I knew this was going to be unpainted, I just wanted to ask if he was planning to make a different kit for Ruination that would accomodate the ATV and tank as arms, and the shuttle and Helicopter as legs since the current version cannot support this. It would aid in making the two characters much more visually distinctive. Anyway Echo has already answered that question.

I'm all for new BIG back cannons for Bruticus!

If I may make one suggestion Echo, IF you do push forward with a Ruination version, How about instead of back cannons he has over-the-shoulder mini-guns?

 

No.

Yes. Way back towards the beginning of the thread I have several digibashes of them. http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/radicons-customs/777746-shapeways-foc-bruticus-upgrade-kit-more-game-accurate-8.html#post8926770 I also added them to the frontpage.

When I resculpted the feet, I used an updated reference. I did try to make Swindle's foot 'pointier' like the game, but am unable to because of Swindle's robot mode feet--check it out yourself, they are quite square! I'm right up to the edges of them with the new 'cap'. Not everything can be identical to the game I'm afraid.

It's too bad you don't like Brawl's new design. I love it...I don't mind your opinion, but I'm going with the new design.  

Ruination will be nearly as big a project as this one because it involves all new parts. It will also have much lower sales.

Many people may not realize that I fund these projects out of my pocket, it's very expensive...so basically I won't be able to afford Ruination unless this kit sells really, really well. So I'd like to do it, but let's 'wait and see'.

You're welcome. Front page fixed.

_________________________________________________________

Guys, thanks for all the support. Lots of passionate discussion too! I've updated the first post which should help reduce the churn a bit. I hope this helps.

Keep the feedback coming. Constructive feedback is preferred and easier to answer. I'll do my best guys...can't please everybody...but do want it to be THE BEST possible kit. I'm 110% committed to this!!!

Cheers,

Echo

 

W00t! I see them now!  

 

*Must resist Shut up and take my money meme... Must resist...*

In all honesty it looks fantastic in the current render. Those cannons are looking good.

Though it would increase the cost if you want to add more toe to the Swindle foot, what about shorten the front as close to Swindle's robot feet as possible, and make the toe an extra hollow bit that you simply glue in place place to the other foot piece.

 

I appreciate the answer echo im sure itl grow on me once I have them painted

 

Late Spring sounds good! Just don't let yourself get burned out with everything.

Do you think you'll keep the same limb configuration as Bruticus or do you think you might swap arms and legs?


Lastly, once the kit is finalized, how do you envision selling it? Through Shapeways where we can purchase it ourselves? Or through you directly?

 

He said Shapeways... Unless anybody knows some Third party people to make the over-all cost of the project cheaper, and to make the set easier to market out.

 

I know the end product is coming from Shapeways. I'm asking if he will open his Shapeways store for us to order the kit and parts ourselves, or if he will have us deal with him directly.

 

Huh? Unless he's going to sell them pre-painted, you'll have to get them via shapeways. We are trying to get a 3rd party contact to possibly get this done, but right now, it's all going to be via shapeways.

 

That's right guys...ideal scenario is 3rd party, but near-term plan is direct from Shapeways.

They handle all the stuff I can't efficiently do: take orders, handle the money, ship the parts, deal with manufacturing issues, etc.

I do all the stuff I can efficiently do: design, post pictures, design, post video, test parts, design, deal with customer feedback about design, talk about the design...well you probably get the point.  

But in all seriousness, outside of a 3rd party scenario having Shapeways handle production and manufacturing is the only thing that makes this all possible...

There is one custom painter lined up to do comissions (Destron Leader) and I hope there will be a couple more...

--Echo

 

Thanks for breaking that down. I hope you make a lot of money and have a deep feeling of satisfaction doing this project!

 

WOW!

 

Major, major cad update!!!

Hey guys,

Here is the accumulation of the last few weeks of work....

First, let's see some before and after shots:



In addition to the ratchets I showed earlier, note the additional attachment points on the feet and Blastoff's hand holder...significantly more geometry in there now.



The cleaner wing, and my 5th version of Blastoff's arm cover (finally looking decent) and a major change to Onslaught's back cover



Top shows the older trailer and Brawl gun...replaced by...DRUMROLL...two little wheel mounts (one per side) and the new big back gun!      



So now, the trailer no longer needs the frame. It entirely forms together from all the parts. Aesthetics are compromised a bit, but no stray parts!



Here's a mockup with Onslaught and Blastoff. You'll see I no longer have the shield on Onslaught (although you can still mount it there if the trailer isn't installed) and the big gun mounts atop the green one...




And yes, the trailer parts now fit on Bruticus' back along with the big honkin' cannon. Making this all work in both modes is what took so long...finally, I've got both Gestalt and Alt-mode with no extra parts. LOTS of extra measuring and trying different approaches to make it all parts-form together.

Also note the extra length in the heels.



And here's Fruticus from the front. You'll notice how the styling has become a bit blockier in the foot, the straighter wing, the more chiseled Blastoff shoulder...it's all meant to better reflect the reference images.

I just have a bit more tolerancing to do...check the mechanicals one more time, but I'd say I'm really close to ordering Alpha 2.  

All for now!

--Echo

 

Dude, that is super cool. I love the idea of using the feet to form the trailer!

My one piece of criticism is that you're doing all this cool stuff but Onslaught's alt mode still looks like crap. Would it be possible to have the wings of the chest shield flip up and use that to fill out the truck while still being able to use the trailer?

 

I'm loving it! Still scared as hell to see the final price but I've got faith! After all, you made the full monty affordable so I think I may still be able to buy all 3 of these as intended!

 

I might just have to get me a Fruticus...  

 

You JUST HAD TO say that! LOL! Now these are definitely on my radar, once the prices are set for the pieces and commissions, so I can figure out my budget...

 

HOLY PRIMUS ALMIGHTY! That's PURE GENIUS!! You never cease to amaze me dude. Question: Do I need Onslaught's chest shield to keep the whole trailer together? Also, is it possible to maybe have Onslaught's big new guns replace the ones on top of his alt-mode completely? Because there it just looks like Epic CANNONS on top of shitty guns and I'd rather just have my onslaught full of epic  

Those two questions aside, dude... That looks amazing. Retail Bruticus + Bruticus Reprolabels + This set = CYBERTRONIAN AWESOMENESS OF BRUTICUS!!! Thanks so much for all the work you're putting into these, man... We can see how much work it requires, and it's so awesome of you to take your time and money to make this.

 

Hi Echo, I've been watching this set for a while now, but that last post, the way that everything came together without the need for any extra peices.... My opinion on FOC bruticus has moved from "Oh Good Lord, there doing FOC Bruticus...I must have!" at initial anouncement to "Oh THAT's what hes going to look like?!?! think i'll pass..." when the pictures and even initial review came out. And now you've got me as exited asi was that day i first heard about it!
2 points that i'd like to add, number one, i hate you a little bit because i had te chance to get all 5 members a few months back and the price wasn't too bad, but i didnt because i hated the stock combiner, and now i can't find any of them for love nor money except in a few really pricey shops
and number 2, I was curious about blastoff's arm tab, i know how it attaches in bot mode, but where does it go in alt mode?
Ooh, i suppose i have a point 3 (though it's a long shot) does anything happen to the trailer when in individual bot mode? Not expecting anything too out there, but wondering for example, can you clip the epic canons to the trailer and have one of them use it as a gun emplacement or something similar? Speaking of the epicannons, do they attach to onslaught in individual bot mode at all, or can he hold them?