Might as well start a worklog here

[DaJe]

Since now I'm finally starting to put together my ideas and work out a rough mock-up of what I'm doing. Here's what I plan on making.



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.


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 so far, I've re-created all of my parts with cardboard. This way I can decide how to position them, and make sure they fit where put. Click the thumbnails to view the full sized images.


Hard drive
http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/harddrivethumb.jpg (http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/PICT7408.JPG) http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/harddrivethumb2.jpg (http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/PICT7409.JPG)


Video card
http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/videocardthumb.jpg (http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/PICT7405.JPG) http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/videocardthumb2.jpg (http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/PICT7406.JPG)


RAM
http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/ramthumb.jpg (http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/PICT7407.JPG)


DVD drive
http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/discdrivethumb.jpg (http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/PICT7410.JPG) http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/discdrivethumb2.jpg (http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/PICT7411.JPG)


Power supply
http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/powersupplythumb.jpg (http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/PICT7412.JPG) http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/powersupplythumb2.jpg (http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/PICT7413.JPG)


The parts arranged in way they currently are in my current case
http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/computerthumb.jpg (http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/PICT7416.JPG) http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/computerthumb2.jpg (http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/PICT7417.JPG) http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/computerthumb3.jpg (http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/PICT7418.JPG)



And next I'll need to come up with a rough model of the case itself. Just the basic shape and structure.

[Spawn-Inc]

man thats prolly the cheapest, price wise, computer i've seen. how big do you plan on making the case and of what material? you have some screen shots of the inside of the building does that mnea your going to try and make it look the same on the inside too?!

anyways it sounds/looks like a good case/computer.

[DaJe]

It's been recommended to me to make the case out of plastic, though I'll at least want a metal frame for it. I'm not completely sure yet how I'm going to make it, but I'll figure it out as I go along. I was thinking about decorating aprt of the inside, but I'm not sure if I will. The light up parts you see on the outside of the emple, I might make into windows. And If I do that, I'll probably want to make it look pleasant inside. And when you say cheapest computer, do you mean the cardboard parts, or what I have in my signiture?

[Spawn-Inc]

cardboard computer. ur specs are far from cheap. once i get 2500 i will pretty much have the same specs as you
asus striker
C2D E6600
asus or BFG 8800gtx
ocz nvidia sli ddr2 1066
ocz 850w psu
2 sata lightscribes
seagate 250 sata (already have :))
TT amour

but it will be bought over 4-6 months probably

[DaJe]

I just thought of soemthing that I'm usrprised I didn't think of yet. I'm not sure how I'll setup how the case will be opened.

[Spawn-Inc]

beucase of the shape i would have it lift the whole case striaght up off the frame or just one side open up. maybe even have it split in half.

[DaJe]

I did have the thought of lifting it, but I thought up a fw problems that would cause. Splitting open sounds good, but I'll need to think on that some more to make sure it wouldn't cause any problems. One side opening could always work though.

[jdbnsn]

great start! now you can accurately determine what dimesions your pyramid needs to be.

[DaJe]

Yep. I was thinking of maybe making some of the other parts of the motherboard too. Such as the ports in the back, the copper heatsinks and heatpipes, and maybe the PCI slots and the 24 pin plug. I already have the processor's heatsink made and taped onto the cardboard motherboard. I also made up another DVD drive (since I have a second one in my computer, and it's a different size).

[.Maleficus.]

This is a very ambitious case, but if you can pull it off, you'll have one hell of a case! Great design, and good subject matter to base it off. That's a pretty neat temple, and would be sweet as a case.

Few questions. What are you making it out of? Where will the DVD Drive open?

Great start man, keep it up!

[DaJe]

Those two questions I still haven't made a final decision on. As well as how will I access the back ports. The DVD drives will probably be on the base. From suggestions I've recieved, it seems by best choice for case material would be plastic, with a metal frame. And by frame I don't mean the whole thing shaped in metal. I mean like a skeleton, like this

http://lab108.x0.com/lab108/pyramid_frame.jpg


And as for accessing things like USB ports, I was thinking of doing something like the memory card slots on an Xbox 360. A little door with a spring on it that I just push a plug into.

[Drew]

That's a big ol' frame :p

Seriously, you need some luck dude

:banana: :banana: :banana:

^^^ they're lucky bananas.

As it was said before, if you pull it off (oo-errr) it'll be one hell of a toy.

[DaJe]

I like doing big things, and always have big goals and aspirations. Next I just need to get some plywood or something, and come up with how big I'll make the case, and the layout of everything. Then I can build a plywood model to make sure it works. After that I'll make a metal frame and then think up the next step.

[chaksq]

Okay I like the concept. Have fun with this one!

[DaJe]

I just had an idea for how I could make the case. Rather than having a metal frame with plastic sides, I thought of a way to have it all metal. I could get some metal sheets, bend them to a 90° angle at the edges, and then rivet them together. The problem is, I don't have any tools to cut or bend metal. Or a rivet gun. And I'm not sure how much it would cost me to buy all this sheet metal. But if I did that, it would also make it easy to design the outside by building up plastic pieces on the outside of the metal. And it would make it easier to support everything else too. And I'd still have to have a tray for the motherboard and whatnot. The biggest problem though is probably the money. If I had money, I could do anything with it; easierly aquire the things I needed.

[Spacehonkey]

Those two questions I still haven't made a final decision on. As well as how will I access the back ports. The DVD drives will probably be on the base.

Maybe have your temple sitting on a modeled piece of earth like the Doom 3 project that Paul, a.k.a Crimson Sky, did.
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j189/spacehonkey/Computer%20Mod/doombase.jpg
You can then have the DVD drive pop out of that and the motherboard back ports sticking out the back of it and it won't interfere with the temple design. If you plan on using acrylic panel for the sides of the temple then doing this might also clean up the inside of the temple buy lowering all the part into the base(earth). I know this will create a lot more work for you but since you're still in the planning faze I thought I would shoot this idea to you.

[DaJe]

I'm actually starting to get a lot of ideas now about how I could do this if I added a base. And the original design on the Xel'Naga temple, it appears, seems to be a little short, but still wide. So I could end up doing that if I added a base. I could also use the base to add all sorts of crazy components if needed. I was thinking of mounting my power supply at the top center of the temple. The part where it's a flat sqaure. My power supply has a fan on the bottom, so I could mount it blowing up. From what I've read of this thread (http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2394) so far, it's given me a lot of confidence about bending sheet metal. And I just realised, all I'd needt to cut it is a dremel, right? And as for riveting it, perhaps I could just simply use screws instead. So the next question is, where to get sheet metal steel, and how much will it cost. I'm currently in search of a new job (and not having much luck with that), so I have limited funds right now too. So, I have no cutting tool, and no materials at this point. I suppose I'll find a way through this eventually. I guess I just need to focus on the next step of designing a rough model. I'll have to go out and good some wood to do that with.

[DaJe]

I've been studying the video more, and am learning new details of the temple that have been previously unnoticed.



Take a look at these screenshots for example


http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/xelnaga/vlc%202006-12-16%2012-41-34-34.jpg

http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/xelnaga/vlc%202006-12-16%2012-46-04-89.jpg

http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/xelnaga/vlc%202006-12-16%2012-46-06-48.jpg

http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/xelnaga/vlc%202006-12-16%2012-46-08-09.jpg



I noticed that the sides of the emple don't just run straight all the way to the peak. The part below the peak seems to be indented, and has a round shape to it, with a flat sqaure for the base of the peak. Also, along the sides, below where the peak is, ther seems to be ye another section, with parts that stick out along the sides, and curve upward.




I'm trying out making everything in sketchup now, rather than having all of it out of cardboard.


http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/sketchup2.png



In the above picture, you see my motherboard, video card, power supply, hard drive, optical drives, and that big sqaure is the base of the case (20" x 20")



Right now I'm waiting on myself to buy a Dremel. I'm also occasionally at my drafting desk, comming up with how the final design will be. I still have a few small things to settle on. I did get another idea though. The section under the peak section, where it has parts along each corner, sort of like a stool. What I could do is I could put all the front panel stuff in the middle of one of those. The disc drives and the power button and all of that.


And when I say "in each corner", I don't mean the big pillars that rise up on the sides.

[Crimson Sky]

The cardboard models REALLY help. I do not make any scratch-built mods without one, I've learned some hard lessons about space. Keep up the good work!

[DaJe]

On that advice, perhaps I should go over to the post office and see if I can get some free boxes. I have a bunch of boxes already, but I need bigger, consistant pieces. And even though I can see how it would look with sketchup, I can really have a good idea of how it would look and the size of it and all of that with a model. Off I go!


Oh, one question though. I've been trying to contact Blizzard about perhaps aquiring some reference images of the temple, but I'm not sure exactly who to contact. Any ideas?

[Crimson Sky]

A lot of these game developers have downloadable media packs on their website for use in advertising and fan art. scour the site and see.

[DaJe]

I've tried searching their site, and have come out with nothing. i've never even seen a fanart picture of it. The game did nearly come out 9 years ago though. Perhaps I should try calling this phone support number I found. There's a possibility that perhaps what I'm looking for might not actually exist.

[Guardian]

If the developer EVER released a media pack of some sort, someone else should have posted it on the net. google it. Looking forward to the project

[DaJe]

I was trying to think of what else I could do to make this mod special and stand out. One idea occured to me when I was doing the live broadcast of my computer and decided to put a Dr Pepper can inside, on top of my 8800GTX.


http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/drgtx.jpg





Perhaps I could setup some sort of hatch that could open up, that could fit one maybe two cans in it, and keep them cool.


http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/vlcsnap-2657090.png



"Thank god for cold fusion"



And as for the art, I've seen every piece of art for Starcraft ever released. I even have art and screenshots from the beta version of it. You never even see the Xel'Naga race in the game, the temple is the only thing. I just guess there isn't anything out there besides what I already have.

[DaJe]

I'm starting to fool around in SketchUp some more.




Right now I'm attempting to make the part the holds the peak, as well as the rounded part below it which holds the pillars.

http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/platform.png


http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/platform2.png


http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/platform3.png



I still have some size modification to do in some areas on the rounded part though.










Alright. So I've refined that part, but now I have a new task to undertake. I made a rough pyramid shape just to see how well things would fit in there, and it worries me about where I'm going to place each componenet and how I'll set it all up.


http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/inside.png
http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/inside2.png




And now I just got two ideas. My first thought was maybe I could mount the motherboard against one of the sides, and have the ports come out the top. But I don't think I'd be comfortable with with it on that steep of an angle. So my second thought was to have the motherboard on just a slight slant, with the back side (right side in the above images) parallel to one side, witht he ports and everything comming out on that side. This could actually work rather well.


Either that or just create some sort of structure in the back. I'm just so full of ideas right now. Time to get to work with making plans.

[Indybird]

I like where this mod is going. My friend is a huge starcraft/protoss fan and really wants to see this mod done.

Id recommend you angle the motherboard so it is perpendicular to the sides...

Oh yeah, and +rep for a cool idea and mod

[DaJe]

I need some opinions on this. I came up with an idea of how I could design the back of it. I just hope it doesn't take too much away from the temple.



On the left of this image, you can see the curved part on the side of the temple.

http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/xelnaga/vlc%202006-12-16%2012-46-06-48.jpg




This is what I've turned it into


http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/backpanel.png

http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/backpanel2.png

http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/backpanel3.png

http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/backpanel4.png



What do you guys think of that?

[jdbnsn]

looking great!

[DaJe]

I just got another idea. That curved part under the platform. I could mount the power supply in the main part of the case, under that curved part. And I could have the fan on the power supply pointing up. And in that curved part, I could build a fan with sideways blades, that will taker the air up from the power supply and send it out the sides.



I've also pretty much figured out how I'm going to position everything.


http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/PICT7559.JPG
http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/PICT7560.JPG
http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/PICT7562.JPG
http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/PICT7565.JPG
http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/PICT7566.JPG
http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/PICT7568.JPG

[DaJe]

I just ran into a problem. If I get water cooling, I'll have to put a radiator somewhere. I have no idea where I'd place it though.

[agnat]

What I see as your biggest broblem is that big honkin video card! Instead of making one side fit it... set the mobo further in and make a little access panel on the back of the pyramid to open and give access to the various plugs. That way the outside of the pyramid doesn't get affected.

Agnat

[DaJe]

Well that panel would still have to be open at all times anyway.

[Indybird]

Any updates? I really want to see this one done.

Ill give you some rep for moving on... :up:

[azminisk8r]

hey daje just wondering where do you download your components for sketchup?

[DaJe]

Any updates? I really want to see this one done.

Ill give you some rep for moving on... :up:

My Dremel should arrive tomorrow.


hey daje just wondering where do you download your components for sketchup?

In sketchup, in the top right, click the icon that says "get models".

[DaJe]

I did some rethinking and I may put the motherboard on a slant. I didn't want components too close to each other, but if I water cool it it doesn't matter as much. And even if I had fans, I could probably setup a nice airflow. Next thing I need to do is look into purchasing some sheet metal. I also got another idea. I was thinking of installing a power strip inside the case. But then I was thinking, maybe I should embed it on the outside. Then I ould plug the monitor and everything into it too. It probably wouldn't look as good though if it had a whole lot of cables going to it like that though. But if I put it on the inside, I'm not sure what else I could plug into it besides the power supply. But, I could probably find a small strip with only a few outlets. Then I'd also have more room for the important components.

[DaJe]

Alright guys, I'm going to get some steel soon to start work on this.


And I also had another idea. I would like to be able to open up one side. So I was thinking of putting it on hinges. What would keep the side shut, would be 3 rare earth magnets

http://www.rare-earth-magnets.com/detail.aspx?ID=74

[Spacehonkey]

I saw this when I was surfing last night and thought you might be interested in it even though I don't think you would really need it.

Pyramid V Fan Silencer (http://www.twistedmods.com/article.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=238)

Logisys Computer Pyramid Fan Controller (http://www.ap0calypse.com/showthread.php?t=1824)

As far as the hinge idea I was flipping through Paul's book and saw a pyramid type case with hinges in it but I forgot the name of it. After work I'll look through it again and tell you the name of it so you can check it out for comparison.

EDIT: I went home for lunch and searched through the book again. The case is call "Pyramid PC" by David Prudenti. I did a quick search but couldn't find anything for you to look at, sorry.

[DaJe]

I just harvested an old case for parts to use. I removed every rivet from it and took it apart.



Using my Dremel

http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/PICT79322.jpg


And a drill bit

http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/PICT79262.jpg



I've got a motherboard tray

http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/PICT79332.jpg


5.25" bracket

http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/PICT79342.jpg


3.35" brackets

http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/PICT79352.jpg


And I'll take the I/O panel off the back panel

http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/PICT79242.jpg

[DaJe]

So anyways, I did some work on that motherboard tray. I cut off extra parts, drilled some rivet holes, and then bent the ends at a 45° angle so I can mount it on a slant. Though as I typed this post, I just realised that may cause problems for my big 8800GTX. That could be solved by getting a new motherboard tray,a longer one, since I already shortened the one I had.



It looks rough in some areas, but that's okay. It won't be seen, and has no effect on the structure of the case.


http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/PICT82872.jpg

http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/PICT82902.jpg




I can also now afford to buy some sheet metal, so I'll be doing that this week. But before I do that, I modified some of my ideas for the case design, so I should make that in sketchup first.

[NocturnaL]

The ideas look great man, i cant wait for you to get some hard modding done :)

[DaJe]

Well, I'm starting some actual building now. Earlier today I was sketching out cut lines on the aluminum, and more recently I've been drawing up some more design plans.

[DaJe]

So I have the aluminum, and I have all the tools, so I started actual work on the case now. I decided to make the base 2' x 2'. I was originally going to make it like 20" x 20", but I'll have to have a long motherboard tray because I have an 8800GTX and it'll be on a slant, so this will give me more flexability. And That'll give it better cooling, and make it so I can add more hard drives and whatnot, or any other kind of device I can think of. Since it's that big, and it's aluminum, I was thinking of building something undernearth the base for added support. But then I'd have even more room to put things, depending of how big I made it. So then there's the question of maybe I should just shorten it all back down to 20". But I guess for now I'll just go along and see what happens.




I started drawing up some more specific plans for this. Ignore the spire on top, that was just me making crude drawings to test out ideas of how I could put a reservoir there.

http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/DSC_2340%20(2)thumb.jpg (http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/DSC_2340%20(2).JPG)




So today I cut out the base for it all

http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/DSC_2340thumb.jpg (http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/DSC_2340.JPG)




I gave an extra half inch on each side, so I can bend it up at a 45° angle and rivet the sides to it

http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/DSC_2341thumb.jpg (http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/DSC_2341.JPG)




So I marked off some spots to drill the rivet holes

http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/DSC_2342thumb.jpg (http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/DSC_2342.JPG)




And starting making them

http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/DSC_2344thumb.jpg (http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/DSC_2344.JPG)




Though the drill bit got stuck on one of them, and kind of tore it up. So I had to make another hole right next to it. Seems aluminum really is soft.

http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/DSC_2343thumb.jpg (http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/DSC_2343.JPG)










Tomorrow I'll do the bending, and then figure out the dimensions for the sides of it, and cut those out.

[Computer-Geek]

Updates! :D

[DaJe]

Full sized versions of all of these images are available here (http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/worklog/9-3-07).



Alright, so here's what I've done now. I decided I did want to shorten the base down from 24 inches to 20 inches. So I did that, decided to make the bended parts on the sides be 1 inch each instead of half an inch, and drilled all of the rivet holes. I didn't take a picture of the fully drilled piece though. Next what I have to do is bend the edges, but I can;t do that until I know what angle I'm going to put the sides at. Based on the size of the base, and the size of the motherboard tray, the size of the sides and the angle is basically pre-determined. But the thing is I'm having a hard time trying to think of the image of it and figure it out. So I'm trying to make all of the parts that are certain first. My mind is just completely stuck and blocked though. So I know the motherboard tray is a certain thing, I decided to make that next.








So I've got a nice surface to work on setup in the shed now



http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/worklog/9-3-07/thumbs/DSC_0388.jpg


http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/worklog/9-3-07/thumbs/DSC_0387.jpg






It has plenty of slots for me to use my jigaw, which really does work a lot better than the cut-off wheels. The only thing is I needed a flat surface to clamp it down to, or else it would wobble way too much and wouldn't work.


http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/worklog/9-3-07/thumbs/DSC_0389.jpg






Makes nice clean straight cuts


http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/worklog/9-3-07/thumbs/DSC_0390.jpg



http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/worklog/9-3-07/thumbs/DSC_0391.jpg






The problem I had though was that this part got in the way, and ****ed up my cut a little. I eventually just took a skill saw and cut most of that out, enough for the jigsaw to move through.


http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/worklog/9-3-07/thumbs/DSC_0394.jpg






So anyways, I shortened the sides of the base


http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/worklog/9-3-07/thumbs/DSC_0396.jpg






And it came out rather nicely


http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/worklog/9-3-07/thumbs/DSC_0399.jpg






Plenty of aluminum dust everywhere, maybe I can harvest it for thermite ;)


http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/worklog/9-3-07/thumbs/DSC_0398.jpg






And then today I went ahead and made the motherboard tray. I didn't take any pictures of it while I was making it, but here's a picture of the (almost) final thing.


http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/worklog/9-3-07/thumbs/DSC_0414.jpg






I successfully used a tap to thread all of the holes and securely screwed in the stand-offs.


http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/worklog/9-3-07/thumbs/DSC_0418.jpg






And to test things out, the motherboard mounts on there perfectly!


http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/worklog/9-3-07/thumbs/DSC_0407.jpg



http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/worklog/9-3-07/thumbs/DSC_0409.jpg



http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/worklog/9-3-07/thumbs/DSC_0408.jpg






I still need to bend the two edges, so I can rivet it to the rest of the case. But I also can't bend these until I know what the size and angle of the sides is going to be.


http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/worklog/9-3-07/thumbs/DSC_0410.jpg



http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/worklog/9-3-07/thumbs/DSC_0412.jpg

[xRyokenx]

Idea! Instead of making all the holes for the ports in the back of the case you could just make a panel that lifts up that has a slot in it or something for all the cables to come out of... that'd be cool. Nice mobo and RAM and all that too... I bet that sucker runs quite well.

[DaJe]

Perhaps you could do like a quick drawing of what you're saying? I do have a few other ideas of how I could position my motherboard, but all involve having a full I/O panel.

[Remy]

Great work so far DaJe. The mobo tray came out nice. I just finished bending some alum. for my mod and found that making 2 passes using a straight edge and utility knife to mark where the bend will be, really helped make nice sharp corners.

[xRyokenx]

I'll give it a shot later. Basically you have the motherboard flat, with the I/O stuff facing back, you have a panel there that's cut out so it all fits there (not necessarily with little holes for each of the ports) and have a section of the back wall on a hinge so you can lift it up to connect things, and have a cutout on the bottom so it closes with all the cables there... I'll try drawing it when I get home.

[DaJe]

I've been trying to work out some angles in SketchUp, but it's just not coming out to what I want. The part that the motherboard will be in is just the bottom layer of the case, which is supposed to have steep sides, though I might be able to work with this angle. It's making me what to re-think my plans. I could try mounting the motherboard upside down at the top of the bottom layer, but that would screw up a few things.



I do have an idea that I'm going to try to work on next, and if it's good enough then I'll change my plans around it. I'm welcome to any input though. I'm having a bit of a mental block. I can't seem to picture the case.

[Crazy Buddhist]

Hey DaJe

Just read the whole worklog - great idea this case. Two things stand out for me at this point, the first, your custom user title, "The guy that does things" - which I know from personal experience to be true - and second Crimson Sky's advice that you build a cardboard mock up.

So my input is "put down the dremel" and build a cardboard mock up, full size, as picturing the case will then be easy. It's important sometimes to do things in a certain order.

Have a great day man!

:)


I do have an idea that I'm going to try to work on next, and if it's good enough then I'll change my plans around it. I'm welcome to any input though. I'm having a bit of a mental block. I can't seem to picture the case.

[DaJe]

I've been working on some ideas and making some models, and nothing seems to work well enough for what I'm trying to do. I think I'll add a base under it, like Crimson's Doom case has. I'll put the power supply, hard drive, and dvd drives in there, and leave the main compartment for the motherboard only (and my 8800GTX, which is part of the problem). I also need to think about the other parts of the case as well. The concave round part about the main piece, I think I'll put an exhaust fan there. I also need to think of any small cuts I might want to make in some pieces, if I'm going to add lights anywhere. I also need to come up with how I'll have the water cooling, and then make that too. The base that the spire sits upon, I'm not fully sure what I'd do with that, though maybe it'll just be decoration. Maybe I'll make it a hatch that opens up when the computer is powered on, and that's where the air will vent. And while looking at the drawing of the case design, I thought up a minor alteration to my models that would help out a lot.

[Crazy Buddhist]

I was thinking about this DaJe and came up with this.

How about:

Make the base a square tray big enough to house the mobo, about 2 1/2" deep and the base of the tower sitting on that but with the base of the tower itself extending about 1 1/4" further on all sides creating an overhang - so the tower appears to float those 2 1/2" above the desk.

Black powder coat the Aluminium base externally to add to the floating effect, and maybe even downlight from the underside of the ledge with some soft LED's that fit with your colour scheme.

At the back of the base would be all the I/O ports/panel of the mobo solving a lot of your wiring issues. You could add some USB ports/sound ports at the front too.

The 'overhang' would make up for the angle of the tower and leave enough headspace for your Vid/card and other PCI's.

The PSU & HDD's would be mounted inside the tower space - it would give you plenty of room for play.

You could either mount the optical drives in the base, opening to the front (if there is room) or stealth them behind flaps in the front of the tower - I think this is my favourite idea for them.

Your mod has been floating around in my weird old head for two days and that is what came out.

Best


:)

[DaJe]

That's actually a great idea you have there. Making the base just a little bit deep, that's brilliant. You're helping me past my block now. I have to give you some rep for that. Though I think all painting I do will be spraypaint.

And it looks like I have to give ep to other people before I give some to you.


And for the base, I could do what you said, or I could make the angled sides extend down over it, or I could make a rocky base. When I first read it, I still pictured it witht he motherboard angled. For the I/O panel, I need at least 5 inches of height. I think what I may do is extend the base down, keep the motherboard angled, and perhaps have panels on the base to easily access any drives or whatever if I want to do something like put the hard drive under the motherboard.


But if I extended the base, I'm wondering if I would want to just forget the piece I already cut out, and cut out a new base so it would all be in one piece.

[Crazy Buddhist]

That's actually a great idea you have there. Making the base just a little bit deep, that's brilliant. You're helping me past my block now. I have to give you some rep for that. Though I think all painting I do will be spraypaint.

...

For the I/O panel, I need at least 5 inches of height.

...

But if I extended the base, I'm wondering if I would want to just forget the piece I already cut out, and cut out a new base so it would all be in one piece.

1. Glad my mind wriggling is helping you through the blocks :)

2. Rep Schmep -I'm doing this for fun and because ... "when I was young ..."

3. You'll get the five inches .. you havent quite got my meaning ... I am looking for an online sketchpad I can use to draw something

4. THATS WHY Mr Capello models his work quite fully in cardboard before using expensive materials and recommends you do same

I'll be back with a link to some cack-handed drawing I have knocked up later

:)

[DaJe]

If you want something online that you can use to draw and show to me, try this http://artpad.art.com/artpad/painter


You can draw it right on there, and then either have the linked e-mailed to me, or get a direct link to post here. It won't require you to download or upload anything.

[DaJe]

I might have your meaning, but it isn't represented in the following image. But even if I don't follow it exactly as you say, this will still help out a lot by having the base have depth.




http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/deepbase1.jpg

[Crazy Buddhist]

I might have your meaning, but it isn't represented in the following image. But even if I don't follow it exactly as you say, this will still help out a lot by having the base have depth.


it's totally your baby man .. I'm just using this weird brain of mine to try and help you jump hurdles ... if it helps it helps :)

... can't get any drawing program on the net that works (cos I have a keyboard here six inches long with a joystick that is totally uncontrollable) ...

so I am going to try and draw what I mean using ASCII characters. This should be .... errrr .... can't decide if I mean interesting, impossible, frustrating or downright dumb ... hehehe .. post coming ....

:)

EDIT 1st attempt roaring success ... totally got it pinned down then accidentally hit the "exit internet" button they put next to the space bar on this rediculous keypad ... now that was frustrating ... here goes again.

ps once out of hospital I'm gonna get a gun and hunt down the designer of the keyboard. He should not be allowed to live - who puts the "quit" button next to the space bar - only a fool.

[DaJe]

Here's my current idea of what I'll do, base off of what I've understood from you so far and molded to my liking. I'll make the base have depth. I'll make the angled sides come down relative to the base, but have space between the two. If you look in the image I posted above, that triangular area in the bottom left between the side in the base, that would be empty space. What I would then put there are some blue lights. I could either put a soft light spread out upon the whole thing, or I could put some LEDs kind of like spotlights, but a little more spread out than spotlights. As for the base, I like the idea of painting the bottom area black. That way the overhang from the sides would block out outside light, making the base not visable if you ever look under it. I'd still like to see what ideas you have though.

[Crazy Buddhist]

right ... try number 2


____________/
___________/
__________/
_________/_____Mount everything else up here
________/______Inside the pyramid space
_______/
______/
_____/___<--- Like under the eaves of a house you get the extra
____/__________"headroom" for the PCI cards because of the overhang
___/____l_______created by the ledge
________l
________l <--- I/O panel
________l_________________<--- MOBO right at the base flat makes simple


OK - so this is the side view cutaway - i've only drawn the back (you try drawing in ASCII :D :D ) - but basically any sideview cutaway would be the same as its a pyramid on a square base.

Maybe the "basebox" as I shall call it could be 3" deep - then the extra inches for the cards comes from the overhang. Exact dimensions will depend on the angle of the pyramid sides amongst other things. Seriously this is where cardboard and sticky tape will be your best friends in working out the details if you are not going to single-handedly create a worldwide Aluminium shortage.

:)

I am the ASCII design guru looooooooooool

[DaJe]

Well I have inputs and outputs that stretch across entire cards, so I would need the entire 5 inches of the I/O panel right against the edge of the case to easily access. And speaking of houses, I'm on the top floor of a house that's over 150 years old, so I'm living in that design. If you look at any picture of me, you'll notice the ceiling coming down behind me.

[xRyokenx]

...or you could extend that part of the pyramid down, or just make it have a wider base to accomodate everything, and make it like a flap that lifts... and have a small cutout on the bottom of it for the cables to go under... if my PC doesn't die later, I'll try to draw something if I remember...

[Crazy Buddhist]

OK so deepen the basebox to your needed 5" then you get the full hieght PCI cards I/O access, and have that whole back panel or part of it on hinges for when you need to access for pluggung in and out, or even have the whole back panel easily removable as your main access route for maintenance etc

You're watercooling I believe ... that would give you hieght to mount the rad(s) in the basebox against one of the side walls - I seem to recall you were struggling with where to mount that.


____________/
___________/
__________/
_________/_____
________/______
_______/
______/_
_____/__l_
____/___l_______
___/____l_______
________l 5" high
________l <--- I/O panel
________l_________________<--- MOBO


:)

[DaJe]

...or you could extend that part of the pyramid down, or just make it have a wider base to accomodate everything, and make it like a flap that lifts... and have a small cutout on the bottom of it for the cables to go under... if my PC doesn't die later, I'll try to draw something if I remember...

I original cut out thebase to 24", but shortened it to 20".

[DaJe]

Right now I'm screwing around in Sketchup, trying to come up with different ideas to see what works. What I'm going to try to do is integrate the I/O panel into the next section above the main compartment, the part with the arch that comes down along each side at a steeper angle than the sides themselves. I'm not sure if I'll inegrate the idea pictured below into all of that as well, but it's just one thing to work from.





http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/caseidea1.jpg



http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/caseidea2.jpg









And I'm also screwing with the angles a little. I could also possibly make the top part of the main compartment smaller, and the sides at a lower angle.


http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/caseidea3.jpg

[xRyokenx]

Looking good dude. For some reason this makes me think of a bunker... like reminds me of one, I should do some futuristic looking bunker mod, lol. /overpowered imagination.

So, how easy is sKETCHUP to use?

[Crazy Buddhist]

:alien:


Looking good dude.

Stole the words out of my mouth, word-stealer. Now ... is this a case of "great minds think alike or one of "fools seldom differ"?

:D

[xRyokenx]

Now ... is this a case of "great minds think alike or one of "fools seldom differ"?

:D

I think both.

[DaJe]

Well, I've been distracted by other things for the past few weeks, and haven't even really posted on the forums here at all. Now I plan to start working on this once again. I just need to somehow get back to the thoughts I was on before.

[Crazy Buddhist]

It's all good DaJe. Sometimes I have to put down a piece of work for a while hours or days or weeks ... gives the mind some space to work on the confusions unconsciously ... then you just wake up one day and it all looks better :)

[DaJe]

Right now I'm not sleeping because I'm busy trying to come up with ideas for it. But I'm thinking I'll just sleep now and put a lot of time in tomorrow working on the design. I'm still willing to heear any ideas you may have on it though ;)

[Crazy Buddhist]

... I'm not sure if I'll inegrate the idea pictured below into all of that as well, but it's just one thing to work from.


http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/caseidea1.jpg



Looking good here in my honest opinion. This is very near to what I was trying to describe - you've extended the sloped part so it hits the floor rather than having the overhang which looks very solid. From the looks of it this design has the mobo flat on the base? So that flat back panel is the I/O?

[DaJe]

Yeah, that's how it is. But then that runs into problems of being able to move in and insert PCI cards, and then also screwing them down. It really seems to be a challenge to work in this shape, rather than the traditional box. I still have to put a lot of thought into it.



One easy way to solve all of this, would just to make the case be really big. I mean, a 2 foot base already seemed pretty big to me, but maybe I should just make it even larger than that. It would be more of a sculpture than a computer after that. Though I guess I could put in tons of space for hard drives and such, and have like 10 or more hooked up...

[Crazy Buddhist]

On that back panel if you made the upper section and the section of the tower just above it into an opening door/flap or easily removable panel that would give you the access required would it not?

[DaJe]

Alright, so, last night and today I put a lot of idea into it. I just went in there, put on some Queen, and said I was going to get it done. Once Innuendo came on, it was like a sudden burst of inspiration and I finally started to realize the final image. Now, what you see here is sort of an alpha build in a sense. It's not exactly shaped how it will be once I finish building the actual case itself, but it should provide me with enough information for me to get back to work on it.





Overall, here's what it looks like



http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/worklog/11-18-07/casealpha1.jpg







This case has sections to it. The one I refer to as the second section, which is the part with the arched indents, I also like to think of it as like a table, especially when viewed from above. But anyways, some parts of it seem to be alright,but I may need to change a few angles on it.




http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/worklog/11-18-07/casealpha2.jpg







I think I'm going to take your advice, and have some of the base ara sticking out from the overhang. I'm going to make the underside completely black, and try to make it reflect as little light as possible. Though it actually might be alright to extend the overhang even more, as the temple has really steep sides. But the first option might be better, as I don't want the overhang to scratch against the surface that the case is resting on. What I also want to do is put some soft blue and just slightly fading lights underneath the overhang too.




http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/worklog/11-18-07/casealpha3.jpg







This was just to give me a basic idea of the same of the top part of it. It won't be all pointy like that, and may actually be a little bigger. Also, the rounded part underneath the base of the top part needs some work as well. It's too fat right now.




http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/worklog/11-18-07/casealpha4.jpg







Based on the screenshots, it seems as though the legs on the table are longer on the front side than on any other. And they also give no indication to what the backside would look like. We could evn assume that the table is just flat on that side, with no arch. I want to work on the angles of this more, to make it more subtle and less like a fat thing sticking out. I may do this simply by just raising the top square surface of the table. Also, for accessing screws for PCI cards, the slanted part right above the I/O panel will be on hinges. Though I also need to come up with a way to access the rest of the inside, such as to change the motherboard. I was thinking of having the table attached to the rest of the case by screws, and have the whole top half able to be unscrewed and lifted off.




http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/worklog/11-18-07/casealpha5.jpg








So this is not the exact final image for the case, but it gives me enough of an idea to visualize what I'm doing, and actually start putting it together again.

[Crazy Buddhist]

looking good :)

[Kendall1138]

I have to say that is very creative, and I am excited to see such design elements.

Do you plan to have the LED's in the different colors? I have seen entirely too many cases with a monochrome LED look.

Keep it up!

Kendall:banana:

[DaJe]

Probably all just shades of blue, though maybe some yellows could work as well. Blue is the theme of the case though. And don't worry. Even though it seems like I'm not doing much with this, I still have plans to work on it. I've just been busy with school starting now. But the benefit is that they have a machine shop here.

[Drew]

That new look is really cool.

I have nothing further of any relevance to say.

[DaJe]

I just realized that it's been over a year since I first started this thread. I guess life kind of got in the way. I had school and whatnot, and working. And I've also been in Yellowstone for the past few months. Not to worry though, I'm still going to work on this.




I'm building an aluminum frame, sort of a skeleton, to build everything on top of.





I bought 16 feet of this aluminum. It's bent at a 90 degree angle, so I can build a hollow box out of it.


http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/worklog/9-27-08/DSC_1002.jpg

http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/worklog/9-27-08/DSC_1003.jpg





The original stuff I bought though, was accidently too thick. I ended up getting it 1/8" thick, but that was too much.


http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/worklog/9-27-08/DSC_1004.jpg





So then I got some that was 1/16" thick. It's just as sturdy, but have the thickness, half the weight, and half the cost.


http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/worklog/9-27-08/DSC_1011.jpg





I was trying to figure out exactly how I wanted to put this together. So what I ended up doing is cutting it into 20 inch long segments, and cutting a 45 degree piece out of each end.




http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/worklog/9-27-08/DSC_1012.jpg


http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/worklog/9-27-08/DSC_1014.jpg






Got all the pieces cut out.


http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/worklog/9-27-08/DSC_1016.jpg





They'll fit together like this


http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/worklog/9-27-08/DSC_1019.jpg





And then they'll all be joined at the corners like this, with the other side.


http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/worklog/9-27-08/DSC_1018.jpg





I think I'm going to need to order some more of this aluminum though.

[jdbnsn]

Wow, ambitious designs! Looking forward to seeing the rest of this bad boy.

[Crazy Buddhist]

Hey!

Good to see you back to work Daje :)

"Then they sent me away .. taught me how to be logical ..." ... careful with that school thingy ;)

[Tavarin]

I made the frame for my case the same way. You are definitely going to need a LOT of aluminum. My case is smaller than what you're planning and I still used over 20' of aluminum.

[daft-parrot]

good to see your ideas are coming together this will be one heck of a case keep it up

[DaJe]

I'm tired. Here's what I made of the frame so far.



http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/worklog/7-28-08/DSC_0066.JPG




Earlier today I brought the other aluminum to UPS and sent it back out, and I ordered some more of the stuff I need so I can finish building the frame. Should have it within 2 days.

[DonT-FeaR]

wow that worked out well nice work

[DaJe]

I chsoe a different method this time for makign part of the frame. I almost did this the first time, but went another way instead. For this one, I took a piece of the aluminum, and marked it out for the cutting.



http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/worklog/8-3-08/DSC_0187.jpg





Then cut out these triangles at a 45 degree angle.


http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/worklog/8-3-08/DSC_0188.jpg

http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/worklog/8-3-08/DSC_0189.jpg





And then simply just bent it at all these lines marked in the middle of the triangle cutouts. I did this using mostly just my hands and a random piece of wood laying around the shed, just to be sure I got it bent at the right angle.


http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/worklog/8-3-08/DSC_0192.jpg





Thus giving me the final shape


http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/worklog/8-3-08/DSC_0197.jpg





Now I have an issue to figure out though. I need to connect another peice of the aluminum to this part of the frame at an angle in the corner like this


http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/worklog/8-3-08/DSC_0199.jpg









I need to do that in all 4 corners, which will end up joining the two pieces of the fram so far. I have no idea how I'm going to do that. I have some ideas of how I possibly could, but I'd really like to think of some better ones. Any clue what I should do?

[DonT-FeaR]

thats how im going to make my psu mount :P

have to mark it out later

[Tavarin]

You could make some inner brackets from sheet aluminum and put long rivets through them to mount the angles. Would take some time, but it would give you a nice strong finish.

[jdbnsn]

I have an idea, not sure how easy it would be though. You'll need a way of measuring angles accurately. Remember that you can solve for all angles if you have some lengths for the sides measured, and your angle calculations will by most accurate the longer you can make the sides for measurement's sake. You need a cut line here:

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/jdbnsn/trig/trig1-1.png

and a bend-line here:

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/jdbnsn/trig/trig2.png

Using this triangle:

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/jdbnsn/trig/trig1.png

You can find all angles necessary, and using the flaps from the bend line bent to match theta, they can act as brackets to bolt or rivet the bars to your squared frame.

[jdbnsn]

So if you measured (a) all the way to the floor, and did the same for (h), the angle for theta can be plugged into a scientific calculator as:

sin(theta)= a/h

or

theta=arcsin(a/h)


And then you can use the same method to trace your bend line (lambda) like so:

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/jdbnsn/trig/trig3.png

[DaJe]

I was thinking about doing it like that, but I just had an idea, and I might modify what I built to do it.

[DaJe]

Alright, so here I have this part of the frame.


http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/worklog/8-5-08/frame1.jpg




Basically in the end, once the two parts of the frame that are made are put together, it'll be shaped like a pyramid. The top part will need to carry a load, so I need to make sure it has enough strength. What I was thinking I could do is extend out the corner pieces of the bottom frame, like this.


http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/worklog/8-5-08/frame5.jpg





And then for the angled pieces, I would cut them into sort of a pointed shape, like this.


http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/worklog/8-5-08/frame6.jpg





And then that would go against the extended piece, giving it the correct angle and making it secure. Then I suppose to attach those two pieces I could use a bracket.



http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/computer/mod/case/worklog/8-5-08/frame4.jpg




And I would also make sure the extended piece was formed right as well.

[Luke122]

So if you measured (a) all the way to the floor, and did the same for (h), the angle for theta can be plugged into a scientific calculator as:

sin(theta)= a/h

or

theta=arcsin(a/h)



Uhh..... WAAYYYY over my head.