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Concept Sketches and Prototypes SciFi Concepts and Design Yahoo Group In Memorium: Carlos Saenz, KIA, Iraq, 5-5-06. Friend, Mentor, and Patriot. Contact Email: johnbearross@gmail.com
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Hello, I'm John Bear Ross, a digital sculptor, writer, and idea man. I'm also a millwright by trade, a former Marine 0331, a former DOE security contract worker, a husband, and father. Welcome to my site. Using a computer program called Rhino, I digitally sculpt vehicles, armor, and other figures on my computer, then bring them to life using a number of methods, such as Rapid Prototyping, CNC Machining, and Manual Sculpture. I try and concentrate my efforts on science fiction concepts and designs. <<<<<<<<<<=========>>>>>>>>>> November 2008: Blog Link Added, and Secret Agent X News Well, it was kinda inevitable: I've caught the need to blog. It's not a compulsion like some have, more of an easier way to update folks on what I'm working on. Think of it as a tawdry marketing ploy. Heh. I'm updating roughly once a week at http://johnbearross.blogspot.com, as well as here. Blogging is a bit easier than updating this main page, but this is still my main repository of information, new projects, as well as my gallery and showcase. Not that anyone is viewing, but hey, what the hell. Also, here's the cover image to the Secret Agent X book in which my story will appear. Coming soon, from Airship 27 Productions and Cornerstone Publishing. Wow. My name, on the cover of a book. It's been a long road, but here I am!
<<<<<<<<<<=========>>>>>>>>>> Previous Updates September/October 2008: Who Is Secret Agent X? You might have noticed that I went all summer without a site update. The reasons were many, but among them was the fact that I was hammering away at my keyboard, expanding my writing horizons. Back in the 1930's and 40's, even into the 50's, Pulp magazines ruled the newstands, and captured the imaginations of young and old alike. Many of "The Greats" of science fiction started in the pulps, including Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, Philip K. Dick, and a host of others. Classic heros like The Shadow, The Green Hornet, Zorro, Buck Rogers, Doc Savage, and others emerged from this era. Modern-Day equivalents such as Indiana Jones, Dirk Pitt, and Hellboy continue this pulp tradition in their own larger-than-life tales. Secret Agent X was also one such hero. You can click the link to see who Secret Agent X is. Suffice it to say, over the years he became a public domain character, able to used by anyone, much like Huck Finn, Sherlock Holmes, and Count Dracula. Ron Fortier, from Airship 27 Productions, has offered me a chance to lend a little bit to the ongoing adventures of Secret Agent X. I thank him, and can't wait until the book is available for purchase. When I know, I'll let you guys know. In the meantime, take a look at some of my other writings, if you've got some time to kill. They're not classic Pulp, they're more Science Fiction and Superhero Fiction, but I enjoyed writing them. I hope you enjoy reading them. Send me an email at johnbearross@gmail.com if you've got any comments or critiques. In the meantime, I'm still sculpting, doing a bit of work here and there when real life doesn't interrupt. Moonfleet Miniatures is one of my current clients, and has a lot of nice 15mm offerings planned for the future. Here's a sneak peak of a modular hovercraft, which can have different hulls bolted on top of a common hoverskirt. Some things have changed since this pic was taken, but it will give you a general idea of what Moonfleet has planned. From left to right...Hover APC Hull, Combat Flatbed Hull (modular vehicle), Weapons Sprue, Back Hatch for APC, Reactive Armor panels, Hover Skirt, Hovertruck (can be converted to a Technical), Flight Base, Light Tank Cannon and Main Hull, and Light Tank Turret. Click On the Pic for a larger view.
<<<<<<<<<<=========>>>>>>>>>> Sculpting Files Now Available I am offering "Starter Files" for download. Payment is accepted through Paypal, and Google Checkout , though the checkout cart system has been changed. Requests for the files are now through email, and sent back via download. Among the first offerings are the Universal Mecha Parts File, the Universal Vehicle Parts File, and a completed mecha file called the Defender. Detail of the builds is oriented towards 1/100th scale, but like all rapid prototype files, everything is able to be scaled and changed.
Clicking Here or On The Pics Will Take You To The Sculpting Files Download Page, Where You Can See Turntable Movies Of The Parts Files, along with detailed descriptions and prices. A note on the Intellectual Property rights thing. These files are copywritten to me, but they're purchased by you. Reproduction and resale of the files for commercial use is not granted. Reproduction and resale of whatever you make FROM the files, though, is all your's. If you want to crank out a thousand Defenders, in scales ranging from 1/300th scale to 1/35th, you're entitled to, and you don't owe me a thing beyond the initial purchase of the file. Same thing with the Universal Mecha and Vehicle Parts. Bear in mind, though that the Defender is a finished file. Some additional Rhino prototyping work is required for the Universal files. A beginning user will be able to take these file parts, and with a little patience and creativity, make their own new mecha and vehicles, without having to worry about joint segmentation or parts fitting together. Some "blank." or unfinished parts, are in the files, but others will be completely sculpted, ready to be prototyped. Think of it as a model kit combined with clip art, and you're the one who can make an original design from the ground up, with a little help from the parts in the files. All files are offered in Rhino3d's .3dm format. If you haven't downloaded the Rhino tryout, you're missing out. They offer a free sample, which is the same as the purchased version, with the exception of being limited to 25 saves. Rhino is also available from Novedge.com and Computersculpture.com, among others. Another program out there that uses the ubiquitous .3dm file format is Moment of Inspiration, another program that can interchange files with Rhino. The price is a bit nicer than Rhino, but I haven't had any first-hand experience with the program. MOI appears to have a free trial version as well. Enjoy! <<<<<<<<<<=========>>>>>>>>>> Snakemech! I've created another public domain design, the 'Khaah Jha'Jhesh Assault Mecha. Here's a small version of the file.
Clicking on the Pic will give you the full size version, about 120kb, and you'll be able to read the compressed descriptive text found on the image. You can also go to the Free Downloads page to retrieve the file, or the Jha'Jhesh's battlefield opponent, the Devastator Mk.1. <<<<<<<<<<=========>>>>>>>>>> Also available is a zipped folder containing .jpg source art for the Devastator Mk.1 Main Battle Mecha, a revision of a sketch I've had on the books for the better part of 8 years. I have hundreds of designs waiting to see the light of day. I wasn't doing much with this one. I figured you good folks could do something with it. You don't have to call it the Devastator Mk.1. You don't have to follow the hurried and scribbly source art line for line. It's now a piece of work that is in the public domain. I have no copyright on it. The only copyrights that can lay claim to it are original works by other artists. All I ask is a concept art credit in the name of John Bear Ross.
Click Here To Go To The Free Downloads Page <<<<<<<<<<=========>>>>>>>>>> I've established a new Yahoo Group at the following address. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/scificonceptsanddesign It's a nexus for those who enjoy creating visions of the future that you can hold in your hot little hands. Feel free to drop by, join, and discuss your concepts and designs. A public domain section has been founded to distribute some source art that will be available to anyone, as long as the original artist (in the case of the Devastator Mk.1, myself) gets a credit. Enjoy! <<<<<<<<<<=========>>>>>>>>>> I've updated the Future 1/100th Scale Project page, to show off some new sketches of the Dreadhulk concepts I'm starting to crank out. Here's a peek...
<<<<<<<<<<=========>>>>>>>>>> Here are pics of the "proof of concept" vehicle and fixture I have CNC'ed (yes, that's a verb) from blue machinist wax on my prototyping mill. It's a hover combat utility vehicle, and looks like an armored cheese wedge with a pick-up bed in the back.Also, congrats to Chad Hardin on his landing of work with DC Comics. You can find Chad's artwork at your local comic book store, in the title "Countdown to Mystery", issues 5, 7, and 8. Great pencilling, Chad-o-mite! <<<<<<<<<<=========>>>>>>>>>> Welcome to the new incarnation of my website. Most of the material on here was once on my old site, Hellionproductions dot com. This is now my talent showcase, showing what I'm capable of producing in the arenas of digital sculpting, writing, and other creative avenues.Here's a new page giving you a look at my writing. Clicking the links download the stories in PDF format. Here's a page detailing my new 4-Axis prototyper, a Taig CNC Benchtop Mill. Also, I've updated the Reaper Gallery to show the builds that I did for CAV, and have included some thoughts and design notes that accompany each design. Hey, got nothing better to do for a few minutes? Read an Ugly Story! I've crafted a small writing submission, called "Five Ugly Stories". It's available for download, free, in PDF format. Truth in advertising: These stories are science fiction, with a bit of graphic violence and mature themes in them. No sex, just violence, but I want to warn you just the same. Click here for the PDF. <<<<<<<<<<=========>>>>>>>>>> My friend Carlos Saenz, in whose honor I had named one of my hovertanks, was killed in action in Iraq, May 5th, 2006.
Carlos Saenz was a friend and mentor to me. He was gregarious, loud, larger than life, and the finest human being I have ever known. He loved his family, career, and nation with an enthusiasm and zeal that can only be described as "full throttle." I will miss him more than words can ever tell. I will attempt, however, to distill my years of camaraderie, friendship, and admiration for this great man with a paraphrased quote from a person he admired, General George S. Patton. "Do not mourn the fact that a man like Carlos N. Saenz died. Instead, rejoice that such a man lived." Go easy, bro. We may not see each other soon, but you'll be the first one I look for. God bless Carlos and his family. Best, Here's a screen capture of the Saenz Heavy Hovertank I've had in the works since early 2006. It's now prototyped, and has found a home in the UK with a buyer. I might be able to make it available here in the US. Stay tuned.
Click on the pic to see a full-size view.I think it will be a small, but fitting, memorial to a man who was an infantryman, tanker, military policeman, and civil affairs bubba during a long and varied career. Regardless of how this thing is sold to the public, be assured that a portion will go to Carlos' son's scholarship fund. It's the least I can do for a man I considered a true friend. Best, John Bear Ross Rachel's Husband, Little Bear and Olivia's Daddy
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