@Revell-Fan, As always, you have done a STELLAR JOB on this project. The graphics are crisp and clear.
I will have to give this a go.
I will have to give this a go.
Enhanced BB-8 from Star Wars
- Thread starter Revell-Fan
- Start date
Very nice of you! 
I have finished the head job.
During the first assembly I noticed that the perimeter of the head was a bit edgy. It assembles fine and gives a nice result but well, I thought it could be a bit rounder. So the problem was: How to add more faces to an unfold without having access to the original 3D model?
The big advantage of the model is that it is symmetrical and that each petal has the same shape. Increasing the polycount should be possible by editing the unfolded pattern in my favourite vector program (CorelDRAW). So I took one of the petals ...
... and traced the outlines:
Then I re-aligned the traced outline and divided it into the single faces that formed the whole petal:
You see that there are four different shapes (I coloured them differently so that it is easier for you to follow my description).
I took one of the elements, added a guide line that went straight through the middle and drew two lines (red) from one side to the middle:
The lines were centered:
and the edges closed to get a new complete shape:
That way I ended up with a new face which was half as wide than the original face (important: the heigth remained unchanged).
Then I doubled the new face and arranged the parts side by side:
Dang - one face was turned into two faces!
That was quite OK with me but now a new problem arouse: If you increase the number of faces assembly of the current unfold will be trickier and maybe not as clean because there are twice as many petals to be glued together. So I changed the assembly and turned the petals into rings. Now if you compare the new design (right) with the old one (left) you'll see this:
The face count was doubled which leads to a nicer curvature - exactly what I wanted to achieve.
I have finished the head job.
During the first assembly I noticed that the perimeter of the head was a bit edgy. It assembles fine and gives a nice result but well, I thought it could be a bit rounder. So the problem was: How to add more faces to an unfold without having access to the original 3D model?
The big advantage of the model is that it is symmetrical and that each petal has the same shape. Increasing the polycount should be possible by editing the unfolded pattern in my favourite vector program (CorelDRAW). So I took one of the petals ...
... and traced the outlines:
Then I re-aligned the traced outline and divided it into the single faces that formed the whole petal:
You see that there are four different shapes (I coloured them differently so that it is easier for you to follow my description).
I took one of the elements, added a guide line that went straight through the middle and drew two lines (red) from one side to the middle:
The lines were centered:
and the edges closed to get a new complete shape:
That way I ended up with a new face which was half as wide than the original face (important: the heigth remained unchanged).
Then I doubled the new face and arranged the parts side by side:
Dang - one face was turned into two faces!
That was quite OK with me but now a new problem arouse: If you increase the number of faces assembly of the current unfold will be trickier and maybe not as clean because there are twice as many petals to be glued together. So I changed the assembly and turned the petals into rings. Now if you compare the new design (right) with the old one (left) you'll see this:
The face count was doubled which leads to a nicer curvature - exactly what I wanted to achieve.
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Aligning the texture was another big challenge but using multiple guide lines and helpful circles I succeeded. However, there was one major point of uncertainty left: Would all pieces fit together?
Only a test build would show.
The new parts.
Three rings for the top with paper strips added to their back sides.
Step by step they are glued together.
IT FITS!!! YAY!!!
The bottom ring is attached.
Left: the old head, right: the new one (still missing the eye pieces).
Well, which one looks better?
Only a test build would show.
The new parts.
Three rings for the top with paper strips added to their back sides.
Step by step they are glued together.
IT FITS!!! YAY!!!
The bottom ring is attached.
Left: the old head, right: the new one (still missing the eye pieces).
Well, which one looks better?
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I like the one on the right. It looks more rounded to match the body, plus matches closer to R2-D2's dome head. The one on the left, while still looking good has a octagon shape to it. Looks Great Revell Fan! You have really improved this model.
SMOOOOOOOTH!!!!!
The 'octagonal' head was the most annoying part for me.... It just didn't look right.....
R-F, as usual has perfected it..........
Smooth balls are always preferable ......
The 'octagonal' head was the most annoying part for me.... It just didn't look right.....
R-F, as usual has perfected it..........
Smooth balls are always preferable ......
The final bits and pieces were added.
The anttenas are wooden rods painted with acrylic paint.
There are a few small tweaks here and there but I call this one FINISHED!
Meet - (the enhanced) BB-8!
Unfortunately it was too windy outside which constantly caused the ball to roll away so I had to take some pics inside using the flash. Two small texture bits must be changed, then I will send the kit to Nathan for approval. Stay tuned!
The anttenas are wooden rods painted with acrylic paint.
There are a few small tweaks here and there but I call this one FINISHED!
Meet - (the enhanced) BB-8!
Unfortunately it was too windy outside which constantly caused the ball to roll away so I had to take some pics inside using the flash. Two small texture bits must be changed, then I will send the kit to Nathan for approval. Stay tuned!
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I just received word from Nathan:
THANK YOU, NATHAN!!!
rinks:rinks:rinks:
Aaaand... Model's up!
http://www.zealot.com/resources/enhanced-bb-8.1594/
Grab it before it escapes (that lil' guy is real fast)!
Have fun and enjoy!
Nathan Spencer said:
THANK YOU, NATHAN!!!
rinks:rinks:rinks:Aaaand... Model's up!
http://www.zealot.com/resources/enhanced-bb-8.1594/
Grab it before it escapes (that lil' guy is real fast
)!Have fun and enjoy!
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Thanks! Nice of him to give you permission.Is he going to put the revised version on his site?
Super work R-F! Downloaded and ready to print ......
Thank you for perfecting it .... thumbsup
Thank you for perfecting it .... thumbsup
It is really a neat model. Without his groundwork we surely would not have got this version so quickly.
@blake7 : I don't know yet; maybe he or I will. A few minutes after I had posted the picture of my build on DeviantArt I got a request for the new template. So there are fans out there wanting this model. However, Zealot is the first spot to get it.
@DanBKing : I'm looking forward to seeing what you will achieve with water-shaping, my friend!!!
@blake7 : I don't know yet; maybe he or I will. A few minutes after I had posted the picture of my build on DeviantArt I got a request for the new template. So there are fans out there wanting this model. However, Zealot is the first spot to get it.
@DanBKing : I'm looking forward to seeing what you will achieve with water-shaping, my friend!!!
Super job, Revell-Fan! You and Nathan are to be congratulated on a fine collaboration.
Thanks guys for sharing. Regards, Robert
Thanks guys for sharing. Regards, Robert
Wow, Looks perfect. I have built the original Version - and it was good. - I will build your version, too.
Thanks for making and sharing.
Thanks for making and sharing.
Woot!
My nieces were nagging me to print a good BB-8 template for them for a while now.
Thx!
My nieces were nagging me to print a good BB-8 template for them for a while now.
Thx!
Never mind the Bollocks! that is an amazing model! Think Disney/Lucasarts will be looking for new prop-makers
I'm just wondering WHY this model has eluded me for so long... Nathan released his original model in April 2015..! 
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