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The good folks here at GrimDarkBits (i.e. me) have been busy in the lab lately cooking up a new 28mm scale 3D printed model that some folks may find relevant to their interests. I present to you: The Praetorian Exo Suit!

Update: This is nearly ready for printing. The model will come in several pieces: legs, torso, head, two arms, arm weapons, and the missile rack. The power armor dude will be included, already printed inside the exo suit. All weapons are magnet-ready (1/16" holes for magnets on arms, guns, etc). I'm going to get the weapon options ready tonight and order a proof.



Expected price is $26 for one model, $67.50 for a set of three. Weapon option will be your choice (all three armed the same), and further weapons will be available separately.

- CPH

SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO much better than the Centurions. Don't know what else to say.

-C6

I think that it looks pretty darn good so far myself and look forward to getting one.

I like the concept better than that of a praetorian but I would advise that you put a bit more time into it and flesh out some details and features such as compatibility options for the weapon mounts and some elements of finer detail.

That was fast!

I think this thing is going to turn out great.

That's a LOT closer to what I imagined when I read the description of the Centurions.

And so it begins...

Looks great!

Very nice....

I don't care for some of the armour plates on the front view, but the concept is a lot better with it clearly being an Eco-suit to fit a space marine, instead of GW's 'huge robot' look that just looks incredibly contrived to make a new codex slot.

 frozenwastes wrote:
That was fast!

I think this thing is going to turn out great.

No kidding. Faster than I was expecting.

Looks good so far. Now just need to spend more time on the details.

Would like to remind you good gents, that Orks are still in need of a similar contrapshun for mega-armor nobs.. and now that you're designing a suit..

 prowla wrote:
Would like to remind you good gents, that Orks are still in need of a similar contrapshun for mega-armor nobs.. and now that you're designing a suit..

A true Ork would nab one as is and loot the outta it!!!!

 Howard A Treesong wrote:
I don't care for some of the armour plates on the front view, but the concept is a lot better with it clearly being an Eco-suit to fit a space marine, instead of GW's 'huge robot' look that just looks incredibly contrived to make a new codex slot.

They look the same to me.

The only difference is that this one goes for a "Marine holding the guns" look rather than the Centurion's "the Marine is protected in a huge armored center bit".

I prefer it as a concept - the exo suit just holds up the weapons and gives a little extra armour (enough to bump from 3+ to 2+)

 SickSix wrote:

 frozenwastes wrote:
That was fast!

I think this thing is going to turn out great.

No kidding. Faster than I was expecting.

Looks good so far. Now just need to spend more time on the details.

This is why we don't get previews more than a few weeks out anymore.

MajorWesJanson wrote:

 SickSix wrote:

 frozenwastes wrote:
That was fast!

I think this thing is going to turn out great.

No kidding. Faster than I was expecting.

Looks good so far. Now just need to spend more time on the details.

This is why we don't get previews more than a few weeks out anymore.

I disagree... I think the only reason we are seeing this... is the horrendous GW version available...

 frgsinwntr wrote:

MajorWesJanson wrote:

 SickSix wrote:

 frozenwastes wrote:
That was fast!

I think this thing is going to turn out great.

No kidding. Faster than I was expecting.

Looks good so far. Now just need to spend more time on the details.

This is why we don't get previews more than a few weeks out anymore.

I disagree... I think the only reason we are seeing this... is the horrendous GW version available...

You missed his point.

Even if the Centurions had been the best models since <Insert Whatever You Think the Best Model Here>, some 3rd party would have tried to do their own version and release it at a huge undercutting price compared to GW's 3 box set.

As it stands now, the models have not been officially announced and this company already has a 3D render and is pimping it out on Dakka.
Whether you think the Centurions are bad or not, this is part of the reason why we do not get previews from GW until the week before a release.

Wow - so much better than the original concept, truly.

{I still hate the concept, though! }

 Kanluwen wrote:

 frgsinwntr wrote:

MajorWesJanson wrote:

 SickSix wrote:

 frozenwastes wrote:
That was fast!

I think this thing is going to turn out great.

No kidding. Faster than I was expecting.

Looks good so far. Now just need to spend more time on the details.

This is why we don't get previews more than a few weeks out anymore.

I disagree... I think the only reason we are seeing this... is the horrendous GW version available...

You missed his point.

Even if the Centurions had been the best models since <Insert Whatever You Think the Best Model Here>, some 3rd party would have tried to do their own version and release it at a huge undercutting price compared to GW's 3 box set.

As it stands now, the models have not been officially announced and this company already has a 3D render and is pimping it out on Dakka.
Whether you think the Centurions are bad or not, this is part of the reason why we do not get previews from GW until the week before a release.

So where are the not-Hunter/Stalkers, not-Sternguard and so forth? The point you have missed is that we wouldn't be seeing renders of not-Centurions so quickly if there hadn't been such a negative reaction to them, indicating there was an actual market for ones that don't look like arse(which whether you agree or not, is what a lot of people think of them).

You don't beat competition through secrecy and legal shenanigans, you beat them by putting out a quality product and letting people know about it.

Pretty cool looking. I'm also waiting to see what my russian friends come up as I love ordering their non-GW models that are much better than GWs.

 Yodhrin wrote:

So where are the not-Hunter/Stalkers, not-Sternguard and so forth? The point you have missed is that we wouldn't be seeing renders of not-Centurions so quickly if there hadn't been such a negative reaction to them, indicating there was an actual market for ones that don't look like arse(which whether you agree or not, is what a lot of people think of them).

Why would they make not-Hunter/Stalkers or Sternguard?

As you yourself said, there is "an actual market" for not-Centurions. It will not simply be for "ones that don't look like arse", but it will be for ones which are not $54 for 3 Centurions either.
You are going to get the quality you can expect for the price--and all that is done is reinforcing the stupid idea that GW has of "Don't show anyone anything because all they do is complain before they see it in person".

Looks great! Depending on rules and your price point, I'll take 3 to 9 of them.

Wow, that sure was quick, interesting as this may be one of the few times I've seen a 3rd party model with the motive of replacing an existing model based on quality (or at least the public perception of quality) rather than filling a gap (e.g. Thunderwolves, Tervigons, spores etc.) The only other example I can think of are the several not-daemonettes out there in the market.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Oh, on the render itself, look pretty good, not too keen on the chest plate of the trim on the shoulder pads but other than that, great! Makes a lot more sense than the GW model.

 Kanluwen wrote:

 Yodhrin wrote:

So where are the not-Hunter/Stalkers, not-Sternguard and so forth? The point you have missed is that we wouldn't be seeing renders of not-Centurions so quickly if there hadn't been such a negative reaction to them, indicating there was an actual market for ones that don't look like arse(which whether you agree or not, is what a lot of people think of them).

Why would they make not-Hunter/Stalkers or Sternguard?

As you yourself said, there is "an actual market" for not-Centurions. It will not simply be for "ones that don't look like arse", but it will be for ones which are not $54 for 3 Centurions either.
You are going to get the quality you can expect for the price--and all that is done is reinforcing the stupid idea that GW has of "Don't show anyone anything because all they do is complain before they see it in person".

Hate to tell you- these are looking in the 20-30 a model range right now. Cost might come down but its going to be pretty close cost wise.

Say what you will about GW... as CPH pointed out to me they have one of the most advanced injection molding operations in the world and their prices are hard to beat

Well their prices are hard to beat using a 3D printer anyway - anyone else doing injection molding could make much cheaper models. This size model is really pushing the limits of where 3D printing makes sense in terms of cost.

Also like other posters pointed out, GW's models should stand on the appeal of their concepts and sculpts as well as their production quality. Third party manufacturers are always going to be a niche market as long as GW keeps putting out quality kits. These Centurions might be a rare exception.


Thanks for all the feedback, I'm incorporating it into the final revision. Hope to have a final render out within a day or two, and a printed example within a few weeks!

I quite like this concept, especially from the rear view.Armor plates on the front could use a bit of work, and the whole thing some detailing... but given the price the GW exo-exo-suits will sell for, this could be a big hit if executed well!

I like the concept as well. It kind of reminds me of the exo-suit upgrades you could get in Lost Planet 2. I say, to differentiate it a bit more from the GW design, tech that baby up a bit more. More rounded plates, more curves and some more details. It'll help set it apart from the bulky, angular, blocky things GW has.

I really have to say I like the idea of potentially being able to actually put a figure into it. I know the logistics of designing it to do that are going to be difficult to say the least, but if it can be pulled off, that would just be epic.

redacted - tbd :-P

Already saw the thread on /tg/.

Looks nice

 ChiliPowderKeg wrote:
Already saw the thread on /tg/.

Looks nice

Actually... That thread is not CalgarsPimpHand or anyone associated with GrimDarkBits..... just some fa/tg/uy trying to take credit :-P