Alright guys, some big questions here

[DaJe]

Incase you didn't know, I plan on modeling a case after the Xel'Naga temple from Starcraft.



Here's the temple in game

http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/xelnaga/xelnagatemple.jpg


Here's a cinematic of the temple

http://codeinsurrection.com


And here are 70 screenshots from that video

http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/xelnaga


I also contacted Blizzard about getting some better images from them to use as a reference.

Now to build the case, I was thinking of getting some sheets of alluminum, cutting them with a dremel, and then bending them somehow (not sure what to use for the bending). Then welding them together I suppose (though I don't have equipment for that). Would I be able to solder the pieces together? Then for the details I was thinking of carving and painting some plastic pieces and then glueing them to the outside of the case. Perhaps doing some kitbashing (anyone know of any kits that would be good for this?).


In the video, you'll notice how a blue beam of energy comes down from the top. What I was thinking about doing was putting a reservoir where the spire is floating on the top of the temple, and then having a two tubes comming down, one on each side, with a blue colored coolant in them.


Now in this video clip, you can see the top of the temple opening up and a platform rising up

http://codeinsurrection.com/video/xelnaga3


Also seen in these screenshots

http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/xelnaga/vlc%202006-12-16%2012-41-38-25.jpg
http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/xelnaga/vlc%202006-12-16%2012-41-39-28.jpg
http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/xelnaga/vlc%202006-12-16%2012-41-43-84.jpg
http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/xelnaga/vlc%202006-12-16%2012-41-45-53.jpg
http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/xelnaga/vlc%202006-12-16%2012-41-56-33.jpg
http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/xelnaga/vlc%202006-12-16%2012-41-58-03.jpg
http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/xelnaga/vlc%202006-12-16%2012-41-58-97.jpg
http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/xelnaga/vlc%202006-12-16%2012-42-00-95.jpg
http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/xelnaga/vlc%202006-12-16%2012-42-02-70.jpg
http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/xelnaga/vlc%202006-12-16%2012-42-04-89.jpg
http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/xelnaga/vlc%202006-12-16%2012-42-06-50.jpg
http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/xelnaga/vlc%202006-12-16%2012-42-08-81.jpg


I had an idea for when the computer turned on, the top would open up like than and an exhaust fan would rise up and fit the hole. But now I'm thinking maybe I'll make a model of that platform and make that rise up instead.


Now, I really have no experience with any of this, so I'm was hoping you guys can give me some tips on what to do and how to work with these different materials. Also, does anybody have any ideas on how I could make the top open up like in the video? I already have a general idea of taking seperate metal plates to form the opening, but I'm not sure how I'm going to create the mechanism to open it. Any advice?

[DaJe]

Not one reply, almost on the second page.

[DaveW]

It's because no-one wants to click a bucketfuls of links. Embed some of the images in the page to get more replies.

-Dave

[SgtM]

Incase you didn't know, I plan on modeling a case after the Xel'Naga temple from Starcraft.



Here's the temple in game

http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/xelnaga/xelnagatemple.jpg


Here's a cinematic of the temple

http://codeinsurrection.com


And here are 70 screenshots from that video

http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/xelnaga


I also contacted Blizzard about getting some better images from them to use as a reference.

Now to build the case, I was thinking of getting some sheets of alluminum, cutting them with a dremel, and then bending them somehow (not sure what to use for the bending). Then welding them together I suppose (though I don't have equipment for that). Would I be able to solder the pieces together? Then for the details I was thinking of carving and painting some plastic pieces and then glueing them to the outside of the case. Perhaps doing some kitbashing (anyone know of any kits that would be good for this?).


In the video, you'll notice how a blue beam of energy comes down from the top. What I was thinking about doing was putting a reservoir where the spire is floating on the top of the temple, and then having a two tubes comming down, one on each side, with a blue colored coolant in them.


Now in this video clip, you can see the top of the temple opening up and a platform rising up

http://codeinsurrection.com/video/xelnaga3


Also seen in these screenshots

http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/xelnaga/vlc%202006-12-16%2012-41-38-25.jpg
http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/xelnaga/vlc%202006-12-16%2012-41-39-28.jpg
http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/xelnaga/vlc%202006-12-16%2012-41-43-84.jpg
http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/xelnaga/vlc%202006-12-16%2012-41-45-53.jpg
http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/xelnaga/vlc%202006-12-16%2012-41-56-33.jpg
http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/xelnaga/vlc%202006-12-16%2012-41-58-03.jpg
http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/xelnaga/vlc%202006-12-16%2012-41-58-97.jpg
http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/xelnaga/vlc%202006-12-16%2012-42-00-95.jpg
http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/xelnaga/vlc%202006-12-16%2012-42-02-70.jpg
http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/xelnaga/vlc%202006-12-16%2012-42-04-89.jpg
http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/xelnaga/vlc%202006-12-16%2012-42-06-50.jpg
http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/xelnaga/vlc%202006-12-16%2012-42-08-81.jpg


I had an idea for when the computer turned on, the top would open up like than and an exhaust fan would rise up and fit the hole. But now I'm thinking maybe I'll make a model of that platform and make that rise up instead.


Now, I really have no experience with any of this, so I'm was hoping you guys can give me some tips on what to do and how to work with these different materials. Also, does anybody have any ideas on how I could make the top open up like in the video? I already have a general idea of taking seperate metal plates to form the opening, but I'm not sure how I'm going to create the mechanism to open it. Any advice?
Fixed links to display images.

[jdbnsn]

You need to take this design and break it down into a plan involving steps.
Step 1. get the dimensions of all the components you intend to use in this rig.
Step 2. mess around with arrangements of these components to fit inside a pyramid structure while leaving a chimney type portal clear for future exhaust fan design.
Step 3. build models of your components and see if they really fit (and consider airflow, wiring harnesses, water tubing if you plan to watercool)

Then you can start to plan out how to make the frame and the lift, worry about the detailing last. For the frame, I would recommend aluminum angle strips which can be found at most hardware stores. The reason is they aren't too expensive (subjective) and they are real easy to shape, file, drill, and polish. But for the sides, I think aluminum will be too much money and you won't get mush benefit over a cheaper substance. Hell, even scrap plastic you pull from a dumpster would work because you will be covering it with paint and such later, provided it's durable enough. Also, welding aluminum is very tricky and requires special equipment (MIG/TIG welder), and this thin of aluminum would be especially challenging. I would count on using rivets, small bolts/nuts, adhesive, etc... to connect them. So draw up some plans and get back to us.

[isunktheship]

Yay starcraft!

I would post pictures of my mod that will be done this summer, but... I don't want to spoil the surprise.

Mess around with some 3d tools or build a model out of carboard to get the measurements down.

[DaJe]

So you think the outisde face of it should be made all out of plastic? I'll want it to be slightly curved too. I just have no idea how to work with any of this, but I still want to do it.

[m4gnum]

This mod: http://www.bit-tech.net/modding/2006/12/17/Mod_of_the_Year_2006/12.html has a similar style to what you are after. You may be able to pick up some ideas.

[ReignInPain]

This mod: http://www.bit-tech.net/modding/2006/12/17/Mod_of_the_Year_2006/12.html has a similar style to what you are after. You may be able to pick up some ideas.

That is some Classic Command&Conquer right there! :up:

[DaJe]

Alright, time for me to start actually working on some ideas with this. I'm making the components out of cardboard now. Click the images below to see full sized images.



http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/PICT7395thumb.jpg (http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/PICT7395.JPG)



http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/PICT7396thumb.jpg (http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/PICT7396.JPG)




I still have more parts to make, of course, but that's all I have done for now. Oddly enough, I got the cardboard from the boxes that all my computer parts came in.

[Drew]

Love the mockups, great idea dude!

And that temple of NOD case? Amaaaazing.

Good luck.

And working with plastic is sooooooo much easier that working with metal (messy though).

[rendermandan]

Deffinetly a cool design for a case. I have never played WOW, so I dont' know much about it, but its a cool looking builiding. Good luck!

[Spacehonkey]

I'm surprised no one has suggested using SketchUp yet. I'm sure if you've been reading up on some of the logs here then you've hear about it. You can download a free version that has all the basic features you'll need to build up a mock 3D version of you mod.

http://sketchup.google.com/

If you're not use to using a 3D program don't worry it's take a little playing with but I'm sure you'll get the hag of it. Plus there's a google sketchup 3D warehouse that has some computer parts already made that you can download and fit into your design to help get an idea of space issues that you might run into.

As far as posting pix on the forum you should use something like photobucket then people won't be annoyed with having to click on a butt load of links to see what you're talking about.

http://www.photobucket.com

[DaJe]

Or I could just embed them all. I just don't want to embed things that are too big. Which is why I made smaller versions of the cardboard pictures.