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Post by WaffleM on Nov 9, 2010 17:33:06 GMT -9
I've just begun some re-designs for the vehicles to better fit the customization rules and to add some 3D styling. So far I'm not really pleased with the look of my first attempt at the new Ultra-Light Class Vehicle, but it is just a first attempt. It needs a ton of stretching, shifting, and re-angling. New turret designs should make a difference too. I'm hoping that my next attempt won't look like a sedan with a big butt...
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Post by WaffleM on Nov 9, 2010 17:34:38 GMT -9
Getting a bit closer. I still need to allow room for side doors and create a new turret, but I think the basics are there. And no, It's not going to be red and blue. I just do solid color fills to make sure I have closed shapes as I'm working on a design.
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Post by WaffleM on Nov 9, 2010 17:35:40 GMT -9
After scrapping the overly fiddly designs above (they kept looking like station wagons! ) I've begun reworking the existing vehicles into newer designs. Phase 1: Side of Front Half of Ultra-Light Vehicle This time around, I'm going with more of a Humvee inspired approach. I may end up converting this into the Light Vehicle, instead of the Ultra-Light, as it's turning out much more truck like.
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Post by Parduz on Nov 10, 2010 0:05:46 GMT -9
Sincerely, i hate the sloped left/right sides of the first two pics. They make vanish the military feel. Sorry if i seem rude, i like so much the vehicles in MechAttack and that just does'nt fit.
You last drawing is a very much better design. The "truck" feel come from the cabin being "little" compared to the wheel and the ..."bonnet" (is this the right word? where there is the engine). If you want a lighter vehicles you may want to increase the cabin and reduce that-front-part-i-don't-know-how-to-call.
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Post by WaffleM on Nov 11, 2010 4:59:43 GMT -9
Sincerely, i hate the sloped left/right sides of the first two pics. They make vanish the military feel. Sorry if i seem rude, i like so much the vehicles in MechAttack and that just does'nt fit. No need to apologize. They slanted sides did kill the look i was going for. It was just an experiment, and for this project, one that failed. Thanks for the comments. I do need to alter the proportions for the lighter assault vehicle and your suggestions are really valid and greatly appreciated. I think this basic design will be used for the slightly heavier vehicles. On a side note: I think it's called the "bonnet" in England, in America we call it "hood", but I don't know what it's called anywhere else. The "that-front-part-i-don't-know-how-to-call" in America we call a "grill". I don't know what a grill is in England, Australia, or Europe. Disclaimer: These English to American translations may not be accurate as all of my knowledge of the differences in English/American comes from watching Doctor Who, Monty Python, and Danger Mouse.
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Post by Dagger on Nov 12, 2010 5:10:26 GMT -9
Disclaimer: These English to American translations may not be accurate as all of my knowledge of the differences in English/American comes from watching Doctor Who, Monty Python, and Danger Mouse. ROFLOL ;D
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Post by WaffleM on Dec 27, 2011 11:25:14 GMT -9
So the progress continues on the new Ultra Light Class of Vehicles. I went back to look at what I wanted from the body designs and how I planned to achieve it: - Dune Buggy style vehicle made by extending the hood to show a speedy engine
- Enough flat roof space to mount a turret weapon
- Angled sides to add design interest, but with enough flat space to attach either wheels or tracks or hover jets
- A flat back to mount optional cargo doors
- Simple box construction to make them easy to build
And after wrestling with the "station wagons" of previous designs, I implemented all the ideas listed above and ended up with a model that not only was a pain in the rear to build but also looked like an AMC Pacer! Not the look I was going for! I would show a photo of this model but I smashed it out of frustration... My trip back to the drawing board was much more successful. I realized that I had been trying to cram too many goals into one body design and began working on two simpler body types: one that is dune buggy like for fast attack Ultra Light Vehicles and one that is more truck like for cargo type vehicles. I switched to a hollow box design with straight sides. This kept the design easy to build at such a small size. Below are some photos of the test builds. Each measures approximately 1.75" long X 1" wide X .75" tall. Note: the textures (or lack there of) on the vehicle bodies are just place holders and detailed designs are in progress. Let me know what you think!
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Post by kiladecus on Dec 28, 2011 3:31:27 GMT -9
VERY NICE! I think that going with the "empty box" idea is GREAT! My first set of papercraft (the set that actually GOT me here, eventually) was MICROTACTIC's Twilight Street. ALL of the vehicles were done like this, and they were 25mm. I didn't mind it... until I stumbled on Topo's site, then Ebbles... then here. I think it will work GREAT at that scale. I am excited about this because I have your WHOLE line, and I look forward to supporting you and Dagger again soon!
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Post by Vermin King on Dec 28, 2011 7:34:03 GMT -9
You should have a lot of functionality with this between the two body shapes and two undercarriages. Looking forward to seeing skins.
I regret not being able to see the AMC Paper Panzer Pacer, though...
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Post by WaffleM on Dec 28, 2011 9:55:01 GMT -9
I regret not being able to see the AMC Paper Panzer Pacer, though... It wasn't pretty. It wasn't good. It wasn't cool. It also looked kind of like the Pacer's cousin, the Gremlin. Maybe someday we'll put out a Gremlin/Pacer Auto Duel Game... But probably not!
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Post by revgunn on Dec 28, 2011 11:33:08 GMT -9
I had a Gremlin. I loved that little car. Was one of the fastest cars I've ever owned. Ugly lime green paint though.
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Post by hackbarth on Dec 30, 2011 7:00:29 GMT -9
I loved the two vehicles in the center of the fist picture.
They look like a tracked vehicle made fo speed and a small but heavy APC.
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Post by WaffleM on Jan 3, 2012 11:45:54 GMT -9
Here is some WIP for the Ultra Light Vehicle Bodies. I decided on a tubular framework for the bodies to go with the Fast Attack Vehicle theme. I still need to work on the fill-in panels for armoring, but here is the basic tubular skeleton frame shown alone and with the wheels and tracks movement systems in place:
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Post by WaffleM on Jan 5, 2012 17:15:40 GMT -9
And the work in progress continues. I still need to add some more basic details to the vehicle bodies, but I've added armor plating to the tube frame. And I've added a version with the hover platform.
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Post by kiladecus on Jan 6, 2012 7:51:18 GMT -9
Is that bottom one a hover version? Looking forward to this set! ;D
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Post by enpeze on Jan 16, 2012 3:44:51 GMT -9
So finally I snatched armor grid and your terrain tiles and will begin to build the game the next few weeks. Thanks alot for your effort. I always had the opinion that Battletech was too complex for my gaming taste and so I played it only a few times. But with your simpler system I give the genre a second try. Regarding the vehicles. I like the 2 center vehicles in the picture. I am also a fan of the wonderful but old wargame ogre from SJG. Maybe you too? If yes, I would love to see some Ogre mechs for Armor Grid. (and more armor grid Mech styles of course) Fine would also be a futuristic navy and orbital fighter game which is compatible with the rest of the armor grid line.
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Post by WaffleM on Apr 1, 2012 3:27:39 GMT -9
The neon spaghetti has been removed and here is the "Truck" Ultra Light Vehicle body with (and without) the different movement platform options:
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Post by josedominguez on Apr 1, 2012 3:34:11 GMT -9
awesome, our 15mm Gruntz game is waiting
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Post by old squirmydad on Apr 1, 2012 6:32:37 GMT -9
Excellent! Looking forward to adding these into the game mix.
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Post by WaffleM on Aug 27, 2012 6:40:36 GMT -9
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Post by onemonkeybeau on Aug 27, 2012 11:17:42 GMT -9
Nice!
So glad to see this game getting some love!
onemonkeybeau
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Post by old squirmydad on Aug 27, 2012 14:41:24 GMT -9
That 6x6 van/ICV is very cool.
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Post by mruseless on Aug 27, 2012 18:40:26 GMT -9
These look great! Will there be 25/28mm and 15mm versions?
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Post by kiladecus on Aug 29, 2012 10:03:34 GMT -9
I know your game is scaled for 15mm, but I agree with Squirmydad and Mr.Useless... that 6x6 assault vehicle NEEDS to be available as a 28mm vehicle!
Pleaseohplease, oh please....
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Post by WaffleM on Aug 30, 2012 3:47:44 GMT -9
I don't have plans to release the vehicles in 28mm yet. It seems like it should be easy to just double the size and call it 28/30mm, but I'll do some experimenting.
The problem with simple up-scaling from the 15mm to 28/30mm, is the 15mm models are simplified to keep them easy to build. They may look too simple in a larger scale. For example the wheels in 15mm look fine as just two layers of cardstock (one piece folded over to have a front and back), but would look flimsy at a larger scale. 28/30mm vehicles will need more dimensional elements to make them really pop.
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Post by kiladecus on Aug 31, 2012 3:51:39 GMT -9
If you want, you can send me the file, and I can play with it, and get you some feedback.
I know that it is a simple model for 15mm purposes, but I have built some 25mm stuff that was designed like this (from Microtactix), and it STILL looked good.
Just saying. (If nothing else, I would like it at 28-ish mm, for my own selfish purposes). Now that I am moving, I am converting a lot of stuff to "fold flat." If I can do that with THIS, it would be a great option for me! ;D
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Post by WaffleM on Nov 6, 2012 17:04:42 GMT -9
Progress continues! Here are the Heavy Vehicles: an APC body and a Tank Body. I still need to rework the turrets. They're just too fiddly to assemble and end up looking crunched. I may go back to a simpler design...
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Post by Vermin King on Nov 6, 2012 18:35:41 GMT -9
Looking good. Can you show us what the unacceptable turrets look like? Maybe we can shoot you some ideas
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Post by uptrainfan89 on Nov 7, 2012 5:13:03 GMT -9
Wow those are looking really sweet! Can't wait till they are ready! What all weapons did u have in mind? ;D
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Post by WaffleM on Nov 8, 2012 12:44:23 GMT -9
Vermin King: You can see the turrets about ten posts above, in my photos of the APC type vehicle. I was going for more of an angled look, but they are just too difficult to fold at such a small size. The tricky part is trying to figure out a way not to have blank backs...
uptrainfan89: The weapons are slightly modified versions of the Mech Attack weapons. Basically I've removed the ammo clips from the original designs, unified the weapon slot sizing, and changed them to shorter or lower profile designs that will stick up less on the vehicles.
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