Please support - Super-articulated pose ref manikin.

[wiggum]

I was going to post this the other day, but I went to go see Iron Man 2 and forgot about it till now.

This is one way we could make a more flexible spine for a manikin. It basically consists of several plastic vertebrae that snap fit together. It would have at its core a flexible metal rod that could bend and help it hold its pose.


This probably isn't the most practical way of doing this, but I figured I would post it to see what you guys think.

[The7Artist7]

Purpleplatypus - Thanks for the support! And yes, A good stand is essential in my view.

Tobba - Lol ;P

Farvus - Great job on putting ideas into action! This kind of thing is really useful for feedback on what works - let us know how you get on with it

Wiggum - aha I'm sure I have some old lego stashed away that has a palm tree that articulates in that way ... *rummage, rummage, rummage* ... yep!



with more of a ball joint on each segment this would work pretty good with no wire - but the wire could improve consistency of movement over time ... the other option I guess would be a spring to pull the joints together but that may reduce it's ability to hold a pose.

[sharprm]

sounds cool the wooden ones are useless. hope you work out the standing thing like putting magnets on the feet or having a number of holes on the body that an arm of the stand could slot into (I didn't read the thread probably this was discussed.).

[wiggum]

I think I may have subconsciously stole my idea from that Lego palm tree. I like this idea because it seems like the kind of thing that could be put on a sprue and assembled later by whoever buys it. Could keep costs lower.

[goodmanje]

I guess this kind of died out....

I bought a Stikfas the other day but they have gone out of business so not all of the models are available. They're not too bad. Those Microman guys look awesome but are hard to find and very expensive. It was interesting to learn Microman is the newer version of Micronauts. I used to play with those as a kid. Some of my favorite toys!!

Any other affordable toys out there that can be used? I'm going to get an Art S Buck model. I may end up ripping off that giant head and replacing it with something that is the correct size.

Those wooden art manikins are complete crap! You can't do anything with them.....

[The7Artist7]

Hey goodmanje - thanks for dropping by and don't worry this hasn't died - just on hold till I get my designs sorted - life is not that easy right now but I am determined to at least design something and show Jason to see what he thinks. There has been mention of detailed anatomy etc but my main aim is accurate pose ref. This should be easier to design with the main challenge being the articulation - don't give up people! - while there remains no good manikin out there for pose ref I'll keep working on one!

Sad to hear Stikfas have gone out of business and yes Micromen are solid to get hold of at any decent price! Would be interested to hear your experience with the Art S Buck model

Keep rocking everyone!

[Quigleyer]

I may end up ripping off that giant head and replacing it with something that is the correct size.

And how the hell did they OK giving an artist's mannequin such an out of proportion head? I was looking for a good mannequin a few months back here and was considering that one, but my life is poverty and I didn't want to pay for something that might not work. The big head made me think they really weren't about doing this right.

And so I support this .

Whilst we all wait in anticipation... do the micromen have good pose-ability? Do they hold poses and such?

[goodmanje]

Thanks man! I agree, a pose reference is what we need. It doesn't need detailed musculature or facial features. Just needs to meet the standard 8 head proportions and actually be posable.

I've tried DAZ Studio and such but I don't like being tied to the computer all the time. I want an action figure damnit!!! Hehe...

[Robotus]

Here's something that has been collecting dust in my bookmarks. At this point, I don't know how much it will help when people are putting up doll arms that have ulna and radius, but just in case it may help somehow, here's a guide on making a ball and socket type mannequin:

http://www2d.biglobe.ne.jp/~dhnoah/make_00.htm

[Robotus]

You may be able to get an articulated shoulder girdle by making the scapulae magnetic. Underneath them could be flat metallic planes

[Robotus]

Some more research.

http://jbwid.com/art28.htm
http://jbwid.com/gij38.htm
http://www.xl-shop.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=6816
https://www.monkeydepot.com/v/vspfil...3905/3905s.jpg

[Robotus]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3dpN...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cj5NW...eature=related

Looks like obitsu dolls might be what you guys are looking for.
They make male figures too.

[BlightedArt]

This still happening? ^^;

[The7Artist7]

Whoa - how did I miss all these posts! Sorry guys for not replying! I'm attempting to come up with a design myself in spare time but is very slow progress sorry! Thanks for all the ref Robotus - I'll check them out when I have some time

Quigleyer - the micromen have pretty good articulation and hold poses well - downsides are not ideal torso / hip articulation due to the small size and moulding irregularities, the sheer fiddly-ness of so much articulation while so small and are prone to coming apart while posing. But having said that, if you can get hold of one or two cheap then they are pretty cool!

goodmanje - completely agree! I tried 3D software and just didn't get on with it at all - something about a physical figure is so much better!

Blighty - yep! I hope so - we'll get a better pose ref manikin one way or another!

[Chris Beatrice]

I actually just the other day created a post on ILLUSTRATION FIXATION about how I use the traditional wooden manikin to study the figure (not to substitute for a model or learn anatomy). Of course, the quality of these guys has gone downhill over the past several decades, and now they're barely more than props used to symbolize the visual arts. I saw one in an old art book that had articulated shoulder joints like a stop motion armature. In modern manikins you can't even rotate the hip joints. So I modified mine and now it's very useful for analyzing pose.
I actually use this guy for studying anatomy.

Although it'd be great to have a little poseable human to use as a model, I find that for learning it's better to separate the variables, so to speak.

[The7Artist7]

Thanks Chris - personally I very much agree (great post on Illustration Fixation) As I've made clear quite a few times it's pose ref that I'm interested in - accurate articulation and enough of it to truly be useful rather than as you say just 'props' or ornaments!

I'm aiming for a kind of next-gen of the wooden manikin - a step up from it. More detail but still along the lines of basic shapes. Still affordable for all but a true artist's tool. I love what you've done with your manikin and skeleton! Those skeletons look great for the price - thanks for the heads up!

[The7Artist7]

Interesting awesomeness:


the main site - seems it's still in prototype.
http://www.softether.co.jp/en/news/110721.aspx

[KONM]

Wow that looks neat. I look forward to seeing it finished.

[Clean3d]

Hey CA,
Sorry for posting in an old thread, but I've been working on a manikin inspired by it. It's still far away from being completed, but I've gotten to a point where it would be useful for me to have a few questions answered. First, evidence:



That is what I uploaded to Shapeways to get an initial price estimate. Obviously it doesn't represent the final appearance except possibly body proportions.

Most of the joints have been planned, but not modeled. Here's a sample of the shoulder blade mechanism, which should allow much freer movement of the arms than some other manikins.


Details

• Can be printed on demand by Shapeways
• Constant tension on joints from rubber bands (provided by you). Hopefully joints will never wear loose and will hold their pose.
• Wide range of motion. Knee can bend far enough for heel to touch buttock. Hands should be able to touch the opposite shoulder. Shoulder blade/collarbone movement will be simulated in addition to shoulders.
• Will cost approx 50 USD based on my current guesstimate. Expect this to change, likely for the worse.
• Attachment points provided for you to create your own stand.
• 8.6 In / 21.78 cm high.
• Depending on feedback, a more detailed surface mesh could be made that shows muscles, etc. Alternatively, a planar version could be produced.
• Depending on interest, a male version could be made as well.
• Detailed assembly instructions and youtube videos showing how to make it from the shipped parts.

I need to know if anyone would be interested buying a manikin at this price point with these features. My schedule is fairly busy, so whether I continue this project or not really depends on all of you. Would you buy it if it was cheaper/more expensive? Had different features or proportions? Please let me know!

Although affordability is a higher concern for me, I would like to add a small markup on this if it gets produced. If that makes this unwanted commercial posting on CA.org, just let me know and it will cease.

[PuppyKitten]

Clean3D, sounds like a good project for kickstarter.com. It will tell you whether or not you have a potential customer base, AND provide you with seed money if people like it.

[iambanana]

Clean3D, I have access to a BFB 3000 printer. If you make it compatible for that type of printing, I'll most def print it out. Although it would probably be too coarse a print for those kinds of detailed joints.

[tayete]

Clean3D, I agree Kickstarter would be great. If you decide, let us know so we can add some funds...

[SmallPoly]

I'd also recommend the kickstarter angle.

I've always been very disappointed with the typical wooden mannequins. They can barely bend their joints or hold a pose.

[The7Artist7]

Hey sorry I've been away for so long

Quick update: basically things just ground to a halt as far as CA.org being officially involved -haven't been getting replies from Jason so can't say what the standpoint is.. and unfortunately my personal life / struggling to keep financially afloat has had to take priority for me. I'd still like to see this happen though.

Nice one guys n gals for keeping the hope alive for a genuinely useful artist's pose ref manikin

[thanks]

Revoltech now has a smaller, nicely articulated spiderman for about $60.