Onece I thought: can I make a model using so simple reference as a few pixel graphics images? I've liked the game Dune 2 - The Building of a Dynasty made by Westwood Studios in it's time and always liked it's mentat/building menu units' images. I think they were a very good designed things. So I thought it would be a nice challenge to complete :)
It took a lot of time to make a model actually, since I didn't attend to it too much. I didn't like the way how the front and the back of the tank's body looked like, but overally the model looks nice anyway. I also thought maybe to make textures for the model and finally remake an original Dune 2 "slide", but got a bit lazy to do so.
But the case I was lazy was that I wanted actually to print this model and paint it. I don't have much experience in painting tanks, since I'm too far away from stand modeling, but, anyway, I just wanted to make a good try. You can see the actual photos of the result and decide it for yourself.
By the way, I've tried to find a lead Dune 2 designer - Aaron E Powell - to show the tank. It ought to be an interesting salute after 20 years, but, alas, didn't manage to find him - found three of his sites with (C)2014 stated there and with no reply for theese sites' local message system.
Hope people who still remember that nice old game will like the fact it is now possible to look it in real 3D and even being able to print it :)
Also there is an article (though in Russian) how I've made this tank. It includes more WIP images, just in case someone would be interested:
http://3dtoday.ru/blogs/harh/tank-of-dunes-or-sand-stone-axe/
Printer Brand:
FlashForge
Printer:
FlashForge Creator Pro
Rafts:
Yes
Supports:
Doesn't Matter
Resolution:
0.125
Infill:
30
Notes:
Most was sliced using Slic3r and printed at 0.125 or 0.1 layer thickness with 0.4 mm nozzle with ABS plastic on a FlashForge Creator (not Pro version, just there is no standard Creator in the list). There was no raft, but I've used 5-7 mm brim. Model was done in 3dsmax.
Scale is 1.9% from the real size. Objects were scaled to that size before exporting. So if you want to scale it to the original values you know the scale.
There are two sets of files. First set is:
SiegeTankBodyBR (BR stands for Bottom Ready; ready for printing - it is already netfabbed, so there are no holes etc)
SiegeTankBodyTR (Top one)
SiegeTankHookER
SiegeTankTracksER
SiegeTankTuskER
This one is a complete set for printing the model. It doesn't need any support since all the supports are already included in the model. I've made theese supports just because Slic3r didn't want to make good printable supports for the model. The supports made are a bit more hard to remove since they are solid with the model, but I've decided it would be better to do it this way. Also, tracks model is made that way so it will not need any support and there are no supports in the model you would need to remove.
Second set is made in case you want to alter something. It is not completely ready for printing, but it is way easier to edit it:
SiegeTankBody. This is a whole body that is not split into halves for printing purposes. Also, all theese models are not netfabbed. Model was done without open edges (all the elements are watertight), but there are polygons that uses the same space, intersections and things alike.
SiegeTankHookE. This is exported version of the hook that doesn't have "integrated" supports and it also not netfabbed.
SiegeTankTracksE. It is a way different model from the SiegeTankTracksER. Here is no model optimization for the printing. Form is original to the model I've initially made.
SiegeTankTuskE. All the tusk without supports
Please note (!): the STL files I've used fo printing were a bit different from hosted onese - just tried to remove some bugs with the original models, but even I've tested the files in 3dsmax, I can't guarantee there are no mistakes there. There must be none, but in case you find something, let me know, I'll fix it.
