Walking tank Prototype

For this project I wanted to take one of the vehicles that show up in my comic “The Adventures of the 19XX” and turn it into a physical model or prototype for something that can be mass produced. I started with a 3d model built in Google Sketchup.  I’ve used Cinema 4D but Google Sketchup is so ridiculously easy that I’ve starting using that program.  The only thing that takes a little planning in Sketchup is curved surfaces.  So it is almost useless for making people or organic shapes.

The first step after my model was done was to find a place that did 3D printing.  I got a couple quotes and decided on http://wwwmoddler.com.  I sent the files over to them and was told I needed to make some changes.  One thing I changed was the shape of the legs.  Since they were going to have to support the body I added some more strength to the joints and included pegs for them to attach to the body.  The folks over at Moddler were very helpful and I don’t think I would have gotten the same service somewhere else.

So after a couple weeks of sending files back and forth the final pieces came in the mail.  I did a little sanding to get the parts to fit together.  Then I painted a primer coat in grey, and then a coat in olive.  The last picture shows the fully painted model complete with the “nose art” that the character Vera Brecht uses in the book on her walking tank. I’m very happy with how the whole thing came out and I’m already sketching ideas for my next vehicle I”m going to prototype that will show up in the next book.