Final Update:

Hello everyone!

I've been working on the past 4 weeks for about 50 hours on a transforming Addon Kit for the legs and intake of Transformers Kingdom The Ark. The main idea was to make a transforming addon kit which works in both modes!

I'm finally finished with working on it, printing everything and painting it. If you're interested I have a video where I show everything in detail:

In my video I'm also talking about plans for the future (regarding the Ark), so if you're interested in this project make sure to support me through Etsy and I'll do the remaining parts as well:
- wider front side panels
- streamlined back part which also helps to close this annoying flap
- weapon and tower mounting points at the front
- a fifth center thruster

And if you're REALLY interested you can take a closer look at the 3D file on Etsy where you can also purchase it:
Transformers Kingdom the Ark Transforming Addon Kit Filler | Etsy

Here are some pictures of the finished version:

Before and after


The Addon Kit


Transformation process


Ark in ship mode


Ark in robot mode



Initial Post:

Hello everyone,

I've created a transforming leg filler kit for the Ark.
The main idea is to have an addon kit that doesn't need to be removed and is working flawlessly in both modes.

Right now I still have to do a bit of work but I thought I might show it off.
I still need to modify the intake so it attaches to the arm and folds away to the underside of it.
And I want to recreate the "side windows" of the front section so we can grasp the scale of the ark even better.

In the past I've already made the Power of the Primes Prime Master display base:
Transformers Power of the Primes Prime Master Display Base | Etsy
I also intent to make this one available as a 3D print file on etsy. What do you think a good price might be?


I'll update this thread every time there is progress and once I've put it on etsy.
Hope you like it  

Update 1:
Heavy/Scratch: - Transformers Ark transforming leg filler addon kit set

- added windows and a hook lip to the side
- made the intake part foldable 2 times
- tolerance adjustments

Update 2:
Heavy/Scratch: - Transformers Ark transforming leg filler addon kit set

- added a version which is only one solid part and works like the other filler pieces for the Ark in spaceship mode & one with 5mm ports (optional)
- added a normal version with panels that have the 5mm ports (optional)
- made a turret with 5mm peg (optional)
- tolerance adjustments (I'm starting to sound like Sony or Nintendo with their system stability updates...)

 

Looking great! This is the one thing on the Ark that Hasbro really dropped the ball on IMHO.

 

Awesome!

 

looks pretty good and definitely one of the better ways i have seen so far.

 

Great job. I would say maybe about $10 for the file.

 

That's similar to what I was planning to design - if my ark ever ships, that is.

Personally I would taper them at the front like the original part, add a couple extra panels that fold off the main ones if needed and do away with the whole "intake" part - it looks inaccurate sticking out the sides like that, kills the clean lines of the ship.

I like the panel that holds them open, nice touch there.

 

Brilliant! Nice work indeed!

 

Thank you  
The problem was, if I wouldn't have made the intake stick out to every side a bit, there would have been large gaps in the shell.


And if I just made it a bit thicker/bulkier everywhere the curvature of the ship wouldn't have looked correct.

The idea for the intake now is to fold it up behind the arm. If I would just fold it down behind the leg (by splitting it open and closing it back up again) the leg movement would be hindered due to the knee bending below the whole addon part.

 

This is more in line of what I’d want for my Ark figure since it retains the proper shape of the ship’s sides, instead of widening them like other addon sets I’ve seen. A tapered shape that aligns it with the forward section would be even more ideal but this is a great looking concept!

 

I would have also loved that but for that to work we'd basically have to replace half of the pieces  

 

I like that you made moving parts - it shows a level of consideration for transforming your parts versus just partsforming chunks.
The only other option I could think of that nobody else considered is if the pieces were to pop off and become weapons. But the Ark’s hands are such an odd design that he can’t really grip anything.
unless you make new hands/fingers for him…

 

It would work if each panel had a section on it with another hinge to allow the front tapered part to swing in/out.

The way I am going to do it is have each shell half be on a double hinged section that allows the half panel to open and swing down to the sides of the legs, possibly involving a swivel on the double joint so they can spin around and lie flat-ish on the leg curvature. I bought this guy for the exclusive reason to make folding panels that cover those nasty gaps while retaining the original ship look, so I will make it work one way or another.

 

Great work! What's up hastak, was that so hard?

 

Should add some turrets.

 

When will it be available?

 

Will the eventual arm panels taper down like this edited blue line, so preserve the smoothe outer edge of the ship?

 

I'm at the home stretch right now. Still have to finetune a few things so everything fits perfectly.
I think I'll also add two alternative print versions additionally:
one where the whole part is one solid piece,
and one where the intake part folds open and closes back up again after the leg has been moved past it.

Tomorrow I can post a few updated pictures of what the final print version will look like.

 

I'll only make part of the intake fold back so it doesn't get in the way of arm movement.

 

I could add a version with 5mm ports if you want. Where do you think would be a good placement for them?

 

That's not how the Ark is supposed to look though. The lower part of the ship is supposed to stick out. The shape right now is just right.