[WIP] Benisuzume Posable Figure (Knights of Sidonia / Sidonia no Kishi)

thingiverse

This is still a work-in-progress. Some files might be incorrect right now because I have many versions of STLs and can't remember which ones I used... sorry... - The backpack design is partially done but not yet completed, so I haven't uploaded it yet. I'm also working on smaller and stronger joints/hinges. No estimated time of completion has been given, and I plan to rework the assembly process to be more like Gunpla for other mecha designs. - One 123D Design file contains all parts that I've printed so far. You can use this file to edit part dimensions or change connectors. Note that this 123D file is **before** I edited the part in Meshmixer to get the lumpy look, which is why all of those pieces are nice and sharp. **What you need to assemble this:** Print one of each thing, except for: - Print 2 x newcalf.stl - Print 6 x ballpeg.stl - Print 8 x socketpeg.stl - Print 2 x elbow1peg1hole.stl - Print 2 x Hinge (1) thin.stl I recommend printing the joint stuff separately and printing extras because they are highly likely to fail and break - especially the sockets. I used hot glue to glue everything together. ----- Bit of background: Benisuzume ("Crimson Hawk Moth") is essentially an alien reproduction of human-made mechas from "Knights of Sidonia". While the mechas are geometrically sharp and clean, Benisuzume (and her sisters) are very organic and look like they were sculpted from lumps of meat. In-universe, they are distinctly unsettling for various reasons. I think there were prototypes for a Figma of this character, but sales of the normal mechas (look up 'Tsugumori' and 'Type 18 Garde') were pretty bad, so Benisuzume would probably have done even worse. So I set out to try to design and print at least a moderately posable "figure" as a fun challenge. Designing joints for the figure was the first problem. It just takes a lot of trial-and-error to get right (and still isn't quite good enough tbh). Added onto the resolution limitations of my printer, the joints ended being pretty big. This basically defines the minimum size of the figure to be about 20 cm, or 1:100 scale (the Figmas are about 1:144, or about 14.5 cm). I made ball joints, single hinge, and double hinge joints. Test runs with the joints were fine, but after switching spools of filament (same maker, same time, supposedly same material, different color), the ball joint sockets are just... bad. Second problem was sculpting the frame. I did basic geometry in 123D Design, which is pretty good for jamming together basic shapes. Benisuzume though is spiky and rounded and pockmarked, so I then used Meshmixer to do a lot of editing and attempt to recreate that meaty texture.