Updated T. rex skull - W.I.P.

[Dinoreplicas]

Reckon it's time to update my 3D printed Tyrannosaurus skull. I thought I'd try a W.I.P. thread to document the process.

The rex skull was my first Shapeways model and now it's looking a bit lacking compared to my other products which are available in multiple scales and have improved articulated jaw joints.
I've got this idea for additional parts so I can have a few product variations.

To start with-

1 - Tyrannosaurus skull (only) with hinged jaw.
2 - T. rex skull with additional neck vertebrae.
3 - T. rex foot (bones)

Then maybe later-

4 - Life restoration bust
5 - Half life restoration bust/half bones (Harvey Dent version!)

[tyrantqueen]

I like the half and half version. Depending on the scale, I might be interested in a copy.

[dinosaurdungeon]

I think the half and half is an awesome idea! I'm really looking forward to it!

[Dinoreplicas]

Reference assembled, production drawings underway.
Fortunately there's a lot more available reference these days including these free and legaly downloadable papers-

Osborn, 1906
Osborn, 1917
Brochu, 2003

There's also a 3D scan of the Trix specimen on Sketchfab, an excellent resource for viewing the bones in 3D. I'll be exploring this one a lot, zooming in and rotating around to see the exact shape of bones.
Link - https://sketchfab.com/models/8bb05194fb6d4c8a9afa3c61a58d47c7

Witmerlab have a lovely hi-res photo set of the Stan skull (BHI 3033).
link - https://people.ohio.edu/witmerl/collections/Theropods/tyrannosaurusstan.htm

And a ton of photo reference, museum displays etc., collected from the internet.

[Dinoreplicas]

I like the half and half version. Depending on the scale, I might be interested in a copy.

For scales I'm thinking initially 1:16, 1:20, 1:24 and 1:32
Then adding 1:10 and 1:12 maybe just for the bone variants.

[Dinoreplicas]

I think the half and half is an awesome idea! I'm really looking forward to it!

Thanks, I've had more positive feedback for this version than I was expecting.
I'll definitely have to do it.

[Dinoreplicas]

Always good to get away from computer and go analogue now and again.
1/10th is an nice easy drawing scale so a 1.52m long skull is 15.2 cm on the paper.

Proportions based on Stan, Trix and the AMNH skull.
This will be the main working drawing for the skull and the relative sizes and external features will be traced from it.

[Dinoreplicas]

Added medial view of lower jaw.
Sue's mandibles are much less crushed than the cranium so this view was drawn by studying the Brochu paper and also Witmerlab's Stan photos.

[Dinoreplicas]

I've been making a lot of sketches to familiarise myself with the structure of the skull, particularly the internal bones of the brain-case and the palette and how they connect to the inside surfaces of the exterior bones.

In addition to the other references I found there's an excellent 3D PDF of the stan skull you can download from Witmerlab. Link - https://people.ohio.edu/witmerl/3D-Visualization.htm

With Adobe Acrobat you can cross section the 3D model allowing you to see inside as you rotate and zoom around the details.
Most of the sketches are little more than scribbles and difficult to interpret but this one I developed a bit further. The drawings really help me to understand the shape in 3D and are essential to the sculpting process.

[Mackeral]

Teriffic sketch!

[Mini Minmi]

It's fascinating to see your study sketches. I'm going to enjoy this thread a lot. Thank you for sharing.

[Dinoreplicas]

Teriffic sketch!

It's fascinating to see your study sketches. I'm going to enjoy this thread a lot. Thank you for sharing.

Thanks guys! I'm becoming a fan of making W.I.P.s
Some days I have a short attention span and I'm finding posting my progress helps me to keep focus and organise my thoughts.

[Dinoreplicas]

Anterior and posterior views

[Dinoreplicas]

Ventral view
Probably wraps it up for the skull sketches. I'll add more if I need the details.
Spent a lot of effort on this and need to pick up the pace or my (middle aged) attention span will sputter out. concentrate on neck next.

[spinosaurus1]

amazing progress. mind linking your shapeways shop?

[Lone Trike]

Quite some breathtaking skull replicas! I love your attention to detail! Also great sketches
May I ask about your experience with shapeways? I´ve only ordered some test prints and prototypes, I made last year, so far and was not that intrigued over all. But maybe I just used the wrong materials!

[Dobber]

Fantastic sketches! I also like the Half/Half idea.

Chris

[Dinoreplicas]

amazing progress. mind linking your shapeways shop?

Thanks, here's some links:
Deviantart - https://strick67.deviantart.com/gallery/
Shapeways - https://www.shapeways.com/shops/bob-s-3d-stall
Twitter - https://twitter.com/Tarnyloo73

I love your attention to detail! Also great sketches

Thanks. Most of the sketches will contribute to my 3D modelling template and the grid isn't just for drawing to scale.
It also helps me to line up the details orthographically in the various views.

May I ask about your experience with Shapeways? I´ve only ordered some test prints and prototypes, I made last year, so far and was not that intrigued over all. But maybe I just used the wrong materials!

I've been ordering the cheap WSF material which is a little grainy but looks OK with a paint-job. I've had similar feedback from customers who have ordered my prints.
Another member on this forum recommended the HDA material (High Definition Acrylate) and I'll be probably try it out soon.

Fantastic sketches! I also like the Half/Half idea.

Thanks, I really want to do this one but by necessity it'll be last model completed.
I may have to do 2 versions to address the lipped Vs lipless - scaly Vs feathered theories.

[Lone Trike]

I've been ordering the cheap WSF material which is a little grainy but looks OK with a paint-job

That´s the one I used, too. I agree, the surface texture looks and feels a bit weird on some projects, but on the other hand it´s light and surprisingly durable. I´ve also tried printing with steel, but the piece turned out to have warped a little bit. I guess the good thing about shapeways is, you don´t have to worry about producing yourself. But then you never really know what they will send to the costumer.

[Dinoreplicas]

But then you never really know what they will send to the costumer.

That's a fair point, of course there's both pros and cons to outsourcing production. If I was doing this more permanently I think I'd be looking for alternative manufacturing methods.
I admire those of you who do your own casting or 3D printing, just haven't got the time/space to do myself right now.