"Epic" Optimus Prime (work in progress)

Another late project...this one is epically special because it's for Cliff Bleszinski of Epic Games!!!

So, I've been posting these WIP pics on my facebook page, but thought I'd post here as well because completion is coming quite soon, and the journey building this guy has been an extensive and massive learning experience. It's do or die when building this large. Tons of planning, measuring 3 times, cutting 3 times, learning lessons, re-doing things many times, lots of cuts and tears.

Prime is NON-TRANSFORMING (as per order request) which allowed me a lot of creative freedom in terms of proportions, detail and aesthetics. Prime stands a MASSIVE 27" tall and currently weighs in at a little over 15 pounds. He has masterpiece articulation, almost everything has been scratch built, including re-building ratchet joints. When completed, he'll have a couple LEDs : 2 in his gun, 4 in his eyes (explained below), 3 in the matrix, 4 on top of chest (totalling 13) He'll also include a voice chip and speaker for sounds in his chest as well as a 2nd sound chip and speaker in his blaster.

> The electronics controlling his voice/quotes is wired to a secondary set of blue 5mm LEDs for his eyes, so when he's prompted to talk, this 2nd set of lights glow with the words (like the cartoon) Here's a sample of that :

Epic Prime electronics demo | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

> Also in the video above is a sample of the lights up above his chest. They run to an independent on/off switch and battery pack. ALL electronics will have switches/buttons in the same area of Prime's back as well as an easy-access panel to the batteries/power source.

To begin, I found an image of Prime that I really liked. I took it in a digital program (Adobe illustrator) then began to build patterns and shapes, ensuring to keep the proportions and measurements PERFECT. Once I had my templates / blue print / shapes to my liking, I printed them on light paper. I used these sheets to trace each shape onto 10mm plastic material called "sintra" - it's commonly used in the sign industry... light-density PVC sheeting basically.


here's the reference illustration I used and then the blueprint/digital design displaying the shoulder's EVERY side. the shape on the left of the lower pic, if folded would create the shoulder, perfect dimension :
Reference Picture


Digitized Shoulder/model


Next up, I created the basics...





















At this point, I convinced the client to upgrade to an opening chest and matrix. What's Prime without his matrix? It was a task, I had to take many steps backwards in order to compensate for a hollow chest. Also, the matrix's sphere isn't the easiest shape to build. The matrix will contain the gem shown below with 3 blue LEDs inside it. One will be "constant on", one will quickly flash, and the 3rd will pulsate. It will run to an independent on/off switch and power...ALL within the sphere.











these next images illustrate how Prime's chest opens. It was important to me to make these swing out enough, so we could (later) get some kick-ass poses of Prime holding his chest open with a nice glowing matrix in there. Also shown below is the upper half of prime, near complete.






















Next up, I created a conceptual digital image of all the parts created so far, to get measurments for the most important areas, hips, upper legs




After 432 attempts and measurements, I built the waist section. Very difficult, I wanted to ensure he retains MAXIMUM articulation and poseability. Some of the details in the waist area below were "stand-in" digitized



And finally, sort of where is he is now. the basics are all done. From here, I need to make some minor adjustments to the hips area, build his torso's back, his pistol, install the electronics, install hundreds of rivets....then PAINT! I am going to paint him up in a VERY shiny, realistic,slightly-damaged-paint job in his traditional colors. Since this pic, I build the wipers, chest top lights (x4) and added detail to the legs.

This video demonstrates some of those updates... Epic Prime electronics demo | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

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He is HUGE.
And awesome, will he be painted?

of course. he'll be painted in this style :

He looks magnificent, was smiling whist looking through.

You do great work, now get some paint on him!

ps have you considered doing an opening matrix that you could fit his fingers in??

He looks magnificent, was smiling whist looking through.

You do great work, now get some paint on him!

ps have you considered doing an opening matrix that you could fit his fingers in??

thanks. thought about it, but it's way too late in the planning/production to do that. his hands are about 2" from edge of index to edge of pinky, and the handles on the matrix are about 1" long. He can hold it though, just some fingers go around the handles, so do not

just WOW!

Dude, I think you've hit a new milestone. Flawless.

This is epic!

I've been loving the facebook updates on this monster, cannot wait to see finished product