Shapeways: FOC Bruticus upgrade kit (more game-accurate)

**Update--Check out my new video here: http://youtu.be/Ra1n6J0IvbI**


Hi Everyone,

After several months modifying Hercules, Hegemon and Predaking, I decided to turn my attention to FOC Bruticus. I was inspired by much of the Radicons work on the forums, and in this case wanted to make a Shapeways kit with hopes of making it available to everyone.

Believe me: This figure has HUGE potential!

Okay, here's the progress thus far:

I started as always, with reference images, photos and good old fashioned pencil sketches:





This inspirational phase was definitely generating confidence that this could pulled off.

Next up, I built a LEGO mockup, just to guage proportions, attachment points, etc.





At this point my confidence was good enough to begin the tedious process of CAD. 40-50 hours later, after hundreds of measurements and thousands of model features, the parts began to take shape:



From top left: Backplate mount for Onslaught, Hand mount for Blastoff, Hand mount for Vortex, Sheild extension for Blastoff and Fin extension for Vortex.



From top left: Brawl foot and Swindle foot (with articulated toes); Brawl knee extension, Onslaught chest shelds (2 days modelling those bad-boys) and fists (not articulated)

First the little plate at the back of Onslaught--this fills in his back, allows you to mount the cannon on his back facing forward AND yes those are the three buttons that disable him (couldn't resist the G1 homage )



**NEW--Here are pictures of how Blastoff arm works...it's an extension/plate that his fist plugs into...**



Kit installed:







For a side-by-side comparison:




I wanted to give purpose to the parts, so I have started making a trailer for Onslaught. You can see the feet, fists, etc. installed. You can install a big gun in Blastoff's chest sheild




**Actual mockups and details after the jump**

Attached Thumbnails

 

**Update, check out my new video here: http://youtu.be/Ra1n6J0IvbI**

NOTE: The kit is intended for ALL FOC Bruticus molds: SDCC, Mainline, G2 BBTS Exclusive and Takara. Because this is Shapeways, parts will arrive white/polished so painting will be required. I'm sure there are a few people who will comission painted versions on the boards. Sorry guys, I'd love to offer these in color, but Shapeways doesn't offer that

NOTE: I do not know the price at this time. I am doing everything I can to make the parts as cost-effective as possible.

ADDITIONAL NOTE#1: I do not have a release date at this time. I'm a single guy working on this and have a more than full-time job. I work on it often in my spare time. I really want this done by late Spring 2013...I'll keep pushing hard...please be patient...

ADDITIONAL NOTE #2: If the sales of this kit go well, I am willing to work on a Ruination kit. That project will require many new parts to be designed and will be very costly, so the demand has to be there in order for me to able to afford to create it.

ADDITIONAL NOTE #3: I will be offering 'sub-kits' so you can buy just the hands, feet, wing, mini-Shockwave, etc. Note that these kits won't have the volume discount offered by Shapeways, so "The Full Monty" will be the best value...but for those on a budget or just want some key pieces (you'd be amazed at what just the hands do) this will be a great choice!


Here are some shots of the "Alpha 1" prototypes:




Original prototypes (wide crotch cover, unpainted)




Closeup of the feet



Trailer with parts

BIG BACK GUN--as many of you (and myself) were dissatisfied with Bruticus' back gun, I made a new beefier one (digital mockup)





FLATTER WING:--after much feedback and consideration, I decided to mockup a flatter wing





MAKING AND PAINTING OF FRUITICUS:











How the colors were matched:Shapeways: FOC Bruticus upgrade kit (more game-accurate)

UPDATE March 17th, 2013

Major CAD update. I'm redesigned all parts to combine together and make a trailer WITHOUT needing a frame. All parts get used in both Gestalt and trailer mode. I'll be testing parts in individual Robot modes as well. All parts don't have to be in this exact configuration; for example, you don't have to put the big wing under the trailer. Only the two feet, wheel mounts, and front attachment are needed to make a working trailer.





MAJOR UPDATE: Alpha 2 parts arrived and painted

I decided to paint up the 2 sets differently, one to match the G2 BBTS Exclusive and the other to match SDCC Bruticus. Enjoy...

Wow! I want one!

the feet look awesome! will they be a separate set? cause i'm looking into making articulated hands for him on shapeways and i'd love to have those feet add-ons

EDIT: might i also suggest a heel add-on for Swindle?

So that's what's missing: shoulder covers and slippers. Covering the shoulders. Genius!

Love the bulk.

Beautiful, really bulks him up in a good way. Love the toe extensions.

Awesome progress so far! I look forward to the final project. I was hoping to see a 3rd Party set of this sort but of course, shapeways might work better since I have the G2 version to sit next to my Colossus.

From the looks of it there is still the basic trailer bed left over after beef-up, right? My big suggestion would be to redesign the back area to be the trailer folded in half so there is no left over alt-mode kibble. G1/G2 Bruticus even had a pair of wheels on his backpack so that would be even more of a G1 homage.

Smaller suggestions would be to make the chest shield wings be able to fold up, so so the shield can be stored on the trailer as sort of a brace/launching guide for Blast Off.

Great work! I look forward to the prototypes.

Originally Posted by depthcharge82 TF fan: "FOC Bruticus Must be bought.No matter the cost"

SOLD Put me down for one once you have it done, please ?
I got me the team for my own Xmas gift and was so let down once I put them together.
You have done something her sir I have been waiting for someone to do.
Great work, top notch idea and look.
If I also might give a suggestion about the trailer ?
Maybe make it so parts come off to make Onslaught have arms not Mister Burns arms . Nothing fancy just something that clips in his hands and makes him looking to do some damage and not just yell " Swindle release the dogs " .

im down for one if you make one for g2 or retails. great work.
have you thought of the cannon he uses in the game?