"He has much time for books. He studies them from morn to night and often through the night as well. And all he reads oppresses him... fills him with indignation at man's murderous ways toward man. And he conceives the strangest
project ever imagined... to become a knight..."

For my job I do a good amount of 3D modeling, mostly for rocket design. Through my work I found it is becoming cheaper and cheaper to get digital models prototyped and turned into physical models. I thought that it would be cool to try out for some 40k stuff. So I created a number of custom components for my Leman Russ and a number of City of Death models and had them rapid prototyped. Going from this:

To this:

I generated a good number of other parts with the goal of seeing how different sorts of details turnout, so as to get a sense of the limits I could take things. I was quite satisfied with the results. That done I wasn't satisfied with just making bits I really wanted to try a whole model. It then became a matter of finding the appropriate project. I wanted a project that deserved the gravitas and was worth the time effort and money I would have to commit to the project. After a couple of weeks of thought I decided the only project that I would care enough about to spend the hours of digital modeling on was that of a Knight class titan. I chose the paladin as a basis for how I wanted mine to look. I set about doing some concept art and some drawings to establish scale.


All the other models I had done, I did at work during lunch or after work. For a project as big as this I needed to be able to work for longer stretches of time. So I purchased a copy of the program I use for modeling at work, Pro/Engineer. This is a very good program. It is a parametric modeling program, this allows me to create constraints across multiple parts tying the dimensions of different components to each other.

So finally yesterday I found myself some free time and I started modeling. (Yay). I started on every ones favorite part, "where the love comes from," the groin. It was simply a matter that this section does a lot to establish the models proportions while being only minimally effected by changes to the other parts. The results of 2 hours:


This was only a rough model, it still needs detail. I will return to this model once the other components are also built. I will then add the details like rivets and symbols. I hope to keep this updated as often as possible.

Next up the torso!

OK, this looks pretty cool. What is the Rapidprototype material. It looks copperish in your picture but I would think it is some sort of polymer resin.

I am currently investigating the world of resin casting for my own Titan building project. I guess if you could combine this modeling, rapid prototyping, silicone mold making and resin casting you could become your own forge world.

Looking forward to updates.

Very interesting, any additional information you can provide (i.e. if anybody could get something 'printed' and the cost-would be nice). I'll be interested to see how far you can get.

The rapid prototyping for the above part was originally jewelers wax, but I had it investment cast in bronze to make it more robust. Chances are I will be going with a laser sintering, which would be a photo reactive polymer resin, this is just more cost effective for the size.

On some level I want to show how easy it can be for someone who sets their mind to it to accomplish what Forgeworld and GW do. GW has moved away from sculpting in a traditional medium, to sculpting by digital means. I want to show that we as hobbyists can do anything GW does.

This looks awesome, I have some questions though
1.) What program are you using to make the plans?
2.) What company did the casting?
3.) Approximately how much did that part you showed us cost?

I've been designing digital 3d for many years, it would be quite a dream to find a reasonable cost output model.

That is very very very cool.

sweet!

The swivel turret looks really good.
Looking forward to what comes next

Where exactly do you work? I am out on redstone and also work in 3d modeling.

We have been trying to get our company to invest in a RP machine for years, even though it has no real application to our work. =)

Irdiumstern wrote:This looks awesome, I have some questions though
1.) What program are you using to make the plans?
2.) What company did the casting?
3.) Approximately how much did that part you showed us cost?

1) Pro/Engineer Wildfire 4.0

2) Ninja Magic did the prototyping for the ball sponson, subcontracting out the investment casting.

3) The ball sponson and the gun came to $60ish. It was done with some other parts and those brought the total up. This sort of prototyping only makes sense if you plan on making multiple copies. The ball sponson was made symmetrically so I could use it on both sides of my leman russ. In totally I cast about 20 of them after I got the masters, at $3 a copy worth of resin casting supplies.

Clay Williams wrote:Where exactly do you work? I am out on redstone and also work in 3d modeling.

We have been trying to get our company to invest in a RP machine for years, even though it has no real application to our work. =)

I work in the Philadelphia region, for a subcontractor that works alot with Lockhead and General Dynamics. I design the timing mechanisms for warheads.

Rapid prototyping is very cool to see done. My university had one and I got to play with it some. Mostly I just pay companies to prototype for me. There are a decent number of companies that do it for a decent price now. The biggest investments for the machines are with the companies that have these clandestine costs, such as required service agreements or really high costs for the prototyping medium.

This is seriously next level.
Holy feth.
I can't even comprehend the coolness of this.

Thanks, for all the words of encouragement. I really appreciate it. As I go along feel free to make constructive criticism, I'd really like to hear input on this.

I managed to do a little more work last night. 3 Hours on the torso, 1 hour on the crotch. I added more detail on the torso, mostly rivets, but I adjusted the rear engine exhaust (akin to a leman russ'). I still need to add the mesh wire type detail but that is going to be quite time consuming.


The torso was the next on the agenda. It is very complicated. I'm 3 hours in and I probably have another 7+ to go on it. I changed up the design to make its arm mounts more similar to the reaver titan (or big brother). At this point the rear has no work at all and I'm struggling to make it look less flat.

Next I will be working on the side and the large twin reactors on the back, drawing from the Warhound titan for inspiration.

See ya,

Good grief what a project, good luck!

Thank you

wish you the best of luck on this one.

You should go head over to warseer, we have a bit of a developing community of digital model makers. I'm currently halfway through the design of a "generic sci-fi tank", another member has already finished his "generic sci-fi tank/ not mini-macharius" and is already working on his "generic sci-fi tank/not destroyer tank hunter", and a third member is at work on a 54mm scale Dreadnought.

chaos0xomega:

That sounds really cool. Links?

Amazing amazing!

I have Inventor 2008 on my comp for college work, and this makes me want to try this!!

Ahhh I wish I could have caught on to modeling earlier. Bout 4 years ago, the career center I went to allowed us to RP anything we really wanted for free. had a Plastic machine and a resin/powder one.

Nurglitch, I try to avoid posting links to other forums, since I consider it to be rude, butsince you asked here you go:

http://www.warseer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=207928
http://www.warseer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=209923
http://www.warseer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147552

chaos0xomega:

Hey, I actually saw this thread before and linked to it in a discussion thread about the new Demolisher kit as an example of what I would have preferred in a remodeled Leman Russ. Kudos!

really? nice, thanks for the compliment!
and sorry to threadjack

Wow, this is just too awesome! I like the way that you would be able to super detail it as you are not restricted to how many bitz you have or your modelling skills but on your 3d design skills.

Just wondering how much do you estimate that this titan will cost you?

I've never done a blog or put up pictures online really, but my conversions and scratch builds are better than my digital skills. I could build this guy from scratch I just think this way will produce better and more consistent results for less time and effort.

Cost about $30-$40 per mold. So sprue-ing it up to keep it at 4 or 5 molds is necessary. About $50 worth of resin per model. The prototyping probably close to $200 for all the parts. The mold is guaranteed for 50 castings, but can potentially last up to 70 castings. So I don't have too much worry about wearing out the molds, and I'd always be able to have them do more later on.

Another update...

I did some work along the side and rear.


I think I've broken up the flat look of it pretty well, I just need to bring out more detail to transition the sides into the front and rear. I want to start developing the legs a bit, as well as working on the shoulder pad. The shoulder pad, I'm not sure yet how I want to adjust the design for it. Now that I've changed the shoulder joint, the type of shoulder pad I had doesn't make as much sense. I'm going to need to think on this.

Hy mythos, have you got any pics of the other stuff you've made? You mentioned CoD bitz, and I'd be interested in seeing those.

Very nice! I approve!

yeah, i wouldnt mind seeing some of the other stuff you've made either!

I don't really have a digital camera or anything, so all I can offer are the screen shots of the digital model. This is an assembly drawing to show the parts assembled en mass:


I never cast any up, just have the masters. Saving it for when I move into a bigger place and can dedicate time to a gaming table. There were some other little pieces but I can't find pics of those.

I also have a shotgun and las-carbine for my Skitarri. I did a Autocannon arm for my servitors, which I will have followed by low level tech priests for heavy weapon teams. Now redundant with the updated kit, I did a new exhaust for the leman russ. I do have pictures of those, but I don't have access to them here.

Your Knight is looking great! A few Knights are on my To Do list, but only after I have finished my Warhound and Thunderbolt.

I think that it's great that you are stepping away from the traditional way of scratch-building and going digital. I have tried a few times to create in 3D and seem to lack the fundemental skills... I am better with my hands, though still only average.

Looking forward to seeing this completed!

Please keep me on the 'waiting list' if this project ever ends up generating one!

So far, so good.

I can't wait to see the 'complete' Knight!

Are you planning to produce copies for sale?

If this is sold, it will be done in a private manner and not by means of any company or business. This is my hobby, this is me sharing my hobby. I don't want to list any details of how I plan on potentially selling till a time when the model is ready to be cast.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
I did some work to modify and update the proportions of the rear side of Knight, as well as adding some more detail along the sides.


I also started on the legs. Here is an assembled view of everything to date. It looks rather static in this picture but its just a matter of how the model is assembled and the fact that I still need to do some work on the ball and socket joints.


For now, my main focus is on continuing with the torso, but I think a little distraction with working on the legs would be healthy.

I looking forward to seeing your "head" designs as well.

As for the legs, make sure to get the feet 'right'!

As in, not too weedly...


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Which, by the way, based on your designs to date, I am sure you won't!

I did a little work on the first weapon... chainsword... buzzzzzzz...


I think its turning out alot better than I thought it would. I needed it to look appropriately larger than the average chainsword, but I really didn't want to make the teeth of chainsword look too oversized. I opted to do a series of three parallel rows of moderate sized teeth to cover the necessary width. I still have to do the actual arm section, but this gives a sense of the detail I will achieve on these weapons.

The head is next. I wanted to jump ahead to the weapons and arms just enough to give people a sampling. I think it will really get people a bit more excited about the possibilities of this method. Sometime in the next two days I'll try to get up some pictures of the head. It would have happened yesterday except for the fact my power went out and it shut down my computer, despite having saved it often the file was messed up and I couldn't load it. So I've had to start over on that.

I finally figured out what to do with those shoulders. I decided to add the detail that no true titan or knight would be complete without, void shield emitters. I do believe they look spot on to what I needed. I'm quite satisfied. Additionally I added some of the rivets and carved out the socket for the head. On the rear side I have added more detail to the power plant. Up until now I thought the balance and proportions were a bit off between the front and rear, but I believe they pretty close to where they should be.



The detail on the front is in keeping with how the FW titans are decorated with rivets, as well as the void shield generators. The rear side now sports vents more in line with the forge world models, while the lower power plant is reminiscent of that of the dreadnought. I also think overall this helps to present to connect the progressive escalation of scale, bridging the gap between walkers and titans. All the while I believe I've struck a balance between the aesthetic of the old epic models and newer 40k models.

Very impressive.

This kind of work will be monumental once home 3D printing becomes a reality.

That is a really complex part, can they do that? Or do you need to break it down in to more manageable pieces?

I think the only real areas of concern are the interface features, the torso plug hole and the sockets for the arms and head. Those are the deepest features.

The detail on the emitters despite how they look are actually rather shallow.

Looking good, i'm liking the torso but the lower torso is looking a bit bland but that might just be from the lack of arms. Just wondering, how tall will they be?

I agree. Its not done and I'm going to modify it more. I think that I will make it less bulky. It was intended as a bit of a two use part, shared by the Paladin and the Errant knight. I think I will make it less bulky for the Errant, and make a separate plate that can be added on for the Knight Paladin.

Well I did a bit more work, mostly in sizing the legs up better. You can see my very rough rendition of the armored part of the legs.



I just wanted to put something up quickly before I go grab lunch.

Very nice indeed!

And do any of the 'official' Titans even have anything representing Void Shield emitters/projectors?

Nice job!

Yes, the forgeworlds models have them. On the Reaver titan you can see them if you look at the picture of the "Reaver Apocalypse missile launcher." On the the warhound they are visible in the picture "Mars Pattern Titan Body"

They're visible on the Lucius Pattern Warhounds as well.

Nice 3D sculpting

Looking good, just another thought, why not try and work in sheilds and medeival style things in there and make some flagpoles to stick out of it's back or stacked exhausts, would make it look more like a knight.

Also, those gothic/styalised lions on emblems and ye olde knight livery would look really cool on a sheild. possible mounted on the shoulders. Also, over the shoulders but with a hole for the generators, why not make some big pauldrons so it looks like a giant space marine?

Got a bit carried away with the ideas, sorry ^_^ Legs looking good though!

Its good ideas. I think alot of that will work, I think its more appropriate for the three "elite" FOC variants I have planned than the basic troop "Paladins".

The only issue I'd have with putting emblems on them is that it limits how people can use them. I don't want to have to clean lions off of every one of these.

The background fluff on these and how I've conceptualized them really make me want to distance them from space marines. The knights shoulder pads are frickin' force field generators, I think thats alot cooler than any armor you might slap on them.

The emblems don't have to be organic to the models. It shouldn't be too hard to produce them as separate pieces, particularly since you can make them so that they'd fit flush to the model's curved surfaces.

I am really eager to see the completed render, let alone the true model!

Wow cool. It's good to know that the industry actually uses Pro-E. I had heard that I was learning it for the heck of it/to just learn some form of CAD and that no companies actually used it.

I've been looking for good companies that accept CAD files and will make resin parts from them (I'm guessing resin would be cheaper than metal). could you recommend any along with Ninja Magic?

There are alot of companies out there that will provide you with prototyping services. It all really depends on what you're looking for in that service as far as prototyping methods and specialties. Most ask for the file in a .stl format. Not all companies will provide you with a resin version, in my case I have to take my master to a caster to reproduce it in resin.

I give you a head. This is the first draft of the head. I attempted to make something that was a bit of an amalgamation of the traditional knights head and a terminators helmet. There will be two versions of this head, one with, one without twin-linked heavy bolters mounted along the jawline.


Unfortunately I haven't had a chance working on much more the last few days, as I have been busy working on some commissions. One part is a powerfist so I may be able to scale it up and reuse it as a starting point for my knights optional powerfist.

One of the ideas I had with my project is to help with transporting as well as weapon swapping, and that is to make it easier to magnetize components. I'm going to look into creating pockets that the magnets can easily sit in, so I won't have to drill or clear out material. Simply put I don't have too much experience with magnets, so if anyone does, what size of magnets are A) strong enough to hold unsupported the weight of a defilers leg and is B) readily available?

I really like the idea of a terminator esque helmet but I thing a traditional knight helmet would look better, one with a visor and grille of some sorts around the mouth and nose. Could do with something that resembles eyes but it's looking good!

aka_mythos wrote:
One of the ideas I had with my project is to help with transporting as well as weapon swapping, and that is to make it easier to magnetize components. I'm going to look into creating pockets that the magnets can easily sit in, so I won't have to drill or clear out material. Simply put I don't have too much experience with magnets, so if anyone does, what size of magnets are A) strong enough to hold unsupported the weight of a defilers leg and is B) readily available?

probably the most important thing I've encountered when magnetizing weapon's options on models, is picking the right type of substance to keep each magnet securely fastened to the various parts. I've used Superglue in the past, but honestly prefer 8-24 hour epoxy the best. Super glue can become brittle with time and repeated changing of the mount weapons.

Great Unlclean One wrote:I really like the idea of a terminator esque helmet but I thing a traditional knight helmet would look better, one with a visor and grille of some sorts around the mouth and nose. Could do with something that resembles eyes but it's looking good!

The head isn't complete yet. The eyes are one of the things still needing to be done. The epic 40k knights had more skull and normal space marine shaped heads, than a visor and grilled mouth. So I'm not actually sure what you're referring to.

The newer aesthetic that Forgeworld has established is much more boxy and I believed the terminator lent itself to that better.

Another detail still missing are the rest of the heavy bolters, that will be mounted in the cheeks.

Like ye olde knight helmets, Iron Warrior helmets look like them and so do the chaos warrior helmets but without the horns.

Like this--http://images.elfwood.com/art/p/i/pilon/helmet.jpg

Haha, gotcha. One of my variants is suppose to be like that.

Been busy on commissions, but I figured it was time to post the next round of updates. I did a little leg work. I wanted to give people an idea of those would look. I think I will start on the arms soon. I'd like to start to show you guys something that is more of a complete model. I'd like to thank the people who are still reading this.

I've given him some knee pads and all the toes. I've added detail to the bottom of the feet. I had to do some thinking to really balance the size of the feet with the rest of the model while, maintaining proportions appropriate to the fact that this is a bipedal robot that requires a sufficient surface area to displace its weight. I think I've achieved a good balance. The knee pad, in so far as how it goes around to the sides of the knees, I think still needs work. I'm considering changing the joint to a ball and socket but I need to see if I can significantly bulk up that portion to accommodate it.

[/url]

On the head I've added the twin linked heavy bolters. I've seen many knights with these heavy bolters mounted on the chest, but I think it made much more sense for it to be possible to aim them. It still has more work to go, but I hoped to convey more of the half finished thought on this first head.

adamsouza wrote:Very impressive.

This kind of work will be monumental once home 3D printing becomes a reality.

Home 3d printing is a reality. Take a look at http://www.reprap.org it is a rapid prototyping machine that can be built for around 1000 USD. The detail is still a bit coarse for a 25mm mini but for something on the scale of a titan it should be able to reproduce all but the finest detail.

I've been watching and reading this thread, and all i can really say is wow. I've been working on my own ad mech force, slowly, doing the scupting from greenstuff for my skitarii, man if i knew how to use these 3d programs, that would make it just so much better for me.. How hard do you think it would be, if i went a picked up one of those programs to get started in designing?

I don't think it would be too hard. Most software packages include a tutorial. Its a matter of building your experiance and familiarity. Don't expect to get it perfect on the first go. I've been doing this for 6 years. The alternative to doing it yourself is to hire someone else. For example I'm doing some commission work on some vehicle bits as well as some autoguns.

Hey there (yes it's me), your knight is looking great. Just curious, when you say "variants" does that mean this current model represents the base body from which you will add different heads and weapons to make your variants, or for each variant is there going to be a new body?

Yes, I will have about 5 variants for the paladin body planned: the Paladin, the baron, the Templar, the Justicar, and the Cataphract. Being able to produce the variants is one of the big advantages in doing this all digitally. The paladin is the standard troop model. The Baron is the HQ model. The other three are elite choices, each meant to mirror the three ordos. The templar is armed with a big flame weapon and sword and shield. The justicar is meant as a member of the Psi-titan legions, carries a big force axe and is going to be immune to a lot of effects caused by daemons. The cataphract is armed with the Phalanx lance (think rough riders but with multiple charges, that can also be fired as missiles) and a powerfist with an auxiliary cannon of some sort. Each embodies the virtues of purity of mind, soul, and body respectively, mirroring the Inquisition but with the more virtuous slant. This was a bit of that "chivalry" tint I wanted to mix in, just to keep it Gothic and not giant robots on parade.

Each will be an additional 5 pieces, each set will be unique: alternate head, weapon arms (2x), tabard, misc embelishment. All the interchangable parts on the paladin and variants, will be designed with a small pocket to allow magnets to be inserted (without drilling), allowing parts to be swapped out.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
More work on the legs and shoulders.

I like how the design is turning out.
Much more heavy duty than the standard GW fare.

This joints look way less vulnerable.

Bit confused with the chest design though.
are you going to put weapon mounts there?


If not, wouldnt a sloping chest plate, or something similar be better to deflect incoming fire?

No chest mounted weapons, but I am going to redo protions of the armored plate on the front. Make it look more "flexibe", not that a macine neccesarily should.

Just thought I'd share this article with you guys: http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/08/makerbot/

Interesting article, I'm amazed at how much new technology passes me by. Considering your own business venture? Mythos' Games Workstation or what not. I like the legs a lot, especially the knees. Is the head going to attach via a ball and socket?

Yep ball and socket every where but the torso to groin connection. That will be like the dreadnought, a peg and hole.

Why not go with the classic variants?

The Paladin
The Errant
The Lancer
The Castellan
The Baron

And one other...

I am. When I'm done I will have 3 basic knights that can be upgrade with accessories. Like this:
Errant -> Lancer -> Charger -> Vanguard
Warden -> Castellan -> Crusader
Paladin -> Baron -> Templar -> Cataphract -> Justicar

The Knight House codex I'm fooling around with has them broken down like this.

HQ:
Knight Baron
Council of the Mechanicum

Elite:
Knight Cataphract
Knight Justicar
Knight Templar
Tech Priest

Troops:
Knight Paladin
Knight Errant
Attendant Guard

Fast Attack
Knight Lancer
Knight Charger
Knight Vanguard

Heavy Support
Knight Warden
Knight Castellan
Knight Crusader
Auto-track Weapon Battery
Robot Maniple

I think that might just repalace the Iron Warrior bang bang armies alltogether! Thats alot of titans!

They're suppose to be powerful. They're price is going to be in the 275-350pt range(before upgrades). So you'd only ever get to field 6 or so in a 2000pt army. At least that's what the idea is.

Great work and a really interesting project, can't wait to see it in the flesh so to speak!

Should be really good for apocolypse so your going to make upgrade packs for them so you can build upon the origional bodies your making right now? So your going to make, perhaps lances that you can stick on instead of the current weapons to make knight lancers?

Great Unlclean One wrote:Should be really good for apocolypse so your going to make upgrade packs for them so you can build upon the origional bodies your making right now? So your going to make, perhaps lances that you can stick on instead of the current weapons to make knight lancers?

aka_mythos wrote:I am. When I'm done I will have 3 basic knights that can be upgrade with accessories. Like this:
Errant -> Lancer -> Charger -> Vanguard
Warden -> Castellan -> Crusader
Paladin -> Baron -> Templar -> Cataphract -> Justicar

As I indicated that's the breack down. The Knight Paladin, that I'm currently working on, will be upgradable to make Knight Baron, Knight Templar, Knight Cataphract, Knight Justicar. The Knight Lancer will be upgradable from the Knight Errant, body. I'm going to design on to the model pockets for the magnets to sit inside of so I will be able to swap parts really easily.

While the three basic Knights (Paladin, Warden, Errant) will have common parts to each other the vast majority of parts will be different. In addition to the weapons, the knight warden will also have a unique upper legs, upper arms, and armor plate for the groin. The Errant will have in addition to the torso a unique set of lower legs/feet and upper arms. I'm planning to make all the ball joints the same dimension so that if someone want to play around with a different combination of parts to make up their own patter they can.

The Errant/Lancer will have arms and legs that appear much like Paladin's, just having been stripped down of the extra armor. The torso will be remenicent of the Pre-heresy dreadnoughts that appear in the "Horus Heresy" art books. The Knight Warden on the other hand will be a much more hunched over look, with extra armor and beefier weapons... can you say twin "gatling autocannons?"

MWUHAHAHAHA!! Twin gatling guns *Drool* Just one question, do you have rules for all of the variants? I only knew of the lancer, warden and paladin. They have rules in BOLS but i'm not sure about the others but if you don't have any I would recommend basing them on the BOLS rules.

Also, at my GW some people moan a bit that they have void sheilds and that in the books they don't so i'd give them one or two power sheilds instead but keep the cost the same as it should stop people moaning about it being too little cost!

Just my experience of using the knights, they are AWESOME little buggers aren't they?

looking great. can't wait to see the finished work. i'll have to get ahold of you (when i get the extra money to have you do a commission. i want a baneblade-ish tank the size of a leman russ, to use in place of my leman russ. i'd scratch build them my self but i want more then one.... oh well. keep up the great work

Great Unlclean One wrote:MWUHAHAHAHA!! Twin gatling guns *Drool* Just one question, do you have rules for all of the variants? I only knew of the lancer, warden and paladin. They have rules in BOLS but i'm not sure about the others but if you don't have any I would recommend basing them on the BOLS rules.

Also, at my GW some people moan a bit that they have void sheilds and that in the books they don't so i'd give them one or two power sheilds instead but keep the cost the same as it should stop people moaning about it being too little cost!

Just my experience of using the knights, they are AWESOME little buggers aren't they?

I'm writing my own rules for all of them. They're meant to be somewhere between a landraider and leman russ on survivability, with alot of heavy artillery and pretty good close combat ability. They are an Armored Company that doesn't have to worry about being assaulted.

The official list of Knights from the various incarnations originally there was only the: Knight Paladin, Knight Lancer, and Knight Warden. After the general success of those first three knights GW created the Knight Errant, Knight Castellan, Knight Crusader, and Knight Baron.

I made up the the Knight Charger, Knight Vanguard, Knight Templar, Knight Cataphract, and Knight Justicar to fill in holes (needing more elite and fast attack options) in the army list and to apply a couple of concepts I had about to. Like the Justicar, in the fluff its mentioned often enough that their are Psy-titan legions, so I wanted to create the sort of unit that would be a member of such a formation. I've covered in a previous post my vision for the Knight Templar, Cataphract, and Justicar; the Knight Charger and Knight Vanguard, I have not. The Vanguard is the close combat machine, armed with twin "lightning claws" the size of battlecannons. The Knight Charger sacrifices some of its weaponry for additional shield generators and a faster movement, in a sense its a "sword and shield" unit but not literally so.

My rules for void shields are simplified a bit. So I may change the name for the sake of avoiding semantic arguements. Effectively ignoring glancing or penetrating on 4+ (50%) (possibly 5+ (30%), depending on playtesting). The first successful glance takes them down for the remainder of the turn, and the come back at the start of the next. The first successful penetration takes them out permenantly. The armor on the paladin I have as 13/13/12, the errant 13/12/12, warden 14/13/12. So their is a bit of tactical weakness (some waht intentionally to keep complaints down); you fire alot of small stuff to bring down the shield, then you blast away with the big guns. The way I have seems simpler and more fair, keeping it to a single roll, without all the rolling for recharge. I think its a good balance between them being able to take alot of fire and yet not being full titans because of that distinct vulnerablity to massed fire. The warden I think are going to be the big bruisers. The have artillery type weapons on their back, plus twin ubber shooty arm weapons, with a high armor and shields, and they don't have to worry as much about assaults. Gatling Autocannons sound scarrier than they are. They're pretty much going to be autocannons that are heavy 3 or 4 instead of 2, but theirs one on each arm so they will bring some good hurt.

I would play test it for a bit but i'd bump up the armour values by one each because they look a bit weak also in Apoc people should have the guns or close combat to take out armour 14 front and rear 12 easily!

wow its looking awsome, umm could you by anychance sell me a warhead . . . i mean toothbrush

Great Unlclean One wrote:I would play test it for a bit but i'd bump up the armour values by one each because they look a bit weak also in Apoc people should have the guns or close combat to take out armour 14 front and rear 12 easily!

On the paladin it will have the option for either battle cannon or laser destroyer and chainsword or power fist. That gives it a couple of high strength weapons both for range or close combat as well as the ability to take on infantry or vehicles.

The armor I have it at is 13/13/12. There are two issues I have with raising the armor. First the Void shield might make the thing too survivable for its cost, maybe. Second, the Warden/Castellan/Crusader are all suppose to be more heavily armored in fron than the paladin. If I max out its armor they have no where to go. I guess 14/13/12 for paladins and 14/14/12 for wardens et al. is possible but it seems pushing it towards broken.

The my goal of the overall effectiveness of the Paladin is to be equal to a landraider. With options and variants being more effective and more costly.

Ah I see clever thinkings going on in the gubbins!


EDIT-Misspelt gubbins

Ah I see... gubbins some kinda ork word? lol, ork isn't your first language is it?

The other reason for keeping the armor down is that it avoids having to write the arbitrary sort of rule GW wrote when they did the "armored company" in white dwarf. IMO, "lucky shot" was beyond stupid. It rational was fine, to create a rule to balance out that the Tanker would have almost 10 AV14 vehicles and that really pushes it in a standard game.

I've been following this for a while but have remained quiet in the background. Now I would just like to say that this is AWESOME and I hope you make them so we can buy them

I think you should keep the original armor values you had in order to keep it as fair as possible. Otherwise it just won't be fun.

I'm trying to use the void shields as a mechanism for having the Knights be "that powerful" some of the time. Where the kinda come out to being AV "13.5".

Thanks for joining the conversation. I really want to work on my knight more, but I've been busy with some commissions:


Both are "40k scaled" and are "autoguns" intended for some Imperial Guard. Ones an M14 the other is a modified SCAR. Both have a little more work to get done. The SCAR has the same general dimensions of a lasgun. The M14 is "sniper rifle" lengthed.

I want both of those!

Wow... Now imagine those BIGGER with more sparky and wire on them hanging off a titan... Or a titan hid behind a hill sniping someone, it wasn't really a human sniper that killed Kennedy, it was a Knight Titan!

But a old fashion New York mobster with the second gun but in titan form would look good in my minds eyee if a bit odd O_o....

Those are pretty awesome. How long does it take to make something like that?

The guns are about 3hrs each. The knight... we'll have to wait and see.

mythos a few days ago when we were discussing the titan i drew my version up. ( but im too embarrassed to show you lol )

embarrassed why? You shouldn't be. The work you shown on Dakka has much talent behind it and shouldn't be hidden away.

Its drawn badly but basically the raised chest area connects to the raised shoulders
protecting the head. ( im guessing from certain angles , ground fire cannot even reach the head without hitting the chest armor )


...... T-T

I think thats cool, it just look eldar-like. All the streamlined extreme conical curves. It does seem like you gave it a good amount of thought and it really is conceptually a good idea. http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/revenanttitan.htm
There is the unfortunate consequence of each race having these exacting aesthetics. When you move to different extremes you end up encroaching on other armies look.

I like it and there are portions of it I'm internalizing and I will likely incorporate into the lighter 2 Knights, Knight Errant and Knight Lancer.

You channel a lot of anime as your inspirations. I think two shows that have a closer aesthetic Gasaraki http://www.visionarymedia.nl/projectanime/files/webfm/images/mechs/gasaraki.jpg and Votoms http://cbn.cocolog-nifty.com/news/images/votoms_zenshin.jpg
Obviously they lack the "Imperial" look. They have stiffer lines relative to most anime and incorporate a brutality militaristic design. The gasaraki design has tinges of knightly flavor without being heavy handed: http://www.animeresimleri.com/data/media/74/escaflowne_versus.jpg

Just wondering, can you use any software to make a 3D model and a company can make a model, what type of file does it have to be?

A ".stl" file is the most universally used format.

Sorry, I haven't been keeping this up. I've been sick for a week.

I hope to get back on to this soon. I had done a little work on the upper arm, but was going to hold off on an update till I had some weapons to put on.

You dont mind me totally copying your idea do you? I found some nice free 3d software and i'm going to see if my school will let me use their kit.

I don't mind you copying the idea of making 3D models into physical models, I don't mind you making your own Knight. In fact I endorse those things and promote them as an alternative to GW's tyranny. I think I'd mind you copying my design in exacting detail, but I don't think thats what you mean. I look forward to seeing you post your work as you go.

Thanks ^_^ I don't intend to copy your design but I would be very interesting in making some knights using 3d software, and if I get good enough at it I might do some commisions for some people at my club ^_^

Thanks for the thumbs up!

Ah, just one more question, does your software require you to design in 2D but then to specify the third, 'z' dimension? I just want to know if all CAD/CAM software is like this or if I can get one that is always in 3D.

Mine has 2 different modes. One is you create a plane, you draw on the plane and then cast the plane into a third dimension. Thats what I use. The second method is a bit like connecting the dots in 3D space creating surfaces and then fastening the surfaces to each other to solidify.

I know some programs, the non-engineering sort, allow you to work an amorphous shape and work it into your desired design as if it were a piece of clay.

LunaHound wrote:Its drawn badly but basically the raised chest area connects to the raised shoulders
protecting the head. ( im guessing from certain angles , ground fire cannot even reach the head without hitting the chest armor )


...... T-T

First of all, want to give you kudos on the knight your building mythos, looking really slick.

LunaHound. Don't be ashamed of that, I just think you got the wrong army for the titan. That looks like a sick Tau titan, reminds me very much of Shadowsun.

Mythos, I gotta say I'm pretty stoked about this idea. Plus you are going to end up with a mold of an original model which means I get a chance to ask you for one! I love the head design, it kinda resembles a tactical dreadnought head. My 2 suggestions at this point would be 1.) It would help to have the torso a little larger above the waist line, kinda like ribs get larger above the waist. This would make the titan look a lot tougher.
2.) finish up and send me one.
Anyway I'm pretty sure that is you do those two thing I would make me pretty happy.

Its kinda in limbo till I have the time, energy, and money to complete this. Comments are welcome.

Awesome work Mythos! I hope you get some time and energy to finish it soon. You'll have at least one more customer if you decide to market and sell them. :-) Wish I had your skills with CAD. Any thought to the scout knights? Will they have different legs (less chunky/ more agile maybe?)

Cheers

This project is not gone... though somewhat forgotten... This was a bit of work I did not too long ago. An attempt to make the aesthetic a bit more modern 40k... and look a little more amored. While this makes it look blockier, I think it adds a certain depth to the model.

Any plans to build up the shoulder armour?

Probably not... those rounded sections on the ends are suppose to be the void shield emitters, similar to those on the warhound titan model. The only way I could see bulking up the shoulders would be to enlarge that detail.



Here's a shot of the Battlecannon:

Nice! Keep this up!

Wow... blows my knight project out of the water...
I guess I need to step up my game.
Great work!

Dude this is awesome, been working on a few ideas myself. I use solidworks, and from what i hear pro E has its advantages as does SW. Knowing that an stl is all thats needed, i just need to find a rapid prototyper in London.


Oh and make some models! ha

Thanks! This project kinda got put in limbo for a while and really only came back to life when I decided that later this year I'd buy one of these cheaper 3d printers like the Replicator2. We'll see how this goes.

Here's a simple variant of the head:

Wow, this is cool indeed
Personally i never really liked the "walking toaster"-look that the Empire of man gives to pretty much everything, it just seems impractical at times... But, "when in Rome and all that" it is still an amazing piece of work that I, for one, really thinks hits the sweet spot!

But there is one thing that looks... strange... on all human titans really, especially the FW ones... How on earth do they HIT anything with their CQC-weapons? If you look at the joints, it looks like it can only "swivel" weakly on the X-axis... And possibly raise it's weapon to lik 60 degrees along the Y-axis?
Not a very effective means of attacking, is it now?
(Again, just my musings, the model still looks awesome )

I agree with the general sentiment when it comes to close combat weapons on these things. The Titans can't attack anything besides other superheavy models with their close combat weapons and I doubt this could reasonably connect a blow to anything smaller than a vehicle.