[Snowflakian]

I've been away from the forum for a bit, mostly spot checking when I have time occasionally. The reason for that has been because of working on these custom parts and figures.

I wanted to try something a little different than normal average figure part swap/repaints that I do. I've always been a fan of Hasbro's original Built To Rule toyline, but felt some of the execution of it was off. That the designs never really reached their full potential because various aspects of the designs were put on almost like an afterthought when they should have had more focus. So these were designed to put more emphasis on the parts that really stood out as amazing potential from them. I wanted something that was kind of a cross blend of Centurions and Inhumanoids to really kind of evoke that wider playstyle approach and innate creativity the original Built To Rule concept had.

So I got in touch with a Shapeways designer, worked out some custom designs in MS Paint and passed them along to him. He rendered them and got them passed the Shapeways checks for production, and then we proceeded going back and forth in testing them until they fit perfectly.

So I present to you...

Kre-O Tech:
Create your own Technology.
A bridge gap line that crosses the play threshold for several toy lines to work in unison.

Kre-O Tech involves clip on armor and peg plates that allow any 1:18th scale figure to become building block compatible. They also include 5mm peg stands that allow you to make your own Transformers gear, hands, weapons, or even Kreon compatible points. Which for the first versions of Construct-A-Bots/Construct Bots is incredibly helpful for more detailing and combinations including wider alt-mode variances. You can also create your own Combiner Wars hands and feet with the 5mm peg stands, and they let you add Kreons to various City bots or battle station modes of current Transformers Generations figures.

But that's not all!
Kre-O Tech was designed specifically for 1:18th figure lines. So there are backpack peg squares that fit on modern GI Joe figures! This also means they work with any Hasbro modern standard 1:18th scale figure too! Including the backpack holes on Ironman 2, or Captain America 2 figures!

Cobra Cyber Ninja

A basic Cyber Ninja from the GI Joe Retaliation line enhanced with a pair of Kre-O Tech Gauntlets can now carry or use an even wider arsenal for both practical or decorative purposes. For full play value, it was important to have the parts designed in such a way that figures could use them as is with no modifications and they would not hinder range of movement for articulation in any way.

Cobra Sea Unicorn

The Cobra Sea Unicorn is a full custom figure using the Kre-O Tech pieces. It is designed as an all terrain Cobra specialty trooper that has an emphasis on aquatic warfare. He is partnered up with a Seacon Kreon that both acts as an underwater propulsion pack, and as a submersible drone scout. With how Kre-O Tech is implemented, the Sea Unicorn is compatible with all manner of brick lines to customize and create your own artillery and gear for any mission.

Kre-O Tech Compatible Constructbots Wheeljack

Besides enhancing 1:18th scale figures. Kre-O Tech is also designed to act as a bridge gap between building block toys and Hasbro's Construct bots. Here's Wheeljack showing off the basic compatibility of the peg stand to his compatibility now with both building block toys and Kreons. From Constructbot vehicle to now a Kreon battle wagon, Wheeljack's new range of compatibility will not hinder any of the original design's transformation abilities.

Red Knight

Red Knight and his Partner are of a different design concept using Kre-O Tech. That of implementing in design elements that allowed for potential Pretender shell applications. Using the peg stands and Hasbro's Kre-O line, you can design or attach new armors to existing constructbots without ever altering their original configuration. Partnered with him are Kreons and a 1:18th scale figure that can use him as a vehicle. Red Knight is a pretender shell for Construct Bots Ironhide. A temp armor holder for an Exo-Suit that will fit his human partner.

And here's a picture of all the various spots the peg stand can connect to Constructbots! It also doubles up nicely on the arm for a perfect 2x4 brick compatibility!

More pictures still to come!
I have a GI Joe Delta 6 suit built to Kre-O Tech specs I've yet to take pictures of, as well as a new Insecticon based 1:18th character that has Kreon Kickback as her partner. Kre-O Tech itself is also not limited to only GI Joes! It also works with a myriad of other lines of this scale, including but not limited to Mattel's Green Lantern and Man of Steel lines! They also share some compatibility with larger lines including some of the larger Barbie Stylized figures, and even DC Superhero Girls! So if you want to try them with original sized GI Joes that existed long before the Real American Hero line, you're welcome to use them.

You can find the parts at Shapeways!

Here are the links:
Basic Armor for 1:18th scale and other figures.
5mm Peg stands.
GI Joe brick compatible Backpacks. (Also works with Megablocks/Megaconstrux minifigs! Including Spartans/COD and Power Rangers!)

And a special shoutout to Shapeways' Tresob for all the help and work into making these a reality. You can find his Shapeways shop here.

Tresob was also kind enough to create some basic 1x2 stands to help with this. They allow Titans Return type feet to peg onto any brick building surface, and also include 1x2 brick panels for both vintage and modern Hasbro 1:18th scale figures. Those are still in the testing phase. Will include links once they are done.

Coming in posts later, directions for more gear enhancements, and more customs made using this part interaction system. Including how the 5mm peg stands can turn any Kreon into a Targetmaster weapon for any Transformer!