OT - From AM to Resin Kit

#28

OK - it took a little while, but I FINALLY got a workable mold for the sword - unfortunately, I also learned a lesson - "Don’t even think about using LESS catalyst than is called for with silicone - more, yes - less, no. You end up (even after 72 hours - 24 of which in an oven) with what is basically, a big, sticky, booger-like thing that’s a bitch to clean off your parts. Well, lesson #17361554 learned - lol.

A couple of shots of the sword in place (once again, righ out of the mold - no cleanup at this point):

Well, now I’m waiting on a shipment of catalyst - so the armor and dangly bits will have to wait - but they should be coming soon. I’ve started assembling a kit as a “first test run” to figure out the best way to assemble and paint before I write the instructions - so far it’s looking pretty cool :slight_smile:

JoeW

#29

I never even thought that something like this could be done. Awesome detail!

Oh just thought of a question!

did Art2part create all the pieces seperate for you? Typically they make multiple items assembled as a single piece, did you ask for this? Or god forbid, did you have to cut it up?

#30

Thanks - it’s been an involved project, for sure :slight_smile:

I “pre-cut” all the pieces in XSI before sending the model out for “printing”. I knew I was going to make molds, and I knew that they (3DartToPart) have a print size limitation of 8x8x10" - so I broke up the model as necessary keeping the size limitation, and how I wanted to mold the parts in mind. I also wanted to make the kit easier to assemble and paint - so you really only put it together at the end - with the exception of the legs and torso which are the only parts that have seams that have to be bonded and cleaned up. I ended up doing a good amount of hand-fitting of the parts as the printing process seems to introduce some inaccuracies.

Overall, it’s gone together pretty well.

JoeW

#31

What he ^ said :slight_smile: !

Fantastic !
One of the most impressive models I have seen come out of A:M .

Respect.

#32

*omg

your work is so awesome!

#33

Hey Joe, that’s really looking awesome. Keep us updated.

#34

Thanks, guys - I will. I just got a new shipment of silicone (for molds) in this past week, so I hope to get the final molds for small parts finished soon. I’ll post again as soon as I have the small parts finished…

JoeW

#35

I finally received more supplies (slow boat, I guess) and finished the molds for the armor plates, knee guard, and shoulder guard. The only parts left are the earrings which are close to being done - darn things are hard to work with (small parts, big fingers - lol)

Anyway, here's a couple of shots of the armor in place (once again, pretty much right out of the molds):

[img]http://img236.echo.cx/img236/6333/smhunterarmorfront9zw.jpg[/img]

and the back....

[img]http://img236.echo.cx/img236/8703/smhunterarmorback6wh.jpg[/img]

Anyway, that’s it for now. I have one kit in progress, but once again, I’m waiting on something (paint)… as well as time (going Beta on a game in June, and finaling another) - schweew!

JoeW
#36

Good gravy Joe. I always think that as fantastic as your work is it can’t possibly get any better… and then you give me a quick kick to the chops with work like this. Beeeyoooteeful!

#37

Thanks, Nicco - I’m always trying to learn new stuff… now, to start painting that bad-girl :slight_smile:

JoeW

#38

Joe,

Absolutely freaking cool! I haven’t had time to read through the whole thread, but the output is AMAZING!!!

Must start reading now. :applause:

Now, get to work on Tak for PSP AND DS!!! :smiley:

  • patrick j. clarke
#39

I know, I can’t believe how awesome this is looking!

#40

Are you going to many copies? sell it?

#41

Thanks, Guys - it’s been a lot of work, but it seems to be paying off. I hope (as I mentioned before) to have a book that goes through the entire process sometime.

Hi Patrick - unfortunately, I don’t think Avalanche will be doing anything with Tak beyond Tak3. We’ve been bought by Disney, and will probably be doing exclusively Disney titles once our current contracts are fulfilled.

As far as selling kits, yes, I intend to do so. At this time, I’m in negotiations with Bisley to see if he wants to “authorize” them (for a fee, of course), so I won’t be selling anything until all the issues are ironed out. I’m hoping that he will go for it, as I think it would be a win-win for both of us - only time will tell.

I have one kit in process right now - I’ll be posting more as the painting progresses.

JoeW

#42

Well, I finally got the problem with casting small parts whooped - and figured out how to mass produce “jump rings” for all the dangly bits - so the kit is ready to be produced - all I have to do is get one painted up and write the instructions for painting and assembly.

Here’s the last shot you’ll see of an unpainted kit - at least coming from me :slight_smile:

We (Avalanche) are shipping 3 games late this month and early next month - so as soon as all that’s over, I should be able to go at finishing this full-blast…

JoeW

#43

Only 3 games, what, are you guys taking it easy? :scream:

Hunter looks absolutely breathtaking Joe! Will you be doing the painting of this initial model yourself?

#44

Yeah - takin’ it easy :wink: I can assure you it’s not a schedule that we signed up for - it was handed down from on high - if you know what I mean…

Thanks for the compliments, Nicco - yes, I will be painting this kit. I’ve got a pretty good handle on skin tones - it’s the metallic surfaces (and the semi-worn look) that are going to be the challenge. The good news is that all of the parts (with the exception of the torso and legs) can be painted separately and assembled at the end - which is going to make things a bit easier. Once the instructions are finished, I’ll be ready to ship the limited number of kits I’m going to make :slight_smile:

JoeW

#45

I definately want one! Lemme know when you have a kit ready to go!

#46

Hey William - I will be sure to let you know as soon as I’ve got everything ready to go - I’m still experimenting with some different resins - trying to make the best quality kit I can - that, and I have to paint one of them (so I can make all the mistakes, and write instructions that keep you and others from doing the same :slight_smile:

JoeW

#47

Finally, (after 3 years of no vacation) - I got some time off last week - and took the opportunity to do a little painting on the kit. Hopefully, within the next week I’ll be finished and ready to start shipping the limited number of kits that will be available.

I’ll post some finished images when I am completely finished (soon, I hope) - but in the mean time, here are a few “in progress” shots. Keep in mind that most of these parts still have color work to be done - but it’s getting there…

The instructions are starting to look like a mini-novel - lol.

JoeW


[img]http://img323.imageshack.us/img323/7413/02finalprimer6jt.jpg[/img]
[img]http://img323.imageshack.us/img323/2537/03basecolor4ul.jpg[/img]
[img]http://img323.imageshack.us/img323/1171/04shadowsnhilights9ss.jpg[/img]
[img]http://img323.imageshack.us/img323/672/06afootdetail2ja.jpg[/img]
[img]http://img323.imageshack.us/img323/4209/07facechainmail6jl.jpg[/img]
[img]http://img323.imageshack.us/img323/8522/08wipdetails9th.jpg[/img]
[img]http://img323.imageshack.us/img323/8206/09wiparmorpieces0td.jpg[/img]
[img]http://img397.imageshack.us/img397/9484/pict2477resize4co.jpg[/img]