The next part of the VSS that will be extremely critical to get right -- as it will become a center point for photos -- is the engine room. In the previous version of the VSS this section was horizontal where the two large engine thrusters were side-to-side. In this version the thrusters are going to be vertical. The reason is partly for eye candy (me thinking this will give the new VSS a more space-ship appearance.) The second reason is the previous layout got very tight around the thrusters and ideally I wanted more spacing all around the engines. Having more spacing would help with photos and give a better impression how massive the VSS actually is. The tight areas were difficult for a figure to fit, so that limited photography in those areas. But this new vertical layout should alleviate that issue. In fact the issue now is there's a bit too much spacing that I now have to pad those areas. Not a problem, really. I'll just add more equipment. Attaching the engine room extension to the main body of the VSS is done with a small linkage. I don't currently have an idea how I'll design the front of this VSS, but I have a gut feeling this linkage is going to get used again. The front of this VSS might be another vertical piece. Would the front be some sort of main gun or some Star Trek inspired "Ten-Forward" observation lounge, I don't know. Both sound intriguing to do. Building this VSS is somewhat like building a modern day skyscraper where the superstructure is built first, then floors and walls are added. This approach does offer a number of advantages for a diorama system over a traditional approach. These days companies that produce a diorama system take the view that the market is about toys, and although it is, those who are purchasing the diorama system are adults and adults do approach handing toys and things like models differently than a child does. The level of realism can be increased. The toy-ish approach to a diorama system is simply to supply tiles for a floor and wall. The thought is one side of the diorama will remain open for accessibility. At DioWarriors we experimented with many different approaches and it was decided that since our audience are adults, the method if "play" an adult does is mostly to display a figure in a pose and admire the overall diorama. Much like how a cell of a comic book is, where in each cell depict a different scene, an adult will typically pose a figure in a scene and leave it at that, When the adult returns, typically he or she alters the pose and objects, changing the scene and again leaves it at that. Admires the scene from a distance.
So, with this in mind, building the superstructure like a skyscraper will enable the VSS to be a 360 degree diorama. Meaning that in every angle, at every point of view, the figures posed within the VSS will be completed enclosed by the VSS. To access the figures and props various hatches will open enabling access. But this also means that when the hatches are closed there will be no way to see what's going on inside the VSS unless through a window or if there are cameras mounted/hidden inside the VSS itself. Certainly another challenge to overcome. |
DioWarriorsLatest News blog thingy. Archives
May 2024
Categories |