Any chance you'll be making replacement Crankcase hands? Preferably the original design... I REALLY need a set...

 

Hahaha, that's a great idea actually! Stomper shoes for HA Soundwave that transform into Frenzy and Rumble -- bloody brilliant, I love it. XD I'm digging the designs for the stompers too; gives a good piston vibe (kinda like those piston spurs hanging off the back of Robocop's feet) that would go well with robotic "boots" that HA Soundwave could "wear" in combined mode, heh.

I'm less concerned about onscreen movie accuracy to the CGI model design than I am with giving HA Soundwave some much needed height (he's one of the shorter figures in the HA lineup from what I can tell due to his gigantic arms and shoulder kibble) and added bulk to his too-skinny lower legs.

As for his availability, he's not out in the rest of the world market aside from Asia (Hong Kong, at least) and Japan from what I can gather, but I tentatively assumed that you're currently in Singapore (not sure where I read that but probably somewhere in this thread) so I would keep a lookout for him if that's indeed the case. The first week I looked for him at the Japanese Toys'R'Us, HA Soundwave was already sold out. But three weeks later I managed to get one at the same store and there were several of him on the shelves. Hope you manage to get him since I rather like the figure and his gimmicks despite his odd proportions and inaccuracy to the CGI model.

I'm sure whatever you can come up with it'll be very unique and awesome! I'm really digging your designs for TF Prime Starscream (I have yet to pick this guy up despite me being a huge fan of the character but I will once I get back to the US), and some replacement parts for Deluxe Crankcase would be cool; I always dug that figure despite its flaws too (clipped fingers aside; my second Crankcase came with the remolded shorter fingers).

Keep up the fantastic work!

 

Hi guys,

In response to your request, here is a pair of blasters for Transformers Prime Arcee!

​

I tried to be as show accurate as possible given the limitations. The blasters are meant to be attached to the 5mm peg on her forearms, and the cool thing is I added another socket below the peg so that you can still attach the blade weapons to the blasters as well. I'm not sure about the visual effect though, like would she end up with a huge chunk of weaponry on her arms, but let's find out when I get the sample in.

In alt mode, you can use the same blaster/blade attachment to mount the blasters on the side of the bike.

Since it's just a pair of blasters, I think we can skip the whole, lame "testing" thing and release them straight to you.

Merry Christmas, guys.

You can order a pair here:
TF: Prime deluxe Arcee blasters ver. 1.0

 

Appreciate the fast turnaround there FB. I don't even own a TFP Arcee and I like it. Great job!  

Just got my shipping notice from Shapeways about the hands that I ordered. Woot!

 

Looks nice.

I would've thought that you'd design to blasters to slip over her arms in robot mode to mimic the arm/hand transformation that they use in the show.

 

Hi guys,

I know, I know...all the figures in TFP have their hands 'transform' into guns and that was my original intention too. I had many reasons for choosing to do the way I did:

1. Limited wrist posability - Arcee's hands rotate 90d each way, unlike other figures like Starscream whose hands can fold 180d inwards. There's no good way to hide her hands; they just stick out awkwardly. The only way is to wrap the blasters around them.

2. Wraparound vs. material use - I know some figures have their blasters 'wraparound' their forearms or hands, like voyager Prime. I struggled with that, because in the show her blasters are pretty slim looking, and a wraparound solution is going to look chunky. You have to add 2mm of thickness to each side of the forearm in addition to the forearm itself. Case in point: the Whirl claws I designed had an entire blocky chunk as a forearm. I was trying to as much as possible to keep things affordable too.

3. Integration with the blades and alt mode - This was probably the biggest driving factor in the design, as I want the guns to look good with the blades on the forearms (not show-accurate anyway) as well as on the bike. A wraparound design might look over thick and overpower the silhouette of the bike.

4. Paint rub.

5. No modding desired.

Well, I can type an entire essay to justify my design choices, but I understand you guys would appreciate an even closer resemblance to the show. Mechafire, there is a rectangular peg hole on the outside of the forearm used for transformation, was that the one you meant?

Let me revisit the design again to explore the possibility of 'masking' off the hands and I'll update accordingly.

Hmm..The closest is Dark Grey Strong Flexible, which is kinda matte and dull looking...

 

as soon as the Starscream parts become available I am so over Arcee's and
Star Screams upgrades.

 

Those are gorgeous (arced blasters)

 

Soon as the kat and bird are done I'll be picking the Arcee blasters up too, kinda want to do it all one one shipping bill now that we have to pay that.

 

I think doing Starscream's blaster is totally cool. He's never actually fired the thing, but by simple virtue of it's colour it's one of his unique traits. Plus it makes for extra play-value and display value. Besides, the voyager's is just arm-mounted, not over-the-hand style. (and of course the voyager won't be out for ages, and not everyone likes it more than the deluxe) I'm buying that Starscream set regardless.

 

The episode when he got dark energon inside him

 

I don't recall him using it or even deploying it in Shadowzone. He used his missiles, though.

 

I am probably the only movie Fan guy here but I'd really like:
-- Some shoulder cannons for bumblebee (that fit either Dotm or Hftd)
-- A more accurate gun and shield for Leader/voyager Optimus (for those of us who dont feel like buying striker prime), and axe too (and of course the swords that you are doing)
-- A Shotgun for voyager Megatron (maybe add a right hand??)
-- Ironhides guns
-- Hands (hand?) for Shockwave
-- Accurate sideswipe Swords and guns
-- Some hands for Fallen, maybe add a spear?
-- Finally I know this s TOO much to ask but a ACCURATE head for deluxe Barricade, and a Voyager add on Jet wind pack for prime, but like I said thats way too much to ask for.

I would buy these the minute they are out

P.S. I cant seem to be able to see the Voyager Sentinel Prime Sword, and would the shield you are doing fit the voyager too???

Thanks

 

Heys!

Wooo...that's a long list over there lol. I'm just a one person initiative, and my talents, time and energy are limited. Most of these ideas are in consideration, but let me briefly tell you which ones will not be done:

- Bumblebee shoulder cannons - I assume you mean those rocket launcher similar to Ultimate BB? Maybe
- Leader OP accurate gun and shield, axe, swords. - Unlikely, maybe, yes, yes
- Voyager Megatron shotgun (maybe add a right hand??) - Yes, no
- Ironhides guns - Unlikely
- Hands (hand?) for Shockwave - No
- Accurate sideswipe Swords and guns - Yep!
- Some hands for Fallen, maybe add a spear? - No, maybe
- ACCURATE head for deluxe Barricade, and a Voyager add on Jet wind pack for prime. - No, no

In most cases, the stuff I designed will not include items that Hasbro is already doing, out of respect for their business and sales. I prefer to do items which are not released in the main toys, or add-ons to improve my favourite characters. For example, I most likely wouldn't do a shield for leader OP since Striker Prime is out, but I can do his axe since it's not going to be produced officially.

Also, I will most likely avoid designing items for older, less popular molds which might not get reissues or are plain awkward to work with, since they'll prove to be less popular and it doesn't justify my time. Examples are like hands for Shockwave and Fallen. They are tough to remove (pins) and any replacements I make for them are not going to justify the high prices on Shapeways. Not many will spend $7 on a pair of Fallen hands that are *slightly* more accurate. And at that size, I couldn't even make them posable.

All these being said, I thank you for your list of suggestions! Very comprehensive and there are many good ideas for potential releases. I hope my quick list will help you anticipate the designs I'll eventually do.

I removed the entry for the swords, since there are some changes I want to make which will make the current one obsolete. By the shield do you mean Sentinel Prime's shield? Yes, it will be designed specifically for the voyager mold.

 

Thats great, they were just some ideas that I had; May I ask why no to Ironhides guns (the DOTM Handheld ones not the arm cannons)?? I mean I doubt Hasbro will release him with handheld ones.

 

Any chance I can get one of those free of charge? I just purshased one off of Shapeways. Had I known you were doing this I would have held off on it.

Oh, please tell me this is for the DOTM Deluxe Sideswipe?

For reals? A shotgun for Voyager Megatron? I can't wait to see that. How will it equip though? The hands aren't the best sort for weapons.

 

Soon...I want to get my sample in to test the mounting systems first, cuz the current design is kinda iffy. Patience!

Crankcase's forearms (or specifically the inside gray piece) will be completely replaced with a new one that has a ball-joint for the hands. With enough allowance, I might even be able to make the claws posable.

I'll eventually do Starscream's saw blade in the end. It should most likely be on a 5mm peg, but with an extra attachment to work for the voyager set I designed.
For his boosters, I'm thinking of enlarging the current deluxe sized ones so that they can be used for both the deluxe and voyager. A happy medium, if you will.

And Axel, I think I will not be doing blades for Battle Blades. I apologise, hope that's ok with you.

My Crankcase fingers got the snippy-snippy   All three of them!
Still can't find my Soundwave. I'll get back to you once I have him. Stomper boots. Now that's a catchy name.

Thanks!

I understand. Though I must say the bird won't be coming out so soon...Or maybe it will, it depends on my willpower to push it through. Here's to hoping!

Ah...I don't think he used his blasters in the Shadowzone episode, but there was a hilarious scene where Knock Out was suggesting replacement arms for him and we get a glimpse of a multi-missile launcher and a null-ray which looks like G1 Soundwave's cannon.

He did however use his blaster in Episode 10, Deus Ex Machina:



Too bad I can't get better shots since this is on youtube. I haven't watched all the other episodes though, so I can't say for sure if I can get good references there. I'll be trying to come up with something based on the screenshots I have, but if a kinda soul has the DVD or something with better quality, I don't mind nice looking references!

Well, I might eventually do a set, but with all these other projects floating around we can honestly say I can only do those guns in 2020. And by that time, who can honestly say movie Ironhide figures are popular anymore? That's why I said 'unlikely'.

You have to realise most of these ideas are done at no extra charge; you only pay for production and markup. Also I'm only one of me, I have to pick my battles and maximise my time use. If it can be proven that IH's guns will be astonishingly popular, then they'll be bumped nearer the top of the list. The other way, of course, is to do it as a commission, which will guarantee that I'll move mountains to come up with a design in a short span of time, but not everyone wants it badly enough to pay for that.

Edit: There are also a lot of talented 3D people on these forums like MoonBaseTom, Drawn Steel Hero, Scramblecore, Red Shift, Calloway and process, among others. Some specialise in weapon design, I'm sure they are able to pull off Ironhide's guns.

The swords and guns are meant to fit most of the Sideswipe molds, Sidearm and DOTM.

The shotgun will be 'mechtech' scale, meaning it will be at that niche between voyager and leader. Nope, the hands will not be able to hold the shotgun, so buyers have to be creative now. It's a shame, really, that his hands are so weakly designed, not being able to hold 5mm weapons when Hasbro knows he's going to wield such a signature weapon.

I hate to disappoint, but unfortunately there's no chance of getting anything free of charge here. If I'm still in the US I can offer to send my samples as a replacement but I'm not so you're on your own now. But on the positive side, the only change I'm doing is the length of the sword. The rest of the design is the same, so your current swords are still good.

 

Just throwing out out there, but you can use the cannons from the cannon BB from rotf for the hftd BBBB... That might help fakebusker some time and trouble of designing them  .

 

Meh, I'll make do with what I have regarding BB Optimus.

Thats ok in regards to the Sentinel sword. Seeing how its just extending the length, its not that big of a deal to me now. If it were something like better equipping or something, then that'd be a different story altogether.

Looking forward to that Sideswipe set, since most of his toys have been a disappointment regarding his swords. Sidearm Sideswipe was the only toy to get the best design which matched what we saw on screen. However, he lost his trademark swords in the process.

I'm wondering how the Megatron shotgun will work when it comes to equipping. I'm not very creative myself, I'm afraid.

I can't wait to see the Starscream blade and boosters. In regards to those who've already purchased the original SS set, will you be making those accessories available seperately from the set or no?

Lastly, would it be possible to design guns similar to those used by Soundwave in DOTM for his deluxe toy with a 5mm peg?