Author Topic: Lego Battlemech Models in the Lego Digital Designer (Read 20660 times)

BATTLEMASTER · « **on:** 20 June 2013, 11:42:32 »

I've started some battlemech projects in the LDD, never to finish them because they got too big and finicky, and I just got bored. But this time, I scaled back my Lego project and made this Atlas. I didn't really try to scale it or anything, but it was a bit more involved than I felt it was!

So 566 pieces later, I finished it. It's somewhat poseable with ratchet joints. I'm not sure if it'll be too top-heavy or not. I plan on printing the guide out and actually building it.

If I stay in my Lego mood, I'll post more models here!

BATTLEMASTER · « **Reply #1 on:** 21 June 2013, 12:00:38 »

I have finished the other iconic battlemech: The Timber Wolf! I based this model off the artwork for TRO:3050U, as well as some details from my pre-remold Timber Wolf mini This model is made up of 633 pieces. The best part about this model is that I already have a set of legs ready for a Mad Dog, if I ever feel like making one :)

The hardest part for me to design on this model was the torso-cockpit area. I've never been good at representing round surfaces with Lego bricks, but it seems to have worked out okay.

The other stupid thing about LDD is that it won't let me angle certain kinds of bricks. For an example, the front toes on each foot could be angled and connected to the rest of the foot in real life, but LDD isn't smart enough to know that, so that's why they may seem separated from the model.

This model would probably be very top-heavy in real life, so it would likely flop forward since it does have poseable knee, ankle, and hip joints. I would have to block those joints when it's on static display.

EDIT: I just an updated version of this model. It looks so much better than this old one now that I have more experience with parts selection for my models. Please see the new model here: http://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php/topic,30603.msg778663.html#msg778663

BATTLEMASTER · « **Reply #2 on:** 21 June 2013, 12:02:14 »

A side-view of the Timber Wolf, and a fight for most-iconic with the Atlas!

Cidwm · « **Reply #3 on:** 21 June 2013, 21:21:45 »

I like where your going with this, though i think you could improve the joints some.

Mechahub flickr could give you some inspiration. There are some battletech lego models to be found in here. Whats nice is there are some really nice joint designs that are stable and have more articulation points then the old lego mech commander web site designs have.

BATTLEMASTER · « **Reply #4 on:** 22 June 2013, 23:49:12 »

Thank you for the link. I'll have to take a look at that and see how I can improve my joint design. I'll see if it can't give me some ideas on how to tackle the legs of the Warhawk and Dire Wolf, which will likely be my next creations. I was thinking about some ball joints, but those would require bigger models than what I'm designing.

In the mean time, here's the Mad Dog. It tops out at 603 pieces. I think I like this model more than my Atlas and Timber Wolf.

EDIT: I actually built this model out of Legos. To see pictures of this model, please click on the following link: http://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php/topic,31361.0.html

EDIT #2: I remodeled the torso of my Mad Dog model so that it better matches canon likenesses of the 'mech. (When I get the real-life model fixed, I will post pictures.) Please see the new model here: http://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php/topic,30603.msg805007.html#msg805007

BATTLEMASTER · « **Reply #5 on:** 22 June 2013, 23:50:29 »

Another picture of the Mad Dog, from the rear:

BATTLEMASTER · « **Reply #6 on:** 22 June 2013, 23:51:23 »

Mad Dog with the Timber Wolf:

BATTLEMASTER · « **Reply #7 on:** 22 June 2013, 23:55:10 »

Uh oh, grand melee time! That Atlas faces tough odds against both a Mad Dog and a Timber Wolf.

BATTLEMASTER · « **Reply #8 on:** 24 June 2013, 23:09:30 »

I ordered Lego parts for the Mad Dog. They should all be in next week. If I could build a real model, I can actually experience the limitations of Lego 'mech modeling, and seek better ways to Legofy the 'mechs.

I know, I mentioned that I might hit either the Warhawk or Dire Wolf next, but I decided to drop a weight class. Below is the Stormcrow, regarded by many as the best Clan omnimech. This model took 584 pieces to make. The Stormcrow might look funny in this pose, but it is in a full 97 kph sprint (amazing how every other picture has it stooped with those long legs). I decided to go with the bulkier arms and hands as seen on the cover of The Dragon Roars scenario pack (http://www.sarna.net/wiki/The_Dragon_Roars); I just think they look better than the little arms.

So here it is!

BATTLEMASTER · « **Reply #9 on:** 24 June 2013, 23:10:03 »

A frontal view of the Stormcrow...

BATTLEMASTER · « **Reply #10 on:** 24 June 2013, 23:10:50 »

And a rear-view.

BATTLEMASTER · « **Reply #11 on:** 24 June 2013, 23:13:07 »

Here's a Trial between the Wolf Stormcrow and the Smoke Jaguar Mad Dog. Reminds me of a Fight Night topic from awhile ago. Most people picked the Stormcrow as the winner versus the Mad Dog. That's no wonder since the Stormcrow is using is superior mobility to overtake the Mad Dog at close range.

BATTLEMASTER · « **Reply #12 on:** 26 June 2013, 00:15:18 »

I still went lighter and built a Nova! I didn't realize that the Nova and Stormcrow shared the same arm and leg assemblies. However, the Nova's toes are a little bit stubbier.

This model took 629 pieces. The hardest part for me to design for this model was the nose and cockpit. It gave me a lot of trouble, but after a lot of tweaking, I think I got it all right.

The color scheme was inspired by a Jade Falcon Nova Prime mini painted by wackrabbit (http://www.camospecs.com/Miniature.asp?ID=6232)

Does this pose look familiar? :)

BATTLEMASTER · « **Reply #13 on:** 26 June 2013, 00:15:52 »

A side view...

BATTLEMASTER · « **Reply #14 on:** 26 June 2013, 00:18:28 »

And a rear quarter view. Note the flat, circular pieces that are colored gray. Those are supposed to be the jump jet exhaust ports.

BATTLEMASTER · « **Reply #15 on:** 26 June 2013, 00:27:45 »

And one more pic. Two MechWarriors of long-time rivals, squaring off during a Trial. Can the Nova effectively overwhelm the Timber Wolf with awesome medium laser spam? Or will the Timber Wolf take advantage of the Nova's lack of torso twist and successfully outmaneuver it?

truetanker · « **Reply #16 on:** 26 June 2013, 16:38:55 »

I batchcall you to a Trial of Equals. Create some ideal sized Elementals to go with these legomechs, quiaff?

TT

BATTLEMASTER · « **Reply #17 on:** 26 June 2013, 19:10:00 »

Aff, let me consult the scientist caste on your request.

BATTLEMASTER · « **Reply #18 on:** 26 June 2013, 19:35:12 »

truetanker, I have returned to bid. I bid one battlemech point and one elemental point.

BATTLEMASTER · « **Reply #19 on:** 26 June 2013, 19:39:50 »

A little background on the Elemental Battlearmor model: At first, I was going to attempt to make an Elemental as described at the following website: http://www.sgcollect.com/forum/lofiversion/index.php/t53930.html

Since I'm using the latest Lego Digital Designer, I couldn't render one exactly like that with the parts in the program, so I had to make my own.

It turns out that the way I went about it seems to scale nicely with the 'mechs I've made so far, as you can see with the Nova and the Elemental point picture above. Unfortunately, this model has very little useful articulation; The shoulders are about it, and maybe the claw. This little guy took 40 bricks to make. The color scheme was based on a color pictures of a Jade Falcon Elemental Battlearmor from the revised Battletech Compendium.

EDIT: Just had a thought. I should probably start putting handholds on my omnimechs from now on :)

BATTLEMASTER · « **Reply #20 on:** 02 July 2013, 11:19:09 »

I just finished up my latest creation after taking a few days off. I bring out the Summoner! This model took 1,150 pieces to make, and it certainly stands taller than my other 'mechs, as described in the fluff. I felt that the legs were the most complex part of the model. Now that that's done, I might make a Hellbringer next!

Does this pose look familiar? I did this with the awesome MW3 boxart in mind, when you flip open the cover, finding yourself looking up at a Summoner letting a PPC loose in your direction! I also used a paint scheme similar to the Smoke Jaguar Summoner on the same box.

BATTLEMASTER · « **Reply #21 on:** 02 July 2013, 11:21:45 »

Here's the Summoner helping some Elementals move around.

BATTLEMASTER · « **Reply #22 on:** 02 July 2013, 11:33:34 »

And of course the Summoner with the Timber Wolf. Just wish I had a cityscape for them to look down on :(

BATTLEMASTER · « **Reply #23 on:** 02 July 2013, 22:48:09 »

Alright, one more picture for the day. This is a group shot of all of my Lego clan omnis so far.

I built the real model of my Mad Dog, and sure enough, it can't stand on its own. It must be blocked up, and the joints are too floppy for poses. I will have to work to re-engineer the joints so that they can actually let the model stand up. We'll see how that turns out! I hope to get pictures of the model soon.

And another thing. In the picture posted below, the Mad Dog in real life is about 10" tall, so that Summoner would be 12"-13" in height.

Cidwm · « **Reply #24 on:** 03 July 2013, 20:13:00 »

Liking the Nova O0

BATTLEMASTER · « **Reply #25 on:** 08 July 2013, 22:27:11 »

Alright, I just finished another model. I might take a break from the LDD for a bit to pursue my other hobbies (I have a halftrack that I'm taking to a local parade this weekend and it needs a new fuel tank). So here it is, the Hellbringer! This model took 1,098 bricks to make. The legs and pelvis alone (the same on the Summoner model, of course) took 749 bricks to make. I neglected to mention that the knees use ball joints, and that the ankles are articulated through hinged ratchet joints. If I built the Hellbringer and Summoner model (which I intend to sometime), they would probably be the most stable of my creations. I just need to figure out how to make the joints tighter at the hips.

I also had to lengthen the arm pods to make the 'mech look better. I updated the beam pod on my Summoner model, and I'll have to do the same with my Timber Wolf. Hell, I might just revamp my Timber Wolf model altogether sometime.

So here it is! The color scheme was inspired by a Hellbringer mini on CamoSpecs painted for Clan Wolf-In-Exile by Andreas (http://www.camospecs.com/Miniature.asp?ID=2124). It took awhile to re-color the bricks on the legs in LDD since there's so many of them!

BATTLEMASTER · « **Reply #26 on:** 08 July 2013, 22:28:48 »

Another view...

BATTLEMASTER · « **Reply #27 on:** 08 July 2013, 22:29:19 »

And another...

BATTLEMASTER · « **Reply #28 on:** 08 July 2013, 22:30:57 »

And the Hellbringer with the Summoner and the Stormcrow. Notice the height. If the Hellbringer shared the same leg design as the Summoner, that also makes the Hellbringer a taller-than-average 'mech at 65 tons!

BATTLEMASTER · « **Reply #29 on:** 16 July 2013, 09:01:49 »

After a little break, I decided to tackle another original Clan omnimech. The Fire Moth is one of my favorites (as are the rest of these creations).

My first light clan omnimech designed from Legos, this model took 598 bricks to make. The knees make use of ball joints, while the hips and arms use pin joints (fork joints for the elbows). I have grab handles for my Lego Elementals so that this 'mech can still function as a battle taxi.

The one thing that bothers me about this model is the scale. It's as tall as my Mad Dog model, but I feel that the weapons are correctly scaled with the miniatures and the drawings I based it on. Other than that, I like it. Plus, I have a set of legs in case I want to make a Mist Lynx in the future.

I couldn't figure out a good way to cant the legs outward to give it the bow-legged stance it's known for, but I'm happy with the way the legs look anyway.

So, here's the Fire Moth.