I just finished a design for the 3D Artist Magazine ‘Mech Something Awesome’ Hawken style Mech competition. I’ll post that in the Finished Projects section after the contest is over.
Anyway, it was fun to build, so I thought I would do another one. Below are some WIP renders. I’ll post here as I progress!
Thanks.
** UPDATE IMAGE TO COMPLETED MODEL **
This is super sweet looking. Will be looking on with great intrest as this progresses.
@Anthony C - Thanks!
I’ll upload an image before I go to sleep. I finished the shoulders (except for hydraulic hoses and wires…later…). I refined the topology on the torso some more. I added the structure for the hips. Added hip joints. Now I’m starting on the legs.
Another WIP image - more to come tomorrow:
This morning I added the knee joints, an armor-plated knee cap, and ankle joints. Still need actuator rods, hydraulics and such things. I also worked on the background compositing nodes for the ground shadow. Need to mow the lawn and get some work done. I’ll post more progress tonight after some more Blendering gets done!
I added a lot of geometry:
Armor Plates
Feet
Access Panels All Over
Nuts & Bolts All Over
Panel Seams
Various Hinges & Some Adjustments
Next I’ll add the arms/weapons. Then some boosters. After that it’s on to the small details. 
P.S. I can post wires if anyone is interested. Thanks.
Looking great. Is the metal a procedural? If it is, could you share the node settings for it?
Thanks. No, the material isn’t procedural. I’ll post a screenshot but it’s just a couple of textures. I use two shaders, a glossy and diffuse (maybe three?)…anyway, I’ll post a screen for you later.
Here are some images of the cannon. I added a cannon as the left arm w/ an auto-reloader mounted to it. I’ll still have to add a clip w/ extra shells. There’s a shell in the feeder for reference though, at the moment. I’ll add a rack of rockets for the right arm. Then the boosters…then the small details!
So here is a Modular Stackable Shell Clip for the auto-feeder/reloader. Needs a top cap, but not a big deal. I’ll add it later; don’t want those shells spilling out of the top there!
Thanks for looking…more to come soon. 
-angel
This is really well modelled - I am impressed!
As a suggestion maybe some detailing is needed on the front of the mech, next to the cockpit?
TS
Thank you! I really love building these Mechs, so I appreciate the “kudos”!
Yes, the small details will follow. I already added panels and seams to the legs since it is easier to do before I rotate them (on the Z axis - spread the feet). In my experience, it works betters since manipulation is easier along the Global axis. I model to the true Global axis whenever possible, apply the scale transform and then do any poses or rotations.
The cockpit will get more seams, access panels, bolts and/or rivets. The top access hatch needs handles too…the small details! Keep checking back, please. Progress is daily, at this point. 
So I did the rack of rocket launchers. I’ve based a lot of this on reference of real armored vehicles. I think it gives a more authentic look. Going for the “we could build one of these” feeling of the model now. So I’m not so sure I should add boosters. I feel like it would be a departure from the overall design…any opinions?
Here are the latest renders. Tomorrow I’ll start adding in some small details and think about the boosters.
Like it - IMO the rocket launcher should be a tad smaller though - it looks so heavy the mech would just tip over! Or alternatively if you want to keep the big massive missile feel just move the launcher so it is closer in to the body? I guess that would be tricky though as you would have to resize the mounts.
I agree. The launcher looks “just right” in the ortho views, but dat perspective!!!
Maybe I’ll take a look at a 3x3 setup. That would be an easier modification.
Any opinion on booster? I’m thinking if I skip the boosters, I’ll add extra ammo packs and an arm to reload with. A folding robot arm/crane setup, you know?
Still not sure, but I’ll be working on it more tonight so we’ll see…
The hip joints look a little frail to me.
@OnyxIdol,
Maybe. I could add some A Arms and springs like the shoulders. It’ll keep that 80’s style suspension component look going. Good feedback, thanks!
I updated the rack o’ Rocket Tubes. Looks better, I think. +1 for Aesthetics!
I bulked up the hip joints by adding some structural components. I like it. It gives a much sturdier look. matches the rest of the Mech now, pretty much. That was good feedback. I appreciate it.
Later I’ll add more details. For now, I’ll put this image here and I think I’ll update the first post so the thumbnail is updated.
Now it is starting to look massive.
I really like the skeletonized magazines.
@Anthony,
Thanks!
Here is another small update. I started adding details to the front of the Mech (cockpit). I added a handle on the top access hatch, machine guns in the front (small arms), access hatches, armor paneling and some small detailing.
I also added into the scene my “test pilot” (from another Mech I had built). Messing around with some background and lighting too:
My thread was feeling rather deserted so I came over here. Love the 3x3 launcher - makes a huge difference! As a suggestion, if you want a bit of detail, maybe have a huge calibre gatling gun rather than a cannon? They are easy to do nicely, and could give some nice detail. Also if you did it well you could use the current size rounds and magazines? Just a suggestion. Apart from that, it looks great! The environment obviously needs work but I suspect that may only be a placeholder?
TS
