thick, and the 5mm peg was slightly too thin. It slid very well in the combiner port and was solid. - I trimmed the pegs for the crotch plate, now it's a tight fit but I don't plan on removing the adapter from the plate. - I used Bondic to add two lines on each sides to widen the adapter, now it fits snug in the crotch cavity and won't fall out. - I also used some Bondic to make little dots on the inside to keep the peg from swinging out on it's own. It also helps keep the adapter secure on Hotspot's forearm, it has a satisfying click and won't ever fall off. - I'll have to use a thin coat of Bondic on the 5mm peg to thicken it a little, haven't done that yet. - I've also used Painter's silver paint marker over the purple on the crotch plate. After fixing all the little things, this adapter works really well! I loved the idea and it's really awesome! It's just too bad Shapeways quality isn't better. Thanks for sharing your design sgtf!
Next time you make a shapeways order try the acrylic plastic if it's available, it has a much smoother finish for parts that will be visible
Yeah, I looked but there was only 2 options available and it was the same thing, only difference was white or black. I'm pretty sure I heard you lose details if you go with a smoother finish?
The acrylic plastic is more like a production plastic from the few pieces I've gotten in that material, it's a fairly new one for shapeways. I got a chest replacement for generations Nightbeat that kept its detail pretty well in the acrylic material. Many designers don't know it's available yet but I've asked a few to make some of their models available in it and they are generally more than happy to do so, at least in my experience. The material is more expensive than the strong and flexible material but it doesn't have the grainy feel or loss of detail that the polished material has, like I said it's more like an actual production plastic which makes the cost increase worth it to me
Wow Aurawind, thanks and I'm really sorry that the print didnt really turn out great for you, and you had to make some modification. To be honest, its a great job there! as to reply on acrylic print, I understand the nice quality needed for it. But I think the cost will definitely increase.Here are some reason why I didnt add the different quality print. 1) It is an adapter and it probably will be hidden some where, so there isnt a need for a good quality print. 2) I hope to lower the price point to make it affordable hence the lower quality print. But then, that is how I feel, if there is a need to have more selection, I will definitely more varieties for the users!
Actually your reasoning for this piece is good, price was also something I was looking at, so at 10$ it wasn't too bad, any more than that I wouldn't have gotten it. And yep you pretty much don't see it. Also the slight modifications I did aren't hard to do.
Yea the acrylics I really only use for visible upgrades, something like this adapter doesn't really need the smooth finish as much though
Hi, and thanks for hearing me out bro, you are awesome!! I saw the comments on shapeways, and I thought about giving, if I'm allowed to, a little suggestion: In order to make the connection stronger, and to not have those pieces removed during transformations (and already placed at the right angle behind the chest-wings), I thought about: 1) Extending the piece (red part) in order to "hug" the female ports on the chest-wings (you know, the ones that peg onto those tabs behind Hot Spot' shoulders); 2) Adding and replacing the nozzle from his original position (blue cross) to the new one (green part), also to make them already pointing forward in vehicle mode; 3) Adding some grooves that will attach to the bumper (black dots. The bottom one should be longer because the space is deeper), in order to give the pieces addictional mounting points; In theory, they should work on Pyra Magna/Victorion too!
