Help with finding solutions for getting an AT-AT walk cycle like in the movies.

[Nelson]

I put together a new version of the "slide piston" chassis over the weekend. It answered my question about one motor being enough...I believe it is, even with the slightly taller gearing I used. Unfortunately, because of the design modifications to accommodate gearing change, the build was not as rigid and wasn't an overall improvement. I've made up my mind that I'm going to try my older mechanical concept with the newer drivetrain style. I think that the older concept has a more accurate walking motion to the film and fits within the body better. The drawback it that it's more complex and touchy than the newer "slide piston" concept. Considering my end goal is to sell the MOC, this is a risky decision. But if it ends up giving more accurate motion and aesthetics, it will be worth it.

[BrickBear]

16 hours ago, Nelson said:

I put together a new version of the "slide piston" chassis over the weekend. It answered my question about one motor being enough...I believe it is, even with the slightly taller gearing I used. Unfortunately, because of the design modifications to accommodate gearing change, the build was not as rigid and wasn't an overall improvement. I've made up my mind that I'm going to try my older mechanical concept with the newer drivetrain style. I think that the older concept has a more accurate walking motion to the film and fits within the body better. The drawback it that it's more complex and touchy than the newer "slide piston" concept. Considering my end goal is to sell the MOC, this is a risky decision. But if it ends up giving more accurate motion and aesthetics, it will be worth it.

Ooh. So you’re selling the model as like sets or as a one off? Or just the instructions on rebrickable?

[Nelson]

@BrickBear My hope is to offer it as both instructions or as a full set. I'm not sure how many sets I'd put together. Some of the parts I'm currently using are out of production. I'm hoping I can make design updates to get all the parts current, but that will be challenging. I received an insane amount of positive feedback and requests to make the instructions available after I posted a FB video of the current design taking a few steps. I think I could easily put together a dozen or so sets and there would be ample buyers. But first things first. I need to actually finish the thing! And generating instructions will be no small task. I'm easily a year away from putting anything out there. I'm also stocking a new BrickLink store, so lots to do.

[BrickBear]

39 minutes ago, Nelson said:

@BrickBear My hope is to offer it as both instructions or as a full set. I'm not sure how many sets I'd put together. Some of the parts I'm currently using are out of production. I'm hoping I can make design updates to get all the parts current, but that will be challenging. I received an insane amount of positive feedback and requests to make the instructions available after I posted a FB video of the current design taking a few steps. I think I could easily put together a dozen or so sets and there would be ample buyers. But first things first. I need to actually finish the thing! And generating instructions will be no small task. I'm easily a year away from putting anything out there. I'm also stocking a new BrickLink store, so lots to do.

Interesting. My goal is to offer instructions and because i like making books, i might make a sort of haynes manual inspired book on the process and mechanisms that contains the instructions too with handrawn bits and pieces too. It’s a whole creative project for me.
 

 

Edited May 14 by BrickBear

[Aurorasaurus]

3 hours ago, Nelson said:

And generating instructions will be no small task. I'm easily a year away from putting anything out there. I'm also stocking a new BrickLink store, so lots to do.

Good luck with this. I recommend you to do instructions for a couple other models (maybe smaller ones) before you start on the instructions for this, if you dont intend to do multiple re-releases and updated versions of this model. I've made instructions a few times and theres no shortcut to getting it right.

I recommend you to use lots and lots of submodels when you're building, and also convert small ones to callouts to keep the page length from getting out of hand. Also, 6 steps on one page is fine on a big screen, but less is better for people on a laptop, phone, ipad IMO.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, if this will be a one off masterpiece, take the time to learn how to make good instructions first.

[Nelson]

@BrickBear All good advice, especially the bit about trying some smaller models first. I'm in no hurry. I'm using Studio at the moment. Would you consider that the best option or have you tried others that are better?

[BrickBear]

15 hours ago, Nelson said:

@BrickBear All good advice, especially the bit about trying some smaller models first. I'm in no hurry. I'm using Studio at the moment. Would you consider that the best option or have you tried others that are better?

It’s @Aurorasaurus that has all the know how nelson. 

[BrickBear]

installed xl motor in back of AT-AT,  you’ll notice the orange 2L beam can rotate to allow the motor to move such that the weight distribution mechanism can still work. Theres enough play in the gears to allow this. 

Although it balanced really well pre motor it’s clear that the head really does need to be attached to act as a counterbalance to the back. Once done then hopefully hopeful hopefully i can get it to if not walk then shuffle.

[BrickBear]

Yesterdays progress included knee bending mechanism. Unfortunately a bit too wibbly so they buckle. Also i know the head isn’t quite secure, i need to build at better attachment 

 

 

This morning i’ve adjusted the motor so it isn’t part of the body shifting mechanism as yesterday under test the direction of the active motor was causing upset in the balancing mechanism. 
 

Going to unbend the legs for now i think

[BrickBear]

ugh. So the xl motor kept coming loose because the strength of the surrounding structure wasn’t good enough so that’s a setback and so everything was getting out of sync (thank goodness for the gearbox system i introduced to resync stuff). I’m considering redesigning the feet so the ankle joint is actually at the base of the foot, it’s not canon but it might be more stable that way as the feet otherwise catch when they move forward. What matters is that it looks roughly accurate. 
 

regarding the leg bending i think i might try bending the body armour instead of the mechanism to give the illusion of a bent knee if I can’t come up woth a better alternative. I’m curious about my previous attempts with the sliding bending function but we’ll see.