Heavy/Scratch: Classics Prime Battle Axe and Ion Blaster (WIP)

Discussion in 'Radicons Customs' started by Venksta, Nov 3, 2009.

  1. Venksta

    Venksta Render Project Creations TFW2005 Supporter

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    Update: June 6th - New prototype photos including the Ion Blaster. Check post #111 for new photos.



    Hey guys. I've been brain storming this idea for several days, and decided to begin work on it. I'm going to build a custom energon battle axe for Classics Prime. The design is to be updated like the figure from G1. I got one design I really like, attached below. The axe will be digitally sculpted, then made through Shapeways. I haven't used them, but have researched what their products are like.

    Anyways, below is the design I'm thinking of going with. The base will attach to Prime's hand, and conceal it from all angles except the bottom. There will be a peg to secure it into his hand. The blades will be translucent, and the base will be all silver, with etched panel lines. I also had another idea to add to the battle axe. What if the axe half could come off and attach to a long handle, like Animated Prime's axe? Or should I just keep to the design below? Anyways, all comments and suggestions welcome!


    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Jul 22, 2010
  2. Overhaulimus

    Overhaulimus Sword of Fury!

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    OOOOO I really like this man,can't wait to see the final product.
     
  3. lotussouljah

    lotussouljah Well-Known Member

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    SICK!! I say go with the base and peg attached to his hand. It's simpler, better looking and will not require much modifications, yet the effect is still there. With the panel lines, it's so sweet but from that digibash, it might overwhelm Prime's own details? Otherwise, great idea man! Love the faction symbol there! Go for it, can't wait to see it come to fruition!
     
  4. StuntPrime35

    StuntPrime35 Dreads for life

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    ditto

    I'd say if ur gonna have an "updated" look, then have a one sided axe giving reference to Animated and stick with the silver handle to mimick Movie Prime's sword.
     
  5. Solrac333

    Solrac333 G1 got it right!

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    That drawing is so good, I thought it was the real thing.
     
  6. ORIO

    ORIO Team Sentinel Prime Moderator News Staff

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    Hurry up and make it and send it to me :) 
     
  7. Slimaximus

    Slimaximus Headmaster

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    Sweet looking, can't wait to see it finished
     
  8. maximus_primal

    maximus_primal Autobot

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    Put me down for one!!! I love your current design. Best of luck.
     
  9. Cast

    Cast Roll the dice

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    I really like this idea, I was hopping FP would have something like that in the 3G trailer.
     
  10. plowking

    plowking I'm with ErechOveraker. Veteran

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    Your design really looks good Venksta. I think you should stick with what you got honestly....and that bot symbol in the center of the two blades?....really nice touch there :thumb 
     
  11. Maloknazh

    Maloknazh @MalwareSculpts

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    Thats not a bad Idea, and the base sketch itself looks great so im hoping this will turn out great for you
     
  12. mampy

    mampy Movie-Accurate Mampy

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    Me too.

    I think that this is an awesome concept. I hope you can make it look as good (or better) than the drawing. I would not put an autobot insignia in the middle of the axe, though. Some engraved panel lines would be good but nothing over the top. :)  Not a fan of making it detach into an actual axe with a handle - that would be pretty difficult to do considering the size of the pieces, and the axe is awesome enough as is.
     
  13. hXcpunk23

    hXcpunk23 The Chaos Bringer

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    I really like what you've drawn up for this, Venksta. I say keep the design you have. It looks great, it fits the whole Classics/updated G1 thing, and it just looks cool (the Autobot symbol on it is a great fit). I also like the homage to the old G1 figure with the little triangle and rectangles on the bottom of the axe. Can't wait to see what you go with and how it turns out (heard some good stuff about Shapeways, but I've never thought of using them for anything).

    Good luck and I hope it turns out great, man.
     
  14. Venksta

    Venksta Render Project Creations TFW2005 Supporter

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    Thanks for all the feedback and suggestions. One of my reasons for wanting to give the axe a handle is because Animated prime looked cool when he could hold it with both hands. After playing with Classics prime, that won't be possible it seems. So I'll be scrapping that idea.


    I've been doing my research on the quality of their product. It seems the standard material they use has a grainy feel or surface. Due to that, I was thinking of making the entire axe translucent. But after reading up on what people have done with printed models by them, it seems you can get a good finish by just putting some work into it.




    So I began work on the 3D part of this. I've spent just under 2 hours so far. I had to first mockup Classics Prime's arm and hand, so I could get the measurements correct, or close. For the axe part, I've just mocked up the basic shape. Everything seems good so far, so I'm going to start to work on the assembly part, to make sure everything fits. The blades will be two pieces, and they'll attach by a slot on the side of the autobot symbol. I'm thinking the base will just be one piece.

    [​IMG]
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Nov 4, 2009
  15. Sledgehammer

    Sledgehammer Ancient and knackered

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    Excellent concept, Venks - seriously cannot wait to see how this turns out. :thumb 

    (Been eyeing Shapeways a lot myself lately, got a few ideas in the works... :D )
     
  16. Auceps Prime

    Auceps Prime Mini-Bot Leader

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    This looks great! Nice design and concept.
    Now that you've got this idea going, hows about making a Power Hammer for Ultra Magnus. Like the one that came with animated UM only this one will be for the Universe line. We could use it with the City Commander Kit.
     
  17. RodimusDawg

    RodimusDawg Well-Known Member

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    If or when this comes to light I will be replacing the one I made for my Classics. I'd like to see it get it as close to the drawing as possible with the detailing especially the Autobot symbol.

    And plans for a Morning Star for Classics Megatron?
     
  18. process

    process Hanlon's razor Veteran TFW2005 Supporter

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    Comments/Criticism:

    1. I'm glad someone is getting around to doing this. With the aftermarkets trailers out, a new axe is really the only thing missing from the Classics Prime mold.

    2. I'm worried that the Autobot logo may require detailing that is under the minimum detail size of 0.5 mm for transparent materials, according to Shapeways material guide. Although, I suppose if the arm in your rendering is any indication of scale, this my not be an issue.

    3. Perhaps consider making your axe design more future-y. I realize the blades aren't modelled in clear orange, but in their current rendition, the axe looks straight up medieval. I humbly offer a simplified movie-inspired axe/sword, which I think might better suit the Classics aesthetic. It might also be less expensive to go with a more streamlined design.

    4. If this works out, please do a mace/morning star for Classics Megatron!
     

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  19. Venksta

    Venksta Render Project Creations TFW2005 Supporter

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    Thanks dude! Can't wait to have this in my hand. :D 


    Actually, I want to stay away from any for City Commander. Just because I'd be a hypocrite for making fun of those addon kits for it, lol. But I could always design a Power Hammer which could be used by anyone. ;) 


    Actually, the Morning Star was my first idea. I decided to do the axe first. Once its modeled and uploaded to Shapeways, I'm starting the morning star asap. :)  Already have some designs for it as well. I also had an idea to make a sword for Megatron, like the G1 toy had, an updated Ion blaster for Prime, and classics style arm swords for Prime.


    I'm not sure if I'd sell these at the moment, as I don't have the necessary funds to put them into production like FansProject or another group could. I have gotten some PM's though about these, so maybe a small run? I won't get ahead of myself yet though. :) 

    Thanks for the info about the minimum detail. Didn't know about that for the transparent material. In the render, if you see that little cube near the top right, it represents 1mm. Doing a quick check, the panel lines on the blade are not 0.5mm deep. So thanks dude!

    I actually want to try and design arm blades for Classic Prime. I do see what you mean about the medieval look though... I'll have to think about if I want to change the shape or not...

    I'm going to do these weapons in pairs, for Prime and Megatron. So Energon Axe and Morning Star. I'll probably go with the Arm Blades and Chrome Sword next.
     
    Last edited: Nov 4, 2009
  20. process

    process Hanlon's razor Veteran TFW2005 Supporter

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