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I've removed the 'half' rivets on the sides of the wall pieces. They might have proven to be a potential castability problem. I've also started working on one of the panels, as you can see in the centre wall piece. You can simply stick those in the existing wall pieces, thereby allowing some variation on your wall designs. Will be doing a few more of those to create some more variation.

Next up would be the hollowing out of the wall pieces and corner pieces, which will be a bit tricky. However, it would make it a lot cheaper to cast and transport.

Very nice. I like the feel of it.

I've been postponing hollowing out the wall components. Not because I don't want to hollow them out, but mainly because I got distracted by other things...

Very much inspired by this little snippet I got intrigued by the idea of making separate bits that you could put on the existing model. So that you'd have the basic kit (walls and floors) but then can add all sorts of extra components on top of that. Rather than having to produce tons of different walls and such.

So first up, another wall panel variant:

It's supposed to be a safe, or a secret tunnel or something. I feel that it might need some more detailing though...


Pipes have always been a soft spot of mine, my first versions of these type of constructs included all sorts of advanced pipe systems running underneath the floors. This is sort of my tribute to those old versions. At the moment the pipe system consists of two components, allowing to connect to sides of the wall to one another. However, I might do some variants in case people make broader pathways and such.


Computer consoles are always a must in this sort of project. Here are two components, still very early WIP. The control console (the one on the bottom) still needs a whooooole lot of detailing and stuff added to it. The top one is almost ready, a few details here and there. However, both still need to be hollowed out to reduce material cost (both for printing and casting) and weight.

Of course there would have to be a wall panel variant with some larger screen and controls on it, but that'll be up next!

In the meantime I continued working on the safe:

Added a lot of detail to it. Got rid of those giant bolts on the sides, replacing them for smaller ones. Also added some other bits here and there, and fixed the doors, felt they were missing something...


Also continued working on the computer consoles. The 'console' component on the bottom part will probably be a separate bit, which will allow me to make a few variants with different buttons/handles/etc.


And yes, I've built a new pipe component... One thing of note, since I've taken this screen shot I've added a wide 'ring' around the beginnings of the pipes, where they connect with the walls, to make it look better. I think you call it a 'coupling' in English?

How about windows with space scenes in base-relief? (moons, parts of planets, galaxies, etc.)

Well, since you've been so supportive, here you go!



I've been toying with the idea of a wall component variant for a window. The tricky thing is that I don't like it to be just a big hole. Meaning I'll have to design an actual window component. Sadly enough that's not the difficult part, the tricky part will probably be the casting, but I think that shouldn't be impossible to solve.

I think you might have the answer right there. Why not just produce a few series of artwork that can be glued into the window areas? There's got to be something generic you can legally produce and use. Either that or make a special template with a cut-out that is the same size as the windows... that way the owner can pick out their own artwork to make for the windows and use your template to cut it to the right size.

 Gitsplitta wrote:
I think you might have the answer right there. Why not just produce a few series of artwork that can be glued into the window areas? There's got to be something generic you can legally produce and use. Either that or make a special template with a cut-out that is the same size as the windows... that way the owner can pick out their own artwork to make for the windows and use your template to cut it to the right size.

I was thinking of something along those lines. Keep in mind that the wall panels as I presented them will still be cut in two and hollowed out. meaning that if you do want an 'outside', you can simply use the back of the panel and put a picture on there. I'd really love what Antenocitis Workshop did for Infinity with their Terminal Screens. Might eventually do something similar for the screens and such. Would look a lot cooler than your typical WWII era dark green radar screens...

How are you going to make these models available? Are they going to be order only from some online seller who does 3D prints, or will you publish the files so that people with an acces to 3D printers could print them themselves?

 Sienisoturi wrote:
How are you going to make these models available? Are they going to be order only from some online seller who does 3D prints, or will you publish the files so that people with an acces to 3D printers could print them themselves?

Using printing as a means of production is just going to be waaaaay too expensive. Hopefully I'll be able to do some test prints through Shapeways (which will already be a bit expensive for me) to see how the models are physically. Most likely I'll have to go to a more high end printing service, which would mean I'd most likely have to pay around €100 per printed wall component. So selling it like that would be impossible.

Most reasonable solution is to print the prototypes, then cast them in plastic or resin, and sell those. I have two possible parties who might be interested, but I need to figure out a way to keep production as easy and low-cost as possible. Otherwise the components would become too expensive, thus defeating the purpose.

Been putting together the components I've got:


The new wall component variant (the light grey ones) allow for walls to 'end'. I'd imagine that these would be a later addition to the set if/when these things would go in production. The basic kit would basically only include the floor tiles, straight walls and corner pieces. Others bits are 'expansions' if you will.



No, I still haven't updated the ventilation grill front piece yet. It will need some work to match the level of detailing the safe has. The grill will also be sharpened up a bit. The computer components are slowly evolving. The 'keyboard' bit will be separate and I have been working on a few variants, more on that soon!



However, the biggest change so far must have been the floor panels. There was something about the small panels that didn't feel fully right. Also, the gaps in the previous version's edges would have been tricky with casting (one tiny miscast the the parts won't fit anymore). So I made them clunkier! No worries though, future variants might once again include smaller tiles and such, but they are lower on my priorities list at the moment.

@Gitsplitta:

Hey Malika, are these going to go into production eventually... or are you just trolling us with your CAD design awesomeness??

Some of my ship designs are in production now. Not sure yet when they'll be available though...

I started working on a gun turret. It's a two part bit, allowing you to move it into different positions. I'll probably also be doing a variant based on the energy pistol (bottom one):

Very nice, I like it!

Lots of little things done. The holding mechanism of the gun turret can also be used to carry other equipment. I've included another weapon (a variant on my original energy pistol) and also a screen. Expect more stuff to appear soon. Would love to do some robotic arms and whatever else I can come up with...

The computer console has also received some attention. Still need to add some detailing on the top and build the mechanism to hold the keyboard component.

Also, the floor panels and ventilation grill wall variant have also been updated slightly.

Oy!

As you can see, I've continued working on the computer consoles:


The major update is the removal of the round screen at the top mounted console. I've replaced it for a smaller screen. This also allowed me to make another top component variant which contains two screens.

The existing 'computer' box has been updated as well, mainly some detailing. I'm currently working on making a mechanism for it that allows players to put different keyboards/controllers on top. At the moment I've got two types of controllers, but there will probably be a few more just for the cool factor.

The bottom bit (bottom left, light grey device) has been completed as well. I guess it'll be some sort of plug hub, allowing other devices to be connected to it or something.

I still haven't made a wall plate that contains a large screen. So for now the walls are covered with the wall plates I've already had (the safe and ventilation shaft).

I really like the variation in your approach.

Malika, these last few pics have been really impressive! What is the plan for having these produce - perhaps a Kickstarter and cast in spincast resin? I am very interested!!

@Gitsplitta: Thanks a lot man!

@RiTides: Thank you! As for production, I haven't really thought of it yet. I mean, I've kept casting and production/distribution in mind when designing the components, but I haven't really thought of who will actually produce these bits. I lack the means and skills of casting stuff. And personally I don't want to be too involved with the whole distribution thing. I'd like to focus my time on designing these things and let the production/distribution be done by somebody else, but yeah these things are tricky I guess...

if you do go into production, I can't wait to get hold of all those bots!

Same here! The bots still need a lot of work, and I've noticed that with what I've learnt in designing the weapons and terrain that I might want to redo a whole bunch of the robots to match the aesthetic of the other stuff.

Need to think a bit more about that though...

Nothing really new, just copied the floor and wall pieces a bit to get a more complete view:

I tweaked the floor panels a bit...

Here's the 'normal' ones, so without the grill:


Here are the ones with the grill:


And when combined:

Lovely floor tiles. I especially like the grill version.

I agree, the grill and the combined versions are ace!

Over at Resin Addict I've got the feedback that the floors look too repetitive. I kind of agree with them. So I kind of need to play with some ideas to allow for some visual variation in the system.

I've been pondering about doing a similar solution like what I did for the walls. So design the floors in such a way that you could add little bits on them so you'd have all sorts of variant floors without immediately having to design tons of tile variants, larger pieces and so on.

Could you link to the resin addict thread? I'd be interested in comparing the replies over there

Sorry for the late reply (busy weekend), but here's the link to the discussion on Resin Addict: http://www.resinaddict.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=921&start=180

Excellent, thanks Malika!

I've been restructuring my Photobucket, which means the pics might not work anymore. However, you can still check them all out over here.

The CNC/laser cutting option is still open for the floor tiles. However, in the meantime I've also started working on some little components that can add a bit of flavor to the floors:



I've also continued working on a smaller console device and a possible wall/door variant (not the big main doors yet):