Hey all - had this one kicking around in the back of my mind since the film came out, what a cool design (but the sound design really took it over the top in my opinion) and I've wanted one for my shelf since!
There are a bunch of 3d builds of the drone on the various 3d file sites, with varying degrees of accuracy, but nothing spot on or high enough resolution to 3d print without an insane amount of post process. Luckily there's a featurette on YouTube with some decent resolution blueprints from the production, and a good amount of coverage in the film and other behind the scenes productions. Another user here is making a very nice scratchbuilt drone using the same plans. Anyway, this one is mostly being built in 3d and output via various processes, then hand finished with some very fine details added.
I landed on 1/7th scale as it was big enough to reproduce the small details like the mesh on the 'face' and in the laser scanner port, but not...irresponsibly huge! Big enough to look good next to the really nice 1/6th Maintenance Technician figure released by Play Toy, which will make for a cool little display. So the model is built on a 8.25" sphere, about the size of a volleyball.
Some work in progress pics:
A part breakdown so far:
And my scantily clad booth babe for scale of the finished piece:
Lastly, as I need to make molds anyway to get clear parts and reduce the huge output costs, this is going to be a limited run kit which I'm excited about as well. Some features:
-kit will have clear parts and be light-able at the engines, eye, and laser scanner lens
-a posable eye (similar range of motion to the film) with 3/8" clear acrylic lens sphere
-brass tubing for the gun barrels
-can be built with gun turrets in any position (or closed 'ball mode')
-openable power core housing door (the octagon) with optional power core detail inside
-pivoting main thruster in back
-decal set for all the tiny text and symbols
When I started this project, I found Golden Armor had released a kit a year ago or so and at first glance thought, 'awww shoot, well that saves me a lot of trouble!' It was only after I took a closer look, not only at the gloopy details but the sandy finish and overall sadness of the whole package, not to mention the guy's rep, that got me back on track. But it does go to show that a half decent paint job and a couple lights can cover a multitude of sins from a distance. That's about all I've got for now, I'll post more as it is completed. Lots of little fiddly bits to go!
EDIT APRIL 2018
From a great suggestion I've been hearing, for the time being these are all of my best reference photos for those who have kits in hand and would like to get building. Real instructions are on my list of near-term to-do's, just below actually getting kits out to everyone who has paid! As always, if you have a specific question, feel free to PM me and I'll get it answered.
There are a bunch of 3d builds of the drone on the various 3d file sites, with varying degrees of accuracy, but nothing spot on or high enough resolution to 3d print without an insane amount of post process. Luckily there's a featurette on YouTube with some decent resolution blueprints from the production, and a good amount of coverage in the film and other behind the scenes productions. Another user here is making a very nice scratchbuilt drone using the same plans. Anyway, this one is mostly being built in 3d and output via various processes, then hand finished with some very fine details added.
I landed on 1/7th scale as it was big enough to reproduce the small details like the mesh on the 'face' and in the laser scanner port, but not...irresponsibly huge! Big enough to look good next to the really nice 1/6th Maintenance Technician figure released by Play Toy, which will make for a cool little display. So the model is built on a 8.25" sphere, about the size of a volleyball.
Some work in progress pics:
A part breakdown so far:
And my scantily clad booth babe for scale of the finished piece:
Lastly, as I need to make molds anyway to get clear parts and reduce the huge output costs, this is going to be a limited run kit which I'm excited about as well. Some features:
-kit will have clear parts and be light-able at the engines, eye, and laser scanner lens
-a posable eye (similar range of motion to the film) with 3/8" clear acrylic lens sphere
-brass tubing for the gun barrels
-can be built with gun turrets in any position (or closed 'ball mode')
-openable power core housing door (the octagon) with optional power core detail inside
-pivoting main thruster in back
-decal set for all the tiny text and symbols
When I started this project, I found Golden Armor had released a kit a year ago or so and at first glance thought, 'awww shoot, well that saves me a lot of trouble!' It was only after I took a closer look, not only at the gloopy details but the sandy finish and overall sadness of the whole package, not to mention the guy's rep, that got me back on track. But it does go to show that a half decent paint job and a couple lights can cover a multitude of sins from a distance. That's about all I've got for now, I'll post more as it is completed. Lots of little fiddly bits to go!
EDIT APRIL 2018
From a great suggestion I've been hearing, for the time being these are all of my best reference photos for those who have kits in hand and would like to get building. Real instructions are on my list of near-term to-do's, just below actually getting kits out to everyone who has paid! As always, if you have a specific question, feel free to PM me and I'll get it answered.
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