Case Mod - In Progress Matrix Mod - Backup Operator

So, now for y new project.

Some might have seen it already, but I worked together with Warner Brothers and Nvidia
to create a mod as a promotion for the upcoming movie The Matrix Resurrections

For the design and hardware, I teamed up with DigitalStorm and together we made a concept.
We had a tough competition against 9 other modders right from the start and needed to convince WB
with our design. Luckily I got picked.

You actually can win this mod, but the worklog will take longer then the give away will actually take place
so I know its a monster spoiler, but here is the link to win one of the mods that were build
for this promotion: https://tinyurl.com/yzpn9jne

All in all I only got 4 1/2 weeks to complete this project, so there was only a very small room for trying out new things.


Concept:

It was my aim to create a mod that could exists in the Matrix universe.
The inspiration came from the interior of the Nebuchadnezzar, especially the area of the operator.
My thought was, what would happen if the operator does not function anymore. There needs to be a backup system.
Thats how the idea of a 'Backup Operator' came into play that should have all the functions and design elements of its bigger brother.


I started with a 3D model and tried to incorporated all of my design ideas.

 

Nothing is clear, but very interesting.

 

Thank god for 3d printers !

 

NEAT!
-the contest is ug, though. It's another, "go spam on social media for us," setup.
I see @InsolentGnome made one too. Hopefully that means he will be posting a log too.

 

And up we go. Although I worked on multiple parts at the same time,
I will try to get everything organized here. But, it can happen that you might see some details
that I will show the building process of at a later point.

Right at the start, I got a little draw back, the hardware arrived a week later then expected.
In addition the wrong fans were sent. Guess you cant have everything.



First, I removed all the parts and material that I dont need from the case.







To make the cable management more comfortable, I removed the old fan mountings.





I needed a little more room at the inside, so I marked and cut away a small part of the back plate.





Lastly, I shortened the top edge of the case, to make the outer shell fit at the end.

 

Angle grinder ....aggressive tool

 

I love KREATOR!!

 

Next, I started to cut all the wooden pieces



The front should have a slightly different shape, so I needed some angled pieces as well.





This time I took a different approach and adjusted the parts directly on the case.





Wood that hung over was simply cut away with a router, which I also used to make all the cut outs necessary.

 

I have a lot of the exact same tools as you, but my projects don’t come out looking nearly as nice as yours. So weird.

 

Cause I wanted the front to get a little more narrow in the mid section, I needed to cut away
even more metal from the case itself. After that, you already could get an idea of the later look.





Then, a couple wooden parts were added around the new shape. The excess material was
simply removed with the router.







After I was happy with the outer shape, the last holes for the fans on the top side were added.

 

I don't see how you can get away with just eye pro when using a grinder. I use a face shield and glasses and STILL get stuff in my eyes sometimes.

 

Normally, I am also wearing a complete face shield, but this time it was straight forward and I cut only in one direction. Never really got issues that way with stuff flying around to much.

Next, I made a test fit of most of the detail elements that should be attached to the case later one.
I will have a more detailed description of each part later.



The moment you realize there are only two weeks left.



After the test, I drilled holes and attached each part to its final spot.





Removed everything and started to make a quick sanding over the entire outer construction.



All the holes from the screws were filled with some wood putty.



To hide the wooden structure, I applied multiple layers of spray filler followed by some air drying spot putty.



After another round of sanding, the case was painted with a mixture of white and black Gesso.
This paint is a little thicker then normal acrylics and will hide the last remaining spots were the
wood grain might shine through.

 

Gesso? -Fast fill, fast dry, won't run in cold weather... brilliant! Definitely better than waiting a week for oil-based paint to cure in bad weather.

 

As temperatures are dropping fast here in Michigan, I cant experiment with other paint. So I took something that I knew works in my freaking cold workshop. Just 5°C at the moment.

 

In your last picture, what organizer system are you using? And I like the rack you made to hold them...

 

The ones on top are called 'Sortimo T-Boxx' and the green at the bottom are 'L-Boxx' and holding my Bosch tools.
Both boxes are made by Bosch/Sortimo. They are a bit pricey, but so far I havnt found a better quality.

 

After the paint was dry, I started with adding the details.
Warner Brothers provided me with the template of the new white rabbit.
It was adjusted for the vinyl cutter, to make a stencil.



The position was already figured out in the 3D model, so I simply attached it and dabbed some paint on.







My wife then took care of the basic weathering with some brown and black acrylics.



In the meantime I prepared 2020 aluminum profiles for the mounting of the keyboards and radiators.



To connect the parts with t-nuts, I cut metal sheets in the right shape.









Next, the mounting was attached to the case. At the end, the metal sheets will be on the inside.
This was just a first quick test if everything fit.

 

You are already using acrylic. Why don't you throw a tarp down in the kitchen and be cozy?
-Don't tell me it's so you two can be together. No one wants to hang out with the guy using an angle grinder.
...
Wait... There's an X-wing in the kitchen. You guys are living in the garage now?

 

Dont know if my landlord would be happy to see me grinding my way through the kitchen
With currently 6 mods occupying the living room it sometimes feels what way.
Might move the bed besides the workbench, so my way to work is just half a step.

 

As a landlord, I've seen far worse, but you know what I meant.
Don't ride your dirt bike in the living room, or put a swimming pool in the garage.
...Or use a BBQ grill indoors...