Studio Scale Tyrell Pyramid

[Pyramidrep]

So I finally joined the forum after years of looking at the fantastic work posted here. So my particular interest in the Tyrell Pyramid began when I first saw the movie in the 1980’s and a burning ambition to build a replica never left me. I have an architectural background ( but don’t work in the industry anymore) so building model buildings is something I‘ve done a lot of In the past. But this is a huge project and good reference scare.
So the only way to build this is to find any photo reference of original castings, obtaining castings( any generation), identifying parts and measurements. And most importantly find the “Rosetta stone” to begin. So this is the beginning ( 4 years to this point).

 

[DaveP]

Awesome project. Always LOVED this building! I'll be following with interest. Will be a truly awesome sight to see lit in a darkened room!

 

[thegnome]

Cool project!

 

[stevielewis]

Will be watching this build!

 

[JeffBond]

Wow, I love this--looks tremendous already!

 

[JANDERS10]

Wow, ambitious project to start with. What are you using to make the intricate patternwork?

 

[Pyramidrep]

Thanks for the comments. Yeah, challenging to say the least. I’ll be pacing myself carefully here. it may take a year or two. But what you see in the photos in terms of matching the original model building geometry is correct. It all Drawn in CAD at full scale off the model parts I identified on the building face, the various plastruct angle and channels and a copy of one of roof casting. I’ll talk about that in more detail in a future posts and about finding the key to resolving building a replica of this beast.The pattern work will be photo-etched brass. I’ve done the drawing in CAD also ( it had to be vectored based) and that will be going to a photo-etching company in a few weeks(needs another revision).

 

[Duncanator]

Very cool! I haven't seen anyone else do this. Can't wait to see your progress.

Nice job!

 

[anamorphicWayne]

Outstanding, PyramidRep.

 

[userd1402]

Very impressive. Well done. Watching with interest.

 

[Pyramidrep]

Ok. some progress with this project. So I thought I might talk about the roof casting on top of the buttresses and the terraces.
if you look at the photos, you’ll see a photo cut-out of the original master (I think Chris Ross may still have it) which I scaled to dimensions I got from Propsummit years ago. I based my CAD drawing on this and thankfully when I finally got a actual casting( 2nd generation), it matched perfectly. Whew!. You can also see the size of what a half scale version will look like. So the only accurate way to do this will be to model and 3d print the part. The CAD software which I have on loan from friend is pretty old but luckily has 3d solid modelling and saving to stl.files.
You can see the roof casting modelled in 3d. Looks like a Willy Wonka version but the colours were used for keeping a track on the different layers . I’ve ordered a 3 resin printer from Amazon and hopefully that will be here in a week or two.

 

[Pyramidrep]

And just while I’m here, I also started to model the main facade.

 

[Duncanator]

Nice that you have access to original reference. Lookin' good!

What CAD software are you using?

 

[Pyramidrep]

Thanks, Duncanator. I am using using a 14 year old version of Autocad ( still a great usable programme). My friend retired from Architecture years ago and gave me the desktop pc to do the project. So as long as it lasts( fingers crossed), I have its use. If it fails, i have other contacts that can help me out. I hadnt done any 3d modelling in 10 years but it quickly came back once I started. I’m a stickler for detail, so the original casts are great. The detail is incredible. Hats off to the talents of Bill George, Chris Ross & others.
I’ll post later this week on the drawing for the etching, They’ll be finished soon and ready to go for etching.

 

[Duncanator]

Thanks, Duncanator. I am using using a 14 year old version of Autocad ( still a great usable programme). My friend retired from Architecture years ago and gave me the desktop pc to do the project. So as long as it lasts( fingers crossed), I have its use. If it fails, i have other contacts that can help me out. I hadnt done any 3d modelling in 10 years but it quickly came back once I started. I’m a stickler for detail, so the original casts are great. The detail is incredible. Hats off to the talents of Bill George, Chris Ross & others.
I’ll post later this week on the drawing for the etching, They’ll be finished soon and ready to go for etching.

If your system crashes, you should take a look at Fusion360. It's pretty intuitive, especially if you have CAD experience. They have a free version for enthusiasts(hobbyists) and students. You have to poke around a bit to find it on their website, 'cuz they'd prefer professional folks buy it. But basically you just say that you aren't using it to make money.
I think they are hoping that if people get the free version, if they turn pro, they'll buy the full monty.

 

[Pyramidrep]

So the etching company in the UK informed me a few days ago that production is halted because of the COVID-19 crisis, it will be some time before this aspect of the build can be sorted. I’ve also been told that the company laser cutting the acrylic sheet for me has also closed. Anyhow, this is to be expected. Attached are images of the some drawings I did for the etch. The larger is my version of the original master. It measures 12x24 inches. The tolerance for the minimum line thickness is 0.5mm In order to be etched cleanly. Which meant I had to modify and adapt some areas of the original detail. This might explain why you see original etched parts looking a bit rough, where lines very obviously blow out. The two drawing on the right are the ones going to etch. One at full scale and the other at half scale.

 

[Pyramidrep]

The good news is that my little Elegoo Mars 3d printer has arrived . I’m completely new to this so should be interesting. I broke up the 3d model of the roof tile to fit the build plate and will be doing a test print later today. Can anyone advise on the best way to position the part on the plate. If I place it horizontal, will it stick to the plate and make it difficult to remove, if I place it vertically, the print time comes in at whopping eleven hours. Angle it and let the software generate the supports?.

 

[Pyramidrep]

Finally got the test print done. It got a little bit warped on one side but overall I’m hopeful with more experience I can iron the the kinks.

 

[PHArchivist]

Oh my...

 

[Pyramidrep]

Only got back to this after a few weeks hiatus. My desktop pc ceased up shortly after my last post. i was working off a portable hard drive so I only lost a few hours work. I have been helped out only in last week ( not easy when everywhere is closed from the Covid pandemic) with a laptop and will be back at the 3d modelling and printing at the weekend. But I did do a little more research and also, since I bought a lot of models kits and Plastruct over the years, this is on the kitchen table at the moment.
Now, if you’re thinking am I building this full scale, i’d have to say No. i have about enough reference at the moment to build about 80% accurate model at full scale. Half scale will allow some artistic license to make up the difference.
i did mock up the top and terraces at full scale , it’s a monster.