this has been roughly 3 weeks since I started working on this and the parts from shapeways finally came in the mail and I can officially upgrade the project from fan-art to radicon!

As a first time user of shapeways and a first test print, I'm fairly satisfied with the parts. Most of the parts fit together well. That said there are parts that need to be significantly sanded down/thickened with clear nail polish in order for them to fit on predaking. Already made the necessary changes to the models on shapeways.

First the sword/tail.



Articulated tail when extended to full length, collapses to form the sword.
the last joint of the tail where the blade is currently attached is a little too loose for my liking at the moment due to the assembly.

It fits on the original tail attachment as well so the option's there if anyone wants just the tail without the shield.


More Pics of the tail  


Sword in hand.


I've redesigned the peg on the tail so it fits better in the hand.


Shield Part:


Replaces the part that the tail attaches to. Once again it's compatible with the original sword so the option is there if you don't like the tail and only want the shield.

Pegs into predaking's arm.



I know it didn't appear in the show but that's not gonna stop me!



By removing the part the shield replaces, predaking can finally utilise that waist transformation joint for added articulation!


Alternate configuration. Because why not?

Assembly:
Step 1 - Attach the ball peg.

Step 2 - place the 2 side pieces on a flat surface. push the middle piece down and the pieces should snap in place. i'd recommend doing this 1 side at a time.

Step 3 - glue the remaining pieces in the respective places. there are slots to guide the side pieces in but just to make sure, lay everything out and make sure everything is proper before applying the glue.

And finally my favourite part of this whole project, the head + neck!


Not for the faint of heart. All the tiny pointy bits feel like they'd snap anytime.


Predaking in flight!


Mouth opens with predator fangs just like in the show. The parts are printed separately. The holes need to be cleaned of any residual material and the pegs cleaned and lightly sanded(not sure if necessary but better to do so)


Another angle


Side by side with original head


Side view of all the configuration of the neck segments

the neck segments MUST be in the above shown order. the 2 different segments work together to give the neck both horizontal and vertical movement.

Assembly Instructions
Transformers Prime Beast Hunters Voyager Predaking Head Upgrade: Assembly Instructions - YouTube

When in bot mode, hangs off the back...


Special thanks to WuLongTi and destrongerlupus for answering all of my questions throughout this project.

Now a question to all.
Which is better for the lower jaw? Joined or split?
Pics here at the fan-art progress thread.
http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-fan-art/948475-tfp-voyager-predaking-addons.html

Also about the tail assembly, should I simplify it so there the blade part just pegs in? The currently assembly requires to blade to be pulled out slightly for it to rotate freely. plugging it all the way in locks the blade in place but requires assembly which makes the socket for the ball joint loose and I believe makes it inconsistent from print to print.

Update:
I've decided to simplify the last segment of the tail so assembly will be minimal without the need for glue.



Shapeways Links:
TFP Voyager Beast King Tail/Sword Complete by negoki on Shapeways
TF Prime Predaking Tail-Shield by negoki on Shapeways
TFP Voyager Beast King Head+Neck by negoki on Shapeways

 

Edit: Great info about preparing WSF for painting.

done painting the head + neck...


bad lighting...


a roar of course...


used gold for the eyes...


think i did this eye better.


obligatory scene with terrified FE starscream.

i might sand down the lighter colored horns and repaint them. WSF soaks up paint like a sponge and the rough surface kills any chances of the silver being "silvery" in any way...

my painting is mediocre at best and I really hope someone with better skills who purchased my set can post better pics of it.

Painted shield and tail/sword courtesy of RapierDragon on shapeways:

 

  Wow. That is amazing and the amount of detail is astounding! Excellent job Incedius  I am impatiently waiting for painted pictures 

 

Wow, that looks great!

 

Beautiful

 

well, you have made me want to buy this figure...

 

Great work! Can't wait to see this painted. I purchased the Airachnid set and I'd be willing to do the same here if it looks right.

 

Thanks for all the kind words everyone  

get the figure! just, you know, throw the twin dragon head cannons away. otherwise it's a fine piece of asymmetrical engineering and I'm sure you can do wonders with it!

what airachnid set is this? is it for the deluxe prid? that figure really needs help.

I keep forgetting... is there anything I need to look out for when painting shapeways stuff?

 

Brilliant. Extremely well done!!!

 

This is awesome!!! Keep up the good work...

 

Any possiblities of releasing this for the ultimate predaking?

 

Excellent job. Any chance u can make a, Beast Wars, TM2 Megatron, dragon head. I would definetly buy it with the megs dragon head but maybe I'll purchase this and work on the head, myself.

 

you're not the first to ask me that. I'm really not sure because I don't have the ultimate predaking figure. It's possible for me to work on it base on measurements but without the actual figure in hand, it's hard to do testing.

that said, I think it IS possible to scale the tail up and create a new connector piece that fits ultimate predaking since, as far as I know, it's just a simple peg.

I can't say the same for the head and neck unfortunately with the gimmick in ultimate predaking's head. Once again without the figure in hand, it will be difficult to try and figure out a way to adapt the head and neck.

I do have some intention to modify the current head so it fits on the existing voyager neck just to see if it'll work. It should significantly drive down the cost of the set since the neck itself probably uses more material than the head.

that's another figure I don't have... well I had 1 a number of years ago but not anymore. If you only need the neck to work with, I can upload just the neck portion so you don't have to spend more on parts you don't need.

 

Man! I love my voyager Predaking, so I'll be keeping a close eye on this project.

What are your thoughts on alternate articulated twin heads for those missile launcher slots? You designing it, I mean.  

 

This is great! And the split jaw definitely looks better.

 

Damn you, you just made me want this mold, and I'm not collecting Prime

 

Call me when you do these for the Ultimate Class version.

 

very Impresive! i like it! now i need to go buy predaking again lol. are these sold separately or in a bundle??

 

like others have said if you managed to do this with ultimate predaking that would be amazing but this by itself is terrific! well done!