Machineflesh 3D Challenge Entry: Christian Hammer

#1

Christian Hammer has entered the Machineflesh 3D Challenge.

#2

I have begun sketches and will tryo to upload them tonight. I thought I’d take a different vein than most of what I am seeing in this contest and try something in the micro-scale, not nano, but small. It is amazing to me how small scientists have been able to create functional machines, in keeping with this I am going to modify a flea/mite to be a a nearly invisible “bug” and potential assasin. It will have a microprocessor replacing it’s “brain” and will contain all of the necessary electronics to allow remote piloting and trnasmission of data. For an animal of this size to be useful in such an endevour it will need the equivalent of a very powerful telescope. I am still working this bit out as I haven’t come up with a very elogant solution for incorporation of such a camera without it looking stuck on. I envision a close up shot of the creature attached to a hair follicle on the surface of the skin done in a photorealistic rather than scanning electron image. I have pretty good references for the flea and one of the things I like about them is they are transparent with an almost Amber like quality which will allow me to show the internal electronics very nicely…

I am always in need of critique, suggestions anything. So if you have ideas, concerns or criticisms let me here them.

#3

Not happy with this camera idea at all… Seriously need to rethink it. This is first crappy sketch, more crappy sketches to come.

#4

A quick anatomy diagram to display the basic innards of the flea and modifications to be made. I rethought the Camera concept and decided it would work to replace the flea eyes which only sense light or darness with telescopic cameras. They can zoom out to allow navigation and zoom in to allow the “bug” to fullfill it’s purpose as designed.

#5

This is a close up of several key parts. The nervous system includes a central processor, two CCD’s two telescopic camera lenses, an antenna for transmition of data and reception of directive information, and a power supply located in tha abdomen. The respitory system of a flea is basically a series of holes in the exoskeloton that allow air to enter the bronchial tubes that mix air with the fleas blood much like lungs. These systems are called sphericals and will need to be modeled to accurately display the innards of the flea. The leg detail shows the muscles, and viens that travel through them. The head shows similar detail.

#6

I love this concept. Will poison be the fleas only method of assasination? Will it carry enough poison to kill multiple people? Looks great so far :smiley: Good luck!

Brad

#7

Thanks, I’m a little nervous about the contest as I am still REALLY new to Maya, and that is what I’ll be using. I’ve been researching poisons and foud a couple that would be lethal in very small doses, even this small. But I’m starting to think somethin more insidious, maybe a virus, or maybe very small nano-bots that seek out the brain or heart…

One of the reasons I chose a flea over a mite is it’s ability to transfer from animal to animal or person to person with their incredible jumping abilities. Wouldn’t be a very good assasin for more than a single individual but is more useful as a spy, so this is just a fale safe measure more than anything… I think I’m gonna try and write a backstory for this.

Thanks so much for your Comments I really am enjoying this contest. Best of Luck to everyone!

#8

Everybody else seems to be downplaying their own abilities so here’s my disclaimer… I am new to all aspects of modeling and rendering and will hopefully be learning on the fly. I think this challenge is great and love all the concepts I am seeing, I’m just hoping I can complete this in time…

#9

Oh cool… Another bug lover :slight_smile:
I see you also take your model quiet seriosly… I also think that Because of the small things that we’ll be making the smallest details are also as important as overall picture…

Well keep up the good work :thumbsup: and good luck in your challange

ExanJU

#10

I’m gonna try and get the bug’s exoskeleton roughed out tonight. Due to the fact I want to make this creature look real with the beautiful amber transparency I am probably gonna have to show way more detail than I am confortable modeling…

ExanJU, yeah I just wanted to do something small and not human, a bug was the first thing that popped into my mind. I want to make it as realistic as possible and that means RESEARCH and lots of detail studies… I have alot more srawings just not posting them as they are just reference images.

#11

Quite interesting.Details,tiny ones will go far for this bug.I like the design thoughts.Perhaps you can after the challenge have a match with another challengers bug from this challenge…ExanJU…You both have some interesting designs.I’ll keep an eye out for your updates.Have fun.:beer: :wip:

#12

Internal DARPA emails regarding project Mongrel, leaked via confidential source.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
Project Mongrel
General,
I am pleased to announce yet another successful test of Mongrel. He was successfully deployed into a hot zone and completed his mission without detection. This project is ready for full Deployment.
Dr. Andrew J. Waller

RE: Project Mongrel
Andrew,
Sir you and your team are to be commended on your important scientific achievement. You must know the importance of this project to the security of the United States and the value it will bring to our threat detection abilities. Sir I salute You.
Major General Armen H Patrick

RE:RE: Project Mongrel
General,
I regret to inform you of a slight glitch with Project Mongrel. Several early production models have gone missing. We believe this to be due to a small programming error in the AI that was meant to allow the Mongrel to survive autonomously for considerable time. However we are having trouble regaining control of several of these Rogues. At current count 13 have gone A.W.O.L. and have not been recovered. I do not believe they pose any immediate threat as the kill command must be entered manually by a ground based controller. We have taken steps to make sure they do not leave the lab buildings. At this time I believe it is wise to assume the worst.
Dr. Waller

#13

Paranoia and fear grip the Whitehouse. Knowing they have failed miserably in international negotiations the President has taken steps to know the hearts and souls of allies and enemies alike.
It has come to light that the Whitehouse had commissioned DARPA to develop a super spy. Details are sketchy at the moment, but our informants hint at some sort of “Bug”. A bug is typically a device used to collect visual and/or audio information on unknowing subjects.
Rumors are flying around capitol hill but in this reporters informed view Project Mongrel is probably little more than another electronic surveillance method and nothing more. However some of the more wild speculation has postulated that this is actually a biological, mechanical crossbreed meant to both spy and if need be assassinate would be adversaries.

The president could not be reached for comment and his press secretary had only this to say:
“Project Mongrel is a necessary tool, needed to protect the security of the American public and this administration.”

Both the Senate and the House of Representatives have threatened to launch a full investigation into the funding and deployment of Project Mongrel. Neither body has voted on such a resolution, and such a vote likely will not happen this session.

#14

Head hurts, cannot handle two concepts, at once, must resolve conflict…

So please reply and tell me what you think.
Here is Idea 2:

Dubya (President Bush) Head is opened (like a cockpit on a fighter plane) inside the cockpit sits a minature Cheney, madly pressing buttons and trying to keep control of the Dubya… Could do it with a very charicaturish render or realistic. Kinda envision one of the aliens from Men In Black that piloted a human looking bot… Sooo much potential with this one, and more of a political commentary than anything… Ever noticed you never see Cheney and President Bush in the same place at the same time? Cooincidence, I think not!

#15

Sticking with the flea, don’t think I could pull off the other idea in the time frame with the level of detail that it deserves. I’ll do it seperately just for fun. I’m taking the next 2 days off from this to complete another little project, so expect updates no earlier than thursday 25th

#16

Back to the contest I go!! WOOT! WOOT!

#17

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