Sky High ; My headsculpt substitute for Sky Guardian. Shapeways link: Sky High Head V2 by knoted on Shapeways This head requires a ballpeg adapter which can be found here: Sky High Head Balljoint Adapter by knoted on Shapeways Render: Test print in Black High Definition Acrylate: Painted up and installed ( more pics in last post ): I also made some thigh filler components to fill out Sky Guardian's hollow thigh legs. You can find those in my shop as well : knoted by knoted - Shapeways Shops
Thanks ! I'll report back here once i get the actual head from shapeways around december 22nd ; the actual balljoint on Sky Guardian has a 6mm diameter, but the ball joint socket set also includes a 5.5mm version just in case WSF causes a slight tolerance difference. I might also make a Valkyrie inspired head for the same balljoint socket set. This Sky High head is 23.4mm tall, 17.9mm wide and 18mm deep; so it's same width and depth as the Sky Guardian head, but half a mm less tall - hence, this head might also work on other leader class size figures ( Sky Guardian is 10 inch tall ).
Update Dec 18, 2015 The first shapeways prints are in ! The thigh fillers work perfectly, both the one which tabs in by friction and the one tabs in permanently works great as well. Reminder pic of the figure without the thigh fillers : The next pics illustrate the added value of these thigh fillers; no more hollow upper legs. Helps the look of the figure from all angles. Transformation and articulation are unimpeded. Printed in WSFP, which is the material I would recommend. Friction version for sale here : Sky High - Thigh Fillers - Friction (N4B7MN3JT) by knoted Permanent tab in version for sale here : Sky High - Thigh Fillers - Tab in (NTJWDH2J3) by knoted Installing the permanent thigh fillers tab-in version requires opening the upper leg - whereas the friction version doesn't require opening the upper leg; you can simply slot them in. Transformation with the thigh fillers installed is possible because they don't obstruct the leg from full folding. The FXD headsculpt came in as well. I still need to clean and paint it up. However, the balljoint socket/adaptor, printed in WSF seems to have a few tolerance issues, requires some sanding. I will adjust cavity in the headsculpt model and reupload, hence the headsculpt will remain in beta until I fix that soon. I am already working on a Valkyrie inspired headsculpt too. WIP:
Yes, my thigh fillers don't impede the transformation. I can understand the design choice of theirs, partially. See how the top corner of my thigh fillers is strongly slanted downward ? I've designed that on purpose, because if the corner would run straight up all the way, it would jam into the pelvis/ hip assembly bars ; and that would seriously hinder articulation, perhaps even transformation. So I think that's part of the reason why they left out the inner walls of the upper leg. But yeah, indeed... they could have come up with something like my thigh fillers. You know... those 2 things are imo Sky Guardian's only real faults : the hollow thighs and the face sculpt. Other than that, imho, he beats his direct market competitors such as Lone Wolf ( Bold Forms ). Everything else about Sky Guardian really connects ; super solid in both robot and jet mode, no partsforming and finally a not-Skyfire who nails the cartoon design in both modes. And oh yeah, swivel wrist hands, which can actually hold weapons really well. I'll keep you guys updated on further paint progress of my headsculpt.
Alrighty, I finished up painting the headsculpt. That worked out pretty well. However, I found out, my balljoint adaptor doesn't fit the actual balljointpeg of Sky Guardian. Apparently, WSF came out bigger on the outside and smaller on the inside. I'll have to sort that out. Until then it'll be in beta. Of course, visually it all worked out fine. The headsculpt features lightpiping but the sculpted window is small so it requires an intense overhead light. For the rest, the pics show once again, the thigh fillers work great and they don't interfere with articulation or transformation.
Thanks! An improved Version 2 is now tested and painted : Sky High Head V2 by knoted on Shapeways New Pics August 30th, 2017 :
