92 replies to this topic

[GizmoGecko]

After being inspired to create my own 'mech from the fantastic work I've seen from the community, I've been slowly building up a Dragon using Lego Digital Designer (can be downloaded from the Lego website), using pieces available in the Pick A Brick shop on the Lego website, along with the handy instruction booklet tool in the designer program, I will be able to bring my piece a reality!

Initially, I wanted it to be mini-figure scale, however the price resulted in one leg costing about £50....

Behold.






After multiple attempts to re-size it to a more affordable price, whilst still managing to shove a figure in there, I came up with this!







I'm posting incomplete images to show my development, as well as to possibly receive constructive feedback as to how I could improve my design. Bear in mind, I'm restricted to the Pick A Brick pieces available, so I can't include all those fancy pieces.

I however prefer being restrained to simple parts, as it allows more creativity with finding ways to put pieces together in new and odd ways.

My major quibble with it is the gaps between the bonnet lids and the main body, although realistically it will look a lot better in real life with more shadow, as well as not being against an unnaturally white background.


But yeah, hope you like it!

Edited by GizmoGecko, 06 August 2013 - 05:44 AM.

[Sasha Volkova]

Well first off I just want to say KUDOS!
I love the dragon and I was all into lego in the past so this is pure win!!!

Second as for feedback I think you should consider moving the kneepad a tiny bit down if possible, so that it better protects the joint that is located behind it. Its not a huge thing but I cant help but feel the kneepad is a bit too high :b

Anyway, keep up the good work!
And I will be looking forward to more pics in the future ;b

Edited by 0okami, 06 August 2013 - 05:58 AM.

[GizmoGecko]

0okami, on 06 August 2013 - 05:57 AM, said:

Well first off I just want to say KUDOS!
I love the dragon and I was all into lego in the past so this is pure win!!!

Second as for feedback I think you should consider moving the kneepad a tiny bit down if possible, so that it better protects the joint that is located behind it. Its not a huge thing but I cant help but feel the kneepad is a bit too high :b

Anyway, keep up the good work!
And I will be looking forward to more pics in the future ;b

I literally just moved the knee caps down before posting the images haha. They covered the upper legs too much, and I still wasn't sure of them after doing so, so I'll make sure to adjust that!

Thank you too!

Edited by GizmoGecko, 06 August 2013 - 06:08 AM.

[GizmoGecko]

Update:

I've just started working on the cockpit now, and hopefully I'll be able to get close to having similar windows with the pieces available.

Below is a rather simple hatch technique I've created, consisting of two rods which the hatch door can slide along as it opens and closes. (Warning, innuendos incoming!)

Notice the little red extension at the back of the hatch with a little flat 1x2 black piece attached below it. This is so you can easily grip it between two fingers and pull out the hatch door.

With the two flat red perpendicular pieces either side, the extension doesn't look odd or out of place.



Just going to finish the cockpit now and hopefully finish the shoulders at least by the end of today

Also, an update on the knee positioning. Hope it's better now.




Furthermore, I've made an estimate of £54. Which although a high price, is rather cheap compared to some of the crap Lego are selling now for such ridiculous prices.

Any feedback or criticisms are very much welcome! (That's why I'm doing this!)

Edited by GizmoGecko, 07 August 2013 - 07:01 AM.

[Sasha Volkova]

Looking real good
Also with the kneepads lowered a tiny bit they now better cover the joints they are supposed to protect.
All in all it looks good I am curious though about how you will pull of the torso to arms ratio, seeng as the side torsoes are supposed to be roughly the samewidth as the legs :b

[Noaceik]

WoW, wonderful, I cant wait to see it finished.

[GizmoGecko]

I'm in a patient mood so I'll probably get through a lot today. I just can't wait to have the instruction booklet printed in gloss and have the postman deliver all those delicious pieces to me!

Since they've proved awkward and I'm unsure of them, I'll post images of the cockpit and shoulders now, as it'll be annoying to rectify them once the arms are plonked on.





Any input would be very much appreciated!

Edited by GizmoGecko, 07 August 2013 - 08:30 AM.

[Mighty Spike]

Damn,this is awesome.....what ya think,is a Ilya or other Phract a possible to build????

[GizmoGecko]

Mighty Spike, on 07 August 2013 - 10:20 AM, said:

Damn,this is awesome.....what ya think,is a Ilya or other Phract a possible to build????

I am currently debating my next 'mech to build, although I think I'll only be able to purchase one.

With my second favourite being the Awesome, I was considering that, with it having a simple 'wall' shape: I'd be able to use large flat plates to cover up a somewhat empty interior to save on bricks.

The thought of a Lego Atlas would just be immense too... Or a nimble little Cicada that's more close to mini-figure scale.

I do have a fondness towards the 'Phract, especially the concept art.

But then there's 'mechs like the Hellhound (my favourite 'mech of all time)! I could do my own envisioning of it in the Mechwarrior Online style.

A Vulture would be fun too, or a Ryoken, and then there's the Deimos. OR! A Nova Cat...

All those tasty 'mechs aside, a Cataphract would have a much simpler structure to it and a lot less awkwardness with angles, so it'd be rather quick compared to how long it's taking me with the Dragon: the arms are just irritating, especially since the right arm is pulled back slightly so that the Dragon can raise its ballistic weapon higher.

So after this one, the thought of doing a Cataphract is appealing, although I'm not sure on it being it's original green colour.

Edited by GizmoGecko, 07 August 2013 - 11:17 AM.

[Mighty Spike]

the colour is your decision. Think in red or black it looks ten times better. But yes,you re right ,there are so many mechs that are cool. Vulture would be cool. Nova Cat also or a Rifleman and.....and........and....could make the list 3 sides long Im really curios for your next projects and you can be sure im watching this. Greeeetz Mighty
ps: what are you using to build the mechs? ok,saw it,thx

Edited by Mighty Spike, 07 August 2013 - 11:27 AM.

[Bishop Steiner]

am worried about hips to waist location. The inner engineer in me keep seeing it witht he arms added, and I don't think it will be able to stand on it's own, but fall backwards.

it looks great though.

[GizmoGecko]

Bishop Steiner, on 07 August 2013 - 11:34 AM, said:

am worried about hips to waist location. The inner engineer in me keep seeing it witht he arms added, and I don't think it will be able to stand on it's own, but fall backwards.

it looks great though.

Thank you for drawing my attention to the waist, those legs need to be a bit higher up... I've made such a boo boo. The perfectionist in me doth cry woefully.



Looks like I'm gonna have fun with 'mech!

After sorting the upper legs and waist out it should be a bit more stable.

Recognising that it's gonna be a hell of a lot different in real life, I've use the pop-in ball joints in the shoulders and waist, as to allow the limbs to be bent to stabilise it and try to counter balance that centre mass, whilst also trying to align the feet with its centre of gravity.

Thank you for your input too! If anyone has any niggles or upsets, please don't hold back, unleash a fury of criticisms!

Edited by GizmoGecko, 07 August 2013 - 12:32 PM.

[GizmoGecko]

Hoping this is an improvement.

Also increased the mass of the feet and changed the colour, plus a lot more details put in with further colour changes.



FYI, the top of the upper arm and making it fit with the shoulder joint was an absolute ***** to do.

Off to bed now at 00.52am, I'll finish the upper and lower arms some time soon.

Edited by GizmoGecko, 07 August 2013 - 04:02 PM.

[Bishop Steiner]

looking good. Any may to bulk the lower legs without TOTALLY screwing up all your work? THey look a little small compared to the torso. Look ggod still, just my art eye being a pain.

[GizmoGecko]

Bishop Steiner, on 07 August 2013 - 03:00 PM, said:

looking good. Any may to bulk the lower legs without TOTALLY screwing up all your work? THey look a little small compared to the torso. Look ggod still, just my art eye being a pain.

Looking side on, I can see the rear of the legs need bulking up backwards, as well as the insides of the legs next to the waist joint, can be easily rectified, although the waist joints are a difficult area to bulk up without losing some freedom of articulation. Thanks for the spot!







Also, I thought I'd mention the torso can yaw and pitch to a reasonable degree.



I'm gonna go force myself away to bed before I go and brew some tea and do an all nighter... Look what you've done to me MWO!

Edited by GizmoGecko, 07 August 2013 - 04:53 PM.

[Bishop Steiner]

I'd buy that set if it came with instructions.... and can be had in Steiner blue and grey!

[GizmoGecko]

Bishop Steiner, on 07 August 2013 - 08:25 PM, said:

I'd buy that set if it came with instructions.... and can be had in Steiner blue and grey!

Once I'm done you can! I've made another estimate of £70, which is cheap compared to how extortionate Lego have become.

I can then post the printable HTML building guide which gives instructions and the pieces you'll need, which you can acquire through Pick A Brick on the Lego site.

I can also give out the design file for the LDD program so you'll have the model yourself to change the colours or anything else, and you could generate your own building guide on there if needs be.

I'm not exactly going to be able to profit from this and become an entrepreneur, and I don't think I'd want to, so I don't mind sharing the design, you guys could even tweak and improve on it!

Edited by GizmoGecko, 08 August 2013 - 01:40 AM.

[Iqfish]

Ohh im jealous. Can i have the LDD file when its finished to buy me one? :3

[GizmoGecko]

IqfishLP, on 08 August 2013 - 01:55 AM, said:

Ohh im jealous. Can i have the LDD file when its finished to buy me one? :3

To buy one you'll only need the instruction booklet file, but if you want to play around with it then sure.

You'd better post pictures of it though!

Edited by GizmoGecko, 08 August 2013 - 02:01 AM.

[Iqfish]

Im thinking of adding some kind of paintjob and a foundersmech-like geometry to it, then export it as an xml list and buy it on bricklink. As someone who has built things (like a bad tried highlander and some aerospacefighters) in LDD i must say that this is outstanding work. Just be careful that every part is fixed enough so you dont end up with a model that breaks into pieces when you build it irl.

Respect!