[WIP] MOC of the AT-ST Walker in LDD

[LiLmeFromDaFuture]

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One of the several projects and great MOCs to come, which I have been designing recently in LDD—the AT-ST walker. In brief, this project was initiated after I was inspired by the original design of the waist by anothergol for his articulated AT-ST. Specifically, I was impressed with his subtle utilization of paint brushes and mudguards to easily recreate some of distinct details and features on this region. In addition, I as well, implemented the 5 x 5 scala dishes as the mounts for the support cannons. Then interestingly, I did not notice this until recently, but structure of the feet are designed similarly, with significant use of bracket elements—what a coincidence! However, mine will most likely not accommodate minifigures.

Since there are different models of the AT-ST used in the movies and many illustrations of the AT-ST, the principal image I reference is the blueprints of the walker from ROTJ, which was a hybrid of the model actual seen in that movie with a boxy head and the one featured in ESB that had elongated legs.

Regarding the design, I took quite a bit of liberty with some of the proportions and details. Specifically, the legs are thicker than should be for a minifigure scale AT-ST, which is lightly attributed to the available elements, but to also an exceptionally sturdy design—it is sophisticated yet simultaneously subtle. Likewise, the waist significantly thinner as compared to the legs and head importantly. This is reason to the length of the mudguard used as the carapace being 2 x 4 rather than conveniently being 2 x 6.

Besides the absent connections in the head, as I have yet to design that, the fragmented legs is because those elements are not available in LDD.

Lastly, since I could not utilize BlueRender, because I happen to not know how to operate it on Macs, even though I read the tips, I alternatively made an LDD photo box that is comprised of 48 x 48 base plates, hinge plates, and curved bricks :-)

Forward view:

Rightward view:

Rearward view:

Leftward view:

Downward view:

Dramatic view:

If you notice for the main cannon, I used the flexible bars, which are hollowed at the ends.

Leg details:

Brackets are the fundamental element for durable legs.

Foot details:

Waist details:

Brackets are also fundamental here.

Edited August 15, 2016 by LiLmeFromDaFuture

[anothergol]

Interesting, looking forward to the final result.

You could try LDD-To-Povray, if Bluerender doesn't work for you. It gives excellent results, only it takes a lot more time to render.

I'm not entirely sure that the size of the legs really varies along with blueprints, because when you play with the leg segments, the whole thing can really sit very low (like on Endor) or very high (Hoth).

What parts did you use that aren't available in the LDD, btw?

Also, beware of the old ratcheted joints, if that's what you used for the legs. They're kinda weak. You used bricks for the head so you'll have an even bigger weight problem than I had.

Edited November 4, 2015 by anothergol

[LiLmeFromDaFuture]

Interesting, looking forward to the final result.

You could try LDD-To-Povray, if Bluerender doesn't work for you. It gives excellent results, only it takes a lot more time to render.

Thanks! I am going to see if I can get it to work on my computer.

I'm not entirely sure that the size of the legs really varies along with blueprints, because when you play with the leg segments, the whole thing can really sit very low (like on Endor) or very high (Hoth).

The second segment of the legs on the ESB version is considerably elongated and significantly less detailed that that of the ROTJ version. Then the third segment, which connects to the foot, is also longer.

This is like a hybrid of the two featuring the bland elongated legs from the ESB version, and the stockier head from the ROTJ version:

Image:

Though I initially based mine on this, I did not design the legs as such, because it was too repetitive, bland, and uninteresting in LEGO, so ultimately, mine turned out to be the ROTJ version.

What parts did you use that aren't available in the LDD, btw?

The parts are mostly old, though I don't see why the wouldn't be in extended mode of LDD:

And this part was also not available:

Also, beware of the old ratcheted joints, if that's what you used for the legs. They're kinda weak. You used bricks for the head so you'll have an even bigger weight problem than I had.

I do know that the ones used for the ankles are not strong as others, but if those are not the ones you are referring to what ones would be? The face is "bricked" and the further part on the sides of the head is too, but I will just have to rely on the design of the legs to make the difference—if it becomes a concern.

[LegoPercyJ]

Great so far

[anothergol]

I do know that the ones used for the ankles are not strong as others, but if those are not the ones you are referring to what ones would be?

I never met these 2, this is what I thought you were using:

aren't yours old versions of these?

[LiLmeFromDaFuture]

Oh I used the older versions for the ankle joint that is a part of the leg—I wasn't specific. But I indeed use similar parts for the ankles situated on the foot and among others for different joints.

Here is a list…

- For the feet:

- For the thighs:

*Locking variant*

- For the waist/body:

[anothergol]

yeah, so beware with those, they aren't that strong, but maybe they will hold it.

[LiLmeFromDaFuture]

Oh I see. They were my only alternative to ball joints or other methods that would have been stiff yet break easily, but will do—I will just have to find most in new condition!

[Xon67]

Excellent work! I really like how you've captured a lot of detail in this build.

[LiLmeFromDaFuture]

Excellent work! I really like how you've captured a lot of detail in this build.

I am even impressed myself with how details I accomplished in what would be considered a small and challenging scale—thank you!

[K1NG GUARD1AN]

Very well thought out and with a lot of detail.

Great job!

I can't wait to see it finished.

[LiLmeFromDaFuture]

Very well thought out and with a lot of detail.

Great job!

I can't wait to see it finished.

Thank you! I believe I am going to revisit the legs to give them a design overhaul that does not involve old/retired elements or that does look so chunky.

[Pertyn Sawk]

Very nice so far ...

[ChiefPie]

Looks good so far!

[Ber Teh Unicern]

Awesome! Let's see: you are working on an AT-ST, an AT-AT and you are modifying your snowspeeder. Are you planning on making a Battle of Hoth at some point or something?

Edited June 25, 2016 by Ber Teh Unicern

[LiLmeFromDaFuture]

Awesome! Letès see: you are working on an AT-ST, an AT-AT and you are modifying your snowspeeder. Are you planning on making a Battle of Hoth at some point or something?

Uhm, maybe I could borrow one of the vast Hoth dioramas that are out there?

If anything of that sized I would want to do one of an imperial staging area on the planet Cardia, with vehicle depots, barracks, a shield generator, etc., and some invading Rebel forces, as would be experienced in the Star Wars Empire at War real time strategy game.

Edited June 25, 2016 by LiLmeFromDaFuture

[LiLmeFromDaFuture]

Well, it has been about eight months since considerable amounts of progress has been completed; critically due to a former concern of how to join together all the panels for the head properly. I dreaded the seemingly vast possibilities of how it could be done and impeded myself from accomplishing more than what I have already shown. However, I have put aside that hinderance, braved the unknown, and finish MOC of the infamous AT-ST!

Although, arriving to that state of achievement did not come into fruition without resolving some difficult decisions along the way. Beforehand, I was obsessively zealous to the details. I demanded upon myself that this MOC will include all joints of the walker, be 100% functional, and bi-directional (no ball joints)! Being a stickler for accurate details ultimately followed through with using old, retired elements (especially the joints), which might have resulted in an unstable build. More after, if I was not nitpicky enough, I generally allowed only LBG or LG elements to be used.

However, in the span of eight months, that desire subsided under a new passion coming to action, that actually turned out more enjoyable and resulted in a greater pace of progression. Once I have decided to make all future MOCs available for others to enjoy building, and to do so easily, I found it beneficial in the design process to exclusively use elements, molds, colors currently in production, no illegal techniques and particular connections, assemblies to be constructed in a specific fashion, etc. By those parameters the process went straight forward; almost to say that it builded itself! It did not matter anymore if every minute detail was represented, because, without more to say, it is Lego after all!

The legs have subtle detail, but the ones on the actual walker are not sophisticated either, so 100% accuracy was not greatly a concern.

In this adventure I found anothergol's own AT-ST a great source of inspiration, and I incorporated some of his fantastic designs into mine. Most notably, I implemented his design for the main cannons and reworked it significantly so it could be included in mine. Likewise, the same design for the support weapons mount (lamp shade & Technic disk elements), and even the element for the concussion grenade, was used. Additionally, similar elements for the chin, as on his previous versions, have been used as well. Then lastly the ball joint element for the lower leg segment and fixed in place by the Technic link, which is an elegant system because it has a function. Our walkers compared side by side they stand around the same scale (mine exhibiting shorter legs and anothergol's with longer, taller legs). Though not say they are both perfectly minifigure-scale, but rather both are appropriately scaled to the size of minifigures

Then came in the question of the element playability—how much did I want? There is of course the joints for the walker's locomotion, which adds to the playability to a limited extent, since most joints not being bi-directional, but there is also those elements featured on Lego's AT-STs that I am most fond of, which I believe add to their great appeal! By this I especially refer to the Technic mechanism and the opening hatch that reveals a cockpit capable of accommodating a minifigure. Those elements am I most fond of in the AT-ST set 7657, despite never owning one!

So beginning with waist, body, whatever be called, the gear mechanism that will rotate head was designed into the body like symbiotically; noting that it does not detract from the aesthetics of the walker. Now, you might be wondering why would I ever even consider implementing such a toyetic function on a MOC? Well, it makes adjusting the head untroublesome without the concern of unintentionally putting too much pressure on the model that its head is damage or loses balance and topples over. Lastly, just as the sets, I have utilize the trapdoor elements to create the access hatch for how minifigures can be seated inside the cockpit. Granted, it is not accurate to the actual walker; even to how it opens, but there is no other elements that is as concise as this simple part, and it accomplishes its purpose efficiently.

The only element of the gear system exposed at the rear of the walker. Regarding the back it does appear somewhat bare (especially on the render), but I plan adding some hose detail once built with physical bricks.

Inside the cockpit it is not elaborately detailed, controls are even absent, but I will probably get to it with physical bricks. Also notice directly underneath the crew, the head is connected to neck by a ball joint. Despite the whole system emplaced to rotate the head via a Technic gear, it has been designed so that the head can only swivel vertically, and also so it would not easily disconnect from the body.

Any thoughts, comments, etc. is welcomed!

Edited July 27, 2016 by LiLmeFromDaFuture

[anothergol]

Looking pretty nice. I'm only bugged by the gaps between the sides & the top, in the back.

Mixel joints on those little leg bars, I'm afraid that has no chance to hold (since large ball joints [before the high-friction extender] didn't either), but you can still use "blocker" axles somewhere.

I wanted to avoid flags as eyelids on mine, but it actually looks nice - maybe I'll change mine (especially since I own 2 trapezoidal ones in LBG)

[LiLmeFromDaFuture]

Looking pretty nice. I'm only bugged by the gaps between the sides & the top, in the back.

Yes, especially in the back, and I cannot do much about it because of the sloped bricks. Hopefully, it will appear better in real bricks.

Mixel joints on those little leg bars, I'm afraid that has no chance to hold (since large ball joints [before the high-friction extender] didn't either), but you can still use "blocker" axles somewhere.

I am not completely certain on them as well, but I have thought of fixing them at a certain position, though that would really limit the possibility.

I wanted to avoid flags as eyelids on mine, but it actually looks nice - maybe I'll change mine (especially since I own 2 trapezoidal ones in LBG)

Especially as they are thinner; I even tried them on yours and it indeeds appears better. However I do not think it will work to well with the trapezoidal ones because eye hole shape.

[anothergol]

Especially as they are thinner; I even tried them on yours and it indeeds appears better.

I think the reason I discared them is that they were a bit too long - and it works for you because your clips are a little more recessed.

However, I've just tried 2x2 tiles into clips (some MOCs have done them this way), the end result is slightly shorter and works well for me.

I normally don't like tiles into clips, but recently Lego itself has done it in several sets, so I guess it's now legal.

[LiLmeFromDaFuture]

I think the reason I discared them is that they were a bit too long - and it works for you because your clips are a little more recessed.

They are a bit too long, but I don't think Lego would ever come out shorter ones.

However, I've just tried 2x2 tiles into clips (some MOCs have done them this way), the end result is slightly shorter and works well for me.

I normally don't like tiles into clips, but recently Lego itself has done it in several sets, so I guess it's now legal.

Seriously, Lego is using this technique in their sets? Would not that damage the clips?

[anothergol]

From what I read, tiles in clips have (supposedly) never been illegal, only avoided because less easy to clip. Hard to see if there's a stress, or how much you can pivot them. Supposedly it's only for tiles, because of the grooves, but I'd say it's just a happy coincidence.

They started doing it in the Helicarrier, but I've just had to pin a tile into clips in the Brick Bank that I'm assembling. A printed one on top of it.

Edited July 27, 2016 by anothergol

[LiLmeFromDaFuture]

The Skinniest Legs You Ever Seen on a AT-ST!

Grasshopper legs!

Not only are they exaggeratedly thin (like Ralph Mcquarrie style), but it is impossible to recreate without modifying the tow arm element, though I thought it would be nice to share this previous concept before I discard it permanently.

[anothergol]

what's the problem with it?

[PLP]

I have a set of anothergol legs (mark1 not the latest) may try and put your head on them