Distractions

I'm sure it's obvious, but I haven't done anything on here in a while.  I just finished my finals and I'm done with school.  I did create a website for the Prototytan Project, but before I can post it, I need to make some changes, like getting rid of things the teacher required for the website and replacing them with stuff I actually want.  And I have to find some money somewhere to pay for it.

But now that school's over, i've been thinking a lot about the Prototytan Project and where I want to go with it.  I'm looking forward to going back in Megatrons Anonymous also.  In the mean time, I ordered the RtS Legends from TFSource (and got my account info stolen, but that's getting taken care of now) and I love them!  Those things are awesome.  They've got me interested in making my own Legends figures even more and an idea struck me.  I want those little Legends to have weapons and accessories!  If I could make a rifle for Prime and a scope for Megs's alt mode, that would be great, but why stop there?  There are a ton of opportunities for the G1 Legends.

So that'll be my first step to the Prototytan Project, putting the comic, the models, and original characters on hold.  I'll be designing them soon and modeling them after that and posting pictures of all of them when I can.

Details Details

Okay, so while I'm working on the robot mode, I still need to worry about the alt mode and if it's ready to post online on a 3d marketplace.  I've looked at some that are available online and they're insanely more detailed than what I have here, but they aren't filling the low-poly game model market.  I'm hoping to go into that with my models, but still, I know I should still polish the model a bit.  So I'm posting more pictures of it to get some input on changes that need to be made and details that should be added.

Front view

Top view

Side view

Turret

 I'm planning on adding a few details on the turret here.  There are some canisters that go in the front on both sides of the barrel that need to be added, along with a small cage that goes around them.  I didn't show a back view of it because there isn't anything there - I need to add some windows onto it.  I'm not going to worry about the railing that goes above the barrel on the turret though.

Bumper

 I'm planning on rounding out the sides of the bumper here with some beveling.  I'm really trying to get rid of some of the sharper edges on the model.

Side panels

 No planned changes here, there's just not much detail on this part of the vehicle, except maybe a few metal slats on the big bumper here.

So what say you?  Is there anything else I'm missing?  Is it worth posting online?  Should I even bother?

Protofriday - Cold Feet

Since finishing the alt mode (though there are a few pieces I think I might go back and add on sometime), I've been working on cutting it apart and adding in the robot bits.  I started with the feet first since it quickly became apparent that my original idea for them wouldn't work.  And then the second idea wouldn't work.  And now the idea I'm going with kinda works, but still has it's problems.

As you might be able to see from this horrendous screen-grab, the section behind the front wheel folds down along the cockpit, the wheel folds back, the bump rotates and folds up and the foot assembly rotates out of the first section.... man, I'm having trouble keeping up with it and I made it myself.

The biggest problem that shows up is how absurdly small the foot will be.  For it to fit within the section behind the front wheel it needs to be very small and flat.  I've made toes and a heel that fold out but it's still so small I'm afraid it wouldn't be able to hold him up if it were a figure.  I don't like the joint system I'm using either, with the giant cog-thingees creating the ankle joint, and the huge pivot on the foot itself.

I'm thinking I'll revamp most of it, replacing the ankle system here with a normal ball-and-socket and extending the back of the foot out to allow for a bigger toe and heel.  Right now both of them rotate out, but I'll probably change them to sliding out so I can make them wider as well.

In all though, the feet are going to be damn small.  And unfortunately, I'm still learning with Lightwave and every change I make takes way too long.  I'm getting more comfortable with it though and hopefully more revamps will come about quicker.

Protosaturday - This Is It!

I'm done!  Honestly, it's a cross between "I've done as much as I can" with "I don't think I really care anymore".  I've done what I wanted to do though - create a very low-poly model vehicle that will be easy to convert to a robot model.  I'm not aiming for those highly-detailed Unicron Trilogy 3D and definitely not the hyder-detailed movie styles - I'm trying to stick with a Generation 1 asthetic.  I think this model fits pretty well within that criteria. 

Now from here, I've got two different directions I need to go with this model.  Everything else I model will go through both of these steps.

1. Texture this model with realistic colors.  Once it's all brown and green camo, I'll post it online as is for sale to other people wanting a very low poly model. 
2. Cut this guy up for transformation.

I'm not going to be posting step 1 on the blog though, instead focusing solely on step 2 here.  So next time you see this model, expect to see it in pieces!

Prototuesday - Almost Done

.... with the alt mode.  What, did you think this was just a regular vehicle?  Of course it's a Transformer!

So anyway, I'm almost done with vehicle mode here - with just a few changes to the turret and barrel.  Once that's done, I'll start cutting it apart and building the robot mode with the pieces!  

Protomonday - Closing In

Added a few more details to the front and messed with the turret.  Still need to do some more work on the body, then I'll finish up the turret, barrel, and add some tires.  I've actually taking this week off, so I'm hoping I'll make a lot of progress.  Of course, I've got a bunch of homework too, so we'll see how much that takes.

Protomonday - Another step or two

Took me a while, but I got back into Lightwave this week and made a few more things to the Rhino here.  Cut out the wheel wells, added some windows to the cockpit and a panel in front of it, and put the vents on the sides in front of the wheels.  Also corrected the rear of the turret and cut out the pivot for the barrel.  I would have done more, but Lightwave died on me after I did most of it but not before I could save it.  Of course.

Next step will be adding the lights/speakers/whatevers on the front section, then modding the turret on the sides of the barrel, which needs to be lower and have a few rounded covers added.  Hopefully, I can get that done tomorrow or Wednesday.

Protosunday - Getting There

Okay, so last I posted here, I was really pissed off at myself for going absolutely nowhere with the project.  I had hoped that in the new year I'd turn it around and really get stuff going.  It's almost a month later and I thought I'd get an update for you.

Shortly after the first of the year, I ordered a Lightwave training book and I've got through the first chapters and the more basic tutorials.  I'm only dealing with modeling for the time being.  I ditched the moonbase idea (thought the rocket I modeled earlier will still be useful to me) and have started on a different model.

It's coming along.  This is about 10 hours of modeling so far, what with fideling with all the controls and all.  It's a G6 Rhino self-propelled Howitzer.  Missing the wheels, of course.  I mainly picked it out because of all the sharp corners and flat surfaces.  There's a lot of work to be done on it before I'm ready to even surface it, which will take another couple of tutorials.

I'm slowly getting the hang of Lightwave.  I still forget to to deselect the modify tools before I try to select a different poly and I've accidentally moved way too much stuff and had to start over because I couldn't fix it.  But it's getting there.

Megatron's Anonymous

Megatrons Anonymous

Man, I really do stink with keeping up this comic here.

Megatrons Anonymous Catch Up

I've been running way behind on updating Megatrons Anonymous here, so I thought I'd just upload all of them until the most recent.  Enjoy (unless you've already read them, but I hope you still enjoy them a second time)!  I'm not going to waste time on the titles though, but you're not missing much.