Hey guys, I'm curious about something that I think will make for a good discussion: We have had several mindblowingly awesome customs threads where an artist has created a Transformers LEGO kit. While they are cool in their own right, something I'm wanting to see is an artist take a LEGO kit, create a new custom, and make the finished product not have a "LEGO' aesthetic. I have my own thoughts regarding this discussion, but I want to hear from you guys first. What are some of the physical aspects of a LEGO kit that separate it from looking like a TF when we see a robot LEGO? Discuss!
well, lesee......im not sure maybe the finished product could be sanded, chipped and added a little kibble, or something. i remember I made one a year or two ago(sorry no pics) and id kinda transformerd like cybertron armorhide. but it split in half due to transformation reasons.
I think size plays into it, I think the larger the size, the more detail can be put in, and the less legoish it looks. I think a good analogy is that small legos sets look pixilated, where as large sets have a better resolution.
Basically what Boggs6ft7 said, the size varies on the detail. Pieces come into play, for only so many pieces have actually been produced, let alone if its in the right color. Making a ridable Transformer for lego figs, it would have to be preeeeeetty big. I tried many times, cant do it unless its a foor or two tall.
I actually like the lego aesthetic. It's what sets it apart from other TF custom work. The only time I'd cut or sand anything down is if I'm using parts for a custom that isn't primarily made of lego bits and pieces. Otherwise, I think it defeats the purpose. But in regard to your question, I would add flat pieces and try minimizing the amount of modifications.
I love legos but I dont think I like em for transformers. I usually use em for making walls when I do molding and casting or a build huge Mega Mans cause the blocks are just like pixels and I loooooove pixels.
I too really like the LEGO aesthetic, as it looks amazing & has much, much more detail than other figures, [courtesy of Johhny Dai] but for the custom to stop being a LEGO build to me, it'd have to have all the surfaces puttied/sanded to look like they never were LEGO to begin with...
Slightly off-topic: I love when I see an effective use of Bionicle parts in kitbashes. But I can't get over the fact that I instantly spot the parts like a glaring scarlet letter, with their tell-tale "Technic" pieces and cross-bar (+) holes everywhere. Got to get those filled with putty!
You're actually not off topic (and I'll respond to the rest of you guys in just a bit; thanks for posting ), because that's actually what I'm trying to hit on. I recently got some Neo-shifters and (like other artists) think they might work well as TFs themselves. There's just something "off" like you're saying. I suspect that it may be that there are too many holes/gaps on each of the pieces. If this is the case, I thought, "well, I could just fill those in or something", but I suspect that even that may not be enough.