Bionicle characters, photo portraits

[VBBN]

Well, I am one of the few people who loved The Inika and Piraka, and always will(but I dislike the clones of them in later years, excluding 2009)

Great pics as always.

[The Alchemyst]

Wasn't one to care too much about the Piraka, but the Inika were my favorite line.

They were articulate, they looked cool, and had neat weapons.

Obviously was the step up of previous Toa.

I think late 2006 was some of the best half-years we had, with some of the best Titans, [V&F and Brutaka] and then the Inika.

[-TA-]

[Front]

I just wanted to say that I loved the Piraka and the Inika for the use of teeth and actual mouths on the sets themselves. I thought that was a really cool thing they did with those masks.

Both lines are cool, but I can't get over the fact that the spines on Piraka are too stiff, and limit arm and head movements too much.

Man, that Krika picture is awesome Front! He was the only Mistika I ever liked and bought. I always thought Keetongu had a bit of a poorly made head and of all 2005 titans I only have Sidorak........ And the Glatorian and Glatorian Legends pictures need no praise, they're the greatest Bionicle sets till now anyway.

Yes, Krika is the nicest Mistika. Keetongu's head is strange yes, kind of non existing.

I did the engineering on both Gresh's and Mata Nui's mask. So it's really nice to see them in the movie, and know that you like these sets.

Pictures of Sidorak will appear leter in the thread

Well, I am one of the few people who loved The Inika and Piraka, and always will(but I dislike the clones of them in later years, excluding 2009)

Clones ? is this promotional stuff like McDonald-Chinese plastic you mean ? Never understood why Lego would put their name on such products.

I think late 2006 was some of the best half-years we had, with some of the best Titans, [V&F and Brutaka] and then the Inika.

[-TA-]

Yes, I like the Inika too, might check if I can find more of the Canisters, I only have three. I know I can get V&F for like 8 US$, should pick one up for the pieces (allready have two Kardas)

[VBBN]

Clones ? is this promotional stuff like McDonald-Chinese plastic you mean ? Never understood why Lego would put their name on such products.

I mean the look-alikes from future years, like Barraki, Mahri, Phantoka, etc. After the same pieces are used over 50-100 times(excluding the pins and such), it's time to think of something new.

I have my hopes up for 2010, but if the Inika style is heavily into the sets like previous years, count me out.

But because the Inika and Piraka are the originals, they showed the best use of the mold and have the "classic" feel to them.

[Front]

Ok VBBN, thank you for explaining. I see your point, which is obvious when you look at e.g. the reuse of Piraka and Inika torsos. I must say I like the Inika torso 100 times more than the Piraka one, better for moc'ing.

Edited August 23, 2009 by Front

[Bundalings]

I think late 2006 was some of the best half-years we had, with some of the best Titans, [V&F and Brutaka] and then the Inika.

[-TA-]

I liked it too. The Piraka were... just okay... but all the other sets that year were gold, if you ignored how painfully thin Inika torsos were.

~Bunda

[Front]

19:

8935, Nocturn.

2007, Titan set.

Nocturn

20:

8690, Toa Onua.

2008, 2nd, Canister set.

Toa Onua

21:

8994, Baranus V7.

2009, Vehicle set.

Baranus V7

......

Comments:

The use of a Piraka foot as a mouth-piece on Nocturn, looks so awfull that I did a "mod" on the set here. My second copy in the background is standard.

Toa Onua, I did engineer that mask, but kind of got into a dead end, and a more experienced guy helped me out finish the mask.

Baranus, nice green masks, not much more to say

[Partario]

Wow these pics are amazing. You've captured the sets in beautiful detail, well done!

Could you please post instructions for the Nocturn head if thats possible.

[Front]

Could you please post instructions for the Nocturn head if thats possible.

You remove the Piraka foot and the two black bushings holding it.

Then you add two of these in the technic holes instead:

Technic bushing with knob geometry.

Then add two "robot hands" into the bushings:

Robot hand

Now add a black lightsaber, click it symmetrical onto the robot hands:

Lightsaber

Add three of these robot arms onto the lightsaber, one in the middle, the other two on the "outside" of the robot hands, to make the jaw as wide as possible:

Robot Arm

And finally add three viking horns into the robot arms:

Viking horns

As you may notice this "mod" is not technic building, and though really don't fit on a Bionicle character. But I think it looks way better, and it only took me a couple of minutes to come up with the design. Maybe a more technic-like solution is possible, at least I remember having done one maybe a year ago, but it is not giving the teeths the same kind possible movements.

Edited August 24, 2009 by Front

[Zarkan]

Incredible pictures, Front. The mere fact that they made Onua Mistika look cool deserves a big thumbs up.

I liked it too. The Piraka were... just okay... but all the other sets that year were gold, if you ignored how painfully thin Inika torsos were.

~Bunda

Okay, seriously - what is with everyone saying that the Inika torsos are too thin? I've been collecting sets with them as long as anyone else here, and yet I've never been bothered by the supposed thinness at all. My problem is that, built the way TLC builds them, the Inika torsos are too short - which is why I've taken to giving all my sets in that style an extra one or two technic holes in height.

[Front]

Okay, seriously - what is with everyone saying that the Inika torsos are too thin? I've been collecting sets with them as long as anyone else here, and yet I've never been bothered by the supposed thinness at all. My problem is that, built the way TLC builds them, the Inika torsos are too short - which is why I've taken to giving all my sets in that style an extra one or two technic holes in height.

I fully agree with you. When you use the 7-modules ball-cup-beams for the arms and legs, the usual "3-holes overlapping build" with the Inika torso, results in a body way too short. Using 5-modules arm and legs, the proportions are ok. But most set feature 7-modules arms and legs.

It would have all been sorted if the Inika torso had an extra two technic holes at the bottom. That would give way more freedom in the body height.

Edited August 25, 2009 by Front

[Front]

22:

8762, Toa Iruini.

2005, Canister special Edition.

Toa Iruini

23:

8689, Toa Tahu.

2008 2nd half, Canister set.

Toa Tahu

24:

8991, Tuma and 8984, Stronius.

2009, Titan (1st half) and Canister (2nd half).

Tuma, Stronius

....

I bought Iruini today, found the set at the bottom of a large box full of canister sets. That was a nice find underneath a lot of 2006-2008 sets. I love the colours, which I suppose is named Dark Gold (haven't got any other bricks in that colour). Paid short of 2,50 Euro for that lovely little set :-)

Edited August 25, 2009 by Front

[Brickthing]

Those three photos are great yet again, however you should pose Iruini so that you can see more of his green parts. Right now he looks pretty gold only, and the Rhotuka shield conceals most of his form.

Also, is that a big 2009 poster in the background there? If so, I'm very jealous.

[The Alchemyst]

Incredible pictures, Front. The mere fact that they made Onua Mistika look cool deserves a big thumbs up.

Okay, seriously - what is with everyone saying that the Inika torsos are too thin? I've been collecting sets with them as long as anyone else here, and yet I've never been bothered by the supposed thinness at all. My problem is that, built the way TLC builds them, the Inika torsos are too short - which is why I've taken to giving all my sets in that style an extra one or two technic holes in height.

I absolutely love Onua Mistika. @_@

He's the coolest of the cool.

And the Mistika were the cool.

Well the Toa. ._.

I really liked Onua and Tahu, [never got Gali. ;-;] they had neat masks, and all that stuff about "no real weapons" is yak.

And the "contrasting red"? Beautiful. </rant>

I also wish they brought back flat dark gold. It makes me very sad they're using the very bright and shiny one now, while the old one had a much more Ancient and powerful feel. And Iruini's[*cough*Nidhiki*cough*] mask is wonderful.

I got that set personally in a trade, and it was great.

Stronius? Love him for all his new parts, and overall look. Never thought about getting Tuma, and I don't think I ever will.

Although I really like the mask.

[-TA-]

[~Reality~]

Great pictures Front! Tuma turned out better than I thought he would when I bought him but the stickers are still annoying. And I really have to get Stronius, the helmet and general design looks too good.

[Bfahome]

Never thought about getting Tuma, and I don't think I ever will.

Although I really like the mask.

[*cough*Nidhiki*cough*]

[Front]

Those three photos are great yet again, however you should pose Iruini so that you can see more of his green parts. Right now he looks pretty gold only, and the Rhotuka shield conceals most of his form.

Also, is that a big 2009 poster in the background there? If so, I'm very jealous.

Yes, the photo might have featured a much better pose. I am really please though with the colours in the photo, including the blue from the A2 sized Legends poster.

.... And Iruini's[*cough*Nidhiki*cough*] mask is wonderful.

I got that set personally in a trade, and it was great.

[-TA-]

So his mask was just a recolored previous design ?

Great pictures Front! Tuma turned out better than I thought he would when I bought him but the stickers are still annoying. And I really have to get Stronius, the helmet and general design looks too good.

As you see I don't put stickers on Stronius is my favorite Glatorian.

[Ikki o' Moopyville]

So his mask was just a recolored previous design ?

Nah, everyone just thinks it looks like Nidhiki's face and that it would've been the perfect mask for him. =P Heck, it would've. xD

-Ikk

[Bundalings]

I'm pretty sure I read Toa Iruini was originally intended to be a Toa Nidhiki set, thus...

~Bunda

[Partario]

Well I've just read through the whole topic and i think I've gathered you (Front) work for Lego.

If so, what department do you work in and what do you do?

[Front]

Well I've just read through the whole topic and i think I've gathered you (Front) work for Lego.

If so, what department do you work in and what do you do?

Yes, I'm a part-designer, which are the engineers that draw and engineer the Lego bricks. Often (but not always) we get the design of the bricks from the "normal" designers, and then make a 3D model of it, that is ready for the mould department to use. When the mould is made, we recieve the part (brick) back and approve the final plastic piece. I mostly do Bionicle parts, but also other stuff like head gear for minifigures.

In the Bionicle group there are several set designers, fewer part-designers, but also a few moulding engineers all working together. Designers make the creative stuff, and it's the part designers responsability to turn this design into something that can be produced, and still satisfy the wish of the designer. But there are often compromises to be made, because the parts need to be safe for kids to play with, and the mould we make also often limit the design. We need to make a mould that can output a lot of elements, and which is not too expensive or fragile. So creating Bionicle elements is really a team effort.

I've become an AFOL after I joined Lego a couple of years ago, and buy and build a lot of sets at home. All these pictures here are of my own sets, and is not in anyway related to my work, except that I've been involved in developing a lot of the parts in the 2008 and 2009 sets. I mostly enjoy building Technic sets, but do a lot of System sets and Bionicle too.

I won't tell anything about future sets, but can tell you that we try very hard to make the products even more exciting in the years to come.

[Front]

25:

8913, Toa Nuparu.

2007, Canister, 2nd half.

Toa Nuparu

26:

8685, Toa Kopaka and 8945, Solek.

2008, 1st half, Canister and small set.

Toa Kopaka, Solek

27:

8905, Thok and 8732, Toa Matoro.

2006, 1st and 2nd half Canister sets.

Thok, Toa Matoro

[Brickthing]

Liking those new photos, except Kopaka's head is at a bit too extreme of an angle, and his laser eye could do with a bit more illumination like his other eye. And on Nuparu, the shield might make more sense if you could see a bit of the other half of the shield, and it would be cool if there was some of his awesome Batman-armour showing too.

[Partario]

Solek is looking at Kopaka like; 'OMG somebody shot Kopaka in the eye'

Still these pictures are fantastic.

[Front]

Thank you for comments. Lightning up the red stick on Kopaka is not possible from behind, but I might have been able to direct the spotlight at it though from e.g. below, creating the desired glowing effect. Or I could have "drilled" the "ligthsaber hole" on his mask through, allowing light to enter from behind

28:

8761, Roodaka and 8756, Sidorak.

2005, Titan sets.

Roodaka, Sidorak

29:

8910, Toa Kongu and 8922, Gadunka.

2007, 2nd half, Canister and Titan set.

Toa Kongu, Gadunka

30:

8952, Mutran and Vican.

2008, 2nd half, Re-colour set.

Mutran & Vican