51 replies to this topic

[Sneaky B]

Well, designing the "next gen" timberwolf does raise some questions:

1. How would a heavy mech go around 90 Kph?

2. How would the more futuristic clans look like?

3. How would the classic design be adopted to the MWO universe and design philosophy?

4. To what extent does the design need to be modified?

For the overall shape, I decided that if something that heavy and big have to be that fast, it needed to be streamlined to a certain point. The large box faces were generously beveled. Air inlets have slanted lips similar to DSI(diverterless supersonic inlet) without of course the bulge but more a supercar-esque style.

my rationale for the futuristic look is that the clans were relatively more advanced. Of course, I didn't want to go overboard so instead, I took a minimalist approach on the base shape. The I gave the armor a balance of aggressive and subtle shapes that resemble modern and future tank designs.

I chose to go the beefier route because FF armor are bulkier.

regarding the toes: It's more of an artistic taste. Well, it's not that the toes are smaller than the TT ones, it's just that the calves(and everything else in general) are beefier IMHO. Or maybe I'm having trouble with perspectives because I'm working on a huge image... Hmmm... I don't know. I just feel like the silhouette became more aggressive like a really angry werecat.

And I'll be honest. I spent a week and a half contemplating on the legs and got stuck there. LOL

As a side note, the arms were inspired by the CZ-75 P-07 Duty pistol

Edited by Sneaky B, 29 October 2012 - 05:10 AM.

[1stBEAST]

the design looks not bad after all, but i think the torso is to fat :-D
please send the wolf out for jogging or something...

[whtwlf]

Any particular color scheme you would like used for the coloring bit? I don't pretend to be a pro at this whole cel shading dealie but I wanted to give it a shot on your redesign.

[Sneaky B]

How about a Pryde scheme?

Or maybe a Kell Hound scheme

[whtwlf]

First WIP picture. I'm going for a cel shaded look like in that old cartoon Zoids. The most work has been done on the right launcher and arm.



Let me know what you think so far and what you'd like changed and where you'd like various insignias and stripes placed.

[Thomas Covenant]

whtwlf, on 01 November 2012 - 06:43 AM, said:

THAT would be SCARY to see on the battlefield. Man, the clan invasion isn''t that far away, in someways its already begun..

[Yedohw]

so...yeah... some paint. WIP.

[Shagohad]

The legs seem a bit short. I like the futuristic look, glossy and alien. But there's a bit too much 'chunk' on it. Like comparing a T-72 to an Abrams. Slim the body and add a couple more of those sleek armor plates like on the arms.

[whtwlf]

Update. Just need to finish off the legs and left shoulder.

[Colddawg]

It is not a bad design, but I doubt this will be close to what the final Timber Wolf will look like. The upper and lower legs look real nice, but I believe there would be an "ankle" between the lower leg and the foot. With the game visual mechanics you can watch the hips and the feet pivot in a chassis turn.

Clans take pride in their MechWarrior caste but that caste also believes in keeping things utilitarian. The clan 'Mech designers probably take both of these things into account and just compile it as "this is necessary, it will be added."

Love the arms and knee designs.

Edited by Colddawg, 03 November 2012 - 11:55 PM.

[whtwlf]

And a smaller alternate version without lines just for kicks.

[Sneaky B]

Thank you for the paint!

Decals should fit in nice on the side torso and front plate of the lower leg

I hope you don't mind if I modify your work a bit later

Edited by Sneaky B, 04 November 2012 - 08:08 PM.

[nferno6]

The older rounder head was in my opinion nicer...This depiction almost changes the Mech for me too much..

Nice work tho..

[SuperFr0sty]

By looking at it, I didn't had the "woooaaaahhhh" (goosebumps) thing nor the excitement hoping this will be in the MWO in the future.

But hey...your drawing is awesome!

[Maverick Howell]

If they do put the timberwolf in.... this style screams MWO and no other mech warrior game ever made.

Edited by Maverick Howell, 10 January 2013 - 11:40 PM.

[Zaptruder]

Man. What an awesome Rakshasa.

Oh you intended it to be a Timber Wolf? KILL IT WITH FIRE!


Seriously... classic timberwolf as per MW2 cover is one of the best looking and most iconic looking mechs out of Battle Tech. Flying Debris will have his job cut out for him.

And you made a pretty great attempt at it - I even like it as just a mech by itself... but due to the amount of weight it carries, it's by far the hardest mech to redesign successfully.

Edited by Zaptruder, 11 January 2013 - 01:08 AM.

[Dukarriope]

I'd get rid of the apparent hump (or at least shrink it) behind the cabin, make the shoulder launchers more prominent and enlarge the toes. Otherwise, excellent. I really like the sweeping scoop protrusions on the legs near the knee actuator and the platings on the arm weapon housings, adds a very futuristic, modern, nearly alien look that is suited to the clans' high tech nature.


Edit: Why does that thing have LRM20s? I though the Timber Wolf was supposed to have LRM15s (4x4 arrays with one hole blocked out)

Edited by Dukarriope, 11 January 2013 - 04:37 AM.

[Oy of MidWorld]

I sure hope they leave the Timberwolf the way it is. They did an awesome job redesigning those old IS mechs, and they desperately needed that overhaul, yet many clan machines (Timberwolf, Mad Dog) are already perfect as is.

[Odanan]

Yedohw, on 02 November 2012 - 06:35 PM, said:

so...yeah... some paint. WIP.

Loved the painting... but what the heck is that blue in the upper part of the center torso?

Oy of MidWorld, on 11 January 2013 - 04:52 AM, said:

I sure hope they leave the Timberwolf the way it is. They did an awesome job redesigning those old IS mechs, and they desperately needed that overhaul, yet many clan machines (Timberwolf, Mad Dog) are already perfect as is.

Timberwolf and Mad Dog are perfect except for the arms (the upper arm actuators are ridiculously thin).

Edited by Odanan, 11 January 2013 - 04:56 AM.

[Rushin Roulette]

Sneaky B, on 29 October 2012 - 04:36 AM, said:

For the overall shape, I decided that if something that heavy and big have to be that fast, it needed to be streamlined to a certain point. The large box faces were generously beveled. Air inlets have slanted lips similar to DSI(diverterless supersonic inlet) without of course the bulge but more a supercar-esque style.

Mechs dont actually have any combustion engines, so air intakes are not usefull at all (just the opposites if you look at the Death star from Star Wars for a bad example of Exhaust port designs ). Many battles are even on airless moons or asteroids which means no air to take in anyways. The Engine and weapons are cooled using liquid cooling systems with heat sinks to physically vent the heat into the surroundings.

That haveing been said... wow... thats a very nice design / sketch.