Scratch Build ZOTAC "Valentine" ZBOX - Completed

[Shuper' Luu']

Welcome,

Valentine
I’d contact ZOTAC with the idea to build one custom scratch case for one ZBOX with a very especial theme. In less that 2 days they accept the idea and they’d choose one ZBOX nano XS AD11 PLUS. This project will be simple, thematic and well documented. More that the review of the case, till 14 of February of 2013 only small teasers will be showed, after that the topic will start having full worklog, with EN videos of all the process (we’re Portuguese, that’s way I’m referring it) of all the process, a little like our BlackStorm H406, but this time in full EN and with different type of episodes (with tips and little talk on the build).
I want to thank here to Patricia Igual from ZOTAC Espanha and to Christopher Dean from Imacula PR for all they help and to make this possible.

Features
# Main colors, white and red
# Structure multi layer of acrylic
# Thematic Lighting
# Unique design and stunning look when power on
# Subtle look, nice concordances and little details

Ideas
# Build a simple case and thematic
# Extended videolog
# Be good looking to female eyes
# Vertical support matching the theme
# Study cooling to not heat more on the new case, trying even to make it better


Hardware
# ZBOX nano XS AD11 PLUS

Software
# Windows 8


Worklog
# 1# Letter - Love at first sight
# 2# Letter - Open your Heart
# 3# Letter - Cardboard Heart
# 4# Letter - Cut and Bond
# 5# Letter - HeartShape Tech
# 6# Letter - In the end, Love is all that matters
# 7# Letter - Valentine

Videolog
# 1# Letter - Love at first sight
# 2# Letter - Open your Heart
# 3# Letter - Cardboard Heart
# 4# Letter - Cut and Bond
# 5# Letter - HeartShape Tech
# 6# Letter - In the end, Love is all that matters
# 7# Letter - Valentine

Sponsors
Zotac

How to follow the project?
Facebook
Twitter
Youtube
Skype: modaafoca
Messenger: modding@modaafoca.com
Main worklog : (Portuguese) http://modaafoca.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1561

[Shuper' Luu']

Welcome to the first Teaser!

Isn't the case spectacularly small and cute?

The worklog will have 7 videos (6 at 720p of videolog and one final one at 1080p), are you ready?

[Pranja]

You made mistake here-you put food on top of hardware-now I am looking on that Milka praline insted looking on HW.

[jrs77]

The best thing about that Zotac box is, that they deliver it with a driver DVD instead of a SD-card or USB-stick.
Just sayin, as it has no optical drive to begin with

Anyways, I love small boxes, but I chose the Zotac IONITX A-E and an Antec ISK 100 to build a HTPC.

[Shuper' Luu']

Originally Posted by Pranja

You made mistake here-you put food on top of hardware-now I am looking on that Milka praline insted looking on HW.

OMG, then no more foodware on the photos!

After the realese of first video will be more clear why the milka there hehe

Originally Posted by jrs77

The best thing about that Zotac box is, that they deliver it with a driver DVD instead of a SD-card or USB-stick.
Just sayin, as it has no optical drive to begin with

Anyways, I love small boxes, but I chose the Zotac IONITX A-E and an Antec ISK 100 to build a HTPC.

I think the last 14 builds i'd done or so, never had use DVD Drive internal. When i bought mine netbook i buy a external one and use with them if needed. Just like mine netbook that had DVD Drivers too haha

Have to say them to put a ZOTAC pendrive together hehe

I wasn't able to make it smaller that ZOTAC, but i think it's "pretty" small and on the theme.

More teasers to come!

[Shuper' Luu']

Hello,



Today Sneak Peek!

[jrs77]

Did you measure the board? My guess would be 4x4" (10x10cm), no?

[Shuper' Luu']

Originally Posted by jrs77

Did you measure the board? My guess would be 4x4" (10x10cm), no?

Yeap, the outside frame have 106mm x 106mm and the board have 100 x 100mm



Today Sneak Peek, with me cutting the first acrylic part on that big sheet of white 3mm acrylic!

[biojellywobbles]

Have zotac claimed you as their own now and branded you?

[Shuper' Luu']

Originally Posted by biojellywobbles

Have zotac claimed you as their own now and branded you?

Yeap, i'm not allowed to talk about the new ZOTAC HAND, is on NDA, sorry

[Shuper' Luu']

Hi,

Happy V-day everyone!



On this first episode/letter we will intro the project, show how we start, the idea and a little more, it's a intro video. After you see the video, here are the photos,



First thing was with cardboard, pen and calculator start making the samples for cuts, before we had the ZBOX,


I'd use simple cardboard red and yellow,


The ZBOX is really little, this is it next to one phone "sock" of Bart. The yellow and red even match hehe



Netbook with Solidworks helping, always,


The little 720p webcam that help on the videos,



The DREMEL and hand fills i'd use. This kind of mods don't ask for big machines,



Always with ZOTAC HAND helping on the manual work,


The white acrylic 3mm, that will be the main case element.


Next Episode: Open your Heart

[Shuper' Luu']

Hi,



Welcome to second episode of Valentine project, Open your Heart. On this episode we will do unboxing of the ZBOX, open everything, analyse and discuss some of the things. After some measures and decisions, we cut some parts of the stock case that were necessary.

After see the video, lets go to some photos we had take at this phase,


First four episodes we're made here, as mainly of the case. With the help of mine DREMEL and fillings, ACER notebook and the 720p webcam,


Everything that were inside the box of ZBOX,



Frontal and Read views of nano XS AD11. You can see the power on button, the audio/micro on front and there is 2x USB 3.0 in the back, always subtle.



Black gloss mirror top,



Remember milka from the first teaser?




Almost everything out, memory and SSD and close up on cooling. The out/in take of the air have to be done the same way on the build of the case,


All the cardboard, plus main strucural pieces and the two side panels,


I had to take out the for nuts on the top panel, easy, fast but necessary on the new case,



On the "ring" metal part, i'd to take out the for supports with a saw blade, because DREMEL don't fit there,

What are you thinking, is it VALENTINE?


Next Letter: Cardboard Heart

Remember to follow us!

[k.3nny]

nice nice!, love it keep on goin!

[Shuper' Luu']

Originally Posted by k.3nny

nice nice!, love it keep on goin!

Thanks k.3nny!

More will come at night. And for the people that we're not able to see the Youtube video due to the Sting music, i'm uploading the video for direct view on mine website

[Shuper' Luu']

Hi,



Welcome to third episode!

On this episode we will only talk about the cardboard used as samples, they we're central on this project and projects like this, with direct modeling.




The two main pieces, ZBOX and the heart.



All shapes together, not couting with the little ones on the air zones.



And now, can we compare it to a cap?


The basic heart shape on the big acrylic sheet.



First step, draw the model on the acrylic, with a fine pen.






Photos of the cuts of the first side panel, usind DREMEL and one reforced disk.



One of this photos already had been a sneak peek! And one close up now maybe?




The ZBOX frame on the main heart shape and the basic multi layer samples. What you think?


Next episode: 4# Letter - Cut and Bond

[Shuper' Luu']

Hi,



Maybe the most wanted episode of all, we will on this episode make the cuts and glue the case. Are you ready?


The basic heart shape over the big acrylic sheet,


To make the two side panels equal, nothing best that fill and grid till they match. With the help of a black pen is easy to know where to fill.



The multi layer parts of the bottom zone, and the ZBOX there,



Photos of the paiting of the main frame in red,



All the pieces together, with the plastic protection on. It start taking shape,



We start gluing for the bottom. Do it look good?


Bottom zone done, with zone to intake.





The the top pieces of the multi layer enter the mod,



Now the exaust zone on the top,


Isn't ZBOX really little?


The heart on the side panel, best result of a fake competition ever hehe


The modding HQ during the process. You can see the glass of skill stills there,




Time to get ZBOX ready for it final position, and to finalize it main frame.


Time to wash the case, to take out particles and work dust.


The final two parts over the red acrylic for the final piece, isn't it pretty?

Now is time to fill and grid, and grid and grid a lot.

Next Episode: 5# Letter - Heartshape Tech

[Shuper' Luu']

Hi,



Ready to see the ZBOX on the new case turning on? And see the result of the assembly?



The ZBOX already on the case, but it had go one more time to paiting.


Here she is next to the new feet, last bond ready!


One sneak on the top of the case,


The left side panel of the Valentine case,


The back, have to glue the feet and fill the case one last time, almost ready!



Two not final photos of the case, to see how it look with more lightning and with the foot on.




Turn ON by HDMI to a small TV. Till i know the TV color where the ZBOX will be used, the remote stays black.

What's you opinion? One thanks episode lasting, one final video and the awesome final photos. In LOVE?

Next episode: In the end, Love is all that matters

[Shuper' Luu']

Hi,

Welcome to the sixth video episode of project Valentine. This is almost end video with thanks and some words, before the final worklog post with the final video and final photos.



Big thanks to ZOTAC for making this possible, to Patricia Igual and Christopher Dean, and to all of you that followed the project,

Any ideia of improvemnt/evolve to one next project say it and see you on the next mod!

[Shuper' Luu']

Welcome to the last episode of Valentine, the cuttest nano ZBOX.



To finish the project, one special shoot and a very special video. I let you with the final album of the last photos, on a garden.

To all mine big thanks, here are the photos so you dazzle,

VALENTINE




























Modder vs Mod










And this was Valentine, the cuttest nano ZBOX. Hope you had like, shortly i will redo the first post on all foruns worklog, videolog and link to download all the episodes at the original 720p.

[thegyufi]

Good work on this Zotac box, but as I didn't see any girls on your photos (sorry I did't read all your thread), I just want to let you know that I'm single ! See you soon bad boy...